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.
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.
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Foreign students' total expenses of studying in India vary depending on several factors, such as:
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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Fees are different according to course type and reputation of the university. Lower education is given by public universities in comparison to private universities.
Course | Fee in INR | Fee in USD (approx.) |
Engineering (B.Tech/B.E.) | ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | $2,400 – $6,000 |
Medical (MBBS/MD) | ₹4,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 | $5,000 – $12,000 |
Management (MBA/PGDM) | ₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $3,500 – $9,600 |
Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences | ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
Science Courses (B.Sc/M.Sc) | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000 | $1,800 – $5,000 |
Technology/IT/Computer Apps | ₹2,00,000 – ₹4,50,000 | $2,400 – $5,500 |
University | Courses Offered | Fee in INR | Fee in USD (approx.) |
IITs | Engineering | ₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 | $2,400 – $6,000 |
AIIMS | Medical | ₹4,00,000 – ₹7,00,000 | $5,000 – $8,500 |
IIMs | Management | ₹4,00,000 – ₹9,00,000 | $5,000 – $11,000 |
Delhi University | Arts, Science, Commerce | ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,00,000 | $1,200 – $2,400 |
Manipal University | Engineering, Management | ₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $3,600 – $9,600 |
There are also single admission fees charged by some colleges, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000 ($600 – $2,400).
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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):
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:
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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):
Expense Category | Cost in INR | Cost in USD (approx.) |
Shelter (Rent/Hostel) | ₹8,000 – ₹20,000 | $100 – $250 |
Food & Essentials | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000 | $50 – $100 |
Transportation | ₹1,000 – ₹3,000 | $12 – $35 |
Utilities (Electricity, Internet) | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 | $25 – $50 |
Entertainment & Misc. | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 | $25 – $60 |
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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University hostels are available for international students for accommodation, private hostels, paying guest (PG) accommodations, or rented apartments.
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Apart from the tuition fees, students must also keep in mind other academic expenses:
International students need to have health insurance in order to study in India.
Most universities have in-house health plans.
In an attempt to minimize the study in India costs for international students, there are scholarships that have been made available:
Let's assume the total cost of studying in India for one year:
Total Annual Cost:
Least Expensive Student Cities:
Expensive Student Cities:
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.