Study and find schools in India

Studying in India

India has one of the largest higher-education systems in the world. According to the Study in India programme of the Ministry of Education, it has more than 800 universities and 39,000 colleges. English is a language of instruction at many universities, so international students do not necessarily need Hindi or another Indian language. The University of Delhi, for example, states that English is its most common medium of instruction.

The system ranges from very large public universities with hundreds of affiliated colleges to small private institutes and specialised business schools. The Study in India programme presents Indian degrees as available at an affordable cost, but not every institution that advertises degrees is recognised, so check an institution's status before you apply.

The education system

University education is coordinated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament in 1956 to coordinate and maintain standards of teaching, examination and research. The UGC lists the following types of universities:

• Central universities: 57
• State universities: 523
• Deemed to be universities: 161
• Private universities: 560

Many universities are affiliating universities: teaching takes place in colleges that are affiliated to a university, which sets the syllabus and awards the degree. In Hyderabad, for example, the Indian Institute of Hotel Management & Culinary Arts teaches a bachelor's degree in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts affiliated to Osmania University. Programmes are offered at undergraduate (bachelor's), postgraduate (master's) and doctoral levels, alongside diplomas and certificates. Some institutions, such as business schools, also run their own programmes; the Indian School of Business offers a one-year Post Graduate Programme in Management.

The UGC publishes a list of fake universities and invites students and parents to verify the authenticity of a higher-education institution before taking admission. The Ministry of Education also runs an annual All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), which covers all higher-education institutions in the country.

Admission and recognition

All foreign students who want to study in India must register on the Study in India (SII) portal, which handles applications, admission and visa formalities for regular, short-term and long-term courses. Registration generates an SII-ID, which must be quoted when applying for a student visa. Many universities also have their own international office: at the University of Delhi, the Foreign Students' Registry is the single window for all foreign nationals who want to enrol, and it also offers a "casual affiliation" for students who want to study for one or two semesters.

To have a foreign qualification recognised in India, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) grants academic equivalence to degrees from accredited foreign boards and universities. Applications for equivalence are accepted online only. Ask the university early whether it needs an AIU equivalence certificate for your school-leaving certificate or degree.

Student visa

India has a specific student visa category. Applicants fill in the form online and submit it with their documents at an Indian Visa Application Centre or Indian mission. According to the Embassy of India in Bogotá (checked October 2026), the requirements include:

• A passport valid for at least one year, with at least three blank pages
• An admission letter with details of the course and proof of the institution's registration
• Proof of payment to the institution
• Personal bank statements for the last three months with a minimum balance (COP 6,000,000 or USD 2,000 for applicants in Colombia)
• An International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• Travel insurance for the length of the stay

Students of medicine or other medical fields also need authorisation from the Indian Medical Council for the course. The embassy advises applying two to four weeks before the flight. Requirements differ between missions, so check the page of the Indian embassy or consulate in your country.

Costs and scholarships

Tuition is set by each institution and depends on whether it is public or private, and on the programme. The University of Delhi publishes separate steps for self-financing students. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) runs a scholarship portal for international students, with scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study in AYUSH (traditional medicine) fields, PhDs, and diplomas and certificates in languages and performing arts; applicants are asked to contact the Indian mission in their country for updates.

Where to study

Delhi is home to the University of Delhi, which reports 90 colleges, 16 faculties, 87 departments and around 720,000 students in regular and distance learning; the Delhi Metro links many parts of the city. Chennai (Madras) has the University of Madras, established on 5 September 1857 on the model of the University of London, and Kolkata has the University of Calcutta. Hyderabad combines business education at the Indian School of Business, which also has a campus in Mohali, with hospitality training. Bangalore and Noida, near Delhi, have business and professional training institutes, and Noida also has language schools such as LanguageNext, which has taught French and Spanish since 2014.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in India?

Yes, at many universities. The University of Delhi, for example, states that English is its most common medium of instruction.

How do international students apply to Indian universities?

All foreign students must register on the Study in India portal, which generates an SII-ID. They then apply for courses through the portal or the university's international office and use the SII-ID when applying for a student visa.

What do I need for an Indian student visa?

Typically a passport valid for at least a year, an admission letter, proof of payment and funds, a yellow fever vaccination certificate and travel insurance. Check the exact list with the Indian embassy in your country.

How can I check that an Indian university is genuine?

The University Grants Commission publishes the lists of recognised universities by type and a list of fake universities, and asks students to verify an institution before taking admission.