Cost of Studying in India for International Students: Tuition, Visa, Living

India is well-known for its outstanding universities, diverse and rich culture, and reasonably priced cost of living. Since education costs are lower in India than in Western nations like the USA, UK, or Australia, India is a very popular destination for international students.
 

The costs associated with studying in India as an international student, including living expenses, visa fees, and other incidentals, will be covered in this thorough guide. Whether your field of study is engineering, medicine, business, or the arts, understanding the costs of studying in India as an international student helps with effective financial planning.

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India has one of the biggest educational systems in the world, with over 1,000 universities and 40,000 colleges. Some Indian universities, like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), are renowned throughout the world for their excellent instruction.
 

• Reasonably priced tuition: When compared to the majority of other countries, India offers international students incredibly low tuition costs.
• Diverse Courses: Modern technology, management, yoga, and traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) are just a few of the topics offered to international students.
• English Medium of Instruction: Since most universities use English for instruction, there is less of a language barrier.
• Exposure to Culture: International students can take advantage of India's rich traditions, festivals, and culture.
• Scholarships: Under government initiatives like Study in India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), a number of scholarships are offered to international students.

Read Also: Top Indian Colleges For B.Tech For International Students
 

Foreign students' total expenses of studying in India vary depending on several factors, such as:
 

• Type of course (business studies, engineering, medicine, arts, etc.)
• Type of institution (public vs. private)
• The city or town where the university is located (small towns compared to metro cities)
• Accommodation options (private apartments or hostels)
• Own expenses and way of life

Depending on fees for tuition, living, and visa costs, the overall expense of an international student studying in India can be anything from $3,000 to $8,000 annually (₹2.5 to ₹7 lakh INR). Here's breaking it down into certain aspects.

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1. Foreign Student Tuition Fees in India
 

Fees are different according to course type and reputation of the university. Lower education is given by public universities in comparison to private universities.

There are also single admission fees charged by some colleges, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 ($600 – $2,400).

Read Also: How to Choose the Right College in India for Your Career Goals
 

2. International Student Visa Fee to Study in India
 

International students studying in India are required to obtain a Student Visa (S-visa). The visa fee depends on your country of nationality and length of course.

Student Visa Fees (Approximate):

• For most countries: $75 – $150 (₹6,000 – ₹12,000)
• For nations with special agreement with India: Lower rates may be applied.
• Extra fees: Visa processing charges ($10 – $20).

Validity of Visa:
 

Student visas are usually issued for the length of the course or 5 years. They can be renewed if necessary.

Documents required for Student Visa:
 

• Valid passport
• Admission letter of the Indian university
• Evidence of adequate financial resources
• Passport-size photographs
• Visa application form

Read Also: Common Eligibility Criteria For Scholarships Offered To Foreign Students In India

3. Cost of Living in India for International Students
 

India is a very low-cost country for foreign students. Your expenses in India as a foreign student will depend upon the city you plan to reside in. Major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore are costlier than tier 2 such as Jaipur, Pune, or Lucknow.

Average Monthly Living Expenses (in INR):

Total Monthly Cost of Living:
 

Around ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 ($180 – $420) every month, or ₹1.8 lakh – ₹4.2 lakh ($2,200 – $5,000) annually.

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4. Accommodation Cost in India
 

University hostels are available for international students for accommodation, private hostels, paying guest (PG) accommodations, or rented apartments.

• University Hostels: ₹5,000 – ₹12,000 ($60 – $150) a month (most probably includes food).
• Private Hostels: ₹8,000 – ₹15,000 ($100 – $180) a month.
• PG Accommodation: ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 ($120 – $250) a month including food.
• Renting Flats/Apartments: ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 ($180 – $350) a month (in big cities).

Read Also: How to Choose the Right College in India for Your Career Goals

5. Other Academic Expenses
 

Apart from the tuition fees, students must also keep in mind other academic expenses:

• Study materials and books: ₹10,000 – ₹30,000 ($120 – $350) every year.
• Lab fees or workshop fees: ₹5,000 – ₹20,000 ($60 – $240).
• Exam fees: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 ($25 – $60) per semester.

6. Health Insurance Fees
 

International students need to have health insurance in order to study in India.

• Annual average cost: ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 ($120 – $240).

Most universities have in-house health plans.
 

7. Scholarships for International Students in India
 

In an attempt to minimize the study in India costs for international students, there are scholarships that have been made available:

• ICCR Scholarships: Provides tuition fee, accommodation, and monthly allowances.
• Study in India Program: Provides fee exemptions of up to 100% in partner institutions.
• University-Specific Scholarships: There are merit-based discounts provided by some private universities.
   

8. Total Cost to Study in India as a Foreign Student
 

Let's assume the total cost of studying in India for one year:

• Tuition Fee: ₹2,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 ($2,400 – $9,600)
• Living Expenses: ₹1,80,000 – ₹4,20,000 ($2,200 – $5,000)
• Visa Fees: ₹6,000 – ₹12,000 ($75 – $150)
• Other Expenses (books, insurance, travel): ₹30,000 – ₹60,000 ($350 – $700)

Total Annual Cost:

• ₹4,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 ($4,800 – $15,000).
   

9. City-Wise Study in India Cost of Living for International Students
 

Least Expensive Student Cities:

• Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune: ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 per month.
• Chennai, Ahmedabad: ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 per month.

Expensive Student Cities:

• Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore: ₹25,000 – ₹40,000 a month because of increased rent and living expenses.
   

• Select Public Universities: Fees are cheaper in state universities.
• Select University Hostels: They are less expensive than private rentals.
• Take Advantage of Student Discounts: Public transport and entertainment usually have cheaper ticket fares.
• Cook Your Own Meals: Eating outside is expensive over time.
• Search for Scholarships: Carefully explore ICCR or SII schemes well in advance. 

India is relatively inexpensive compared to most other countries when it comes to higher studies, yet it offers good teaching and exposure to diverse cultures. India is an economical yet fulfilling destination for higher studies with fees of ₹2 lakh and ₹8 lakh per year and living expenses of ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 per month.
 

The total cost of studying in India as an international student is approximately ₹4 to ₹12 lakh every year when tuition fees, visa fees, and health insurance are factored in. International students also reduce the cost of studying in India by living in dormitories, enrolling in public universities, and seeking scholarships.