Universities & Tuition — India
Updated July 20, 2026
Top Universities in India for International Students
India has emerged as an increasingly popular destination for international students, particularly from Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and other South Asian countries, due to affordable education, English-medium instruction, and growing global recognition of Indian degrees—especially in engineering, medicine, IT, and business.
Note: Rankings and fees fluctuate annually. Figures below are approximate (2024 data) and should be verified with official university websites and the QS World University Rankings, THE Rankings, and India's NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) before applying.
---
1. Indian Institute of Science (IISc) — Bangalore
- Global Ranking: QS ~225; THE ~250 (varies by year)
- Renowned For: Pure sciences, engineering research, PhD programs; India's top research institution
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹2–3 lakhs (~$2,400–$3,600) for postgraduate/research programs
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: Low (~2–3%), primarily research scholars
- Notable Scholarships: ICCR Scholarships, IISc Research Assistantships, GIAN program funding
- Acceptance Difficulty: Extremely High — primarily research-focused; limited undergraduate intake; competitive entrance via GATE/JEST or direct PhD admission
---
2. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) — Mumbai
- Global Ranking: QS ~118–150
- Renowned For: Engineering, technology, computer science, entrepreneurship
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹8–10 lakhs (~$9,600–$12,000) for undergraduate; postgraduate often lower
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~1–2% (growing via DASA/CIWG schemes)
- Notable Scholarships: ICCR Scholarships, IIT Alumni Scholarships, DASA-based fee concessions for SAARC/African nations
- Acceptance Difficulty: Extremely High — JEE Advanced for Indians; international students apply via DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) or JEE-based routes, still highly competitive
---
3. University of Delhi (DU) — Delhi
- Global Ranking: QS ~400–450
- Renowned For: Humanities, social sciences, law, commerce; large diverse student body
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹1–3 lakhs (~$1,200–$3,600) depending on course
- Language of Instruction: English (with Hindi options for some programs)
- International Student %: ~5% (one of the higher percentages among Indian public universities)
- Notable Scholarships: ICCR Scholarships, DU International Student Fee Waivers
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate to High — varies widely by college/program; merit-based admission through CUET
---
4. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — Delhi
- Global Ranking: QS ~600–650; strong in specific subject rankings (international relations, social sciences)
- Renowned For: Social sciences, international relations, languages, area studies
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹1.5–2.5 lakhs (~$1,800–$3,000)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~8–10% (historically strong African, Central Asian, and South Asian intake)
- Notable Scholarships: ICCR Scholarships, JNU Merit-cum-Means Scholarships
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate to High — entrance exam-based; competitive but more accessible than IITs
---
5. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) — Manipal
- Global Ranking: QS ~650–700
- Renowned For: Medicine, dentistry, engineering, allied health sciences; extremely international-student-friendly
- Annual Tuition (International):
- Engineering: ₹8–12 lakhs (~$9,600–$14,400)
- Medicine (MBBS): ₹25–35 lakhs (~$30,000–$42,000) per year
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~15–18% (one of the highest in India; students from 60+ countries)
- Notable Scholarships: Manipal Merit Scholarships, need-based aid for select countries
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate — accessible via direct application and entrance tests (MET); less competitive than IITs, especially for non-medical programs
---
6. Amity University — Noida (and multiple campuses)
- Global Ranking: QS ~650–700 range for some campuses; varies significantly by program
- Renowned For: Business, law, liberal arts; large private university with strong international outreach
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹3–8 lakhs (~$3,600–$9,600) depending on program
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~10–12% (students from 100+ countries)
- Notable Scholarships: Amity International Merit Scholarships, Vice Chancellor's Scholarships
- Acceptance Difficulty: Low to Moderate — relatively accessible admission process; rolling admissions common
---
7. University of Hyderabad — Hyderabad
- Global Ranking: QS ~700–750
- Renowned For: Life sciences, physics, chemistry, humanities research
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹1–2 lakhs (~$1,200–$2,400)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~5–7%
- Notable Scholarships: ICCR Scholarships, UoH Merit Scholarships
- Acceptance Difficulty: Moderate — entrance exam-based; less competitive than top IITs/IISc
---
8. Sharda University — Greater Noida
- Global Ranking: Not consistently ranked globally; strong NIRF presence
- Renowned For: Engineering, pharmacy, business; very high international enrollment
- Annual Tuition (International): ₹2.5–6 lakhs (~$3,000–$7,200)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Student %: ~20%+ (one of India's most internationally diverse campuses; 90+ countries represented)
- Notable Scholarships: Sharda International Scholarship (up to 50% tuition waiver), country-specific scholarships (Africa, Middle East, Central Asia)
- Acceptance Difficulty: Low — direct admission common; minimal entrance barriers; popular "easy entry" option for international students
---
Quick Comparison Table
| University | City | Difficulty | Int'l Student % | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IISc Bangalore | Bangalore | Extremely High | ~2-3% | Research/PhD |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai | Extremely High | ~1-2% | Engineering/Tech |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Moderate-High | ~5% | Humanities/Law |
| JNU | Delhi | Moderate-High | ~8-10% | Social Sciences |
| MAHE Manipal | Manipal | Moderate | ~15-18% | Medicine/Health Sciences |
| Amity University | Noida | Low-Moderate | ~10-12% | Business/Liberal Arts |
| Sharda University | Greater Noida | Low | ~20%+ | Accessible Engineering/Business |
---
Important Considerations
- Visa Requirements: Student visa (with FRRO/FRO registration) required; typically need admission confirmation letter first
- ICCR Scholarships: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations offers scholarships to students from 100+ countries—check eligibility by nationality
- Medical Education Caution: MBBS programs require NMC (National Medical Commission) recognition verification for degree validity in home country
- Regional Popularity: Indian universities are especially popular among students from Nepal, Afghanistan, African nations, and Middle Eastern countries
- Cost of Living: Additional ₹3,000–8,000/month (~$36–$96) depending on city
Recommendation: Always verify current rankings via QS/THE websites, confirm fee structures directly with university international offices, and check ICCR (iccr.gov.in) for updated scholarship opportunities before making application decisions.
Have a question about moving to India?
Ask Derah, Immiweave's free AI immigration assistant — plus live exchange rates and research for 57 countries.
Use Immiweave free →
More about immigrating to India
Immigration laws, costs, and policies change frequently. This guide is AI-researched for information only and is not legal advice. Always verify with official government sources and licensed immigration professionals before making decisions.