When deciding to pursue higher education abroad, the most important thing is to clearly determine which course you wish to study and which country you want to go to. Often, students apply to U.S. universities simply because they are widely spoken about, or because they have a friend or relative living in the U.S.
However, instead of doing that, it’s much wiser to check which country offers the best education for your preferred subject, and how the university ranks globally in that particular field of study. Based on that, the country and university should be chosen.
There are also some common patterns you can follow. For example, Germany and other European countries are excellent options for research in physics or basic sciences. For computer engineering, many students prefer universities in the United States, while the UK is considered a great option for management-related programs.
When it comes to preparing for higher education abroad, the process varies by country. One major difference is the entrance exams required. Depending on the country, the exams you’ll need to take will differ. However, many international universities do accept scores from U.S.-based standardized tests.
Unlike entrance exams in India, international entrance exams do not test subject-specific knowledge. Whether you’re applying for science, engineering, law, or the arts, the entrance test remains the same for all disciplines.
Once you’ve finalized which course to pursue, the next question is — in which country? And once that’s decided, the next step is to identify which entrance exams are needed for admission there. This varies depending on the country and course. Since India is not a native English-speaking country, students must take either the TOEFL or IELTS exam.
Germany
After the U.S., Germany is a top choice for students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in engineering. Germany’s academic structure is somewhat different. There aren’t many exams during the semester; instead, students appear for most of them at the end of the year.
While German language skills aren’t always mandatory for academics, it is expected that students have at least a basic understanding of German. For higher studies in Germany, students typically need to take only an English proficiency test, most commonly IELTS. Admission is quite achievable with a strong IELTS score and a good academic background.
Due to the presence of top research institutes like the Max Planck Society, Germany attracts students especially interested in fundamental sciences and engineering fields.
United Kingdom (UK)
The UK is a preferred destination for courses and research in management, sciences, languages, and arts. With globally ranked universities like Oxford and Cambridge, outstanding academic research, and a large share in global research contributions, it’s no surprise that the UK attracts international students.
The application process in the UK is quite similar to Germany — based on Fall or Spring intakes and respective deadlines. Admission requires a minimum score in either IELTS or TOEFL, both of which are accepted. For undergraduate admission, the SAT is often required.
Australia
After the U.S. and Europe, Australia has emerged as a highly preferred destination for students and parents. This is largely due to its education quality — 7 of the top 100 universities in the world are located in Australia. Australian universities are on par with American and European institutions in terms of academic excellence, research quality, and post-study work opportunities.
One of the biggest attractions is the possibility of securing Permanent Residency (PR) after studies and employment, which is becoming increasingly difficult in the U.S. and Europe.
The admission process in Australia is similar to Germany and the UK, but Australian universities mostly prefer IELTS over TOEFL.
For Parents:
Dear parents, some decisions can be made during your child’s school years. For example, if possible, enroll your child in an IB (International Baccalaureate) or British curriculum instead of CBSE. This isn’t just about academics — it’s about international recognition.
When a student studies under globally recognized boards like IB or British Curriculum, universities can better assess their standing against other international applicants. Moreover, if a student completes the Diploma Programme (Grade 11–12) under IB or British boards, they can often secure direct admission to undergraduate courses abroad without needing to take the SAT.
Om Munot, a student studying at the University of Queensland in Australia, shared that because he completed his 12th grade through the IB board, he did not need to take the SAT for admission.
