15 Best Countries To Study Abroad In 2024

Did you know? There has been a significant increase in the number of students moving overseas to pursue higher education or employment since 2021. Well, why wouldn't they? It is the opportunity of a lifetime to explore new cultures and intriguing architecture, meet new people, and primarily grow as an individual. However, there are a plethora of options, and that's why we are here to help you find the county of your dreams. We have compiled a list of the top countries to study abroad for international students with all the information you need!

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Country to Study Abroad

The journey of studying abroad brings with it several challenges and choices, which is why it is important to keep the following in mind when trying to pick the best country to study abroad.

1. What do you wish to study

Whatever your chosen field of study is, you should make sure the country you choose offers programs for the same that align with your educational goals. Some countries are known for particular programs like Germany is known for automobile engineering.

2. Universities

 You should also look into the universities that offer the programs you're looking for. You should also look into the requirements for each university as they might require a particular type of visa, especially if you plan on finding a part-time job or side hustle.

3. Cost of Living

Finance plays a crucial role in finding the best country to study abroad in, which is why you need to research the amount you can expect to spend on a monthly basis and compare it to your budget. You can also look for ways to make money as a student.

4. Lifestyle & Culture

Your education might take up a major portion of your time when studying abroad, but you won't be cooped up in your room. Take studying abroad as an opportunity to experience new cultures.

5. Career Opportunities

After your education abroad, you might wish to pursue a career in the same country. In such cases, you should also check if the countries you are interested in have jobs available in the industry you pick.

15 Best Countries To Study Abroad For International Students

The various countries that pop into your mind when you think about the best country to study in can cause a bit of an issue and confusion, and to help you solve the confusion and pick the top country to study abroad, we have hand-picked a list with various tidbits of information you will need! Let's dive right into our 15 best countries to study abroad!

1. Germany 

Worldwide Ranking: 1
Population: 83,294,633
GDP: $4.3 trillion
Top Cities: Berlin, Munich, Hamburg
Top Universities: University of Bonn, Heidelberg University, Freie Universität Berlin
Best Study Programmes: Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science, Natural Sciences

Germany is a country known for its popular leaders and figures, like Ludwig Van Beethoven and Immanuel Kant, who have left their mark on the world! Germans are notoriously known for their many inventions and discoveries, like the modern printing press and the SIM card! The inventions and popular figures left their mark on the world and established Germany as one of the best countries to study abroad for students who want to create something new! 

2. New Zealand 

Worldwide Ranking: 3
Population: 5,223,100
GDP: $250 billion
Top Cities Auckland, Wellington, Nelson
Top Universities: The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, University of Otago
Best Study Programmes: Hospitality, Healthcare, Engineering

New Zealand has been one of the top countries to study abroad for many students seeking to advance their careers. The country of New Zealand has seen a boom since their independence; its export of dairy, sheep, poultry, fruit, and wine helped it increase the country's per capita income and kept it high, helping the government to create a great education system that attracts students from all over the world, making them one of the best countries to study abroad! 

3. Norway 

Worldwide Ranking: 5
Population: 5,474,360
GDP: $482 billion
Top Cities in: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger
Top Universities: The University of Bergen, Norwegian School of Economics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Best Study Programmes: Biology, Business & Marketing, Marine and Maritime Intelligent Robotics

If you didn't know, Norway is one of the best countries for international students to study and work for all the right reasons! The country has a great education system since the country has a high income due to the private sector, and the gas and oil that were discovered on the coast helped boost the economy of the country and helped them build a great system that established them as one of the top countries to study abroad! 

4. Australia

Worldwide Ranking: 7
Population: 25,739,256
GDP: $1.54 trillion
Top Cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne
Top Universities: University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Queensland
Best Study Programmes: Cybersecurity, Computer Science Engineering, Accounting

There is no surprise that Australia has made it to our list of the best countries to study abroad! Australia has been a hub for students for the longest of times, competing against the UK and USA! Australia has left a mark on the world with their leading universities and the various benefits of studying in Australia.

5. Ireland 

Worldwide Ranking: 9
Population: 5,028,230
GDP: $499 billion
Top Cities: Dublin, Galway, Cork
Top Universities: University College of Dublin, Trinity College, University College Cork
Best Study Programmes: Banking & Finance, Data Science, Software Engineering

Ireland has become many students' best country to study and work. With a visa extension of two years, top-quality education and good student life being its USP, many students enrol in competitive Irish universities yearly to enjoy the perks mentioned above. Due to this, it has been ranked as the best country to study abroad! 

6. Singapore 

Worldwide Ranking: 10
Population: 5,453,566
GDP: $397 billion
Top Cities: Tengah, Kampong Glam, Jurong
Top Universities: Nanyang Technological University, ESSEC Singapore, Singapore Management University
Best Study Programmes: Investment Banking, Finance, Accounting

Regarding Asian countries, Singapore, one of Asia's four economic tigers, tops the list of the best countries to study abroad since it is a place where you will be able to get a job! The country has had a boom in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries, putting the country's income at an all-time high, which helped them create various colleges that could provide quality education and attract students from all over the world! 

7 . Sweden 

Worldwide Ranking: 11
Population: 10,486,941
GDP: $586 billion
Top Cities in: Orebro, Uppsala, Malmo
Top Universities in Stockholm University, Lund University, Linkoping University
Best Study Programmes in Environmental Studies, Law, Engineering & Technology

Have you heard about IKEA and Spotify? Well, Sweden is the birthplace of these big iconic brands. They follow a system where most of the money earned by the country goes towards public service, i.e., building colleges, advanced infrastructure, and free education and healthcare! Sweden has now opened its doors to international students to leverage their high-ranked education, making it in the list of best countries for international students. With free education in sight in one of the cleanest countries, students can't stop and think about studying there! 

8. Netherlands 

Worldwide Ranking: 12
Population: 17,533,405
GDP: $991 billion
Top Cities in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
Top Universities in University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Best Study Programmes in Robotics, Architecture, Business Management

Aside from cheese, windmills, and a thriving nightlife, "one of the best places to study abroad" should be added to the list of the best things the Netherlands offers. The country has always been liberal about various things throughout its history, and its colleges have always been considered world-class and were always more affordable than other English universities and offered various scholarships!

9 . Switzerland 

Worldwide Ranking: 16
‍Population: 8,697,723
GDP: $813 billion
Top Cities in Bern, Zurich, Lugano
Top Universities in University of Zurich, University of Geneva, University of St. Gallen
Best Study Programmes in International Law, Hospitality, Business Management

Switzerland is a country many students love, especially those who want to pursue hospitality, medical sciences, and Ph.D. programs! Switzerland has always been neutral and away from wars, which attracts students there as it is among the safest and has a low crime rate! This makes it one of the top countries to study medicine abroad! 

10. Canada 

Worldwide Ranking: 17
Population: 38,246,108
GDP: $1.99 trillion
Top Cities in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa
Top Universities in University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia
Best Study Programmes in Pharmaceutical Science, Business Management, Dental Science

Three in five students move to Canada; why? For the simple reason of respecting human rights, international students enjoy the same rights and freedom that all Canadian residents get! With a flexible education system, you shouldn't be surprised that Canada is the best country to study abroad! 

11. Austria 

Worldwide Ranking: 22
‍Population: 8,956,279
GDP: $477 billion
Top Cities in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz
Top Universities in: University of Innsburg, University of Graz, Salzburg University
Best Study Programmes in Communications, Humanities, Law

Austria is known for its majestic castles, palaces, and, obviously, its education. But, somewhere among all these things are the high-ranking universities that are in Austria! A country which is rich in culture, especially in classical music, and has high living standards attracts students from all over the world, making it one of the best countries to study abroad! 

12. Japan

Worldwide Ranking: 28
Population: 125,681,593
GDP: $4.94 trillion
Top Cities in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
Top Universities in Osaka University, University of Tokyo, Tohoku University
Best Study Programmes in Digital Marketing, Business Accounting, IT

Japan is a paradise for Anime, technology, robots, and so on. Education has recently come to the forefront of Japan's list of famous things for 2023. It has emerged as the best country to study abroad because of its development in research and technology! When compared to the devastation that it suffered, Japan has grown from it and become one of the best countries to study!

13. Spain 

Worldwide Ranking: 35
Population: 47,326,687
GDP: $1.43 trillion
Top Cities in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville
Top Universities in: University of Barcelona, University of Valencia, Autonomous University of Madrid
Best Study Programmes in Business Management, Computer Science & IT, Hospitality

Are you shocked to see Spain on the list? Well, don't be; apart from being one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe, Spain is slowly making its way to being the best country to study and work. With a rise in international students yearly, Spain has proved that it has more to bring to its table, allowing it to be one of the top countries to study abroad simply due to its well-organised education system that allows you to pursue any course in any field!

14. France 

Worldwide Ranking: 36
Population: 67,935,660
GDP: $2.78 trillion
Top Cities in Paris, Nice, Bordeaux
Top Universities in Sorbonne University, INSEAD Business School, HEC Paris
Best Study Programmes in Business, International Studies, Culinary Arts

What are the first few things in your mind when I say France? Fine dine, wine, croissant, la vie and rose, Emily in Paris? You should also add the best universities in Europe to this list, as France is one of the best countries to study abroad since there are some of the best universities in France! There are universities for almost every course, like fashion, design, and many more!

15. Italy 

Worldwide Ranking: 45
Population: 58,856,847
GDP: $2.01 trillion
Top Cities in Rome, Milan, Venice
Top Universities in: University of Bologna, University of Padua, University of Milan
Best Study Programmes in Business Management, Fashion Designing, Interior Designing

With thousands of students enrolling yearly, Italian university programmes have become popular for their reputation and elite quality in education, bringing it to one of the top countries to study abroad. The popularity of Italy among international students has been insane for a very long time. Since education is relatively cheaper in Italy and the education quality is renowned, it is one of the most affordable countries to study abroad! 

These were all the best countries to study abroad as an international student! If you are interested in any of the cities, you can visit amber to find the perfect home away from home in these cities! This guide for international student housing will make your shifting process easy! Make sure to check out our blog, ten reasons why you should study abroad.