Best Countries to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a life-changing event for international students since it allows them to travel, experience, and educate themselves at the same time. You get an opportunity to experience a different culture, learn a new language, and meet new people.  Are you willing to pursue higher education abroad? If yes, then explore some of the best countries to study abroad through this article.

It is truly a rewarding experience to study abroad as there are a plethora of opportunities available in foreign countries. These countries are home to top-tier higher education institutions that offer world-class facilities, internationally recognized degrees, and lucrative employment opportunities. 

Table of Contents

• Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad
• Study Abroad Rankings Are Based on What Factors?

Top 10 Countries to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a wonderful way to acquire new academic, social and language skills and enrich your university experience. However, students need to pick the right study abroad destination to pursue higher education. Some of the best countries to study abroad are given as follows:

1. The United States of America
2. The United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. Norway
5. France
6. Germany
7. Japan
8. Australia
9. Singapore
10. New Zealand

The United States of America

This is the first on any list. The country receives the most number of international students than any other nation in the world. More so than education, people are drawn in towards the American culture. America sets trends for other countries to follow. Their music and movie industries have a great influence on the entire youthful population in the world. They have the largest economy globally, and this alone attracts thousands of students and immigrants each year.

The US is also ahead of other nations when it comes to promoting sports. Football (Soccer) is more popular in Europe, though. The NBA (National Basketball Association), MLB (Major League Baseball), NFL (National Football League) and the NHL (National Hockey League) are the top 4 highest paying sports in the world. America is also home to Silicon Valley - an IT paradise.

Think of America as that posh restaurant with an exclusive chef, the taste may be subpar at best, but the reputation of the establishment will see it through with people lining to get in. Such is the attraction - immense but unwarranted.

That’s the country and not its educational institutions. America has some of the best universities in the world, the very best. In the list of top 10 universities in the world, 5 are from the US. Their tuition fee is very high, and the cost of living as well. When it comes to student accommodation in New York City, finding affordable options amidst the city's soaring rents can be an additional challenge. The average annual tuition fees to study in the USA is $20,000 to $45,000. 

Some of the top universities in the United States are:

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Yale University
• University of Pennsylvania

The United Kingdom

Commonwealth nations are still under the colonial hangover and regard the UK as better than other nations. The cultural sophistication of the English (the accent, flexing of the pinkie while sipping on tea and the act of drinking tea) fascinates people all over. Many from the tropics may not appreciate the weather, but from people from cooler temperatures, it is an absolute treat.

Winters can get cold with extended monsoons. The UK is a melting pot of diversity and culture, though. Students from all over the world study here. It is the second-highest recipient of international students after the US. The UK is home to some of the world’s biggest football clubs in Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, etc., and this reason alone will suffice for many. England is also home to Lord’s Cricket Ground - Mecca of Cricket.

Though in recent years, the regulations that have been imposed make it difficult for students to get a job after graduation or improve on their immigration status. England is in political turmoil due to Brexit, which will affect the international community on the whole. But this should not deter students much as the educational institutions are worth the pain.

The University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, is in London. At almost 1000 years old, the continued persistence is directly proportional to the brilliance and magnificence of the institution in its continued deliverance of excellence. Other institutes of the same calibre include the University of Cambridge and the Imperial College London, to name a few. To study in the UK, students need to spend around £12000 – £35000 per annum on tuition costs.

Some of the top universities in the United Kingdom are:

• University of Oxford
• University of Cambridge
• University College London
• Imperial College London
• University of Edinburgh

Canada

It’s a poor man’s USA, but by no means is it cheap. The country is known for its hospitality and famous for its apologetic attitude. Canada accepts the largest number of refugees in a year and helps them resettle. The charismatic Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India could be taken as disastrous and hilarious at the same time; it produced mixed results other than what was hoped for. Recent scandals have dealt some serious blows, though. 

Toronto, home of the Toronto Raptor - 2019 NBA champions, was voted as the most desirable city to study in by students. Two other Canadian cities in Montreal and Vancouver also make it into this list. The winters are severely cold, -30-degree Celcius cold. Summer is welcomed with open arms; people enjoy the sun and the warmth. People prefer to sweat under the sun rather than to go indoors; summer is that much appreciated. 

A degree from a Canadian university is recognized all over the world. Some of the world’s top colleges are here. The majority of the population speaks English, and communication will not be a problem. Canada is safe with low crime rates, and the quality of living is among the highest in the world. When it comes to tuition rates, students need to spend around CAD 28,000 to CAD 58,000 yearly.

Some of the top universities in Canada are:

• University of Toronto
• McGill University
• University of British Columbia
• McMaster University
• University of Alberta

Norway

It is the northern-most Scandinavian country. Vikings come from this region; though the real Viking spirit is dead, their descendants continue to exist. Norway is famous for its natural beauty, and it is regarded by many as the most beautiful country in the world. Some of its natural attractions are the fjords, mountains, midnight sun, etc.

Norway can boast of a thriving culture and tradition which has been preserved and practised till today. After the discovery of oil in 1969, the country saw a heavy influx of cash flows which saw a soaring rise in the living conditions of its people. It is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in.

Norway is the world leader in several sectors such as natural gas and oil service, renewable energy, shipping, the fishing industry, and others.Holidays in Norway can be spent skiing which is one of its main attractions. The majority of the population speak English; therefore, students should not have any trouble communicating.

Scandinavian countries are safe and have low crime rates. Norwegian universities are free for everyone. The tuition fees are very low, but the cost of living is high. Living in Norway and studying in other foreign universities is almost the same. The average tuition fees in Norway is around 7,000 – 19,000 EUR/year.

Some of the top universities in Norway are:

• University of Oslo 
• University of Bergen 
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Norwegian University of Life Sciences
• University of South-Eastern Norway 

France

Paris is known as the city of love, for those of you seeking to get more out of college life than just a degree, France is for you. Paris has been voted as the most desirable student destination 4 times in a row, currently, it sits at 5th place. France is famous for its cuisines, art and architecture, history and culture, the world cup winning football team, Neymar and PSG saga and so much more.

The French economy is one of the strongest in the world with major international corporations like Total, L’oreal, Airbus, LVMH to name a few. The language is the third most spoken language in the world and is the fourth sweetest language in the world. 

The university fees are the same for national and international students. College fee varies according to the type of the program, as in, undergraduate courses are cheaper than postgraduate courses. Certain institutions implement their fee structure, do some research before applying.

Most undergraduate courses are conducted in English and all postgraduate courses are conducted in English. The tuition fees are very low and the cost of living is not as high as Norway, but high nonetheless, especially Paris, which is the most expensive city to live in the world. The tuition rates in France range from 2770 EUR to 3770 EUR per year.

Some of the top universities in France are:

• Université de Paris
• University of Strasbourg
• Sorbonne University
• Paris Sciences et Lettres University
• École Polytechnique

Germany

The country is best known for its automobile industry. German manufactured cars, and German engineering are known for their excellence. The country is famous for festivals and carnivals. Oktober fest is the most popular, a fest the revolves around beer. People, mostly from Munich, participate in this event and can be seen wearing traditional German costumes.

One-third of Germany is covered in forest, and it has more bridges than Venice, Berlin is 9 times the size of Paris, everyone has a health insurance plan in Germany, Germany is also the 2nd largest employers of engineers, provides international students with an 18-month window to look for a job after graduation, one of the safest countries in Europe to live in. Despite its history, the country has taken major strides to change this opinion. Germany took in almost 200,000 Syrian refugees and helped them resettle. 

The tuition fee in German public universities is non-existent or negligible. The government passed a resolution in 2014 which made free education for national and international students mandatory in public institutions. Most undergraduate courses and all postgraduate courses are conducted in English. However, the average annual tuition fees at private universities in Germany is around 26,000 EUR/ year.

It is recommended that students make efforts to learn German as it will be greatly advantageous. By 2030, Germany is also projected to face a shortage of skilled workers, providing job opportunities for international graduates.

Some of the top universities in Germany are:

• Technical University Munich
• Free University of Berlin
• University of Freiburg
• Heidelberg University
• Ulm University

Japan

Japan is a tiny island country located in the Pacific Ocean. A country that required the dropping of two atom bombs to deter their spirits. A country that gave us Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Air Gear, etc.

What’s not to like about Japan? Fascinating architecture, awesome cuisine, manga and anime, best motorcycle, hardworking people, fastest trains, etc. Japan is what happens when tradition meets innovation. Japanese are tech-savvy but at the same time deeply rooted in their culture and tradition.

The country is very prone to earthquakes, but the buildings are constructed in such a way that they absorb the impact and do not tumble easily. As one of the most densely populated countries in the world, finding spacious accommodation at a reasonable price will almost be impossible. Tokio is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.

The Japanese community is also one of the leaders when it comes to fashion; the young generation is known for their eccentric style. Japan hosts the largest comic convention, ‘Comiket’, which is a volunteer-run event. People put up their stalls at the designated venue and try selling their manga. The volunteers draw, write the script, put up the money for printing all by themselves and man their stall too. 

Japanese institutions support research and development. The country has produced the highest number of Nobel Prize winners in Asia. The quality of education is among the best in the world. Tuition fees are way lower than in western universities.

Japanese cities are expensive to live in but are comparatively cheaper than cities like Zurich, London, New York, etc. The average tuition rates in Japan are 12,40,000 YEN to 28,30,000 YEN  per year. Moreover, the government provides scholarship programs for international students, which can see the entire tuition fees wavered off. International students get several other scholarships as well.

Some of the top universities in Japan are:

• University of Tokyo
• Osaka University
• Hokkaido University
• Nagoya University
• Kyushu University

Australia

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of students applying to Australian universities. It has become one of the the best countries to study abroad for students across the globe. When compared to other study abroad destinations like the UK and the USA, tuition costs and living costs in Australia are quite affordable. Moreover,  Australia has flexible work policies and is one of the most immigration-friendly countries in the world. International students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week while pursuing their studies in Australia.

Due to the outstanding international reputation of the Australian education system, graduates of Australian schools are highly sought after. The Australian government carefully regulates this system to ensure that the country's high standard of education is maintained. In addition, Australian universities a diverse range of courses to cater to the needs and interests of students around the world.  When it comes to tuition fees, international students can expect to spend around AU$20,000 to $37,000 per annum.

Some of the top universities in Australia are:

• University of Melbourne
• Australian National University    
• University of Queensland     
• Monash University    
• University of Western Australia

Singapore

Singapore has a reputation for academic excellence around the world. The nation’s education system is considered world-class and boasts academic talent that is both highly advanced and competitive. The country is a leading industrial centre for aerospace, precision engineering, information technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, the creative industry, and professional services. Singapore is a multi-cultural society where people are respectful of different religions, races, and cultures. There are four official languages in Singapore – English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Moreover, laws in Singapore are strictly enforced, which explains its very low crime rate and its reputation as one of the safest countries in the world. This is undoubtedly a draw for many international students. The annual average tuition fees in Singapore is $11,500 to $13,450.    

Some of the top universities in Singapore are:

• Nanyang Technological University  
• Singapore Management University
• National University of Singapore
• Singapore Institute of Management
• James Cook University

New Zealand

Influenced by the UK education system, New Zealand focuses on research-based teaching, which means you will learn dealing with situations in a systematic and an organised manner. With an excellent education system, internationally accredited qualifications, ample research opportunities and a matchless quality of life, New Zealand has a lot to offer. While studying here, you can be assured of a welcoming and friendly society with an excellent support system for international students. To study in New Zealand, student need to spend around around $20,500 - $25,000 annually on tuition fees.

New Zealand offers a wonderful multi-cultural environment that exists in perfect harmony with the country’s outdoorsy lifestyle. As an international student in New Zealand, you can work for up to 20 hours every week during your semesters and full-time during breaks. In fact, if you’re pursuing research masters or a doctoral degree, you will be allowed to work full-time. 

Some of the top universities in New Zealand are:

• University of Auckland  
• University of Otago 
• Victoria University of Wellington 
• University of Canterbury  
• University of Waikato  

Study Abroad Rankings Are Based on What Factors?

The top countries to study abroad are ranked on the basis of a number of factors/attributes. Let us look at some of the most important factors:

• Culturally accessible
• Fun
• Has many cultural attractions
• Students would consider attending college/university there
• Provides top-quality education
• Helps in personality development of students
• Students are able to achieve career goals
• Good for professional networking/making new friends
• Students are able to learn a new language

Studying abroad can be tedious with all the planning involves, including tuition, meals and housing expenses whether you are staying in student accommodation in London or student housing in Boston. But proper planning can help you go a long way in your student journey, and let you enjoy the wonderful years of studying abroad.