India

India has a vast education system with both public and private universities offering a variety of degree programs. Higher education institutions in India are known for their strong faculties in engineering, medicine, economics, and social sciences. Below is information about universities in India, the admission process, fees, and job opportunities during and after graduation.

1. Top Universities in India

a. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

• Ranking: IIT is a network of 23 premier technical institutes that rank among the world’s top universities in the fields of engineering and technology. They regularly rank high in international rankings.
• Programs: IIT offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
• Language of Instruction: Programs are taught in English.

b. Indian Institute of Management (IIM)

• Ranking: IIM is considered one of the top business schools in India and the world. The MBA programs at these institutes attract students from all over the world.
• Programs Offered: MBA, Executive MBA, PhD programs in Management.
• Language of Instruction: All programs are conducted in English.

c. University of Delhi

• Ranking: One of the most prestigious and oldest universities in India, which consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in Asia.
• Programs Offered: Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in humanities, social sciences, science, engineering, and law.
• Language of Instruction: Programs can be offered in both Hindi and English.

d. Bengaluru University

• Ranking: This university is known for its strong faculties in science, technology, and engineering.
• Programs Offered: Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, information technology, physics, and chemistry.
• Language of Instruction: English and Hindi.

e. Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc Bangalore)

• Ranking: One of the leading universities in India, with high rankings in the fields of science and technology.
• Programs: Undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, physics, biotechnology and other natural sciences.
• Language of instruction: English.

2. Admission to Universities in India

a. General Requirements for International Students:

• Academic Requirements: For undergraduate programs, a high school diploma (or equivalent) is required. For postgraduate programs, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• Language Requirements:

• For programs taught in English, an IELTS score (usually 6.0-7.0) or TOEFL score (90 and above) is required.
• For programs taught in Hindi or other regional languages, proof of language proficiency is required if the program is offered in that language.

b. Application Process:

• Admission to universities in India is through national and university examinations.

• For IITs and NITs (National Institutes of Technology), you need to clear JEE (Joint Entrance Examination), which is one of the toughest entrance exams in India.
• For IIMs and other B-schools, you need to clear CAT (Common Admission Test).
• For other universities, you may need to clear PGEE (Post Graduate Entrance Exam) for postgraduate courses.
• Applications are submitted through online platforms of universities or through centralized systems like University Grants Commission (UGC).

c. Application deadlines:

• For most programs, applications are submitted early in the year (February – March), but the exact dates vary from university to university.

3. Tuition fees in India

a. Tuition fees:

• Public universities: Tuition fees at public universities in India range from INR 20,000 to INR 150,000 per year (approximately US$250-2,000) depending on the program and level of study.
• Private universities: At private universities, fees can be significantly higher, ranging from INR 100,000 to INR 500,000 per year (US$1,500-7,000).
• International student programs: For international students, tuition fees can be 25-50% higher than for domestic students.

b. Additional expenses:

• Accommodation: The average cost of living in a hostel or rented apartment is INR 5,000-20,000 per month (US$70-250).
• Food and transport: Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 per month, depending on location and lifestyle.

c. Scholarships:

• Many universities in India offer scholarships for international students that may cover part or all of their tuition fees. Scholarship schemes vary across universities and disciplines.

4. Working While Studying

a. Working While Studying:

• International students in India can work part-time, but they will need permission to do so. However, working while studying is not mandatory and is not always widely available, especially for students on a study visa.

b. Rules:

• In most cases, international students are not allowed to work full-time. However, some universities may allow on-campus work or internships related to the curriculum.
• Students can also work on temporary projects or do volunteer work, if permitted by the university.

5. Work after graduation

a. Work Permit:

Indian visas for international students do not automatically grant work permits after graduation. However, graduates can stay on in India to look for work if they find an employer willing to sponsor a work visa.

• To obtain a work permit after graduation, graduates must find a job in India that matches their qualifications and specialization.
• Once they receive a job offer, they can apply for a work visa (e.g. Employment Visa).

b. Career Opportunities:

• India is a growing economy with many opportunities for professionals in technology, engineering, medicine, business, and finance.
• International students educated in India can work in large companies, multinationals, startups, and government agencies.

India offers a variety of educational opportunities with reputed universities and institutes such as IITs and IIMs, which are among the top global institutions. Studying in India can be affordable, especially in government universities. Students can work while studying, but with certain restrictions. After completing their studies, international students can find a job in India if they have an offer and get a work permit.