India might not have been the first country to spring to mind when considering higher education overseas, but its education is quickly making a name for itself. According to the latest Open Doors annual survey by the United States’ International Institute of Education, the number of US students in India has surged by 44%, while the number of Indian students – who account for one of the largest groups of international students in the States – in the US has fallen by 1% to 104,000. Are Indian freshmen forsaking the West to go to college at home? If they are, they would be doing so for good reason.
India – the world’s second largest education network, with 343 universities and 17,000 colleges – offers a huge variety of courses spanning the undergraduates, postgraduate, doctorate, skill-based and vocational levels. Distance learning is also an extremely viable option: there are 66 distance learning institutions functioning in 60 universities and 11 open universities.
Education is valued very highly and this is reflected in the quality of teaching and in the courses and faculties themselves. The institutions are respected internationally. Many academics who have studied in the top ranking universities in the United States and United Kingdom are either returning or relocating to India due to the prestige of education. As a result, India has become an innovation hub with Multinational Corporations such as General Electric, IBM and Daimler establishing Research and Development centres in major cities.
India’s GDP is growing rapidly. Home industries are already well established – in 2010 Tata Motors became the world’s first automobile company to make a $2000 car. The demand for educated employees will continue to rise and with it, the standard of education is only set to increase. Obtaining higher education qualifications here will put graduates in an ideal position to begin their careers.
Compared to the Americas and Europe living and education costs are low. This includes course fees, food, accommodation and even luxurious extras such as clothes, alcohol and beauty treatments. India’s large cities offer all the leisure activities and distractions international students would expect from their home countries.
The country is a popular tourist and backpacker destination and there exist several budget airlines offering a fantastic opportunity to explore the subcontinent with ease. As the largest English speaking population in the world, there is no language barrier to contend with. Any international student arriving in India is assured a warm and friendly welcome from its people. India is unlike any other country on earth, closer to a continent in terms of size and in the variety of culture, landscape and people.
Eligibility of admission: Foreign students and Non Resident Indians
International students must have completed a minimum of 12 years schooling prior to being admitted to a higher education institute.
International students already studying at schools in India can submit their applications pending their Higher Secondary (10 + 2) or equivalent examination results. Upon obtaining their marks sheet, students should send results within 10 days to: Students Cell, Room No. 1009, Ministry of External Affairs. Akbar Bhavan. New Delhi.
Direct admission of international students to Engineering, Medical (MBBS), Dental (BDS) or any other medical course offered by public institutions is not permitted.
International students can seek university admission to undergraduate courses in Engineering, Medicine (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) in private colleges. The number of NRI / PIO /Foreign students is limited to a quota. Remaining places are filled by Indian students.
For students from developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, where facilities for medical degrees are either inadequate or unavailable, a limited number of places exist in the MBBS, BDS courses. The exact number and country-based allocation varies annually. Students applying for these places are required to submit their application through the Indian missions abroad or through the diplomatic missions of the respective countries in India.
The academic year in India starts in July/August. All the international students seeking admission to schools, colleges & universities in India are advised to apply well in advance.
