Is a Foreign Degree Worth It in India? (In-Depth Guide)

Pursuing higher education abroad is an increasingly popular choice for Indian students.

With prestigious universities, cutting-edge programs, and opportunities for immigration, foreign degrees seem full of promise.

But are they worth the high costs and effort?

Why Do Indian Students Go Abroad?

Over 750,000 Indian students left home in 2021 alone for university education abroad. What motivates this exodus?

Prestige and Quality

Indian students perceive foreign universities as more prestigious and offering superior education quality.
Programs like engineering and design are deemed more advanced abroad in infrastructure and curriculum.
The chance to study at globally top-ranked schools not available in India is a huge attraction.

Career Advancement

Many hope international exposure will give an edge when job-hunting back home.
Multinational packages after studying abroad are also a tempting prospect.

Immigration Opportunities

Graduating from schools in the US, Canada, Australia increases chances of securing a work visa and settling there.
The lure of first world citizenship is very strong due to quality of life.

The Costs: Time, Effort and Money

Chasing a foreign degree demands significant investments on all fronts:

Time Cost

Extra years needed for language tests, entrance exams, visa applications.
Four year Indian undergrad degrees become five+ years abroad.
Assimilation into new cultures and systems requires patience too.

Effort Cost

Rigorous entrance criteria at top global universities need consistent academic excellence.
From documentation to part-time work, significantly more self-reliance needed abroad.
Managing culture shocks and homesickness adds to effort exertion.

Monetary Cost

Even excluding airfare and living costs, tuition fees are almost 3x higher than Indian colleges.
International students rarely qualify for generous aid – so loans are necessary.
Poor exchange rates and inflation compound costs further.

So does this time, money and effort translate into career success back home? Let’s analyze.

Does a Foreign Degree Matter in India?

Opinions are divided on whether international credentials bestow any real advantage here.

YES – Global Exposure Has Intrinsic Value

Multinational work ex, language skills, intercultural competence help secure jobs in MNCs and abroad.
Alumni networks in influential global companies provide a powerful boost.
Overseas achievements signal ambition and talent to employers.
Learning the latest technologies before they reach India keeps your skills updated.

NO – Indian Employers Prioritize Local Relevance

High value attached to degrees from Indian technology and management powerhouses like IITs and IIMs.
Domestic credentials better indicate ability to navigate Indian business culture.
India-specific metrics like CAT scores viewed as more relevant than GRE/GMAT.
Overseas work experience valued more than just foreign degrees.

Career Impact: Does Field of Study Matter?

Are international qualifications always useful? Or does it depend on subject studied?

WHERE FOREIGN DEGREES HELP

1. Engineering and Design

Tech infrastructure and access to new tools abroad aids learning.
Multinational R&D exposure boosts employability in India.

2. Quantitative Fields

Indian employers seek statistical, analytical rigor – met well by programs abroad.
Quant credentials especially valued in data science, analytics and finance.

3. Executive Education

Mid and senior professionals get a leg up via Ivy League/Oxbridge short courses.
Leadership/strategy programs advance global business expertise.

WHERE INDIAN DEGREES SUFFICE OR ARE BETTER

1. Medicine

Foreign MBBS rarely licensed by MCI for hospital/clinic practice here.
Local PG medical degrees have highest ROI for doctors in India.

2. Law and Government Jobs

Indian Constitution and regulations differ – local law degrees essential to practice.
Similarly, bureaucrat roles demand understanding of domestic policies.

3. Arts/Humanities

Ancient Indian languages, history, culture best studied right here through specialized Indian programs.
Niche regional knowledge has little application abroad.

Maximizing ROI: Tips to Manage Costs & Relevance

Can students minimize the investment risks yet gain from global exposure? Yes, via these strategies:

Target Schools Carefully

Favor reputed public US/Europe universities offering generous aid to international students.
Seek programs retaining strong industry links for recruitment after graduation.

Be Strategic With Majors

Pick majors like IT, nanotech, data science where cutting-edge curriculum matters.
For fields like Public Policy or regional studies, Indian degrees may suffice.

Build Local Experience

Show adaptability to Indian work cultures via local internships during breaks.
Part time work in India post-graduation further eases hiring.

Leverage Alumni Network

Connect with seniors in home country to understand job search challenges better.
Seek referrals and tips from Indian alumni working abroad too.

Summing Up: Yes, Foreign Degrees Can Offer ROI If…

Overseas qualifications do boost employability – but not universally. They help the most when the field of study and specialization avails of resources unavailable in India during the degree, and for global roles after it.

Technology, design, analytics and pure sciences degrees continue to have an edge, specifically from universities with reputed faculty and facilities. Visa prospects and multinational job mobility also matter.

But just foreign degrees without adequate work experience or professional network locally can struggle to beat Indian credentials, especially in culture/region-dependent fields.

By choosing programs strategically and balancing with local experience, Indian students can maximize their ROI on overseas higher education. The worth also rises if they leverage schools’ industry/alumni connections for smooth re-entry to home job markets.

FAQs

Q1. Which countries are best for foreign degrees?

For technology and quantitative fields, United States, Canada, Singapore, Germany and Switzerland offer highly respected programs and research infrastructure.

UK and Australia are excellent destinations too for wider course options and post-study work visa availability after graduation.

Q2. Which Indian students gain most from overseas degrees?

Those pursuing majors with practical curriculums that equip them well for private sector jobs, like Engineering or Business Administration see the most ROI.

Government and public sector aspirants in fields like Medicine, Law or Indian Languages conversely find local degrees more relevant.

Q3. Is it very expensive to study abroad?

Yes, foreign degrees cost nearly thrice an Indian one due to high tuition fees.

Scholarships help offset costs, but limited aid for international students means loans are still needed.

Part-time work opportunities while studying also help manage expenses better.

Q4. Are foreign degrees required for MNC jobs in India?

Not mandatory, but they certainly help.

Due to extensive professional exposure and multicultural expertise gained abroad, MNCs actively seek out returning graduates for their India teams.

Relevant work experience continues to be given priority over degrees alone.