Delhi: A little over a decade ago, the only destination for Indians seeking a foreign education was the United States, with a handful going to United Kingdom. But the scenario has changed now, with New Zealand, Russia, Germany and Canada emerging as the new hot knowledge destinations.

US is passe

Even universities from non-English speaking countries  are offering various courses in English and have targeted Indian students. Be it top hotel management schools in Switzerland; business management institutes in France, Holland or Japan; medical colleges in China, Russia, eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, all are on the lookout for Indian students.

"Countries like Sweden, Croatia, Cyprus, South Africa and Malaysia, too, are jumping into the fray," said Kuldeep Singh Gujral, who runs Indo-Horizon Education Service, one of the many agencies, which help students to go abroad.

Easy immigration

Easy immigration process has made it convenient for the students planning to go abroad. Even universities prefer foreign students as they pay twice or thrice the fees compared to what is charged by local students.

Popular courses

MBA is the most popular course among Indian students. The other courses that Indian students opt are bio-technology, law, media studies, interior and textile design, automotive system engineering, psychology, public health, clinical nutrition, and sports and culture science, biological anthropology and biomedical sciences, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, electronics and linguistics.

Cool cash

One of the leading foreign university University of Wolverhampton has a fee structure of approximately Rs 11 lakh per annum, depending on the course one takes. However, the University gives 10 percent discount to all Indian students.

Part-time jobs

During their period of study at the various universities, the students are allowed to do part-time jobs but they have to attend classes regularly.
 
Mark Blakemore (International Recruitment Officer) of Roehampton University said, "We find Indian students extremely hard-working and diligent, even when working part-time as they are permitted to do."