Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students and a valuable opportunity to gain a world-class education and global exposure. According to the QS World Rankings 2026, the top 10 universities include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (ranked #1), Imperial College London (#2), and Stanford University (#3) anOther prestigious names like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, ETH Zurich, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and University College London also make the list. The acceptance rates at these leading universities are quite competitive, ranging from just 3.9% to 15%.
The cost of studying abroad varies widely depending on the country, university, accommodation, and personal lifestyle. Germany is one of the most affordable options for MS Computer Science, with annual tuition fees ranging from €600 to €12,000 (INR 61,000 to 12.2 lakhs). In Canada, the annual tuition fee of MS Computer Science ranges from 9,883 to CAD 37,260 (6.3 to 23.6 lakhs).
The UK is on the higher side, with annual fees of Graduate Programs ranging between 35,400 to €51,000 (41.3 to 59.6 lakhs). Australia offers moderate annual tuition costs of PG Programs, ranging from 53,700 to AUD 60,883 (31 to 35.2 lakhs). The United States is the most expensive, with the annual tuition fees of Graduate Programs ranging between 45,120 to USD 93,834 (40 to 83.3 lakhs). Ultimately, your total expenses will depend on where you choose to study and how you manage your living costs.
Here are the top 20 handpicked abroad Universities for you based on the QS World Rankings 2026:
| University Name | Country | QS World Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | United States | #1 |
| Imperial College London | United Kingdom | #2 |
| Stanford University | United States | #3 |
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | #4 |
| Harvard University | United States | #5 |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | #6 |
| ETH Zurich | Switzerland | #7 |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore | #8 |
| University College London (UCL) | United Kingdom | #9 |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | #10 |
| The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | #11 |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) | Singapore | #12 |
| University of Chicago | United States | #13 |
| Peking University | China | #14 |
| University of Pennsylvania | United States | #15 |
| Cornell University | United States | #16 |
| Tsinghua University | China | #17 |
| University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | United States | #17 |
| The University of Melbourne | Australia | #19 |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Australia | #20 |
Also check: Study Guide For Students To Study Abroad
As per QS World Rankings 2026, the table lists the top universities in the United Kingdom with their popular course, fees, duration, and other details:
| University Name | Popular Course | Course Duration | Fees in GBP | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | MS Finance | 1 year | 51,000 | 59.6 lakhs |
| University of Oxford | Master of Science [MSc] Advanced Computer Science | 1 year | 43,730 | 51.1 lakhs |
| University of Cambridge | Doctor of Philosophy [PhD] Computer Science | 3 years | 41,304 | 48.2 lakhs |
| University College London (UCL) | Master of Architecture [M.Arch] | 2 years | 35,400 | 41.3 lakhs |
| King's College London | Master of Laws [LLM] | 1 year | 38,300 | 44.7 lakhs |
Also check: Explore more courses & Universities in UK
Here are the Famous USA universities with their popular courses, fee details, and course duration:
| University Name | Popular Courses | Course Duration | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Master of Finance [MFin] | 18 months | 93,834 | 83.3 lakhs |
| Stanford University | MSc Computer Science Artificial Intelligence | 18 months | 45,120 | 40 lakhs |
| Harvard University | Master of Law [LLM] | 1 year | 80,760 | 71.7 lakhs |
| California Institute of Technology | Master of Science [M.S] Civil Engineering | 2 years | 65,622 | 58.2 lakhs |
| University of Chicago | Master of Science [MS] Financial Mathematics | 15 months | 75,600 | 67.1 lakhs |
Also check: Explore more courses & Universities in the USA
Here are the known Canadian universities with their popular courses, fee details, and course duration:
| University Name | Popular Courses | Course Duration | Fees in CAD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill University | MS Computer Science | 2 years | 31,269 | 19.8 lakhs |
| University of Toronto | Master of Science [MS] Computer Science | 2 years | 36,650 | 23.2 lakhs |
| University of British Columbia | Master of Science [MS] Computer Science | 2 years | 9,883 | 6.3 lakhs |
| University of Alberta | Master of Science [MS] Computing Science | 2 years | 10,518 | 6.7 lakhs |
| University of Waterloo | MS Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | 16 months | 37,260 | 23.6 lakhs |
Also check: Explore more courses & Universities in Canada
As per QS World Rankings 2026, the table lists the famous universities in Australia with their popular course, fees, duration, and other details:
| University Name | Popular Courses | Course Duration | Fees in AUD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Melbourne | MS Data Science | 2 years | 60,883 | 35.2 lakhs |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | Master of Information Technology [MIT] | 2 years | 59,000 | 34.1 lakhs |
| The University of Sydney | Master of Science [MS] Data Science | 18 Months | 57,900 | 33.4 lakhs |
| Australian National University (ANU) | M.S. Applied Data Analytics | 18 months | 53,700 | 31.0 lakhs |
| Monash University | Master Business Analytics | 2 years | 59,900 | 34.6 lakhs |
Also check: Explore more courses & Universities in Australia
According to QS World Rankings 2026, the following are the popular universities in Germany with their famous programs, fee structure, and course duration:
| University Name | Popular Courses | Course Duration | Fees in EUR | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich | Master of Science [MSc] Computational Science and Engineering | 2 years | 12,000 | 12.2 lakhs |
| Ludwig Maximilian University | Master Computer Science | 2 years | 600 | 61.2 thousand |
| Heidelberg University | [M.S] Applied Computer Science | 2 years | 3000 | 3.1 lakhs |
| Free University Berlin | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Computer Science | 3 years | 8,200 | 8.4 lakhs |
| KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | Master of Science [MS] Computer Science | 2 years | 3000 | 3.1 lakhs |
Also check: Explore more courses & Universities in Germany
Explore some of the best universities abroad for pursuing your master’s in MBA programs, course duration, and fees.
| QS World Rankings | University Name | Course | Course Duration | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Penn (Wharton) | MBA | 2 years | 87,970 | 27.1 lakhs |
| #2 | Harvard Business School | MBA | 2 years | 78,700 | 69.9 lakhs |
| #3 | MIT (Sloan) | MBA | 2 years | 89,000 | 79 lakhs |
| #4 | Stanford Graduate School of Business | MBA | 2 years | 85,755 | 76.1 lakhs |
| #5 | HEC Paris | MBA | 16 months | 1,14,391 | 10.4 lakhs |
| #6 | London Business School | MBA | 21 months | 22,507 | 19.9 lakhs |
| #7 | Cambridge (Judge) | MBA | 1 year | 92,428 | 81.9 lakhs |
| #8 | INSEAD | MBA | 10 months | 84,311 | 74.7 lakhs |
| #9 | Northwestern (Kellogg) | MBA | 1 year | 86,370 | 76.6 lakhs |
| #10 | Columbia Business School | MBA | 20 months | 91,172 | 80.8 lakhs |
A Medical degree from top universities abroad has a course duration of 1 to 6 years. Here are the best universities abroad with their top medical programs, course duration, and fees:
| QS World Rankings 2026 | University Name | Course Name | Course Duration | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harvard University | MS Applied Physics | 2 years | 81,460 | 72.2 lakhs |
| #2 | University of Oxford | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [MBBS] | 6 years | 49,400 | 43.7 lakhs |
| #3 | Stanford University | Master's in Epidemiology & Clinical Research | 2 years | 61,308 | 54.3 lakhs |
| #4 | Johns Hopkins University | Master of Science in Nursing [M.S.N] | 2 years | 70,428 | 62.5 lakhs |
| #5 | University of Cambridge | MBBS | 6 years | 70,554 | 82.4 lakhs |
| #6 | University of California, San Francisco | Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) | 4 years | 33,238 | 29.5 lakhs |
| #7 | Imperial College London | [M.Sc] (Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology) | 1 year | 38,600 | 43.2 lakhs |
| #8 | UCL | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Medicine MBBS | 6 years | 73,300 | 66.9 lakhs |
Also check: Student Visa Requirements to Study Abroad
Check out the popular PG courses of the best universities abroad with the course duration of 18 months to 2 years and their fees:
| University Name | Course name | Course Duration | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | MS Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 2 years | 83,405 | 73.9 |
| Imperial College London | MS Finance | 1 year | 47,500 | 42.1 |
| Stanford University | MSc Computer Science | 18 months | 65,820 | 58.3 |
| University of Oxford | Master of Science [MSc] Advanced Computer Science | 1 year | 43,730 | 38.7 |
| Harvard University | MS Data Science | 2 years | 65,536 | 58.1 |
| University of Cambridge | Master of Finance [MFin] | 1 year | 57,850 | 51.2 |
| ETH Zurich | Master of Science [M.S] Computer Science | 2 years | 1,812 | 1.60 lakhs |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Master of Science [MSC] Data Science and Machine Learning | 2 years | 51,000 | 45.2 lakhs |
Here is the list of top universities in abroad with their popular UG courses, course duration and fees:
| University Name | Course name | Course Duration | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Bachelor of Science [BS] Computer Science and Engineering | 4 years | 64,310 | 57.3 lakhs |
| Imperial College London | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Physics | 3 years | 41,650 | 36.9 lakhs |
| Stanford University | Bachelor of Arts [BA] Psychology | 4 years | 62,484 | 55.3 lakhs |
| University of Oxford | Bachelor of Arts [B.A] English Language and Literature | 3 years | 43,600 | 38.6 lakhs |
| Harvard University | Bachelor of Science [BS] Psychology | 4 years | 59,320 | 52.6 lakhs |
| University of Cambridge | Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Mathematics | 3 years | 30,144 | 26.7 lakhs |
| ETH Zurich | Bachelor of Science [B.S] Computer Science | 3 years | 1,812 | 1.60lakhs |
| National University of Singapore (NUS) | Bachelor of Business Administration [B.B.A] | 3 years | 21,550 | 19.1 lakhs |
Also check: How to Write a Statement of Purpose?
Fulfilling a dream of studying at top universities abroad requires meeting specific academic and application standards. Every program has its own criteria, applicants need to maintain a strong academic performance, relevant experience, and a good score of English proficiency.
Check out the general eligibility requirements for Master’s, MBA, and Undergraduate programs at the top global universities of abroad.
| Requirements | Master’s Programs | MBA Programs | Undergraduate programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic requirements | 60 to 90% in 3-4 years of a bachelor’s degree | 90% in 3-4 years of a bachelor's degree | 85 to 95% in Senior Secondary Education |
| Application requirements | ResumePortfolioLOR2 years of work experience, SOP, Interview, Copy of passportEssay | ResumeInterviewSOPOnline assessmentpassportLOR | LOR Portfolio Essay Interview Financial records Personal statements Passport copy |
| English language/test scores | IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0TOEFL: 90 to 100 | IELTS: 7.0 to 7.5TOEFL: 90 to 110 | IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0TOEFL: 90 to 115 |
Note: Some universities demand GMAT/GRE scores. Therefore, candidates are advised to check the official websites of the universities to stay updated about the application requirements.
Also check: How to Write a Letter of Recommendation?
The well-known universities abroad from the developed countries like the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada offer a wide range of Scholarships to international students worth UDD932 to 272,500USD and 100% financial aid as well.
Check out the valuable scholarships provided by the top institutions with their eligibility criteria and award amount:
| County Name | University Name | Scholarship Name | Course | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Need-based financial aid program | For UG & PG students | International Student CSS Profile and parental income verification through IDOC. | 100% financial aid |
| UK | Imperial College London | Caesar scholarship | Undergraduates | For the students applying to a full-time UG course | 5,000USD per year |
| US | Stanford university | Knight Knessey Scholarship Program | Graduates | For the students applying to a full-time PG course | Financial support for 3 years |
| UK | Oxford University | Claredon Fund scholarships | Graduates | Strong academic records | Covers full cost fees & cost of living |
| UK | Cambridge University | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Graduates | Candidates must be non-UK residents | Cover a full course load |
| Germany | Alexender von Humboldt Foundation | German Chancellor Fellowship | Postgraduates | Must be an Indian with a Bachelor’s degree, leadership experience in Politics, Business, and Culture | 2,246 to 143.75 USD |
| Germany | German Academic Exchange Service | DAAD Scholarships | Postgraduates and Doctoral students | Minimum 85% in Bachelor’s, IELTS: 6.5, 2 years working experience, SOP | 934 to 2,400 USD |
| Australia | DEFAT | Australia Award Scholarships | Postgraduates & Graduates | Must be a citizen of the participating country, and fulfill Visa requirements | 34,500 USD |
| Australia | The Australian Government | Endeavour PG Scholarship Awards | Postgradutes | Must be a citizen of the participating country, have a UG degree, and have academic transcripts | 272,500 USD |
| Canada | University of Toronto | Ontario Graduate Scholarships | Postgradutes | Merit based | 15,000 USD a year |
Also check: How to study abroad for free?
Choosing a top university to pursue your dream of studying abroad opens a door for good education, better career opportunities, and global exposure. Universities such as Oxford, Stanford, and MIT are identified as the globally ranked universities as per the data of QS World and THE rankings 2026. Studying abroad can be a bit expensive, but students can avail fully funded scholarships to complete their studies abroad. With the help of strong academic scores, an excellent approach, and an outstanding application, Indian students can easily fulfill their dream of studying abroad into reality.
Ques: How to get a 100% scholarship to study in the UK?
Ans: Students need to research and apply for scholarships like the Commonwealth Scholarship, Clarendon Scholarship, and many more. Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria with a strong application and personal statements.
Ques: Which University is considered the best to study abroad?
Ans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, being on #1 in the QS World Rankings 2026, is considered the top university to study abroad.
Ques: What is the acceptance rate of the top universities in Australia?
Ans: The popular universities in Australia have different acceptance rates. However, the acceptance rate varies from being hight competitive 30% to a moderate 70%.
Ques: Can I take admission in the top universities abroad even with lower academic marks?
Ans: Yes, you can get a chance to study in the top universities abroad by showing your strong test results, like GMAT or SAT, work experience, and a strong personal statement.
| Rank | College Info | Tuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.) | Top Courses | Ranking & Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #21 | Umich-Ann Arbor, Ann ArborMichigan, Usa16%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $87.9K/YrLiving: $21K/YrAdmission | MS Data ScienceIELTS6.5$60.6K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 154+ More Programs | |
| #22 | Carnegie Mellon University, PittsburghPennsylvania, Usa12%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $56.4K/YrLiving: $15.4K/YrAdmission | MS Computer ScienceIELTS7$60.4K/Yr Course duration: 18 months 140+ More Programs | |
| #23 | University of Washington, BothellWashington, Usa42%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $33.5K/YrLiving: $11.3K/YrAdmission | B.S Mechanical engineeringDuolingo125IELTS7.0$44.6K/Yr Course duration: 4 years 2+ More Programs | |
| #24 | Technical University Munich, MunichBavaria, Germany8%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $10.5K/Yr (€9,091/Yr)Living: $1.5K/Yr (€1,300/Yr)Admission | MSc Computational Science and En...TOEFL88PTE65$13.8K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 101+ More Programs | |
| #25 | Duke University, DurhamNorth Carolina, Usa | Tuition: $64.5K/YrAdmission | Master in Interdisciplinary Data...Duolingo115IELTS7$67.7K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 146+ More Programs | |
| #26 | University of Edinburgh, EdinburghScotland, Uk10%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $43.9K/Yr (£33,223/Yr)Living: $6.9K/Yr (£5,200/Yr)Admission | MBAGMAT600IELTS7PTE73$59.9K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 121+ More Programs | |
| #27 | Northwestern University, EvanstonIllinois, Usa7%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $84.2K/YrLiving: $16K/YrAdmission | MS Computer ScienceDuolingo140IELTS7$63.3K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 129+ More Programs | |
| #28 | Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeSingapore, Singapore47%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $22.8K/Yr (S$30,040/Yr)Living: $7.9K/Yr (S$10,440/Yr)Admission | MS Artificial IntelligenceIELTS6.5$48K/Yr S$63,220 Course duration: 2 years 73+ More Programs | |
| #29 | New York University, New York CityNew York, Usa9%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $60.7K/YrLiving: $6.6K/YrAdmission | MS Computer ScienceDuolingo125TOEFL90PTE65$43.7K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 119+ More Programs | |
| #30 | The University of Hong Kong, PokfulamHong Kong, Hong Kong17%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $24.6K/Yr (HK$189,056/Yr)Admission | M.ArchIELTS6.5$29.1K/Yr HK$224,000 Course duration: 2 years 104+ More Programs | |
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| #31 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, MunichBavaria, Germany10%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $555.22884615385/Yr (€483/Yr)Living: $1.3K/Yr (€1,100/Yr)Admission | MS Software EngineeringIELTS6.5$690/Yr Course duration: 2 years 77+ More Programs | |
| #32 | University of Melbourne, MelbourneVictoria, Australia70%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $34.5K/Yr (A$53,017/Yr)Admission | MBAGMAT560TOEFL102PTE72$78.2K/Yr A$120,384 Course duration: 2 years 180+ More Programs | |
| #33 | King's College London, LondonEngland, Uk13%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $43K/Yr (£32,582/Yr)Living: $20.6K/Yr (£15,636/Yr)Admission | LLMIELTS7.0PTE69$50.6K/Yr Course duration: 1 year 170+ More Programs | |
| #34 | McGill University, MontrealQuebec, Canada46%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $28.3K/Yr (CA$39,878/Yr)Living: $621.25/Yr (CA$875/Yr)Admission | MS Computer ScienceIELTS6.5$22.2K/Yr CA$31,269 Course duration: 2 years 126+ More Programs | |
| #35 | Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong Kong, Hong Kong20%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $8.3K/Yr (HK$63,707/Yr)Admission | M.A TranslationTOEFL79$21.2K/Yr HK$162,800 Course duration: 1 year 154+ More Programs | |
| #36 | Georgia Institute of Technology, AtlantaGeorgia, Usa14%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $33.7K/YrLiving: $17.7K/YrAdmission | MS Computer ScienceIELTS7.5$15.6K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 112+ More Programs | |
| #37 | UI-Urbana, UrbanaIllinois, Usa43.7%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $42.1K/YrLiving: $14.5K/YrAdmission | MS FinanceDuolingo115TOEFL79$52.7K/Yr Course duration: 15 months 269+ More Programs | |
| #38 | The University of British Columbia, VancouverBritish Columbia, Canada54%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $26.2K/Yr (CA$36,852/Yr)Living: $11.7K/Yr (CA$16,536/Yr)Admission | MS Computer ScienceIELTS6.5PTE65$7K/Yr CA$9,883 Course duration: 2 years 182+ More Programs | |
| #39 | UC-San Diego, San DiegoCalifornia, Usa25%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $44.3K/YrLiving: $26.5K/YrAdmission | MS Data ScienceDuolingo120IELTS7$37.7K/Yr Course duration: 18 months 58+ More Programs | |
| #40 | Heidelberg University, HeidelbergBaden-Wurttemberg, Germany45%Acceptance Rate | Tuition: $3.6K/Yr (€3,114/Yr)Living: $9.2K/Yr (€7,978/Yr)Admission | MS Applied Computer ScienceIELTS6.5$3.4K/Yr Course duration: 2 years 96+ More Programs | |