Did you know that there were more than triple the number of international students in 2025 than in 2000 (6.9 million in 2025)? The world has never been more interconnected.
There's a growing popularity in leaving your home country for high-quality education, driven largely by the desire to achieve personal growth and academic excellence. Career opportunities, living expenses, and family situations can also play a part in choosing to study abroad.
If you're looking to spread your wings and attend a foreign university, you have plenty of options. But what are the best countries to study abroad?
Our guide reveals the top eight countries for international students, complete with information on visas, culture, cost of living, university rankings, and career prospects.
Why study abroad in 2026?
There are many reasons to choose an international education in 2026 and beyond. International students typically seek global exposure, cultural diversity, access to world-class universities, more refined practical experience, and worldly perspectives - all very good motivations for studying abroad.
When you travel outside of your home country, you see and do things you wouldn't normally experience. A multicultural environment broadens your mind and deepens your global perspectives. A rich cultural heritage introduces you to new innovations, food, people, traditions, music, perspectives, and experiences that help develop you both personally and professionally.
Overseas students can also access the education system of their choosing:
Enjoy learning theory and principles from historic institutions and world-leading lecturers? Study in Europe at some of the world's oldest universities.
Looking for more practical experience and a research-based education? Pick innovative private universities in Germany for top professional links and network connections to one of the world's biggest economies.
The 8 best countries to study abroad
So, where should you go to study abroad? The world is a big place, and there are plenty of top choices for foreign universities. The best countries for studying abroad are Germany, Canada, Australia, the UK, US, and New Zealand. You can read more about each country in detail below, or check out the table for a quick overview of what each country offers international students.
Country | Key Benefits | Top Subjects | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
Germany | Courses in English, multicultural society, high-quality education, post-study work opportunities | Engineering, IT, Computer Science, Business | Affordable |
Canada | Great working rights post-graduation | STEM subjects | Affordable |
Australia | Huge international student community | Healthcare, Engineering | Expensive |
UK | World-class education | Business, Law | Expensive |
New Zealand | Excellent satisfaction rates among international students | Agriculture, Healthcare | Expensive |
US | Top-ranked universities | Computer Science, Business | Very expensive |
Italy | Academic prestige from historic institutions | Design, Architecture | Affordable |
South Korea | Alternative culture and a booming tech industry | IT and Technology | Affordable |
1. Germany
Germany tops our list of the best countries abroad for international students for several reasons:
Huge International Community - Germany hosted over 400,000 international students during the 2024/25 winter semester, around 14% of all students in the country. It's long been a cultural melting pot, and major hubs like Berlin and Cologne contribute to a rich, multicultural society that welcomes foreign students with open arms.
High-Quality Education System - With five universities in the top 100 (at the time of writing), Germany offers exceptionally high-quality education. The strongest subject rankings are in engineering, computer science, data science, and business programmes (including MBAs).
English-Taught Courses - German universities offered more than 2,400 English-taught programmes in 2025, and this figure is growing (particularly for master's degrees). As an international student, you'll be able to access courses more easily without having to learn German.
Affordable Tuition - Germany's public universities offer tuition-free education (save for small registration fees), while private universities offer financing, bursaries, grants, and scholarship options to spread the costs of studying abroad.
Post-Study Work Visa - Germany offers multiple pathways for international students to enter the job market after graduation. This includes the 18-month post-study work visa, enabling students to stay in the country and find employment after completing their studies. This is an accessible pathway to permanent residency and citizenship, and more than 65% of current international students say they'd like to stay in Germany post-graduation.
Why you should choose Germany: Germany stands out as the top choice, thanks to its world-leading universities, variety of English-taught programmes, multicultural society, booming economy, and post-study work opportunities.
2. Canada
Next in our list is Canada, a country that offers a welcoming environment for international students. Top universities include the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, which offer excellent education at low tuition fees (particularly for STEM graduates).
International students in Canada are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week alongside their studies, enabling students to gain practical experience even before graduating. And if you want to stay in the country once your studies are over, you can apply for the Post‑Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP).
Why you should choose Canada: Canada is gaining popularity among Indian and international students due to its rich culture, high-quality education, and affordable tuition.
3. Australia
Australia is a popular destination to study abroad, and its appeal is increasing. Research shows its intake of international students increased by 8% during the first half of 2025 - one of the only key destinations that saw an increase during that period.
The country has high cross-cultural competence and a global mindset, welcoming students from all over the world. Its student visa policies are generous, especially for international students from Asia, and there are significant opportunities in its job market. In fact, Australia is currently suffering from a shortage of skilled workers, meaning STEM and IT graduates are in high demand.
Why you should choose Australia: Australia stands out for its comfortable and diverse lifestyle alongside high-quality education.
4. United Kingdom
The UK is a hub of international students and cultures. In 2023/24, there were over 730,000 international students, nearly a quarter of the entire student population! Considering the UK government's target was 600,000 by 2030, there's clearly something attractive to foreign students there!
Of course, the UK offers plenty of appeal for international students. World-class institutions like Oxford and Cambridge University, post-study work permits, optional practical training certifications, global awareness, exceptional career prospects, and an inclusive culture are all great reasons for studying in the UK. There are even scholarships and visas for Indian students (such as the Graduate Route Visa).
However, higher education in the UK is expensive. The cost of living is also rising disproportionately more quickly compared to other countries. This makes it more difficult to study abroad in the UK.
Why you should choose the UK: Historical institutions and a rich, multicultural environment are the standout reasons for studying abroad in the UK.
5. New Zealand
You may be surprised to see New Zealand so high on our list. It's a relatively small country, but one that offers access to academic excellence in a multicultural and welcoming environment. During 2024, the number of international students enrolled in New Zealand rose by almost 22%, showing its increasing popularity as a study destination.
This sharp spike in popularity is backed by student satisfaction data. A huge 87% of international students were satisfied with their higher education experience in New Zealand in 2025. And with top universities like the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, the country is an attractive option for studying abroad.
Why you should choose New Zealand: New Zealand is popular, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, safe and welcoming environment for international students, and strong education.
6. United States
The US has some of the most prestigious universities and most diverse academic programmes in the world, but it loses points for its high tuition fees and current political climate. Announced in September 2025, the introduction of a $100,000 fee for the H-1B work visa has left higher education in the country inaccessible for many foreign students.
Despite a high cost of living (particularly around healthcare and insurance), the country remains a popular destination with foreign students thanks to its innovative, research-focused institutions. The country also offers lots of exchange programmes, and there are lots of job opportunities for those with high career aspirations.
Why you should choose the US: The United States has the most prestigious universities in the world, along with strong STEM opportunities, OPT extensions, and pioneering research.
7. Italy
The intake of international students in Italy more than doubled between 2009/10 and 2024/25. That's because the country is fast becoming a hub for rich cultural experiences and a melting pot of diverse cultures. The warm Mediterranean climate and beautiful cityscapes provide an excellent location for personal development and growth.
Plus, Italy is home to some of the oldest universities in the world. The University of Bologna is the oldest continuously operating university in the world (founded in 1088) and continues to offer exceptional academic prestige for international students to learn theory and research-based studies.
Why you should choose Italy: History and culture triumph in Italy, making it an exceedingly interesting place to study abroad.
8. South Korea
South Korea is an emerging favourite of international students. It's the top choice in Asia, especially for subjects relating to technology and innovation like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. South Korea is popular with non-EU students seeking an alternative higher education experience, as it offers total immersion in a new culture and a booming technology industry.
Why you should choose South Korea: South Korea offers a unique alternative to Westernised student life, and the country has a thriving tech industry for aspiring Computer Science students.
Want to study and work in Germany? Get your free IU guide.
Spotlight: Best country to study abroad for Indian students
It's hard to define one country as the 'best' for Indian students going abroad. Germany, Canada, Australia, and the UK are all excellent choices due to affordable tuition and multicultural societies.
If we look at popularity, we see Germany is the clear winner. A Studyportals survey found that German universities attract the most engagement from Indian students, with 16.5%, thanks largely due to its emphasis on research and technology (coupled with affordable tuition). Indeed, India represents the highest percentage of foreign students in Germany with 59,000 students during the 2024/25 winter semester. And that figure is growing rapidly - around 20% from the previous year!
Canada is home to the most Indian students abroad (137,608 in 2025), but popularity is rapidly declining. The same Studyportals survey showed that interest in Canadian universities declined by 39%. Interestingly, interest in Austrian universities rose by 55%!
For Indian students, post-study work permits, scholarships, tuition fees, and student visa options play decisive factors when choosing countries to study abroad. This is why more affordable and accessible countries like Germany and Austria are rising in popularity while other more expensive countries like the US and the UK are less favoured.
Key factors to consider when choosing a country to study
What should you think about when deciding which country to study in? It's never a simple decision, but there are some factors you should weigh up before making any firm decisions, including:
Specifically, living expenses and tuition fees. Always check how expensive a country is and whether you can afford the lifestyle you want while you study. Consider expenses like rent, health insurance, groceries, public transport, and eating out, as well as course and registration fees.
Working rights
This ties in with living costs. Does the country's visa allow you to work part-time while you study? It's a huge bonus if so, as you can get valuable experience and financial support with a job alongside your studies.
Culture and language
Most international students feel safe and welcomed studying abroad. But living in an entirely different culture can be difficult at times, particularly when there's a language barrier, unfamiliar customs, or weak international relations. Consider how you'd fit into a country's culture before applying.
Education type
Not every country offers the same higher education principles. For instance, Germany offers exceptional practical and research-based education, while the UK often tends towards a theoretical approach. Universities within one country will naturally vary by approach, but it's worth checking what kind of education you'll receive.
Which country is best for studying abroad?
We'd love to give you a clear answer here, but the truth is we can't. Germany tops our list thanks to many strong benefits (low tuition fees, accessible visas, state-accredited education, post-study work options, welcoming cities... the list goes on), but you may also be happy with Canada or the UK or even South Korea!
It all depends on your personal preferences. Prioritise your career goals and the course most aligned with what you want. But also take into account budget, location, environment, teaching methods, visas, and cost of living. Feel free to work your way through our list of top countries to study abroad when doing your research.
And remember: if it doesn't feel right, it's not right. It may sound obvious, but just because a country looks good on paper, that doesn't mean it's the best pick for you. Sure, it's the logical choice, but does it get you excited? That's the real question.
To learn more about studying in Germany and what life is like at one of the country's top private universities, check out our studying in Germany resources.
Already know what you want to study? Learn more about IU's degrees here.
FAQs
You might also be interested in these articles
Best Universities in Germany for MBA: Programmes, Costs & Insights
Germany is a powerhouse of business. It's no wonder, then, that it's a popular destination for international students seeking high-quality Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. Take a look at the top programmes on offer for MBA students, their pros and cons, and the language requirements for international students in Germany.
Read more
Study in Europe: The Complete Guide for International Students
Why is studying in Europe so attractive? And what are the best European countries to study for comparison, and to plan your application? Let’s dive into the key reasons that make international experience on the continent so desirable for international students.
Read more