10 Affordable Study Abroad Options in Asia for Indians

Studying abroad does not have to mean taking a Rs 50 lakh loan. Many students from India now look at Asia first. The countries are closer to home, the flights are cheaper, and the food and culture feel familiar. Most importantly, tuition and living costs are often far lower than in the USA, the UK, Canada or Australia.

If you are searching for the cheapest countries to study abroad for Indian students, this guide is for you. It is also a practical starting point if you want to study in Asia for Indian students' budgets, or are looking for the best Asian countries for Indian students to study without heavy debt.

We look at 10 affordable countries to study abroad, with low tuition fee universities in Asia, rough costs in rupees, and the scholarships Indian students can apply for. We also add a comparison table, money-saving tips and answers to common questions. If you want to study abroad on a low budget, Indian students will find the checklist near the end especially useful.

Quick comparison: Low-cost study abroad in Asia

All amounts are approximate, per year, in Indian rupees (Rs). Rupee figures use exchange rates as of October 2026. Your real cost depends on the university, the course and the city.

Country	Tuition per year (approx.)	Living cost per year (approx.)	Main scholarship for Indians	Teaching language
Malaysia	Rs 3-9 lakh	Rs 2.5-5 lakh	Malaysia International Scholarship (Master's and PhD), university awards	English
Taiwan	Rs 2-5 lakh	Rs 3.5-6 lakh	Taiwan Scholarship (MOE)	English and Mandarin
South Korea	Rs 2.5-9 lakh	Rs 6-11 lakh	Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)	English and Korean
Japan	Rs 3-6 lakh	Rs 5.5-8.5 lakh	MEXT Scholarship	English and Japanese
China	Rs 1.7-4 lakh	Rs 2-5 lakh	Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)	English and Mandarin
Thailand	Rs 3-10 lakh	Rs 3-6 lakh	University scholarships	English
Philippines (MBBS/MD only)	Rs 3.5-5.5 lakh	Rs 1.5-3 lakh	Limited, mostly university discounts	English
Vietnam	Rs 1.3-4.4 lakh	Rs 2.5-5 lakh	University scholarships	English and Vietnamese
Indonesia	Rs 1.3-4.4 lakh	Rs 2-4 lakh	KNB Scholarship (check India's eligibility)	English and Indonesian
Kazakhstan	Rs 2.2-4.4 lakh	Rs 2.5-5 lakh	University discounts, check government options	English, Russian and Kazakh

How to read this table: the lowest total cost often comes from China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kazakhstan. Japan and Korea cost more to live in, but their government scholarships can cover almost everything. The Philippines row shows medical programme fees only, so it should not be compared directly with the general-course fees of other countries.

Also Read: AI Literacy Gap: Why Asia's Classrooms Race to Catch Up with Tech

How we chose these countries

We looked at five simple things:

• Tuition fees that are reasonable for middle-class Indian families.
• Living costs such as rent, food and transport.
• English-taught courses, so you do not need to learn a new language first.
• Scholarships or fee discounts that Indian students can use.
• University quality and how well degrees are recognised.

Studying medicine abroad: read this first

Several countries below are popular for medicine. Before you pay any fee, check the National Medical Commission (NMC) Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021. For Indian students, the key conditions are a course of at least 54 months, a 12-month internship at the same institution, English as the medium of teaching, and a licence to practise in the country where you studied. A degree that misses any of these may not let you practise in India. The Philippines needs extra care, because its medical education is split into a pre-medical BS programme and a separate MD programme. Confirm with the NMC how your full course will be counted before you enrol.

1. Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most popular choices for Indian students. English is widely spoken, many Indians already live there, and food is easy to find. Some Malaysian universities are branch campuses of well-known UK and Australian universities, so you get a foreign degree at a lower price.

• Tuition: about Rs 3-9 lakh a year for most undergraduate courses. Private universities cost more than public ones.
• Living costs: about Rs 2.5-5 lakh a year, depending on whether you live in Kuala Lumpur or a smaller city.
• Scholarships: the Malaysia International Scholarship is open to international students at Master's and PhD level, and has a 2026 round. Check the eligible-country list in the current guidelines to confirm that India is included. Many private universities also give merit-based fee discounts.
• Good for: engineering, business, IT, hospitality and design.

2. Taiwan

Taiwan is often missed, but it offers strong universities, safe cities and good technology courses. Many English-taught programmes are available, especially at master's level.

• Tuition: about Rs 2-5 lakh a year at public universities. Private ones can be higher.
• Living costs: about Rs 3.5-6 lakh a year. Taipei is more expensive than other cities.
• Scholarships: the Taiwan Scholarship from the Ministry of Education supports international students at degree level. The Huayu Enrichment Scholarship supports Mandarin study. Check deadlines on the official Study in Taiwan website.
• Good for: electronics, semiconductors, engineering and Mandarin studies.

3. South Korea

South Korea is known for technology, research and a strong university system. It is more expensive to live in than some countries on this list, but one scholarship changes the picture.

• Tuition: about Rs 2.5-5 lakh a year at public universities, and Rs 5-9 lakh at private ones.
• Living costs: about Rs 6-11 lakh a year. Seoul is the most expensive city, so smaller cities help.
• Scholarships: the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is open to Indian students. It usually covers tuition, a monthly allowance, airfare and Korean language training. It is competitive, so start early.
• Good for: engineering, computer science, design and media.

4. Japan

Japan combines high-quality education with surprisingly modest tuition at national universities. The main cost is living, especially in Tokyo.

• Tuition: national universities have charged about ¥535,800 a year (around Rs 3.1 lakh), plus a one-time entrance fee of about ¥282,000 (around Rs 1.6 lakh). Some top universities have recently raised fees, so check current numbers.
• Living costs: about Rs 5.5-8.5 lakh a year, lower outside Tokyo and Osaka.
• Scholarships: the MEXT (Japanese government) scholarship is open to Indian students and can cover tuition, a monthly allowance and airfare. JASSO also gives smaller scholarships to some international students already studying in Japan.
• Good for: robotics, engineering, science, and Japanese language and culture.

5. China

China has some of the lowest tuition fees among major study destinations, and many universities now teach in English.

• Tuition: about Rs 1.7-4 lakh a year for most non-medical courses. Medical courses cost more.
• Living costs: about Rs 2-5 lakh a year. Big cities like Shanghai and Beijing cost more than smaller ones.
• Scholarships: the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is open to Indian students and can cover tuition, accommodation and a monthly allowance. Many universities have their own scholarships as well.
• Important: if you want to study medicine in China and practise in India, meet the NMC 2021 conditions described above before you apply.
• Good for: engineering, business, Chinese language and technology.

6. Thailand

Thailand has a growing number of international programmes taught in English. Life is relaxed and food is cheap, and the country is popular with students who want a mix of study and travel.

• Tuition: about Rs 3-10 lakh a year. International programmes at top universities in Bangkok are at the higher end.
• Living costs: about Rs 3-6 lakh a year.
• Scholarships: most help comes from universities as merit-based discounts. Thai government programmes exist for some countries, so check the Thai government and individual university sites for current options for Indians.
• Good for: hospitality, tourism, business, design and international relations.

7. The Philippines

The Philippines is mainly chosen by Indian students for medicine, since courses are taught in English and the total cost is lower than in many other places.

• Tuition: about Rs 3.5-5.5 lakh a year for MBBS/MD programmes only. Other subjects are usually cheaper, so check the university's fee page.
• Living costs: about Rs 1.5-3 lakh a year.
• Scholarships: these are limited. Most savings come from university discounts rather than large government scholarships.
• Important: the Philippine pathway is a pre-medical BS followed by a separate MD. Check with the NMC how this is counted against the 54-month course and 12-month internship rules before you pick a university.
• Good for: nursing and business, and medicine only after you have checked NMC eligibility.

8. Vietnam

Vietnam is a fast-growing economy with low prices. Costs are low, and the country is becoming more popular for business and technology courses.

• Tuition: about Rs 1.3-4.4 lakh a year. Fees vary widely, so confirm them on each university's website.
• Living costs: about Rs 2.5-5 lakh a year. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are the biggest cities.
• Scholarships: some universities give discounts to international students. Check each university's website for fees and eligibility.
• Good for: business, engineering, hospitality and Vietnamese language.

9. Indonesia

Indonesia has a large higher education system and some of the lowest living costs on this list. Fewer programmes are taught in English, so check the course language first.

• Tuition: about Rs 1.3-4.4 lakh a year. Confirm fees on each university's website.
• Living costs: about Rs 2-4 lakh a year.
• Scholarships: the Indonesian government runs the KNB Scholarship for students from developing countries. Check the official portal to see whether India is included in the current round and which levels are open.
• Good for: agriculture, engineering, business, and Indonesian language and culture.

10. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has become an option for Indian students looking for low fees, especially in medicine, engineering and IT. Some universities offer programmes in English.

• Tuition: about Rs 2.2-4.4 lakh a year. Confirm fees on each university's website.
• Living costs: about Rs 2.5-5 lakh a year. Winters are very cold, so plan for warm clothes.
• Scholarships: these are mostly university discounts. Check the official Kazakhstan education sites for any government options open to foreign students.
• Important: if you plan to study medicine, meet the NMC 2021 conditions described above before applying. Teaching in English is one of them, and many programmes are also taught in Russian.
• Good for: engineering, IT, and medicine (after checking NMC eligibility).

Scholarships for Indian students: quick summary

Here are the main government scholarships mentioned above. Always confirm deadlines and eligibility on the official site.

• Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea): can cover tuition, a living allowance and airfare.
• MEXT Scholarship (Japan): can cover tuition, a monthly allowance and airfare.
• Chinese Government Scholarship (China): can cover tuition, housing and a monthly allowance.
• Taiwan Scholarship (Taiwan): supports degree students from other countries.
• Malaysia International Scholarship (Malaysia): for Master's and PhD study. Confirm India is on the current eligible-country list.
• KNB Scholarship (Indonesia): for students from developing countries. Confirm India's eligibility in the current round.

Most universities in the other countries give their own merit-based discounts. Apply early, because money is limited.

How to lower your study abroad costs

Even in an affordable country, some choices can save you lakhs.

1. Pick the right city. Living in a smaller city can cut your costs significantly.
2. Choose public universities. They usually charge less than private ones.
3. Apply for scholarships early. Many close 6-12 months before the course starts.
4. Check part-time work rules. Many countries allow limited work hours for students. Do not depend on this to pay for your degree.
5. Share a room. Shared housing is the biggest single saving.
6. Cook at home. Eating out every day adds up quickly.
7. Check hidden costs. Add visa fees, health insurance, flights, books and a deposit to your budget.
8. Avoid agents who promise guaranteed admission or scholarships. No one can guarantee this. Apply directly where you can.

How to choose the right country

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is my total budget for the whole degree, not just one year?
• Do I want to study in English? If yes, filter for English-taught courses.
• Is my degree recognised in India? This matters most for medicine, engineering and teaching.
• Do I want to work or settle there? Rules differ a lot between countries.
• Can I handle the climate and culture? Visit student forums and talk to Indian students already there.

Final Note!

You do not need to spend a huge amount to get a good international degree. Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kazakhstan all offer real options for Indian students on a budget. Compare the total cost, check whether your degree will be recognised, and apply for scholarships as early as you can.

Before you make a final decision, always check fees, visa rules and scholarship dates on the official university and government websites.

Also Read: Zero-Fee Doctorates:10 Countries Where Asian Students Can Earn a PhD

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Which is the cheapest country to study abroad in Asia for Indian students?

Costs are generally lowest in China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kazakhstan, where tuition can start at around Rs 1.3-2.5 lakh a year. The final cost depends on your course and city.

Can Indian students study in Asia on a low budget?

Yes. Choose public universities, smaller cities and shared housing, and apply for scholarships. Some government scholarships cover most of the cost.

Which Asian countries offer scholarships to Indian students?

South Korea (Global Korea Scholarship), Japan (MEXT), China (Chinese Government Scholarship), Taiwan (Taiwan Scholarship), Malaysia (Malaysia International Scholarship, postgraduate) and Indonesia (KNB Scholarship) are well known. Always check current eligibility on official sites.

Are there low tuition fee universities in Asia that teach in English?

Yes. Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines have many English-taught programmes. Check each course page, as language options vary by subject.

Is Japan affordable for Indian students?

Tuition at national universities is moderate, but living costs are higher, especially in Tokyo. The MEXT scholarship can make Japan very affordable.

Is it safe to study medicine in Asia and return to India?

 It depends on the country and the university. The NMC 2021 rules require a course of at least 54 months, a 12-month internship at the same institution, English as the medium of teaching, and a licence to practise in the country of study. Check these before you apply.