UK vs USA which country is better for Indian students in 2025?
With the ongoing trend of studying abroad, an increasing number of Indian students choose from a mix of renowned and unique destinations for their higher studies. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the total number of students from India pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies in foreign countries reached 1.3 million (13 lakh) in 2024. Among the various study abroad destinations students choose, the UK and the USA remain the top choices for Indians pursuing their higher education abroad. In the 2023-24 academic session, Indian students comprised the largest group of international students in the US. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, a total of 3.31 lakh Indian students chose to study in the US, accounting for 29.4% of its 11 lakh international student population. The Office for Students, the regulator of UK higher education, mentioned that around 111,329 students from India chose to study in the UK in 2023-24. With this clash going on for years, let’s choose which country is the best for you if you’re planning to study abroad in 2025! Major factors to be considered when choosing UK or USA Choosing where you’d pursue your bachelor’s or master’s program involves a lot of research. To choose the most suitable foreign country for your higher education, ensure keeping numerous factors in mind, including: UK vs USA: Education System The US education system divides into four categories. Tertiary education includes higher education such as associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs. US universities place great significance on diversity, meaning classes will consist of students of different ages, religions and ethnicities. This provides a stimulating and interesting learning atmosphere that motivates cross-cultural understanding and socialising. Most classes will have no more than 20 students and the faculty member will take the time to get to know students and their strengths. Interactive and practical learning is the basis of American teaching. Most American universities and colleges commence their classes in August/September usually known as the Fall session. A few others also provide a January/February intake, called the Spring intake that goes on till April. A Summer intake is also available for limited programs and colleges between May and August. The unique factor of the education system in the UK is its Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is an independent body that assesses and compares universities and colleges in the country through regular audits and reviews. Higher education in the UK mostly comprises bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The education goes beyond textbook learning – you’ll be engaged in various activities such as workshops, seminars, tutorials and conferences. Education in the UK will eventually enhance your communication skills and help you build critical thought-process, creativity and analytical skills. The standard academic year in the UK begins around September-October. Two other intakes available for programs in the UK are January and April, which are usually smaller than the September intake. Top Universities in the UK vs USA As per the QS World University Rankings 2025, here’s a list of the top 20 universities in the US and the UK. These schools produce successful, high-earning, and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds with less student debt. University QS World Ranking 2025 Country City Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1 United States Cambridge Imperial College London 2 United Kingdom London University of Oxford 3 United Kingdom Oxford Harvard University 4 United States Cambridge University of Cambridge 5 United Kingdom Cambridge Stanford University 6 United States Stanford UCL 9 United Kingdom London California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 10 United States Pasadena University of Pennsylvania 11 United States Philadelphia University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 12 United States Berkeley Cornell University 16 United States Ithaca University of Chicago 21 United States Chicago Princeton University 22 United States Princeton Yale University 23 United States New Haven The University of Edinburgh 27 United Kingdom Edinburgh Johns Hopkins University 32 United States Baltimore Columbia University 34 United States New York University of Manchester 34 United Kingdom Manchester King’s College London 40 United Kingdom London University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 42 United States Los Angeles Popular Courses in the UK vs USA Check out the list of the most popular courses offered in the UK vs the US: United Kingdom United States Business and Management Studies IT and applied fields Law Engineering Social Studies Business and Finance Arts and Design Sports and sports management Psychology Biotechnology Nursing Cybersecurity Dentistry Healthcare and medicine Education Environmental science and sustainability UK vs USA: Admission Requirements and Eligibility Eligibility Criteria to Study in the UKSome of the basic eligibility criteria accepted in UK universities are: Documents Required to Study in the UKSome of the basic documents required by universities to study in the UK include: Eligibility Criteria to Study in the USSome of the basic eligibility criteria accepted in American universities are: Documents Required to Study in the USSome of the basic documents required by universities to study in the USA include: Cost of Studying and Living in the USA vs UK With public and private universities available for higher education, tuition fees are the primary expense for studying in the USA. The cost of education in the USA for Indian students typically ranges from $35,000 (INR 29,49,504) to $85,000 (INR 71,62,759) per year, depending on the type of institution (public or private) and city. While the cost of studying in the UK can range from £30,000 to £45,000 per year. Let’s take a look at the estimated annual cost of studying for international students in the USA and the UK, including tuition fees, room and board, and other expenses. Expense Category Cost in USA Cost in UK Tuition and fees $20,000-$40,000 £8,000-£15,000 per year Room and board $10,000-$15,000 £12,000-£15,000 per year Books and supplies $1,000-$1,500 £20-£40 per month Internet $2,000-$3,000 £40 per month Health Insurance $1,000-$2,000 £470 Scholarships to Study in the USA vs UK Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to study in the UK as an Indian student: Here are some popular scholarship programs
Study in Germany: A Guide for International Students
Why Choose Germany as Your Study Abroad Destination? When talking about Germany, we think of beer and luxury cars like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Porsche, right? But there’s so much more to the country! With world-class universities, rich culture, and affordable education Germany is gradually climbing the ladder and ranks as the third most popular study abroad destination in the world, beating Australia. The public universities in Germany often charge zero to minimal tuition fees, making it one of the most affordable destinations in Europe for students. Despite German being the national language, the country also offers a wide variety of programs in English, making it a perfect choice for international students. With over 367,578 international students in 2023 in Germany, India became the top country sending first-semester students to Germany, surpassing China with approximately 49,008 students in 2023-2024. All this and so much more adds to our list of Germany being a top favourite study abroad destination for 2025. German Education System With an amazing concept of Compulsory Education in Germany, the country ensures that every child receives an education once they reach the age of six until they complete 10 years of full-time schooling in general education schools. The German School System is structured into 5 main stages: Popular Student-Friendly Cities in Germany Being home to over 300 recognised universities, you are sure to find the perfect blend of culture, innovation, academic richness and whatnot in the best student cities of Germany. Here’s the list of the top 3 cities as per the QS Best Student Cities 2025: City Number of InternationalStudents Approx. no. ofUniversities Top PublicUniversity Munich 55,291 20 Technical Universityof Munich Berlin 39,595 33 Free University Berlin Stuttgart 34,375 15 Universität Stuttgart Top Universities to Study in Germany in 2025 International students have a plethora of university options to choose from throughout Germany. From Munich to Berlin, they are sure to find their dream university in Germany. Here’s the list of the top 5 universities in Germany as per the QS World University Rankings 2025: Rank(As per QS World University Rankings 2025) University City 28 Technical University of Munich Munich 59 Ludwig-Maximilian’s-Universität München Munich 84 Universität Heidelberg Heidelberg 97 Freie Universitaet Berlin Berlin 99 RWTH Aachen University Aachen Top Courses to Pursue in Germany in 2025 Choosing the right course marks the most important step in your academics and career. Germany offers some of the best courses available throughout the world for students to excel. Some of these courses include: Known for its top-notch engineering programs, Germany welcomes around 300,000 engineering students each year. These programs combine strong academic standards with hands-on training and offer excellent career prospects and competitive starting salaries of up to INR 12,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College and Dresden International University are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Closely aligned with global business practices, the Business Management program in Germany welcomes almost 60,000 students every year. These internationally recognised programs offer real world problems and solutions enough to lead the way to the best companies in the world with packages up to INR 15,00,000 per annum. Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Munich Business School, and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €2,000-€4,000/year. Wish to get some hands-on experience during your academic course? Well, no place like Germany! With hundreds of museums and galleries, art enthusiasts are surely in for a treat. Attracting thousands of international students eager to explore and shape the cultural landscape, these programs focus on critical analysis and creative expression and help students make up to INR 8,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College, Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Dresden International University, Munich Business School and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Also referred to as a tech-innovation hub, Germany has over 120,000 students in computer science programs. Preparing students for high-quality courses like AI and cybersecurity, the country produces high-demand jobs in tech companies with salaries up to INR 14,00,000 per annum. Macromedia University of Applied Sciences, University of Europe for Applied Sciences and SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Providing students with a deep understanding of societal issues and human behaviour, this program invites around 80,000 students to Germany every year. The country’s diverse society and strong academic resources make it an ideal place to study and help students earn up to INR 10,00,000 per annum. Berlin International College, Berlin School of Business and Innovation, Dresden International University, Munich Business School and EU Business School in Munich are the top picks for students aspiring to choose this program with a tuition fee of €1,500-€3,000/year. Intakes in German Universities 2025 Following a more structured academic calendar unlike other countries, admissions in Germany are done for two intakes: Winter and Summer. The Winter Intake is Germany’s most popular intake attracting the maximum students. Beginning in September or October, most German universities follow this intake. With undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs accepting the maximum applications during this intake, the Winter intake stands as the most comprehensive option for students. The application deadline for this intake takes place in May/July, with some universities extending it to August. The Summer Intake, usually referred to as the secondary intake at German universities, begins in March or April. Though this intake has fewer programs, it serves as a great opportunity for students enrolling for master’s programs, doctoral research, and specialised courses. With a smaller application set, this course promises a personalised academic experience and closer interactions with professors and peers. The application deadline for this intake takes place between the month of November and January. Cost of Studying in Germany 2025 Being cheaper as compared to other top study abroad destinations in
The Affect of Donald Trump’s Re-election on the Study Abroad Dreams of Indian Students
Claiming victory in the 2024 US election yet again, Donald Trump has made the most remarkablecomeback in American electoral history. He is all set to return as the 47th President of the world’slargest economy — the United States. The biggest question amongst all this is — will this re-electionaffect the fate of the study abroad plans of Indian students? The Indian students’ s diaspora represents almost 28% of the international students in the US, being the second highest number of students choosing to study in the States. While being applauded by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an optimism of strengtheningties between the two nations, Indians are still wondering the impact of Trump’s renewed leadership on their study abroad fate. Let’s dive deeper to know what the future holds for all the study abroad aspirants from India! Donald Trump’s victory speech was awaited by Indians in the US and those seeking to go to the US for work or to visit friends and family to know the new president’s stance on visa rules. Announcing that he’s likely to introduce merit-based immigration changes that will benefit Indians, spread a sense of cheer among all. During his first term as President from 2016 to 2020, Donald Trump, through his executive orderE.O.13788 ‘Buy American and Hire American’ increased restrictions on H-1B visas, even for Indians. But this time, in his second term, his focus on reviving the US economy could create opportunities for India’s technology workforce and students in STEM courses. As heard in one of his election campaigns, Trump stated, “What I want to do and what I will do is —you graduate from a college, I think you should get a Green Card automatically as part of yourdiploma, a Green Card to be able to stay in this country. And that includes junior colleges too.”. Headded, “I’ve heard of people graduate from a top college or any decent college, and they desperately wanted to stay here, they had a plan for a company, a concept, and they can’t — they go back to India, they go back to China, they do the same basic company in those places. And they become multi- billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people, and it could have been done here.”. PM Modi’s ‘Friendship’ with Donald Trump Encourages Indian Students Aspiring to Study in the US With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, all eyes are set on the impact of this re-election on the relationship between India and the US. Hoping for a better future for immigrants, study abroad aspirants, border security, the economy, and global peace, PM Modi has welcomed Trump’s victory with wide arms and is optimistic about what the future entails, looking forward to India’s good diplomatic ties with Trump. With the great camaraderie between both leaders, India can look forward to renewing its collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. As Indian students willing to study in the USA, let’s find some motivation in Prime Minister Modi’s words, “Together, India and the USA will work for the betterment of their people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.” Epilogue The clear intentions portrayed by Trump in his second term include bringing in international students, thus bringing in more revenue and helping fill the talent gap. At the same time, he hinted strongly about new policies to curb illegal border crossings and encourage people to explore legal ways of moving across borders and finding opportunities that are better suited to them. This upcoming term foresees Donald Trump to be positive towards international students. With theimplementation of pathways like green cards for graduates, Indian students may soon find it easier to stay, work, and contribute meaningfully to the US economy. Trump’s re-election could be a game-changer for international students planning to pursue highereducation in the US, providing the perfect opportunity to stay back and live the American Dream! It is bound to reduce the uncertainty often associated with staying in the US after course completion. By offering this steadfast solution to permanent residency, the States would be able to attract and cherish some of the brightest minds from around the world. At Lorien Finance, supporting students on their global journey is central to our mission, and we’reeager to see policies that make this path more accessible and impactful for students worldwide.