How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad for Indian Students 2025?

When you’re studying abroad, there are various costs like your tuition fees, living expenses, miscellaneous costs (like health insurance, study materials, security deposits), and more. It is important to have an idea of what the cost for the duration of your program, whether 2 years or 4, will look like, so that you can manage your expenses. 

The average cost of studying abroad for an Indian student ranges from USD 20,000 to USD 60,000 (INR 17.3 Lakhs to INR 52 Lakhs) per year, depending on the destination country, course, and university. This includes tuition fees, living expenses, and visa-related costs such as application, stay, and extension fees. 

Let’s look at a detailed list of the costs of studying abroad for an international student:

The cost of studying in the United States varies depending on the type of university (public or private), location, and course level. On average, international students can expect to spend between USD 17,000 and USD 85,000 (INR 14.8 Lakhs to INR 73.7 Lakhs) per year on tuition, living expenses, and other costs.

Here are some of the general expenses incurred while studying in the US.

On average, international students spend USD 15,000 to USD 45,000 (INR 13 Lakhs to INR 39 Lakhs) per year studying in Canada. Canada offers a high-quality education system with relatively affordable tuition compared to the US or UK. The total annual cost depends on the university, program, and city. 

Let’s go through the several costs of studying in Canada below:

The cost of studying in the UK varies depending on the university, program, and location, and typically ranges from USD 15,000 to USD 45,000 (INR 13 Lakhs to INR 39 Lakhs) per year. While tuition fees are high, shorter course durations (three years for UG, one year for PG) make studying in the UK cost-effective overall.

Here's a detailed list of the costs of studying in the top universities of the UK:

The cost of studying in Germany is among the lowest in the world, especially at public universities where tuition fees are either free or minimal. On average, students spend around EUR 10,000 to EUR 20,000 (INR 8.6 Lakhs to INR 17.3 Lakhs) per year, including living costs.

The multiple costs of studying in Germany are as follows:

The cost of studying in Ireland generally ranges from EUR 10,000 to EUR 30,000 (INR 8.6 Lakhs to INR 25.9 Lakhs) per year, depending on the course and university. Ireland has become a leading destination for international students, especially for tech, business, and healthcare programs.

The various costs associated with studying in Ireland are discussed below:

The cost of studying in Australia ranges from AUD 25,000 to AUD 55,000 (INR 13.7 Lakhs to INR 30.1 Lakhs) per year, depending on the program and location. Australia is known for its excellent universities, high graduate employability, and welcoming student environment.

Let’s go through the costs of studying in Australia below:

As an international student, the costs of education in foreign countries such as the US and the UK are difficult to cover, but there are several effective ways, such as part-time jobs, private tuitions, and scholarships, which can help you with financial issues. 

Here are some of the best ways that you can navigate to fund your foreign education. 

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships remain the most sought-after source of funding. They can help you to cover tuition partly or fully, and sometimes they even include living expenses. Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, nationality-specific, field-specific, or offered by universities and governments.

Work Opportunities

Many countries allow international students to work part-time during studies and full-time during breaks, helping offset living expenses. Countries like Germany and Canada even attribute separate work hours to enable students to earn a living. This includes on-campus jobs, internships, or paid research assistant roles.

Student Loans

Private and international student loans are available with specific criteria, sometimes requiring a co-signer who is a resident of the study destination. However, you must carefully consider loans and their given repayment commitments post-study.

Affordable Destinations and Universities

Choosing affordable study locations with lower tuition and living costs, such as Germany, Spain, or Eastern Europe, can significantly reduce overall expenses.s

Assistantships and Fellowships

As an international graduate in a foreign country,y you can also apply for teaching or research assistantships that provide stipends and tuition waivers. These are competitive but offer financial and academic benefits.

While earning through part-time work opportunities and availing scholarships can be useful means to get by and ease your financial burden as an international student, you must also be mindful of your spending to ensure a smooth financial track. 

Here are some useful and practical tips that you can use to manage your finances wisely as an international student: 

Create and Stick to a Budget

Prepare a detailed budget that accounts for tuition, rent, food, transportation, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses. Make sure to track your spending regularly to avoid overspending and adjust your budget as needed.

Prioritize Essential Expenses

Focus on covering non-negotiable costs like accommodation, groceries, and transportation first. You must also try to minimize spending on entertainment, dining out, and luxury items to keep finances under control.

Cook at Home and Opt for Shared Accommodation

Cooking meals at home can save significant money compared to eating out, and you can also prepare meals in bulk for a designated time period to avoid much work. Along with home-cooked meals, try opting for shared accommodation as it helps you significantly reduce the room rent.

Use Student Discounts and Public Transport

Take full advantage of student discounts available on public transport, entertainment, shops, and services. Make sure to look for places that allow payment using student cards. 

Work Part-Time 

If permitted by your visa, take on part-time jobs, internships, or campus roles to supplement your income. These can help you with other expenses such as study materials and health coverages, alongside your scholarships. 

When you compare living costs across countries, one fact becomes clear: rent is the single largest expense for international students, eating up nearly half of your monthly budget no matter where you go. While countries like Germany balance this out with low food and transport costs, destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia demand careful financial planning due to higher accommodation and utility expenses.

Your choice of study destination should go beyond tuition fees to factoring in monthly living costs, city differences, and return on investment will help you make a smarter decision.. With Yocket Premium, you get personalised university shortlisting based on your budget and profile, expert guidance with your application, and more!  At Yocket, we’ve helped over 1 million students like you navigate the real cost of studying abroad, and we can help you too! Connect now!