Top 10 Best Countries To Study & Work For Student

As the world is at a steady threshold of becoming a global community, students are exploring international opportunities for both education and employment. However, selecting the best countries to study abroad in 2024 can feel overwhelming due to factors such as tuition costs, job opportunities, and immigration policies. Whether you’re seeking high-quality education, affordable living, or career prospects post-graduation, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a detailed guide to the best countries to study abroad and work in 2024.

Best Country for International Students To Study and Work

Immigration policies change every year, countries keep on competing to provide the best education to students, and it becomes difficult to choose the best country to study abroad in 2024. To help you shortlist the perfect study-abroad destination we have crafted a compiled list of the best countries for international students to study and work.

France: Rich Culture and Tradition

France has a century-long tradition of effortless, high-quality education. Besides academics and career growth, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country’s rich culture and tradition. On top of that, the French government and universities offer scholarships to international students to encourage them to study in France. Making it one of the best countries to study abroad in 2024. The Public universities in France have reasonable tuition fees. Many students choose to apply for the aide personnalisee au lodgement to receive monthly funding to cover their living costs.

Top 5 Universities in France in 2024 with their QS Ranking

UNIVERSITIES	QS Ranking
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)	24
Ecole Polytechnique	38
Sorbonne University	59
CentraleSupélec	138
Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon	184

Cost of Studying in France

The cost of studying in France for international students depends on whether you are joining a public university or a private university. Explore the table below to know the public and private university fees in France in 2024:

Public Universities Fees

Program	Fees
Bachelor’s Program	Approximately 2850 euros per year
Master’s Program	Approximately 3879 euros per year
Doctorate (Ph.D. Programs)	Approximately 380 euros per year

Private Universities Fees

Private Universities	Tuition fee starts from 1,500 EUR and goes up to 20,000 EUR per year
Business Schools	Tuition fee ranges between 5,000 EUR to 30,000 EUR per year

Cost of living in France

Below is the tabular representation of a ballpark figure of the cost of living in France:

Food	Price	Housing	Price	Transportation	Price
Basic lunchtime menu	€18	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in an expensive area	€1,573	Buying a new car	€30,827
1 liter of milk	€1.37	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	€1,439	1 liter of gas	€1.88
12 Eggs	€5.23	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	€25	Public transport (monthly expense)	€66
1 kg of tomatoes	€3.27	Microwave 800/900 watt	€180
Bread for 2 people(1 day)	€1.49

Singapore: Best to Study & Work For Indian Students

Renowned for its top-ranking universities, booming economy, and student-friendly climate, Singapore is the most economically feasible and best country for international students to study and work. 

It is a towering global leader in competitiveness and innovation and also hosts several universities, polytechnic institutions, and Institutes of Technical Education. All in all, it has 34 universities, out of which six are national, and two are renowned for their world-class education. Due to its cost-efficient education system and a balanced work-life culture, Singapore is considered to be the best country for international students to study and work.

Top 5 Universities in Singapore in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
National University of Singapore (NUS)	8
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)	26
Singapore Management University (SMU)	545
Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)	429

Cost of Studying in Singapore 

Your tuition fee at a Singaporean university will vary depending on which university and program you choose.

Course	Fees
Undergraduate	121,324 to 182,400 SGD for 4 years
Graduate	30,000 to 70,000 SGD for 1.5-2 years

However, Medicine courses can cost more and may charge close to 841,540 SGD for 5 years.

Cost of living in Singapore

Here is an elementary breakdown of monetary expenditure if you decide to study in Singapore:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	$15	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in an expensive area	$6,400	Cost of buying a basic new car	$156,163
1 liter of whole-fat milk	$4.24	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	$4,631	1 liter of gas	$2.89
12 eggs, large	$5.65	Utilities 1 month for 2 people	$253	Monthly ticket public transport	$83
1 kg  of tomatoes	$3.81	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	$47
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	$3.89	Microwave 800/900 watt	$285
1 kg of potatoes	$3.81

Italy: One of the Most Desirable  Study Abroad Country

Italy is one of the most desirable study-abroad locations for international students. Taking into account its exquisite and picturesque locations, prestigious institutions, and voluminous growth opportunities, it is known to be the best country for international students to study and work. Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is known for its lovely weather, delicious food, and beautiful settings. It has 34 internationally ranked universities and is the fifth most populated country in Europe.  

The Italian government also offers regional and national scholarships between 5,000 to 12,000 Euros to help students with the cost of their education. Making it in the list of best countries to study abroad 2024.

Top 5 universities in Italy in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Politecnico di Milano	123
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa	5
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Pisa	201- 205
Universities; di Bologna	133
Sapienza – Universities; di Roma	134

 Cost of Studying in Italy

Depending upon the type of university, the cost of studying in Italy varies:-

Universities	Tuition Fees
Public University	€900 – €4000/year
Private University	€6000 – €20000/year

Cost of living in Italy

Here is an all-encompassing breakdown of the cost of living in Italy:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	€17	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area	€1,618	Cost of buying a basic new car	€28,562
1 liter of whole-fat milk	€1.42	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in a normal area	€1,132	1 liter of gas	€1.84
12 eggs, large	€3.74	Utilities 1 month for 2 people	€216	Monthly ticket public transport	€39
1 kg  of tomatoes	€3.11	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	€34
1 kg of potatoes	€1.80	Microwave 800/900 watt	€113
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	€7

The Netherlands: Most Seasoned Destinations

Commonly known as Holland, The Netherlands is one of the most seasoned destinations for international students.  Holland is famous for its impeccable education system, receiving worldwide acclaim for its management, business, engineering, and technology programs.

Top 5 Universities in The Netherlands in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Delft University of Technology	47
University of Amsterdam	53
Eindhoven University of Technology	124
University of Groningen	139
Leiden University	126

Cost of Studying in the Netherlands

Depending upon the type of study program you choose, the tuition fees range from 6,000 euros to 20,000 euros.

Program	Tuition Fees
Bachelors	6,000-15,000 euros
Master’s	7,000-20,000 euros

Germany: Best Automobile Industry You are Looking For

Among the list of the best countries to study in Europe, Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students. Germany also has eight of the top 150 global universities. Its popularity can be attributed to its low tuition fees and a flowering economy, providing ample opportunities for students to work part-time, making it among the best countries to study abroad 2024. 

Top 5 Universities in Germany in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Technische Universität München	37
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München	54
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg	–
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin	120
Freie Universität Berlin	98

Cost of living in Germany

Here is the cost breakdown of your living expenditure in Germany:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	€19	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in an expensive area	€2,615	Cost of buying a basic new car	€35,776
1 liter of whole-fat milk	€1.32	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	€2,203	1 liter of gas	€2.02
12 eggs, large	€4.36	Utilities 1 month for 1 person	€220	Monthly ticket public transport	€85
1 kg  of tomatoes	€2.82	Internet 8 Mbps	€43
1 kg of potatoes	€1.83	Microwave 800/900	€111
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	€1.44
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	€12

The USA: Best Places In The World To Study Abroad

The USA is considered to be a prominent destination to study abroad for international students. The USA not only boasts top-tier colleges but also floods job markets with new and exciting opportunities and talents. With over 4000 universities across the country, the US has attracted students from a vast variety of cultures and nationalities. The combination of all these factors makes the USA one of the top 10 places in the world to study abroad 2024.

The country is not only home to Ivy League schools but also some of the top universities around the globe. All in all, 12 American universities rank among the Top 20 universities around the globe based on QS rankings for 2019. 

Top 5 universities in the USA in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Harvard University	4
Stanford University	5
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	10
Columbia University	23

Along with that, universities in the U.S. provide courses in almost every possible line of education. This lets you choose your field of interest and also widens your horizon of thinking related to it. Additionally, the US is filled with the best MNCs and is home to most mega-companies around the globe, making it nearly impossible to come back home without any job opportunities.

Cost of studying in the United States

Depending on the type of college and location, the cost of studying in the USA may vary:-

Public two-year colleges (in-district)	$3,990
Public four-year colleges (in-state)	$11,260

Cost of living in the USA

Here is the cost breakdown of your living expenditure in the USA:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu in the business district	$20	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in an expensive area	$2,887	Cost of buying a basic new car	$29,191
Combo meals in fast food restaurants	$11	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	$2,176	1 liter of gas	$0.97
1 liter of whole-fat milk	$1.04	Utilities 1 month  for 2 people	$219	Monthly ticket public transport	$78
12 eggs, large	$4.33	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	$63
1 kg  of tomatoes	$4.42	Microwave 800/900 watt	$144
1 kg of potatoes	$2.08	Laundry detergent	$14
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	$2.66

Ireland: Silicon Valley of Europe

Ireland is also known as the Silicon Valley of Europe. It is also an innovative and progressive country with a world-class education system, a vibrant community, and many international student opportunities. Ireland universities also specialize in courses related to natural sciences, technology, economics, and humanities. 

Top 5 Universities in the Ireland in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Trinity College Dublin	81
University College Dublin	171
National University of Ireland Galway	–
University of Cork	–
Dublin City University	436

Cost of studying in Ireland

The cost of studying in Ireland is contingent upon the type of study program chosen:-

Program	Average Annual Tuition fees(in euros)
Undergraduate Program	€ 37 K to € 55
Postgraduate Master’s degree	€ 5 L to € 46

Cost of living in Ireland

Please have a glance at the table below to see the cost of living in Ireland:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	€18	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area	€2,493	Cost of buying a basic new car	€33,459
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	€11	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	€1,911	1 liter of gas	€1.77
1 liter of whole-fat milk	€1.29	Utilities 1 month  for 2 people	€194	Monthly ticket public transport	€72
12 eggs, large	€4.84	Utilities 1 month for 1 person	€125
1 kg of tomatoes	€3.15	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	€33
1 kg of potatoes	€1.58	Microwave 800/900 watt	€119
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	€1.32	Laundry detergent	€11

The United Kingdom: Premier Destination For Higher Studies

The United Kingdom is a premier destination for higher studies, offering internationally recognized universities, quality education, scholarships, and opportunities for practical experience. Its unique cultural environment and diverse student population further enhance the educational experience. It is home to several prestigious universities and the oldest institutions globally making it the best country to study abroad 2024. 

Top 5 Universities in The United Kingdom in 2024 with Their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
University of Oxford	3
University of Cambridge	2
Imperial College London	6
UCL (University College London)	–
University of Edinburgh	22

Cost of studying in the UK

Depending upon the study program, Undergraduate and Postgraduate tuition fees may waver:-

Program	Tuition Fees
Undergraduate	£9,250 – £67,892
Graduate	£6,500 – £51,360

Cost of living in The United Kingdom

Let’s check out this table to find out if the UK is an affordable place to live or not:-

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	£15	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in an expensive area	£2,421	Cost of buying a basic new car	£29,140
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	£8	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	£2,016	1 liter  of gas	£1.47
1 liter of whole-fat milk	£1.15	Utilities 1 month  for 2 people	£196	Monthly ticket public transport	£104
12 eggs, large	£3.58	Utilities 1 month  for 1 person	£157
1 kg of tomatoes	£2.65	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	£28
1 kg of potatoes	£0.96	Microwave 800/900 watt	£85
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	£1.08	Laundry detergent	£9

New Zealand: an increasingly popular destination

New Zealand is an increasingly popular destination for higher studies, which offers high-quality education, a friendly environment, and numerous opportunities for international students. With its top-ranked universities, affordable tuition fees, and conducive living conditions, New Zealand provides an ideal setting for academic and personal growth placing itself among the best countries to study abroad 2024.

It also boasts a thriving economy. The country is also known for its unique, hands-on learning approach and the opportunities it offers. 

Top 5 universities in New Zealand in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
University of Auckland	68
University of Otago	217
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Canterbury	256
University of Waikato	250

Cost of studying in New Zealand

Let’s check the tuition fees for pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s in New Zealand:-

Program	Tuition Fees
Bachelor’s	NZD 22,000 to $35,000 per year
Master’s	NZD 6,417 to $29,151 per year

Cost of living in New Zealand

Let’s take a quick glance at the costs of essential food items and other factors in New Zealand.

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	NZ$25	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area	NZ$4,199	Cost of buying a basic new car	NZ$46,377
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	NZ$16	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in a normal area	NZ$3,362	1 liter  of gas	NZ$2.82
1 liter  of whole-fat milk	NZ$2.55	Utilities 1 month for 2 people	NZ$217	Monthly ticket public transport	NZ$188
12 eggs, large	NZ$12	Utilities 1 month for 1 person	NZ$176
1 kg  of tomatoes	NZ$9	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	NZ$87
1 kg  of apples	NZ$4.66	Laundry detergent	NZ$21
1 kg  of potatoes	NZ$4.09
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	NZ$2.87

Australia: High-Quality Education

Australia offers high-quality education, work opportunities, and a vibrant multicultural environment, emerging as a top destination for higher education. It provides an enriching experience for those seeking academic and personal growth, with its renowned universities, and diverse course offerings. 

Top 5 Universities in Australia in 2024 with QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
Australian National University (ANU)	34
University of Sydney	41
The University of Melbourne	14
University of New South Wales (UNSW)	–
The University of Queensland (UQ)	43

Cost of Studying in Australia

Program	Tuition Fees
Graduation	20,000 and 45,000 AUD
Master’s	22,000 and 50,000 AUD

Cost of living in Australia

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu in the business district	AU$23	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area	AU$4,009	Cost of buying a basic new car	AU$39,491
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	AU$15	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	AU$2,744	1 liter of gas	AU$2.00
1 liter  of whole-fat milk	AU$1.98	Utilities 1 month for 2 people	AU$295	Monthly ticket public transport	AU$163
12 eggs, large	AU$7	Utilities 1 month for 1 person	AU$214
1 kg of tomatoes	AU$6	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	AU$72
1 kg  of potatoes	AU$3.58	Laundry detergent	AU$15
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	AU$2.78

Canada: Preferred Destination For Higher Studies

Canada has emerged as a preferred destination for higher studies, offering quality education, diverse programs, affordable tuition fees, and ample work opportunities for international students. With a commitment to cultural diversity and supportive policies, it provides an enriching environment for academic and personal growth. Moreover, Canada has been the top choice for Indian students due to its welcoming environment and enriching culture making itself into the list of best countries to study abroad for Indian students.

Top 5 Universities in Canada in 2024 with their QS Ranking

Universities	QS Ranking
University of Toronto
McGill University	30
University of British Columbia	34
Université de Montréal
University of Alberta

Cost of studying in Canada

Program	Tuition Fees (in Canadian dollars)
Undergraduate	$36,100 per year
Graduate	$21,100 per year

Cost of living in Canada

Food	Cost	Housing	Cost	Transportation	Cost
Basic lunchtime menu	C$25	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in an expensive area	C$2,963	Cost of buying a basic new car	C$32,645
Combo meal in fast food restaurant	C$15	Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft)furnished accommodation in a normal area	C$2,430	1 liter of gas	C$1.65
1 liter of whole-fat milk	C$3.18	Utilities 1 month for 2 people	C$227	Monthly ticket public transport	C$114
12 eggs, large	C$5.67	Utilities 1 month for 1 person	C$119
1 kg of tomatoes	C$5.54	Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	C$71
1 kg  of potatoes	C$3.77	Microwave 800/900 watt	C$192
Bread for 2 people for 1 day	C$2.70	Laundry detergent	C$14

Some Bonus Countries For Your Study Abroad

The following is the list of countries and their top universities which you can also consider to study abroad in 2024:

Countries	Top Universities
Austria	University of Vienna University of Graz Vienna University of Technology
Switzerland	ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology University of Zurich University of Geneva
Spain	University of Barcelona University of Navarra Complutense University of Madrid
Denmark	University of Copenhagen Aarhus University Technical University of Denmark
Sweden	Karolinska Institute Uppsala University Stockholm University
Belgium	KU Leuven  Ghent University  University of Liege
Finland	University of Helsinki Aalto University Tampere University
Portugal	University of Porto University of Lisbon University of Coimbra
Japan	University of Tokyo Kyoto University  Tohoku University
Poland	University of Warsaw Wroclaw Medical University Jagiellonian University

Summary

Each country offers its unique advantages in terms of cost, education quality, and job opportunities. While France and Germany provide affordable education, countries like the UK and the USA offer access to world-renowned universities. Choose the best fit for your goals by weighing the factors stated in this blog and choosing the best for you and your career.

FAQs

Ques: Which are some of the cheapest countries to study abroad?

Here are some of the most affordable places to study-

• Germany
• Norway
• France
• Mexico
• Poland 

Ques: Which country pays the highest salary?

Here are some countries with the best salary packages for professionals-

• Iceland– The average salary for professionals in Iceland is around $68,000 per year. 
• Luxembourg– The average annual salary of people here is $68,681. This country’s economy largely depends on specific sectors such as finance, banking, telecommunications, tourism, steel, etc. 
• Australia– This country is the fifth-largest economy in the world. A professional in Australia earns around $54,400 per year and has a 35-hour workweek. 
• Switzerland– The average annual salary for professionals in Switzerland is $66,567. Some of the most flourishing sectors here include banking, finance, electronics, pharmaceuticals, tourism, watches, etc. 

Ques: Which country is the best for studying?

Some of the countries with the best education system as per the US News Education Rankings include- 

• United States 
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Canada 
• France