Study Abroad for Good Career

The education system in countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, and many other European countries is better than the Indian education system in many ways. These countries offer better education infrastructure and skills enhancement programmes. Studying abroad adds significant value to your CV and gives you a global edge. Your job prospects increases manifold. This is the reason why the number of Indian students going abroad is increasing every year. Last year India sent around 83000 students to the US, around 45,000 to Australia and almost 30000 students to the UK.

A study abroad experience will make an important difference in getting a job after completing your studies. It will help you in pursuing careers in different countries. An overseas experience will help in your personal enrichment and development. Studying abroad makes a major contribution to your knowledge of other countries and cultures and to your foreign language proficiency. It helps you develop the cross cultural skills and knowledge that are needed to enhance your global competitiveness. In some cases, you may not be able to follow your course of choice in your native country, and therefore have no choice but to go abroad. The list of benefits of studying abroad is endless, but before you plan to enrich yourself with an overseas experience you need to plan your study abroad options in detail and well in advance.

Accrediting Agencies

Singapore

• Professional Engineers Board - grants national accreditation to engineering and technology courses.
• National University of Singapore (NUS) - offers a number of accredited undergraduate and post graduate programs for students to choose from, such as the accountancy program accredited by ACRA.

UK and Europe

• Association of MBAs (AMBA) - is an association of over 9500 MBA students and graduates, accredited business schools and MBA employers that is also the internationally recognized global standard for MBA programs.
• Association of Business Schools (ABS) - This is the 'Trade' Association for UK Business Schools
• European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) initiated and managed The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) – is the European accreditation system for B-Schools. EQUIS specializes in accrediting schools not just programs of study.
• Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) - accredits under-graduate and post-graduate courses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
• Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) - This is the UK national government agency charged with monitoring and seeking to ensure adequate quality in higher-education. It audits institutions and publishes its findings on them.
• Engineering Council UK (ECUK) - regulates the engineering in the United Kingdom through 36 engineering Institutions (Licensed Members) who are licensed to put suitably qualified members on the ECUK's Register of Engineers.

Study Expenses and Fees in UK

Fees vary from school to school and are at the discretion of the institution; there are no national standards. You should expect to pay a minimum of £4,000 per year and fees can be as high as £25,000 for an MBA program.

Fees for UK college and university programs are generally lower than in the US and Australia. UK degree programs last three rather than four years, so you save a whole year’s worth of fees and living costs. Postgraduate Master’s courses are also shorter, lasting only one year compared with two in the USA and Australia.

The fees you pay to attend independent school include your course fees, accommodation and may include some or all extracurricular activities, but it's to check exactly what is included with the school. You may be asked to pay extra for language tuition. Fees vary from school to school and are at the discretion of the institution; there are no national standards. You should expect to pay a minimum of £4,000 per year and fees can be as high as £25,000 for an MBA program.

There is very little financial aid in the UK for international students. Some universities may give students with good or exceptional backgrounds, a part tuition fee waiver. Some universities give discounts of 1000 - 1500 Pounds to students with good academic backgrounds. Financial assistance and scholarships are available and it is worth finding out early on in the process what you will be able to receive.

Cost Calculation: Do remember that you won’t be entitled to the main UK state benefits if you have financial difficulties, so you must be absolutely sure that you can support yourself financially. If you are from a European Union (EU) country, you may qualify for ‘home’ fees (the fees charged to UK students – from 2006, up to £3,000 a year for a degree). The following are examples of average tuition fees for international students who do not qualify for reduced ‘home’ fees:

Average cost of Courses-

• English language: £150–£300 per week ;
• Vocational -(pre-degree level): £3,300–£4,150 per year ;
• Undergraduate level - Arts, business, social science courses: £7,000–£7,900 per year ;
• Science (lab based): £7,000–£10,400 per year ;
• Clinical: £17,400–£18,710 per year;
• Postgraduate level Arts, business, social science courses: £5,000–£12,000 per year and
• Science: £6,500–£10,000 per year