Are you an Indian student considering studying abroad in the UK, USA, or Canada in 2026 — but not sure how much it will really cost?
If so, you’re not alone. Studying abroad from India is a big investment, and it’s normal to feel uncertain about the various costs involved.
This blog post breaks down all the key costs of studying abroad from India in 2026, including tuition, living expenses, visas, and more. With this guide, you can plan your budget with confidence and be ready to join the 950,000 Indian students who studied in these countries last year (The PIE Network).
Let’s get started!
1. Tuition fees and costs
Tuition will be your largest expense while studying abroad from India. The fees cover classes, access to academic staff, facilities, and various learning resources, such as libraries and specialist course-related materials.
Some programmes and degrees are more expensive than others. In many cases, you can also apply for a scholarship to help offset costs. These amounts change annually, but here’s a brief overview to give you an idea of what to expect.
| Destination | Pathway or Foundation year | Bachelor’s degree (per year) | Master’s degree (per year) |
| UK | From ₹17,13,209 (Multiple courses available) | From ₹15,66,623 | From ₹15,08,627 |
| USA | From ₹38,41,779 (ASU-USA Pathways and Pace University Global Pathways | From ₹29,99,090 | From ₹18,03,081 |
| Canada | From ₹20,52,369 (University of Alberta’s Year One Foundation Program) | From ₹20,52,999 | From ₹17,35,967 |
Source(s): Kaplan International Pathways
2. Living expenses
Your living costs will vary by city and lifestyle, but there are plenty of ways to save. In the USA and Canada, for example, you can use the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for a wide range of discounts, while those in the UK can save with student travel cards and other offers.
| Destination | Food and groceries (monthly) | Transport (monthly) | Entertainment and personal spending (monthly) | Phone plan (monthly) | Average total (excluding rent) |
| UK | ₹13,434 | ₹4,635–₹13,906 | ₹5,795–₹23,181 | From ₹1,159 | ₹25,023–₹51,680 |
| USA | ₹26,588 | ₹4,300–₹13,292 | ₹8,860–₹26,582 | From ₹1,475 | ₹41,223–₹67,937 |
| Canada | ₹16,108 | ₹5,028–₹7,542 | ₹8,171–₹18,856 | From ₹2,857 | ₹32,164–₹45,363 |
Source(s): University Living, upGRAD
Want to know more about living costs in these countries? If so, follow the links below!
3. Accommodation
As a first year student in the USA or Canada, you’ll usually be required to live on campus — in many cases, it’s guaranteed — while in the UK it’s strongly encouraged. If you’re an Indian student taking a degree preparation course in the UK, Kaplan can help you secure and reliable accommodation through Kaplan Living — a great way to settle into UK student life before starting your studies!
Please note: the below applies to undergraduate students. As a graduate student, your accommodation costs may be different.
| Destination | On campus (per year) | Off campus (per year) |
| UK | From ₹12,18,972 | From ₹14,85,985 |
| USA | From ₹7,14,773 | From ₹13,18,600 |
| Canada | From ₹4,00,448 | From ₹13,14,169 |
Source(s): Kaplan International Pathways
4. Flights from India
Flight costs from India* to the UK, USA, or Canada vary by season and how early you book. To get the best deal, try to secure your flight as soon as your visa has been approved!
| Destination | Cost (one way) | Notes |
| UK | From ₹23,200 | Direct flights from Mumbai and New Delhi |
| USA | From ₹34,800 | Direct flights to New York and San Francisco, starting at ₹52,200 |
| Canada | From ₹46,400 | Flights to Vancouver slightly cheaper; direct flights from New Delhi starting at ₹63,800 |
* Average costs based on flights from New Delhi and Mumbai.
Sources (s): Skyscanner
5. Visa and insurance costs
Getting a student visa from India can take time, but Kaplan’s experts are here to help. Processing times differ — from a few weeks to several months — and you’ll need to show proof of funds for your first year of study in the UK, USA, or Canada.
| Destination | Visa type | Visa fee | Insurance cost* (per year) |
| UK | Student Route visa | ₹60,784 | ₹90,315 |
| USA | F-1 visa | ₹47,415 | ₹1,77,254–₹3,54,509 |
| Canada | Study permit | ₹14,763 | ₹37,689–₹56,534 |
* Indian students studying in the UK or USA can apply for insurance before travelling. In Canada, you’re encouraged to apply immediately upon arrival.
Source(s): UK government website, U.S. Department of State, Government of Canada website, Times Higher Education
6. Overall annual costs
Now that we’ve broken down tuition, living costs, accommodation, flights, and visa fees, let’s bring everything together. The table below gives a realistic estimate of the total annual cost of studying abroad in the UK, USA, and Canada for an Indian student in 2026.
| Destination | Average tuition (annual) | Living and housing (annual) | Other costs (visa, flights, insurance) | Total estimated annual cost |
| UK | ₹15,66,000–₹17,13,000 | ₹12,00,000–₹15,00,000 | ₹1,70,000–₹2,00,000 | ₹29–34 lakh |
| USA | ₹29,99,000–₹38,41,000 | ₹15,00,000–₹20,00,000 | ₹2,50,000–₹3,50,000 | ₹47–62 lakh |
| Canada | ₹17,35,000–₹20,52,000 | ₹10,00,000–₹13,00,000 | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 | ₹28–34 lakh |
How degrees pay you back
Studying abroad from India is a significant expense — but it’s also a powerful investment in your future. Through part-time work and paid internships, you can begin earning back your investment during your studies. Whether it’s working on campus for up to 20 hours a week, doing a STEM related internship, or a co-op program in Canada, there are many ways to earn while you learn!
And once you graduate, you’ll benefit from strong starting salaries and a solid foundation for a successful career — whether in the UK, USA, Canada, back in India, or anywhere else in the world!
Here’s how the UK, USA, and Canada compare in terms of work opportunities and earning potential.
| Destination | Potential monthly earnings | Average paid internship monthly income | Average annual graduate salary |
| UK | ₹1,16,341 (Glassdoor) | ₹1,74,567 (IDP IELTS) | ₹38,38,563– ₹46,56,508 (International Graduate Outcomes 2024) |
| USA | ₹86,500 during term time, ₹1,73,000 during vacations (Indeed) | ₹2,21,709 (Indeed) | ₹48,77,600– ₹70,94,692 (Vedantu) |
| Canada | ₹1,36,215 (Indeed) | ₹2,29,469 for undergraduate students ₹2,64,078 for graduate students (University of Victoria) | ₹32,82,050– ₹44,18,144 (Statistics Canada) |
Study abroad from India with Kaplan
Over the years, Kaplan has helped thousands of Indian students progress to a range of top universities in the UK, USA, and Canada.
Whether you’re starting with a degree preparation course (on campus or online) or require expert support with preparing your application for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, Kaplan provides personalised support to help you reach your study goals and build a successful career.
To learn more, just get in touch and one of our advisors will give you a free call to explore your options with you.
