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Is there a reason to look beyond India for my child to pursue undergraduate studies? Does India not have numerous options? There is no doubt that India has a wellevolved higher education system of colleges, including professional colleges. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are highly reputed, and there are more than 3000 engineering and over 400 medical colleges across the country. Having said this, here are our observations on the state of higher education in India. First, while the number of colleges has been increasing, there has been a sharp fall in standards between the top few and the next tier colleges. Hence, competition for the best colleges is disproportionately high. Second, there is a dearth of quality institutions that offer non-professional courses, which becomes a challenge for students wanting options beyond engineering, medicine or law. Third, our system forces students to make up their minds even as they finish grade 10, and the higher secondary curriculum seldom gives children an opportunity to keep their options open. These are some reasons to explore the possibilities in other countries that have a reputation for providing a sound education, and see if they provide your child with a better platform for the future. What countries should I consider? In the recent past, Indian students have explored undergraduate options mainly in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Singapore. (Of these, Australia is no more as popular owing to the reported anti-Indian sentiment in the country). Each country’s education system comes with its own advantages, and also requires a different kind of preparation. In this article, we review the systems in the US, UK and Singapore. The system in Canada is quite similar to that in the US. The undergraduate programme in the US typically lasts four years. Students can choose from a large number of universities and can also experiment with several subject combinations during the course of their studies. The application process involves filling out a form online, writing a statement of purpose and getting recommendation letters from teachers. There is no guarantee of admission even if your application is complete and submitted by the deadline. The evaluation comprises a comprehensive review of all materials submitted, and students hear from the university by email or post. Some US colleges offer an option for students to apply ahead of the normal deadline. This is called “Early Admissions”. If the deadline for most colleges is end December, you would apply by around end-October if you apply early. If you secure an admission through this route, it is sometimes binding. US’ neighbour Canada has a fair number of universities and colleges, some of which are quite reputed. Undergraduate programmes can be for three or four years. Canada is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world. Cost of education in Canada is lower than in the US. Average undergraduate university tuition for international students in Canada ranges from just under $4,000 to almost $19,000 a year. Considering its colonial legacy, the Indian system maps quite closely with the system in the UK—the selection tends to focus more on academic performance. There are fewer colleges in the UK; some of the more prestigious ones are the Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Imperial College and the London School of Economics. One key attraction of studying in the UK is that the undergraduate programme is three years long, which means your child finishes his/her studies earlier, and your financial outlay may also be lower. Closer home, Singapore is fast growing to be an Asian hub for higher education. It has three reputed public universities – National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Management University (modelled after Wharton), as well as a growing number of specialist institutes and private universities. The Singapore universities have also established exchange programmes with US institutions, so students can get the best of both worlds. Here again, unsurprisingly, academic performance is critical for admissions and the courses are also reported to be quite rigorous. When should I start exploring options? Ideally, you should start your research when your child enters grade 9. That gives you the time to understand the possibilities, the process and also how your child should prepare, should he/she wish to choose this path. Are there any curricula which are better suited? Students from all Indian and International boards can apply. However, with more broad-based curricula that encourage exploration, international boards like the IB and IGCSE are more tailored than Indian boards for students wishing to pursue an undergrad degree outside India. What is the best way to equip myself with information? In addition to the respective college/university websites, there are many other websites that will give you the basic information (please see box titled ‘Useful Websites’). It is really useful to also talk to parents of students who are doing their undergraduate studies abroad to understand why they chose this path, and what they did to get there. You and your child could also meet an education counsellor to help understand the process better and make a considered decision. What are the steps in preparing for studying abroad? Contrary to what some people believe, all colleges abroad place a lot of importance on academic performance, especially the reputed ones. It is not true that because the US colleges, for example, take a holistic approach to selection, they do not emphasise academic performance. However, the expectations or cut-offs may vary depending on how selective a college is. Thus, whether your child chooses to study in India or wishes to go abroad, a consistent academic performance is essential. Click here for more parentedge.in
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