The preferences among Indian students regarding their desired study destination have undergone a gradual shift after pandemic. These newer destinations such as Spain, Japan, New Zealand offer affordable education. After the Covid-19 pandemic, Indian students are choosing destinations that are closer home and offer similar opportunities like in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, but at a cheaper cost. there is an influx of Indian students, especially from Tier II and Tier III Cities, in Europe, Philippines, Russia, and Singapore to pursue their higher education. The preferences among students regarding their desired study destinations have undergone a gradual shift throughout the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post pandemic periods. Other than popular destinations, Indian students have started to explore New Zealand and Ireland since they offer similar quality opportunities while being cost-friendly. As we move into the post-pandemic era, every nation is striving to make up for the lost time by implementing favourable policies and enhancing post study work rights, among other incentives, to entice students.
Japan has become a new favourite destination for students to study, especially science and technology related courses. While there are several partially funded scholarships, the most famous option for Indian students is the ADB-JSP grant, which covers the entire tuition fee. Asian Development Bank (ADB) sponsored Japan Scholarship Program (JSP) offers scholarship to 135 students each year from across countries including India. The highly competitive scholarship is for students who have pursued bachelor’s in economics, business and management, science and technology, and other development-related fields. It covers full tuition fees, offers monthly subsistence allowance including housing. The scholarship also covers expenses towards books and instructional materials as well as medical insurance and travel expenses. For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for thesis preparation. In special circumstances, computer literacy, preparatory language and other similar courses may be covered under the scholarship. Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with superior academic record and have at least two years of full-time professional working experience can apply. The applicants will have to agree to return to their home country after completion of studies. Further, the upper age to apply is capped at 35 years, however, there are some exemptions. Applicant also need to obtain admission to an approved master’s course at a designated institution. Applicants need to first apply for admission. Those who secure admission will be shortlisted by the institute based on their profile, application forms, and documentations as submitted by students. The selected profiles will be evaluated by ADB.
The global financial centre, Singapore, is also gaining traction as one of the most popular study destinations for Indian students, thanks to its multi cultural societies. The nation offers several scholarships among high ranking institutes with the most famous being Dr. Goh Keng Swee Scholarship and Science & Technology (S&T) Undergraduate Scholarship. The Science & Technology Undergraduate Scholarship is for Asian students who wish to study undergraduate courses at the National University of Singapore (NUS). As part of the scholarship, students get a living allowance of S $6,00 and a one-time computer allowance of S $1,750. Students also get a settling-in allowance of up to S $200. The scholarship covers tuition fees and one way airfare for students. Students applying for admission to full-time undergraduate degree programmes in Computing, Engineering or Science are eligible for the scholarship. Students need to be citizens of Asian countries. Scholars need to have exceptional academic qualifications to achieve the scholarship. Further to sustain the same, students need to maintain a 3.5 GPA and good conduct. Students applying for admission to NUS for UG courses will be automatically considered. Selected candidates will be called for interviews.
