Guide to Studying in English-speaking Countries: Answers to Indian Students' Concerns about Studying Abroad.

by Olivia WilsonNovember 18, 202416 minutes read

In today's era of globalization, studying abroad has become an important way for many Indian students to pursue quality education, expand their international horizons and realize their personal dreams. However, the path of studying abroad is full of challenges and opportunities, and requires comprehensive information and preparation in all aspects.

An Overview of Popular English-Speaking Countries for Studying Abroad

The UK: An Academic Hall Blending Tradition and Modernity

The UK, a country with profound historical heritage, has an educational system that resembles an ancient and solid castle, exuding charming allure. From the world-renowned Oxford and Cambridge to institutions like the London School of Economics and Political Science and Imperial College London, the UK's higher education stands out globally. Its education focuses on cultivating students' critical thinking and independent thinking abilities. Through rigorous academic courses, extensive tutorial guidance, and active academic club activities, students can freely explore in the ocean of knowledge and delve deeply into the essence of their major fields.

Currently, the number of Indian students studying in the UK is growing rapidly. According to past data, the UK has long been one of the traditional study abroad destinations for Indian students. In 2019, the number of Indian students who obtained the UK Tier 4 (Study) visas exceeded 30,000. Moreover, Indian students also have a considerable presence in UK universities. There are many Indian students studying in some well-known universities such as De Montfort University, the University of Warwick, the University of Manchester, and the University of Hertfordshire.

Canada: A Great Destination for Studying Abroad with Diversity, Inclusiveness, and High Cost-Effectiveness

Canada is known for its vast land, beautiful scenery, and friendly and inclusive social environment. Its educational system combines the rigor of the British system with the flexibility of the American system, occupying an important position in the global education field. Canadian universities and colleges are widely distributed, offering a rich variety of course options that can meet the needs of different students, whether they are for academic research or vocational skills training. Moreover, the Canadian government attaches great importance to education investment, providing relatively loose study abroad policies and good learning and living guarantees for international students, making it a highly cost-effective choice for studying abroad.

In recent years, the number of Indian students in Canada has been continuously increasing, and they have become the largest group of international students in Canada. In 2022, among international students studying at various levels in Canada, Indian students accounted for about 40%. Over the past five years, the number of Indian students has increased by 47%. These students are distributed across various provinces in Canada, making important contributions to Canada's education and economic development.

Australia: A Paradise for Studying Abroad with Sunshine, Vitality, and Cutting-Edge Majors

Australia, this land full of sunshine and vitality, possesses world-class educational resources. Its universities have achieved remarkable results in scientific research innovation and teaching practice, especially in fields such as engineering, medicine, and environmental science. Australia's education emphasizes the combination of theory and practice, encouraging students to actively participate in internships, experiments, and enterprise cooperation projects to cultivate their practical operation abilities and problem-solving skills. In addition, Australia's unique cultural atmosphere and beautiful natural scenery also add rich colors to the study and life of international students.

As of June 2021, the number of Indian students enrolled in Australian educational institutions was approximately 108,000. Although affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the total enrollment of international students in Australia has declined compared to previous years, but Indian students still remain an important part of Australia's international student population. In the field of higher education in Australia, many Indian students choose to pursue further studies.

Australia: A Paradise for Studying Abroad with Sunshine, Vitality, and Cutting-Edge Majors

The Complete Guide to Studying Abroad Application Secrets

Academic Performance

●The UK: For undergraduate applications, Indian students are usually required to complete high school courses and achieve excellent grades, such as meeting specific requirements in A-level examinations. For postgraduate applications, a relevant undergraduate degree with outstanding grades is a basic requirement, and top universities often require a First Class or Upper Second Class (Honours) degree.

●Canada: Undergraduate applications focus on high school grade point average (GPA), generally requiring a GPA of 3.0 or above, and some top universities may have higher requirements. Postgraduate applications involve strict review of undergraduate major background and grades, and a high GPA in relevant fields will increase competitiveness.

●Australia: Undergraduate applications have corresponding standards for high school grades depending on different universities and majors, and some majors may require specific subject grades. Postgraduate applications require a relevant undergraduate degree and good academic performance, and some majors may have prerequisite course requirements.

●The US: For undergraduate applications, in addition to high school grades, students are required to provide standardized test scores such as SAT or ACT, and these scores play a crucial role in the competition for admission to top universities. For postgraduate applications, a relevant undergraduate major that is closely related or similar is required, and GRE or GMAT scores are important references in many majors.

Language Examinations

●The UK: Institutions generally recognize IELTS scores. For undergraduate programs, the general IELTS requirement is 6.0 - 6.5, and for postgraduate programs, it is 6.5 - 7.0 or higher. Some schools also accept TOEFL.

●Canada: Both IELTS and TOEFL are acceptable. For undergraduate programs, the IELTS requirement is approximately 6.0 - 6.5, and the TOEFL requirement is 79 - 90. For postgraduate programs, the IELTS requirement is 6.5 - 7.0, and the TOEFL requirement is 80 - 100. Some majors or schools may have higher requirements.

●Australia: IELTS is the mainstream. For undergraduate programs, the IELTS requirement is 6.0 - 6.5, and for postgraduate programs, it is 6.5 - 7.0. Some institutions recognize TOEFL or provide internal language tests and language courses.

●The US: Both TOEFL and IELTS are accepted. For undergraduate programs, the TOEFL requirement is 80 - 100, and the IELTS requirement is 6.5 - 7.0. For postgraduate programs, the TOEFL requirement is 85 - 100, and the IELTS requirement is 7.0 - 7.5. And the language requirements vary significantly among different majors and institutions.

Application Materials

●Recommendation Letters: The UK usually requires 1 - 2 recommendation letters; Canada, Australia, and the US generally require 2 - 3 recommendation letters. The recommenders should be able to comprehensively evaluate the student's academic ability, personal qualities, etc.

●Personal Statements: They need to be carefully written, clearly stating the motives for studying abroad, academic interests, career plans, etc. They are particularly crucial in the applications of the UK and the US.

●Resumes: They should be concise and clear, covering educational background, work and internship experiences, awards received, etc. They are indispensable in the applications of all four countries.

●Special Materials: For some majors in the US, portfolios (for art, design, etc. majors) or research proposals (for research-based master's and doctoral degrees) need to be submitted.

Application Process

●Determine the Goal: Select suitable countries, institutions, and majors according to your own situation.

●Understand the Timeline: For undergraduate applications in the UK, it is mostly from October of the previous year to January of the current year; for postgraduate applications, it is from September to

December of the previous year. In Canada, it is generally about one year in advance, with differences among different institutions and majors. In Australia, it is relatively flexible, usually half a year to one year in advance. For undergraduate applications in the US, it is one year in advance; for postgraduate applications, it is from October of the previous year to March of the current year.

●Submit the Application: Register an account on the official website of the institution, fill in the application form, upload the application materials, and pay the application fee.

●Track the Progress: After submission, you can track the progress through the application system or email, and promptly respond to the requests of the institution for supplementary materials or interviews.

●Wait for the Result: Finally, wait for the admission result and make a choice.

Guide to Major Selection and Employment Outlook

The UK

●Business Studies: The UK has a long history of business education, with institutions like the London Business School ranking highly globally. Majors cover a wide range of fields such as finance, accounting, and management, emphasizing the combination of practice and theory. Indian students can seek opportunities in international financial centers like the City of London after graduation. Employment directions include banks, securities, investment companies, etc., with a relatively high starting salary of about £30,000 - £40,000 per year (converted to about Rs. 3 million - Rs. 4 million per year based on an approximate exchange rate of £1 = Rs. 100).

●Engineering: Imperial College London has strong engineering majors such as mechanical engineering and civil engineering. The courses focus on experimentation and innovation, cultivating students' ability to solve practical problems. Graduates can find employment in UK-based engineering enterprises or international engineering giants, with a starting salary of about £25,000 - £35,000 per year (about Rs. 2.5 million - Rs. 3.5 million per year).

●Media and Communication: Institutions like King's College London have excellent media and communication majors, covering directions such as journalism, advertising, and film and television. The UK's media industry is developed, and students have the opportunity to intern and work in well-known media organizations such as the BBC, with a starting salary of about £20,000 - £30,000 per year (about Rs. 2.0 million - Rs. 3.0 million per year).

Canada

●Computer Science: The computer science major at the University of Waterloo is world-famous. The courses are closely integrated with industry needs, focusing on programming practice and algorithm research. Graduates have good employment prospects in Canadian technology enterprises such as BlackBerry and Shopify, with a starting salary of about C$50,000 - C$60,000 per year (converted to about Rs. 3 million - Rs. 3.6 million per year based on an approximate exchange rate of C$1 = Rs. 60).

●Nursing: The nursing majors in institutions like the University of Toronto cultivate high-quality nursing talents. Due to the shortage of nursing personnel in Canada, graduates can easily find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, etc., with a starting salary of about C$40,000 - C$50,000 per year (about Rs. 2.4 million - Rs. 3.0 million per year).

●Engineering: Canada's engineering majors enjoy a high reputation internationally, such as civil engineering and electrical engineering. Graduates can find jobs in fields such as construction, energy, and transportation, with relatively good salary.

Australia

●Engineering: Australia's engineering majors have a high global recognition, especially in fields such as mining engineering, civil engineering, and electrical engineering. Graduates can find employment in large Australian engineering companies, mining companies, etc., with relatively high salary levels.

●Medicine: Australia's medical education quality is high, and the doctors trained are recognized globally. However, the study of medical majors is quite difficult, and the admission requirements are also high.

●Accounting: Australia's accounting major is one of the popular majors. Graduates can work in accounting firms, corporate finance departments, etc., with broad employment prospects.

The US

●Computer Science: The computer science major in the US has always been at the world leading position, with numerous top universities and research institutions. Graduates can work in technology giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple, with very high salary 待遇.

●Business Administration: The business administration major in the US cultivates students' leadership and management abilities. Graduates can play their talents in management positions in enterprises.

●Engineering: The engineering majors in the US cover multiple fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. Graduates can find jobs in industries such as aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and energy.

Post-Graduation Work Opportunities and Opportunities to Apply for Green Cards/Permanent Residency

The UK

●Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: The UK provides certain post-graduation work opportunities for international students, such as the Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to stay in the UK to work for a period of time after graduation. This provides Indian students with the opportunity to accumulate work experience in the UK, increasing their competitiveness in the international job market.

●Opportunities to Apply for Green Cards/Permanent Residency: The application for permanent residency in the UK is relatively strict, requiring the satisfaction of certain conditions such as the length of residence and income requirements. For Indian students studying abroad, obtaining permanent residency in the UK requires long-term planning and efforts.

Canada

●Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: After graduation, international students in Canada can apply for work visas, and the Canadian government encourages international students to stay in Canada to work. The Canadian job market is relatively stable, and the inclusiveness towards international students is relatively high, so Indian students have good employment opportunities in Canada.

●Opportunities to Apply for Green Cards/Permanent Residency: Canada's immigration policy is relatively loose, with multiple immigration pathways for international students, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program. Indian students studying in Canada can apply for permanent residency if they meet the relevant immigration conditions after graduation.

Australia

●Post-Graduation Work Opportunities: After graduation, international students in Australia can apply for work visas, and the Australian job market is relatively open to international students. Especially in some popular major fields such as engineering, medicine, and accounting, Indian students have good employment prospects.

●Opportunities to Apply for Green Cards/Permanent Residency: Australia's immigration policy is also relatively flexible, with multiple immigration pathways for international students, such as the Skilled Migration Program and Employer Sponsorship Migration Program. Indian students studying in Australia can apply for permanent residency if they meet the relevant immigration conditions after graduation.

Australia

Conclusion

For Indian students, choosing to study in English-speaking countries is a decision full of opportunities and challenges. The traditional academic atmosphere in the UK, the high cost-effectiveness in Canada, the practical education in Australia, and the top-notch academic resources in the US all provide broad development space for Indian students. When choosing a study abroad country and major, Indian students need to make a comprehensive consideration based on their interests, abilities, and career plans. Meanwhile, the study abroad application process requires early preparation, understanding the application requirements and procedures of each country to ensure the smooth progress of the application.

Post-graduation work opportunities and permanent residency rights are also important issues that Indian students need to pay attention to. The policies and opportunities in different countries vary. Indian students need to actively accumulate work experience during their study abroad period to improve their competitiveness and lay a solid foundation for their future development. In short, studying in English-speaking countries provides a stage for Indian students to step onto the world stage. Hope Indian students can seize the opportunities and realize their dreams.