Education@foreignshore

Indian students are making a beeline to find ever new lands of better and bigger opportunities. A foreign qualification has always had its allure for Indians. Be it the US, the UK, Australia or other emerging destinations, Indian students are travelling more than ever to earn a foreign qualification. And they are serious about it can be gauged from the fact that these students are willing to take educational loans to fund their studies.
The United States
Students can source information regarding the US from the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI).
Most American colleges and universities require scores from one or more of the standardised admission tests.
Students may visit individual college websites for information on admission requirements. International students whose native language is not English are required to take Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL). A few institutions may accept scores from other English language examinations.
Students aspiring to pursue undergraduate studies in the United States will be required by universities to take: SAT I - Scholastic Aptitude Test; SAT II subject tests. Most graduate departments require students to take one or more of the following: GRE-Graduate Record Examination (general test); GRE - Graduate Record Examination (subject test); GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test and TSE - Test of Spoken English.
Programmess in law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine require: LSAT - Law School Admission Test; MCAT - Medical College Admission Test; DAT - Dental Admission Test; PCAT - Pharmacy College Admissions Test and VCAT - Veterinary Aptitude Test.
In addition, there are a few other tests that students can take, depending on their requirement. These are: USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination; CGFNS - Council for Graduate of Foreign Nursing Schools; CPA- Certified Public Account Accountant Examination
USEFI’s website: http://www.fulbright-india.org
The United Kingdom
The UK has two distinct education systems: one for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and one for Scotland. Each is compatible with the other. The Scottish Parliament has devolved responsibility for education in Scotland. Wherever you choose to study, you will be able to study relevant, world-class qualifications of exceptional quality. For English proficiency one has to take IELTS or International English Language Testing System.
Undergraduate applications are processed through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), a centralised clearing agency. UCAS forms are available on the UCAS website (http://www.ucas.com). UCAS is working towards a 100 per cent electronic application system by 2006 entry, called ucasapply. UCAS Apply is a secure web-based online application system for all students (UK and International). The key message from UCAS is for all international students to move as rapidly as possible from the traditional paper-based method of application to UCAS Apply electronic application.
UCAS website: http://www.ucas.com
British Council: www.britishcouncil.org/india.htm
Australia
Of late, becoming a craze among Indian students, education Down Under comes at your doorstep with lot of courses and institutions to choose from. Australia is one place where the education system is quite flexible offering students a chance to earn while they learn. And this flexibility can be seen in issuing visas for students as well. Indian students have been flocking to Australia in droves and are doing quite well. Information on educational opportunities in Australia can be had from the Australian government body, the Australian Education International (AEI) and IDP Education Australia Ltd, a body promoted by Australian universities, which has a number of offices in India. Like the US and the UK Australia offers many sops to international students like scholarships, fellowships and of course, a congenial atmosphere.
For AEI, log on to:
www.ausgovindia.com/education
For IDP, log on to: www.idp.com/india
France
At competitive institutes ( Grandes ecoles) entry is selective. Specialisation is offered in these Grandes écoles in the fields of engineering, commerce, civil services and teaching. Duration of studies varies from three to five years. In State universities, any student who has completed the secondary school examination may qualify.
For France log on to:
www.france-in-india.org/www.edufrance.fr/
Germany
There are two types of institutions of higher education in Germany: Universities (Universitaeten), including the Universities of Technology (abb. TU) and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen, abb. FH). The Universities follow the principle of unity of research and teaching, initiated by Wilhelm von Humboldt in the 19th century. Universities are research-oriented. The Universities of Applied Sciences (FH) are professional-oriented institutions. Subjects are mainly engineering, business administration, social sciences and design. The organised curricula reduce the duration of studies and provide a close relationship to industries or the corporate world. Universities of Applied Sciences do not award doctorate degrees.
For Germany log on to: http://newdelhi.daad.de/
Canada
The Canadian Education Center (CEC) - INDIA was established in June, 1997 by the Government of Canada under the auspices of the Canadian High Commission, to provide information and counselling services to Indian students interested to study in Canada. There are 17 CEC offices throughout the world, delegating correct and comprehensive information on the various educational programs and training facilities in Canada.
Log on to: www.studycanada.ca/india/