Beyond the US, UK and Canada: Unique Study Abroad Destinations

The past decades have seen unprecedented growth in students choosing to study abroad for higher education. According to a study by Holon IQ in 2019, there were 5 million international students, representing 196 Billion USD of direct annual expenditure. They expect this annual expenditure to double by 2030. While global education may have faced challenges during the pandemic, it is roaring back to life. ICEF Monitor forecasts that there will be 1.8 million Indian students abroad by 2024. While the US, the UK and Canada remain popular destinations for higher education abroad, students are now looking at other options. Below is an overview of emerging destinations to pursue an undergraduate degree:

1) Study in Singapore:

In recent years, Singapore has become a sought-after destination for higher education, attracting 50,000 international students in 2022. The main reason is a change in the country’s educational system. Moving away from the traditional rote learning method, Singaporean universities now encourage critical thinking, research and innovation. It is also home to several international universities, such as Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, James Cook University, Singapore and Embry – Riddle Aeronautical University, Singapore.

Apart from high school grades, standardised test results and scores for English language proficiency tests, some undergraduate courses have individual subject prerequisites and entrance exams. For example, Industrial Design at the National University of Singapore requires IBDP students to take mathematics, physics or chemistry at the Standard Level, an entrance test and an interview.

Due to the absence of a centralised application platforms, students must send applications to individual universities and declare their major at the time of application. Changing majors in Singapore is difficult, so you should be sure of your chosen subject before committing to a course.

The tuition fee for colleges in Singapore are higher than those in other Asian countries but comparatively lower than in the US and the UK. 

Undergraduate applications in Singapore: A brief overview

2) Study in Hong Kong:

In 2012, universities in this city began offering three-to-four-year undergraduate degree programmes, adding General Education as a requirement. On par with the education quality at popular education destinations, such as the UK, US and Europe, Hong Kong is another hot option in Asia for international education. 

For undergraduate studies in Hong Kong, applications are made to individual universities for up to five courses of study.  Admissions officers in these universities look at applications holistically. They consider both academic scores and non-academic factors during the admission process. Therefore, it is crucial to work on writing a solid personal statement. Only one personal statement is required per university, irrespective of the number of programmes a student chooses. 

Other than prerequisites such as high school grades, optional standardised test results and scores for language proficiency tests, some undergraduate courses have individual requirements. For example, courses like the International Research Enrichment (IRE) Programme at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology includes a compulsory interview. 

Undergraduate applications in Hong Kong: A brief overview

3) Study in France:

Unlike in the past, universities in France recognise most Indian qualifications. Better still, France has introduced several courses in English, including 125 undergraduate programmes. 

In France, Licence (L1, L2, L3) is an undergraduate degree awarded after completing six semesters over three years. International students must make a Demande d’Admission Préalable (DAP), a preliminary request for admission. 

Most undergraduate programmes here do not have subject prerequisites; however, exceptions exist. For example, the Bachelor of Science degree at the École Polytechnique requires students to have taken advanced mathematics courses and at least one advanced science course. Most universities in France will require an online or in-person interview. Since courses are in English, students may also have to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores. Applications are made to a specific programme, which a student cannot change at a later date. 

Students can apply to a maximum of seven universities via Campus France–a centralised national agency for admissions. Campus France covers most of the universities in the country. However, some universities require individual applications. Admissions officers in France primarily focus on the academic performance of students. But some programmes may involve non-academic factors. 

Undergraduate applications in France: A brief overview

4) Study in The Netherlands:

The Dutch educational system is acknowledged worldwide for its well-designed, modern courses and facilities. The teaching style focuses on teamwork, which makes it easy for international students to integrate into academic life. In 2006, there were 31,500 international students enrolled in universities in the Netherlands, but by 2021, the number had more than tripled to 115,100 international students. Students considering The Netherlands for their higher education can choose from more than 2,100 programmes taught in English. Read more about whether you should consider The Netherlands for undergraduate studies. 

Universities in The Netherlands have two main categories:

• Research universities offer three-year theoretical academic courses that students can apply across various professions. Many Dutch research universities also give students access to university colleges, similar to the liberal arts colleges in the US. 

• Universities of applied sciences offer four-year career-focused courses oriented towards specific professions. 

Most courses will also have certain prerequisite subjects. For example, the Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering at the Delft University of Technology requires IBDP students to have studied Higher Level mathematics. Some programmes, such as Business Administration at the University of Amsterdam, will require students to appear for an entrance exam. In contrast, others may require students to be ‘matched’ with their programme through various assignments. 

Undergraduate applications in The Netherlands: A brief overview

5) Study in Germany:

The number of international students in Germany is constantly rising. According to a snapshot survey in 2021 by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), despite the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 330,000 international students enrolled at German universities, of which 128,000 enrolled for a bachelor’s degree. This country is one of the leading destinations for higher education. 

There are two types of institutions in Germany:

• Universities: These institutions focus on science, theoretical knowledge and research. They usually offer various subjects, but those with a specific focus call themselves technical universities (Technische Universität) or colleges of education (Pädagogische Hochschule, PH). The TU9 is the alliance of leading technology universities in Germany.

• Fachhochschulen (FH) or Technische Hochschule (TH): These are institutions for applied sciences that have a practice-oriented academic approach. They focus more on professional application than on theory. Their subjects comprise specific fields such as technology, economics, social work or media. Typically, these institutions only hire professors with work experience and connections with industries in Germany and around the world. They do not select professors who only have a PhD. 

Students must showcase their proficiency in both languages if the programme is taught in English and German. Programmes at private universities, such as Mechanical Engineering at the Carl Benz School of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, also require students to submit SAT scores. Some universities need a certified translation of the subjects and marks if they are not in English. 

Depending on the institution, students can apply to universities directly or via the uni-assist portal, an online centralised application platform. Some universities may require students to fill in a university-specific application form while using the uni-assist portal. Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese students, who do not have an IBDP or A Level, need the APS Certification before they can apply to a German university. 

Undergraduate applications in Germany: A brief overview

6) Study in Australia:

Australia is a leading destination for higher education. The number of international students in Australia  totalled 527,259 for the January-July 2022 period, of which 96,000 are Indian students. Apart from the 43 universities (40 Australian universities, two international universities, and one private speciality university), several other institutions in the country offer higher education courses.

At the undergraduate level, it is common in Australia for students to take double or combined degrees, choosing two subjects such as arts and science, arts and law, or commerce and engineering. Degrees typically take three years, but combined courses and some specific subjects, such as pharmacy, can take up to five years. 

There is no centralised application system. Therefore, students must apply to each university directly. Remember that academic calendars in the southern hemisphere are different. Semesters in the US, UK, Canada and Europe usually begin between August and September. However, in Australia, they start in February or July. Therefore, application deadlines also differ. 

Australia recognises the IB curriculum and India’s CBSE, ISC and state board curricula. However, international students‘ eligibility requirements and admission procedures depend on the course and course provider. For example, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) programme at the Australian National University requires a 31 in the IBDP or an 87 percent in the ISC. Prerequisite subjects include mathematics and physics. 

Undergraduate applications in Australia: A brief overview

7) Study in the UAE:

The UAE has emerged as a surprise destination for higher education, attracting thousands of international students thanks to strategic plans for 2017-2021 by the Ministry of Education. Additionally, in January 2021, the Government offered longer-term residence and permission, making UAE an attractive destination to live and pursue an education. The international universities of the United Arab Emirates are another massive attraction, allowing students to pursue a world-class education at a lower cost. Here are some of the undergraduate universities: 

• American University of Sharjah
• Middlesex University
• The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
• The University of Wollongong
• Canadian University of Dubai
• Heriot-Watt University
• New York University
• Paris-Sorbonne 
• University of Birmingham

To secure admission, students will require high grades along with course-specific prerequisites. For example, for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence at The British University in Dubai, applicants must score 65 percent overall and 65 percent in mathematics, chemistry or biology. Some universities require transcripts to be attested by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Embassy in the student’s country. 

Undergraduate applications in the UAE: A brief overview

While options are abundant, selecting the right destination for higher education depends on your goals. Here’s everything you need to know about applying to a foreign university and some advice from undergraduate admissions officers. Please get in touch with our global education consultants if you need guidance with country selection, shortlisting universities, or any aspect of your application.