Why you should take the road less travelled

Usha Albuquerque

Some of the lesser-known overseas study options have always intrigued students looking for an opportunity to study aborad. The value of the degrees as well as the fee and visa and work options are the key areas that many students want to know about before venturing to these destinations. Check out the various options as well as fee and visa norms for some such countries, which can be a good option for indian students: 

SINGAPORE

Singapore with its proximity to India and the more oriental style of living has become a much sought after study destination for Indian students. Popular courses among most international students in Singapore include programmes like engineering, management, computer & IT,  finance and law, which are some of the top courses to study in Singapore.

Fee factor: Singapore offers a relatively low cost of living as transport and food is not expensive, so you canestimate spending on average, about $750 to $2,000 a month on living expenses. This amount will, of course, vary depending on your lifestyle and course of study.

Tuition fees in Singapore varies depending on the programme and the university or educational institution. Undergraduate study can vary between SGD $6,500 and $7,500, while post-graduate programmes could be between SGD $7,500 and $8,500.

Work/visa options: Indian students who are studying in private universities in Singapore and want to stay back and work after completing their degrees usually receive a visa extension of one-three months (depending on each institution). Government institutions, polytechnics and some foreign leading campuses of overseas universities usually issue Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) which is valid for one year, to students who want to stay back and search for jobs, after completing their studies in Singapore.

In addition, international students can apply for a Tuition Grant for subsidised tuition fees for study, in exchange for which they must sign a Tuition Grant Agreement in which they will be contractually obliged to work in a Singapore entity for three years upon graduation. The Tuition Grant Scheme is currently open to students enrolled for the full-time diploma or undergraduate courses in the Institutes of Higher Learning (subject to guidelines under existing policy) at the certain institutions such as : 

• National University of Singapore 
• Nanyang Technological University 
• Singapore Management University
• Singapore University of Technology and Design
• Singapore Institute of Technology
• Singapore University of Social Sciences
• Polytechnics
• Temasek Polytechnic
• Nanyang Polytechnic
• LASALLE College of the Arts

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been attracting an increasing number of Indian students who generally pursue degrees in engineering, medicine, business as well as social science courses. This is largely because with English as an official language, it is possible to study and get by in Hong Kong even without any Chinese language skills. Moreover, several of the universities in Hong Kong such as the University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, are rated among the top global universities.

Fee Factor: The cost of study in Hong Kong ranges from around  HK$90,000-HK$ 265,000, while living costs average around HK$ 65,000. 

Work/visa options: International students need a student visa to study in Hong Kong, and are generally not allowed to take up any employment, except for internships arranged for by the institutions they are studying in, or part-time on-campus employment of up to 20 hours per week, and during summer vacations. 

But, you can apply to stay on in Hong Kong post study, for up to 12 months after graduation without any restrictions to seek jobs, under the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates (IANG) policy. Hong Kong is a major international centre for business, finance and trading, so graduates in  fields of finance, banking, and business are particularly in demand, whilst skills and knowledge in areas of IT,  law and accounting are strongly favoured.

While you can get by with English in Hong Kong, a basic knowledge of written and spoken Chinese can go a long way in interacting with locals and understanding street signs, and can boost your employment prospects. Cantonese is generally spoken in Hong Kong and south China, while Mandarin is used in Greater China.

New Zealand

New Zealand has  high educational standards and provides educational facilities that are internationally recognised. Being in the southern hemisphere, the academic year extends from February to November and most universities allow intake of students for both semesters, which works well for Indian students, who can start in July.

Some of the popular courses amongst international students studying in New Zealand are: hospitality management, accounting and finance, mechanical engineering, computer science, and business management.

Fee factor: The cost of study is also comparatively  less in New Zealand, ranging from NZ $20,000 for Arts and Science courses to around NZ 25,000-30,000 for engineering and business degrees.

Work/visa options: International students  can work up to 20 hours a week if studying full-time for at least a two- year programme, or for a New Zealand qualification that gains points under the Skilled Migrant Category. Depending on what you studied, you may be able to work in New Zealand for up to four years, and possibly even gain residence. If you wish to stay in New Zealand and work after finishing your studies,  you will need to get a Post Study Work Visa (Open) or a Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted). This visa is valid for 12-months. During this time you can work for almost any employer in New Zealand. After you have found a job relevant to your qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted).

The Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted) allows you to stay in New Zealand and work for a specific employer for a further two years, if your job is relevant to your qualification. After your Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted) you may be eligible to apply for a New Zealand resident visa under the Skilled Migrant Category, which will allow you to work and live in the country permanently, if you have the necessary skills in demand in New Zealand.