Study abroad is about broadening your horizons and experiencing something new. So why do so many students choose the same destinations? Yes, the UK and the US are wonderful places to be a student, the Sorbonne in Paris has a romantic air to it and very few people would turn down the chance to live in Barcelona. However, there are some countries which you might not have considered yet, but could be the perfect choice for you.
India
Looking to swap a declining western economy for a booming eastern one? Look no further than India, which can offer institutions in the tropics, in the hills or in some of the most dynamic cities in the world – all at a much more affordable price. It seems like many students agree too, with the number of US students opting to study in India soaring by 44% between 2009 and 2010.
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- Hot destinationsThe Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, the University of Delhi and the University of Pune all feature in the QS top 150 universities in India list.
- Beyond studyingNo trip to India is complete without a visit to a temple, and what better place than Varanasi, the City Temples? Try to visit during the Diwali festival for a true insight into Indian mysticism.
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China
China has long been hailed as one of Asia’s best destinations for study and is already extremely popular, with more than 250,000 students from 180 countries already studying in the country. Studying in China is perfect for you if you want to get ahead in engineering, science, medicine or business. It’s also going to save you plenty of money – tuition fees are generally less than £3,000 per semester and living costs are much more affordable than in neighboring places like Japan and South Korea.
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- Hot destinationsTsing Hua University, Fudan University and Zhejiang University all consistently rank among the best institutions in Asia.
- Beyond studyingChina is so vast that it could take you years to see it all. Try to get away from the big cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong and see some more rural areas. Drink rice wine with locals in Inner Mongolia, or head out to UNESCO World Heritage site Lijiang in Yunnan province to get a taste of old China.
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The Netherlands
One European destination still offering value for money is the Netherlands. Postgraduate course fees average out at around £1,500 per year and the Dutch government also provides financial support for EU students who can prove they are working 32 hours a month, to the tune of €265 a month. This is a grant, not a loan – something very rare in the higher education world these days.
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- Hot destinationsTry studying in the judicial capital of the world at Leiden University College in the Hague, or head to the prestigious University of TU Delft.
- Beyond studyingThe Netherlands is a creative nation used to challenging the norm. It leads the way in design, advertising and architecture. Get your fill in the creative cities of Amsterdam and Maastricht.
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Brazil
Brazil may be a surprising entry on our list of growing destinations, but it’s definitely one to watch. The country is making major investments in its higher education sector. Brazil has a mixture of public and private universities and international students can get the same scholarships, bursaries and grants as Brazilians.
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- Hot destinationsBrazilian universities are particularly good at subjects like business, engineering and dermatology. The University of Sao Paulo is the standout institution in the country, but the public University of Campinas is also worth a look.
- Beyond studyingWho wouldn’t want to study in Brazil? Famous for sand, sea and soccer, the country is also home to the natural beauty of the Amazon rain forest, the sprawling megalopolises of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and the spectacular Iguazu waterfalls.
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Singapore
A slightly cheating one here, but many foreign universities have opened satellite campuses in Singapore in a bid to attract the best of Asian academic talent. INSEAD, the University of Chicago and the German Institute of Science and Technology all have campuses in Singapore, while many other institutions also have partnerships with local universities like the National University of Singapore (NUS).
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- Hot destinationsFor such a small country, Singapore packs a big punch. The NUS was founded more than 100 years ago and the country also has dedicated management, technology and design schools.
- Beyond studyingSingapore is a perfect gateway to the East, being close to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The country has one of the highest standards of living in Asia and is constantly growing, building on its diverse population.
