USA with its rich and unparalled history of research driven academic excellence is undoubtedly the number one destination for higher studies. Whether in STEM, liberal arts, fine arts or management, US universities such as MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Cornell, Yale figure prominently among the most sought after academic destinations worldwide.
When deciding which university to study in USA, it is crucial that you also look at the world university rankings. This helps you compare and understand where a university ranks and how your desired institution fares on the global map. Here are the top US universities according to QS World University Rankings 2025
S.No. | Institution | QS Ranking 2025 (Globally) |
---|---|---|
1. | MIT | 1 |
2. | Harvard University | 4 |
3. | Stanford University | 6 |
4. | California Institute of Technology | 10 |
5. | UPENN | 11 |
6. | UC Berkeley | 12 |
7. | Cornell University | 16 |
8. | University of Chicago | 21 |
9. | Princeton University | 22 |
10. | Yale University | 23 |
With world-class universities, experienced faculties, and multiple opportunities in different fields, USA is a top choice among international students. Know all the popular study abroad courses of US universities so you can make the best of your career choice.
There are various career opportunities post-graduation for international students study in US. Here are the popular fields you can opt for higher education:
Technology and telecom | Insurance | Financial services |
Law | Apps, web, and e-commerce | Energy, Mining, Chemicals, Environmental |
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech | Consumer goods | Transportation and logistics |
Consulting and professional services | Retail and trade | Media and communication |
Public sector and education | Service, tourism, restaurants | Health care |
Charity and not profit | Sports, culture, and recreation | Construction and real estate |
For Study in UK, the amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.
Here are some popular government scholarship programs you can apply to study in US as an Indian student:
S.No. | Name of the US scholarship | Description |
---|---|---|
1. | Chevening Scholarship | Supports talented professionals who have shown prior leadership skills and exceptional performance in their respective fields. With Chevening, you can apply for a scholarship or fellowship, the selection of which is done by the high commission and British embassies. |
2. | Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship | The commonwealth scholarship aims to give international students from commonwealth countries a chance to pursue postgraduate degrees in the US. Basically, the scholarship scheme caters to students from commonwealth nations to study in the US. |
3. | GREAT Scholarship | This scholarship is jointly funded by the US Government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council under the Study US campaign. This program includes 99 postgraduate scholarships from 36 US universities in a variety of subjects. However, for Indian students, 12 of the US higher education institutions are offering 13 postgraduate scholarships. |
4. | Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships (CWIT) | Charles Wallace India trust scholarships (CWIT) is the scholarship fund of Charles Wallace India Trust that provides grants to Indian students currently living in India in the early or middle stages of their career and either working or studying in the heritage conservation, arts, or humanities. |
5. | Scotland Saltire Scholarships | Scotland's Saltire Scholarships is a scholarship program of the Scottish Government in collaboration with Scottish universities offered in the areas of creative industries, technology, science, medical sciences, healthcare, and renewable and clean energy. |
Here's an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
Type of student visa | Who it's for | When to apply | Arrival in the US |
---|---|---|---|
Tier 4 (General) student visa | Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a US educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor | Three months before the start of your course | Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
Short-term study visa | Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the US, such as an English language course or training course | Three months before your date of travel to the US | Depends on your nominated travel dates |
The main factors to consider while thinking about studying abroad are program quality, accreditation, tuition fee, work and internship opportunities, scholarship availability, political stability of the countries and your available support system.
The main expenses involved in pursuing an international degree are tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, travel costs, and academic supplies.
Choosing a country to study abroad requires careful selection based on academic background and credentials, cost of education, career goals, work permit regulations, cultural fit and support system. Lesli's team of dedicated and experienced counsellors will help you choose the right country to meet your specific needs.
You should begin your application process early as scholarship deadlines are different from application deadlines and are usually before the actual deadlines. Scholarships may need specific application material and a separate essay or statement of purpose. Lesli counsellors can help you identify and apply for university scholarships.