What students and parents should know about destinations, programmes and the changing admissions landscape.
Destinations & costs
Compare the complete study proposition
Why Germany is emerging as a major destination
Germany combines strong universities—especially in engineering, technology and research—with comparatively moderate study costs. DAAD estimates around 420,000 international students and doctoral candidates for winter 2025/26, while 46% of surveyed universities expected to expand English-language programmes.
At most state-funded institutions, there are generally no tuition fees for bachelor’s courses and most master’s courses. Students must still budget carefully for housing and living costs, and should check programme language, visa requirements and employability—not select Germany only because tuition may be low.
What this may mean for students: Germany is particularly worth evaluating for academically prepared students who are willing to research programmes carefully and build language and employability skills alongside the degree.
Why the US remains a strong career-building option
The United States continues to offer an unusually broad combination of universities, flexible curricula, research activity, industry networks and specialised programmes. For eligible F-1 students, Optional Practical Training can provide temporary employment directly related to the field of study; qualifying STEM graduates may apply for a further 24-month extension.
This does not make employment or immigration outcomes automatic. Cost, university quality, location, internship access and current visa rules must all be examined. The US works best when the course, institution and career plan are selected together.
What this may mean for students: For students seeking research exposure, global professional networks or strong technology and innovation ecosystems, the US can remain a compelling choice—provided the financial and career case is sound.
IIM Bangalore has introduced two four-year residential BSc Honours programmes: Economics with minors in Data Science and Business Studies, and Data Science with minors in Economics and Business Studies. The initial annual cohort is 80 students—40 in each major.
The programme reflects a wider change in Indian higher education: leading institutions are building interdisciplinary undergraduate courses that combine analytical depth, economics, data, business, communication and ethics. Admission includes IIMB’s undergraduate test and a personal interview, rather than depending only on Class XII marks.
What students should do: Students interested in this route should build mathematics competence, communication ability and interview readiness—not prepare only for a board-score cut-off.
Ashoka and FLAME represent a growing interest in interdisciplinary liberal education. Students can combine fields, explore majors and minors, develop writing and critical-thinking skills, and connect classroom learning with internships, research and real-world questions.
Ashoka’s four-year BA/BSc structure includes foundation courses, majors, interdisciplinary options, co-curricular courses and internships. FLAME connects humanities, social sciences, business, design, sciences and computing, with a wide choice of major–minor combinations.
What this may mean for students: These colleges are relevant for students who want breadth before specialisation and who value discussion, research, writing and multidisciplinary learning. The fit—and the total cost—should still be assessed individually.
Some selective Indian universities now evaluate applicants through several signals rather than one examination or cut-off. Ashoka describes its undergraduate process as holistic and uses application review, assessments, an on-the-spot essay and interviews. FLAME considers academic records, entrance scores, essays or statements, achievements, extracurricular involvement and interviews.
This means students should develop real interests and communicate them honestly. A long list of disconnected certificates is less useful than a coherent record showing curiosity, initiative, academic readiness and reflection.
What changes for students: Grades remain important, but writing, communication, activities, course fit and the ability to explain one’s choices can also influence the result.
Cornell’s admissions guidance permits limited use of generative AI for research, brainstorming and grammar review, but says applicants should not use it to outline, draft or write admission essays. The application should preserve the student’s own thinking, examples and voice.
What students should do: Write the essay themselves, verify every fact and use feedback only to improve clarity without replacing personal authorship.
Information is educational and was reviewed in September 2026. Programme, fee, visa and admissions rules can change; always verify the latest position with the relevant official institution.
