Top 25 Universities Abroad Preferred by Indian Students

Universities

Topics covered

A logo with a colorful three-bladed pinwheel (orange, green, blue) on the left, and the dark gray lowercase text "idp" on the right, all on a white background.
IDP Education , IndiaCounsellor
  • 5 min
  • Published: 11 August 2025
  • Updated: 10 August 2025

Harvard University, University of Oxford, and University of Toronto feature among the top 25 countries that a majority of Indian students prefer to study in year after year. Additionally, The University of Sydney, The University of Auckland, and Trinity College Dublin are equally popular choices for Indian students to study abroad. All of these institutions have gained popularity over the years due to their academic excellence, consistently top global rankings, a diverse student body, and lucrative post-study work options. In this study-abroad guide for Indian students, we examine the top 25 universities overseas that are a top choice among numerous Indian students each year for higher education. We delve into their overall global rankings, the cost of study programs, and admission eligibility criteria so that you can make an informed choice.

Top 25 Global Universities Preferred by Indian Students

ome of the top choices for universities abroad among international students include Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). These universities consistently rank high on global university ranking platforms every year, attracting numerous applicants from every corner of the globe. 

The table below lists the top 25 international universities for Indian students, which are a popular choice among students worldwide. Their respective QS World University Rankings, popular courses, and average cost of studying abroad for Indian students are also mentioned alongside to help you make an informed choice:

University 

QS World University Rankings 2026

Popular Courses 

Average Cost of Studying (Approx.)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

1

BSc in CS and Engineering


MSc in Atmospheric Science 

USD 61,990

Imperial College London

2

MBBS


MSc Strategic Marketing

GBP 55,800


GBP 42,500

Stanford University

3

Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology


MSc in Symbolic Systems

USD 61,731


USD 38,160

University of Oxford

4

BA in Math

MSc Applied Cancer Science

GBP 35,260


GBP 34,120

Harvard University

5

BA in Anthropology


Master of Laws

USD 54,269


USD 73,600

University of Cambridge 

6

BA (Hons) Economics


Master’s in Genomic Medicine

GBP 27,024


GBP 46,806

UCL

9

BA (Hons) Fine Art


MA Publishing

GBP 37,500

GBP 33,000

Caltech

10

BSc in Computer Science


MSc in Materials Science

USD 63,402

University of Chicago

13

BA in History


BA in Classical Studies

USD 63,801

University of Pennsylvania

15

BA in Architecture


Master of Public Health

USD 58,620


USD 32,578

Cornell University

16

BSc in Food Science


MSc in Chemical Engineering

USD 65,204


USD 29,500

University of California - Berkeley (UCB)

=17

BA in German


MA in Energy and Resources

USD 45,096


USD 27,366

The University of Melbourne

19

Bachelor of Music in Performance


Master of Journalism

AUD 35,888


AUD 47,242

The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

20

Bachelor of Actuarial Studies


Master of Financial Analysis

AUD 58,333



AUD 59,500

Yale University

21

BA in Humanities


MPhil in Applied Math

USD 64,700


USD 48,300

Princeton University

=25

BA in Economics


Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience


USD 62,400

The University of Sydney

=25

BA in Socio Legal Studies 


BA in Archaeology

AUD 48,500



AUD 50,000 

McGill University

27

Certificate in Inclusive Education


Graduate Certificate in Advanced Business Management



CAD 46,795

University of Toronto

29

MSc in Earth Sciences


Doctor of Philosophy in Geography

CAD 30,350


CAD 6,210

King’s College London

31

BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering


MSc Sustainable Cities

GBP 33,450



GBP 27,996

Australian National University (ANU)

=32

BA in Environmental Studies


Master of History

AUD 49,820



AUD 53,110

The University of Edinburgh

34

BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences - Zoology


MSc Clinical Anatomy

GBP 36,800



GBP 35,300

University of Manchester

35

BA (Hons) Architecture 


MSc Quantitative Finance

GBP 28,000


GBP 33,500

Monash University

=36

Bachelor of Music


Master of Applied Linguistics

AUD 38,700


AUD 40,200

Columbia University

=38

BSc in Chemical Engineering


MFA in Sound Arts

USD 67,264



USD 70,628

Source: https://www.idp.com/ 
Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings

Join the IDP student community

Connect with peers and student ambassadors to hear real experiences, tips, and advice about studying abroad.

Key Checklist for Choosing the Best University Abroad

Among the numerous top universities for international students, selecting the best university for your education requires a careful assessment of your own academic and career aspirations and aligning those goals with the university’s course offerings. Additionally, please take the university's rankings (both global and subject-specific) into consideration.

To help you make an informed choice, shared below is a checklist that can help you select the best international university for higher education abroad for Indian students:

  • Set your goals right: Clearly define your academic and career objectives first. Getting clarity on your goals would help you shortlist the right university that best aligns with the achievement of those goals.

  • Check the university rankings: They are often one of the best determinants of the quality of education offered by the university and help international students make the right choice. Consider both global rankings and specific ones to understand the level of academic excellence for which the university is renowned worldwide. 

  • Cost of studying: This is one of the top considerations in choosing an international university. Ensure that you confirm the exact fee structure for the program you are interested in at the university, as well as the average cost of living in the country. This would help you make an informed decision.   

  • Research the education system: Different countries, such as the USA, the UK, Canada, or Australia, follow different academic systems. Hence, find out more about the educational structure followed in each of the countries before narrowing down to the universities in each of these regions. 

  • Enquire about infrastructure and research support: A good university should ideally be equipped with all the necessary campus facilities for international students. It should have a well-stocked library, cutting-edge research laboratories, and spacious areas for cultural events. 

  • Look for rewarding career prospects: Don’t forget to find out about the career support services provided by the educational institution you are considering. Check for placement, internship support, and the potential career prospects upon studying at the university. Also, ensure that the degree awarded by the university is recognised globally.     

How IDP Helps Choose the Best Universities Abroad for Indian Students

Making a well-thought-out decision and choosing among the numerous options of high-ranked universities globally can seem daunting. This is where you need the expert guidance and assistance of professional consultants. IDP Education has been in the industry for over 55 years, and we have worked with nearly 1,000 institutions in 6 top countries in the world.

We help you choose the best study institution that aligns with your academic and career aspirations in the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Leave it to us to identify the top universities abroad in these countries and the best study programs they offer. We also assist you throughout the university application process during admissions, including drafting a Statement of Purpose and gathering other required documents.

FAQs: Top 25 Universities Abroad Preferred by Indian Students

1. What makes a university ideal for Indian students?

Look for an international university that best aligns with your academic and career goals, ranks well on the global ranking systems, and offers a supportive and inclusive environment for international students.

2. How can I choose the best university to study abroad?

Research your options well and check the university rankings globally. Also, ensure that the university offers the desired study program. You can also seek assistance from professional experts such as study-abroad consultants like IDP Education, who would help you choose the best university abroad for your needs.

3. How to check if I am eligible to study abroad?

You need to check the eligibility criteria for studying abroad, as specified by each university, and determine whether you meet their specific requirements. You will also need to assess your English language proficiency to study abroad. Alternatively, you can consult with experts like IDP Education for a free assessment of your profile and to help determine the best study-abroad options for Indian students.

4. How to choose the best university abroad for my course?

You may check popular world university ranking portals such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and US News and World Report. Additionally, IDP Education consultants can help you identify the top foreign universities for Indian students.

5. Which country gives 100% scholarships for Indian students?

The UK, the USA, and Australia are generally known to offer 100% scholarships to international students.

6. What is the best time to apply for studying abroad?

You should start applying at least 6-12 months before the intended start date of your course. This would allow you sufficient time to prepare for the university and visa applications to study abroad.

7. What are the most employable courses abroad?

Some of the top-preferred study programs that unlock high-paying job opportunities after completion are Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, and MBA, among others.

8. What mistakes should I avoid when applying abroad?

Some common mistakes to avoid include submitting the application late beyond the deadline, sharing incomplete or inaccurate information in the application, and plagiarising the Statement of Purpose or Letter of Recommendation documents.

One account for all your study abroad needs

Create your profile and unlock a wide array of features including personalised recommendations, fast-tracked applications and much more.

Related articles

Search for articles

Dive into our extensive collection of articles by using our comprehensive topic search tool.

Select a category