One out of five students face the indecision of whether they should study in India or abroad. Ashish Fernando shares six factors that can help you decide
One out of every five students face the indecision of whether they should study in India or abroad. Here are six factors that can help you have a better future.
Every student planning their higher education faces many choices. Some of the most important decisions to make range from choosing the right course, a good university and even the right country. Where you choose to pursue your education can drastically change your future. Most students who decide between their country options, compare the pros and cons with the same burning questions:
How does the cost of education differ?
Depending upon the course you choose, studying in India can be cheaper than studying in a university abroad. India has some of the world’s most affordable higher education options. Thus, Indian universities also attract a lot of global students, especially from European and African countries.
However, that does not mean that studying abroad cannot be affordable. Students from all financial and academic backgrounds study abroad. If you seek hard enough, you are bound to find an institution that has education costs similar to what you would pay in India. The cost of your education also includes your cost of living, of course. It’s important to consider that while living abroad may provide a global outlook on things, staying with your families might be more cost-effective. So, if you’re still confused, it’s better we consider the next factor.
How do we judge the education quality?
The curriculum, the faculty and the scope of research or the subjects taught are the three things every student should look at when judging the education quality of an institution. In India, most institutions fall under a standard government-set curriculum or a private education system. However, getting into the apex universities like the IITs and IIMs can be highly competitive with an admission rate as low as 7 per cent. However, institutions abroad tend to have course-work that differs slightly for each university. This means that a student who plans to apply for an MBA can choose to do so in STEM specialisations instead of a traditional module. These kinds of niche specialisations and programmes are often unavailable in India. The handpicked faculty members, advanced teaching methods and higher admission rates in universities abroad, often make it a better option for students.
What about job opportunities?
The intention behind almost the entire higher education journey leads to one destination: A well-paying, satisfactory job. Since the degrees from Indian universities are sometimes more affordable, the return on investment is often considerable. However, foreign university degrees are often held in the same regard as a degree from a prestigious Indian university. This gives students an edge over others applying for similar jobs in India. Applying to one of the numerous jobs overseas also gives you diverse career options and a higher return on investment.
Where is it safer?
The physical safety concerns are an inevitable issue faced by every institution worldwide. Many students feel a modicum of comfort in studying in your own country. However, there are many others who note the safety protocols in universities abroad and pursue education there. Student concerns are taken very seriously and help is immediate. In times such as the global pandemic when education has largely gone digital, safety is a severe concern. Indian universities have put strict restrictions on campus learning. While many universities abroad have also done the same, most institutions in countries like the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada, have introduced a partial lecture schedule on campus.
Which option is better for a career profile?
Whether you plan on staying overseas or coming back to India, pursuing education abroad gives you a global outlook on life. It develops your perspective and decision making skills, thus, helping you build a well-rounded career. However, if you plan on choosing a career that has a greater scope and career options in the Indian industries, staying in India might be what you need to do.
As you might have noticed, all these factors depend upon one major choice — the course. Be it the curriculum, cost, career or even jobs, the decision you make hinges upon the programme of your choice. The only thing to keep in mind is that country choices are never limited, all that matters is a student’s preference.
(The writer if the founder and CEO of iSchoolConnect.)
