Study In India
The Indian education system has achieved a strong position in international circuit. India is a popular destination for higher education amongst foreign students as the country has an unparalleled variety of academic courses.
A large number of students fly to India every year from all corners of the globe to satisfy their desire for learning more. Studying in India, the second largest higher education network in the World is an enriching experience in itself.
A welcoming atmosphere, non-discriminative approach and an assured educational and career growth is what attracts students from all over the world to India and assured educational and career growth.
India has an impressive list of universities and colleges sprawled across its major states and cities, which have inducted numerous foreign students from time to time. With 343 universities and 17000 colleges, India offers a wide spectrum of courses that are recognised globally.
Apart from undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, there are many training and diploma-level institutes and polytechnics that cater to the growing demand for skill-based and vocational education. The quality education that India offers is within the reach of every income-group considering the reasonable fee structure. With 66 distance education institutions functioning in 60 universities besides 11 open universities, India has an enlarged outreach of distance education as well.
So, visit India and be a part of an educational system that lives on the values of quality, growth and truthfulness.
India with its austerity towards education is well known for Quality. The features and System of Indian Education together with Government Policies offer multiple benefits for International Students to pursue their education here.
Strong University Network
With over 343 universities and 17,000 colleges offering the widest spectrum of courses. India has the second largest education system in the world.
- 52 - Deemed Universities
- 162 - Traditional Universities
- 40 - Agricultural / Forestry / Fisheries / Veterinary Universities
- 36 - Engineering and Technology Institutes such as Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Science etc.
- 18 - Medical Universities
- 11 - Open Universities
- 18 - National Institutes of Technology
Quality
The government of India enforces various guidelines to maintain the Quality of education. The government has made it mandatory for all the Indian educational institutions to be recognized by the appropriate National Level statutory bodies.
Some such bodies are:
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
- National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
- Medical Council of India (MCI)
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Dental Council of India (DCI)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Curriculum
Indian Education System follows 10+2+3 structure, which is comparable to international standards. The given curricula is a well thought out programs offering productive outcomes.
Other benefits of Indian Education Include:
Indian Universities/Colleges have English as one of the compulsory mediums. They offer appealing learning environment. These Universities/Colleges are well associated with the industry offering scope for all-round development.
Eligibility and Procedure
For admission to all undergraduate courses, universities/institutes of higher education in India, the candidates need to be in possession of Higher Secondary/GCE 'A' level/any other examination equivalent to 10+2 stage in Indian qualification with subjects related to their chosen area of study.
Eligibility criteria for admission into different courses differ from one college to another.
Documents required for foreign students coming to India are:
- Valid passport (minimum for six months)
- Confirmed letter of acceptance or a provisional admission certificate from a university or a college or institution.
- Proof of availability of sufficient funds for the duration of studies in India for self-financing for NRI students.
- Health certificate and AIDS-free certificate
- Student Visa (not required for the children of Indian Diaspora)
- Proof of long term (at least three years)/permanent residence in the country (not for the children of Indian Diaspora)
Procedure
Choosing the Course and Institute
- Foreign students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered by Indian Universities, institutes and colleges. Our Education Partner gives advice on suitable colleges and Programmes after ascertaining the requirements and interests of the students.
- For further information, foreign students can access individual institution or university websites. UGC (University Grants Commission) (External website that opens in a new window) gives useful information on Indian universities.
Application
The academic year in India starts in July/August. Interested students should therefore apply well in advance. Students can get professional help with our partners to complete applications and for all follow up required. Once you register with our partners and submit your application, they will take care of the formalities from pre-admission to post admission and act as your local guardian, till you complete your course in India and return to your home country.
Student Visa
1) What is a student visa?
India offers various kinds of visas, depending on the purpose of visit. Student visa is a visa specifically for the students wanting to come to India for education purpose. Student Visas are issued for the duration of the academic course of study or for a period of five years whichever is less, on the basis of letters of admission from Universities/recognized colleges or educational institutions in India.
2) What are the pre-requisites for procuring a student visa?
To apply/ be eligible for a student visa, you need to conform to the following conditions.
If you are on Government of India scholarships, the respective Indian missions would be advised by ICCR to issue a regular student visa after your admission in an Indian university is confirmed. On the other hand, if you are coming as a self-financing student, you need to produce letters of admission from universities or recognized colleges and institutions in India for obtaining the regular student visa.
If you are coming as a research student, synopsis of the research project countersigned by the sponsoring institution in India along with letter of approval are no objection certificate from the concerned Ministries in India should be submitted for necessary visa.
Note: Processing of applications for research may take about three months.
3) Can I get the visa even if I don't have a confirmed admission letter?
Don't worry if your admission is still not confirmed. Students not having firm letters of admission from universities or institutions are issued Provisional Student Visa by the Indian missions abroad, on the basis of provisional letters of admissions. However Provisional Student Visa is valid for 3 months. Within these 3 months, your admission needs to be confirmed otherwise you will have to leave India. No extension of Provisional Student Visa is permitted.
4) Can I change my University/ College after coming to India?
You need to mention the name of the Institute while applying for the visa, which is then mentioned on the visa. A request for change of university or institution subsequently made cannot be considered. In this case you would be required to go back to your home country and apply for a new visa.
5) - Can I get my tourist visa converted to a student visa?
"Change of purpose" of visit of international students to India is not allowed once they arrive in India. Therefore, if you come to India on tourist or any other type of visa, you cannot get this visa changed to student visa.
According to government regulations, if an international student coming to India on a tourist or any other type of visa (except a student visa ), obtains admission into a university or any institution in India, the student will be required to return to his country and obtain a new visa (i.e. a student visa) from the Indian mission there.
To avoid this situation, all self- financing international students are advised to obtain regular or provisional student visa from Indian missions abroad by producing confirmed or provisional letters of admission from a university or an institution.
6) - Where can I apply for the visa?
The visa can be applied for from any of the Indian Embassies/High Commission.
7) - Are there any rules & regulations that I need to conform to?
Yes, while applying for the visa you need to keep in mind the following regulations:
Passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of intended departure from India should accompany your visa application.
Students holding other nationalities (other than the country where applying for visa), should submit proof of long-term (at least three years)/ permanent residence in the country (where applying). For citizen of other countries, a reference has to be made to their country of residence for which an additional fee is applicable and will involve extra processing time. Please refrain from making inquiries about the status of application during this time.
8) - How much is the student visa fees?
The fee structure depends on the nationality of the passport holder and type/duration of visa applied. These fees are payable in the local currency as well. Please check with the Indian embassy in your country for exact visa fees.
Government of India Scholarships for International Students
The Government of India offers a number of scholarships every year to international students who wish to pursue their studies in India. Offer of scholarships are sent to the respective Governments through Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Nominations are received from the respective Governments in the Indian diplomatic missions concerned. The information on such scholarships and schemes can be availed from the Indian missions abroad. Some of the Scholarships are:General Cultural Scholarship Scheme (GCSS), Cultural Exchange Programme, Commonwealth Fellowship Plan, Reciprocal Scholarships Scheme, Technical Cooperation Scheme of the Colombo Plan, SAARC Fellowship Scheme, ICCR Scholarship Scheme etc.
Cost of studying in India
Indian Universities offer education at more affordable cost than any other recognized university in the world. The average cost of studying in India is almost one-fourth to that charged in western universities.
Cost of living in India
Living expenses (food and other) in India are about USD 100-150 a month.