The past few years marked India’s rising stardom as a study abroad destination choice for students wishing to pursue higher education. The country with the second highest population density, India is home to some of the world’s best thinkers, artists, and inventors. Mathematicians in India have introduced the concepts of zero, decimal value, and place value system to the international academic arena. Indians are the inventors of popular board games, i.e. chess and snakes and ladders, played all over the world. Its movie industry, known as Bollywood, produces the most number of film outputs every year, ahead of Hollywood. The world’s ‘Human Calculator’ who was able to independently compute a complicated number sequence in 28 seconds is Indian. All these point to the intellectual virtuoso of the education system in India. Its large population and its large size did not hinder the growth of the country to be on par with other emerging nations in Asia.
Universities in India attract several thousands of international students because of the country’s outstanding education, particularly in engineering, medicine, and management. Recently, the world is finding out the superior quality of teaching and training provided by institutions in India. In fact, India today is considered a giant in terms of producing software needed by most countries. Not only is India home to reputable universities, but it is also a living educator on culture and philosophy. International students in India have the chance to explore the oldest living civilization, the Indus Valley, in the world. On top of all this, studying in India will not be too much of a financial burden on one’s bank account.
India has about 17,500 colleges and universities which accept international students. Should you decide to go to India for your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, you need to know the admission process for international applicants in Indian universities. Luckily, you have come to the right place as we have all the information that is relevant to your admission. At Edarabia, we wish to guide international students in their journey towards achieving the best study abroad experience in India. Read on to know more about how to apply to a university in India.
1. 5 Tips in Applying to a University in India
2. When should you start your admission application?
3. Steps in Applying to a University in India
The application for admission to a university is one of the most crucial steps in an international student’s journey. The result of this step will make or break your dream to pursue higher education in your dream destination or university. Since we are committed to be with you throughout your overseas voyage, we want to share with you some tips in getting accepted to a university in India.
Apply to at least 3 universities.
We know that you have your idea of a dream university – somewhere you desperately wish to attend for its popularity in a specific course or its enticing campus life or its list of credible professors. However, universities in India have a selection process. Some study programs even hold a quota or a limit of students to be accepted, depending on the capacity of the institution. Hence, as an aspiring student in India, try to have a shortlist of 3 universities. This way, you can move on to the next option in case you didn’t make it to the first choice. Check out our comprehensive list of the best universities in India to guide you in your selection.
Conduct a thorough review of the admission process for each university.
Although we have collated all relevant information about the international student admission application in universities in India, we are only providing the general procedures. Each university has its tailored set of steps on how to apply for a slot in one of its course offerings. So, check the university website’s corner dedicated to international applicants, and review the process with reference to what you have learned in this article.
Submit applications early and accurately.
A common mistake of students is procrastinating about deadlines. If you want to have a successful study abroad journey, you have to eliminate this habit as early as possible. Universities in India have their application deadlines consistent with their academic timeline. Since India is a large country, the academic year followed by each university differs. Hence, you have to check the deadline for international applications, and make sure to submit your forms days before the deadline. This is to give you ample time to correct any deficiency before the evaluation of applications begins. Universities in India generally have 2 semesters, autumn and spring. If you wish to start during the autumn (July to November), submit your application at least 3 months before July. For the spring semester (January to April), submit your application at least 3 months before January. Also, remember to submit the correct documents. If the instructions say it has to be an original copy, a photocopy, a certified copy, a translated copy, or whichever, do not think that just any copy will do. Following instructions will save you time, money, and effort.
Be honest in your application documents.
Universities in India, just like any other university in the world, will ask for your credentials and identification documents when you submit an application. More often than not, they have essay questions, particularly for graduate and postgraduate programs. When you are required to submit letters of motivation or statement of purpose, make sure to write them on your own. Include all the details you think are relevant to your application. Remember that the student admission process is just like a job application, wherein you try to market yourself so you will be chosen.
Do not give up.
Life is not always rainbows and butterflies. As much as we want to succeed in every endeavor, there are times when we fail due to circumstances which we have no control over. If ever you do not get accepted to your dream university in India, it isn’t the end of your dreams. India has a lot of respectable universities which boast of excellent education. If you get rejected from one university, go and try your luck to get accepted in another university. You never know, your second or third choice might just be the stepping stone towards the achievement of your goals.
Applying to universities takes time due to the various deadlines you need to meet. In some cases, required examinations only have a single schedule. Hence, we would like to help you out in planning when to take each step of the admission process. Generally, universities in India accept international students during the autumn semester (July to November). Should you wish to join the bandwagon and commence your student life in India at this time, you can follow the timeline indicated below.
October (of the year before you want to start studying in India)
By this time, you have to start doing your research on universities in India. Try to have a shortlist of 3 universities which offer the study program of your interest.
November
Students need to take the required standardized tests (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, JEE), and wait for results.
December
The JEE releases test scores. After this time, students ought to prepare the documents for application.
January
International students have to start applying to their selected universities.
March
Admission applications for international students usually close at this time.
April
Most universities send their evaluation of admission applications. Expect to receive a response during this time.
May
Successful applicants can start applying for student loans, student visa, and scholarships.
June
This is the best time to look for accommodation options in India, prepare your finances, and fix your travel to India.
July
The autumn semester starts. By this time, you should already be in India and got acquainted with the new culture.
Applying to a university in India could be simple and stress-free when you know what steps to take. Most universities have similar admission processes, so it will be easy to apply. Below are the steps in applying to a university in India:
1. Check if you need to apply directly to your chosen universities.
For most study programs in India, international applicants can submit their applications for admission directly to the university. However, students who want to enroll in engineering, architecture or planning study programs in National Institutes of Technology and centrally funded universities can apply through the DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) Scheme. The DASA allows an international applicant to submit an admission request to more than 1 university in India. However, the DASA Scheme has an age limit for undergraduate applicants. They only accept 25 years old and below students. In case you are not comfortable using this centralized system, do not worry because you can do a direct application to your selected university regardless of your study program.
2. Review the requirements needed.
Documents will be asked of you whenever you try to submit your application for admission to a university in India. The list will include academic records, an accomplished application form, and various certifications. Check out the detailed list below for the specific document requirements you need to submit:
*Remember that certifications, i.e. for language test scores, should not be more than 2 years from the date of acquisition. Likewise, English translations are required for documents which are written in a different language.
Take standardized tests if necessary.
Some universities in India require test scores on specific standardized examinations. Check if you need to take any of these tests, and obtain a test schedule several months before you wish to start your studies in India. The most common tests asked by universities are the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), and English language proficiency exams, such as TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Moreover, if you intend to apply to one of the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) universities in India, prepare to take the JEE or the Joint Entrance Examination which is required for admission to undergraduate study programs. Typically, JEE happens in April every year, and results come out in December.
Secure your documents and submit your application.
Once you have your complete documents and have taken the necessary exams, submit your application to your selected university (or through the DASA). Applications for admission to all study programs in India demand a fee. Usually, if your application is coursed through the DASA you will be asked to pay $4,300 which is divided into 2: $300 for the registration fee which shall go to the university you have selected and $4,000 for your first-semester tuition fees.
*International students from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries are entitled to a 50% tuition fee waiver under the DASA.
Wait for your admission notice and apply for a student visa.
Once your application is successful, the university will send you a letter of acceptance. This document is vital in the next step of your journey, which is to apply for a student visa for India. Applying for the student visa is as easy as applying for admission, provided you have all settled all requirements and fees. If you have an approved Indian student visa, you can enter the country through any port. Meanwhile, in case you haven’t yet received an admission notice several months before your intended entry to India, you can apply for a provisional visa which will allow you enter the country to personally arrange your admission.
Having been accepted to a university in India is one further step towards completing your learning milestone. In no time at all you’ll find yourself as an international student exploring everything India can offer.
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