How much does it cost to study abroad from India in 2026?

The most common version of this question is "is 20 lakhs enough?" The honest answer is that it depends almost entirely on the country, and for some destinations 20 lakhs is comfortable while for others it barely covers the first year.

Rather than give you a single misleading average, here is how the cost actually breaks down, country by country, using the official figures each government requires you to prove. Those numbers are the most reliable starting point, because they are what the visa officer checks.

The two numbers that matter#

Every study abroad budget comes down to two things:

• Tuition, which varies enormously by country, university, and course.
• Living costs, which most countries make you prove before they grant a visa. This "proof of funds" requirement is published, updated regularly, and non-negotiable.

I will give the proof-of-funds figure for each country, because it is sourced and current, then a realistic tuition range. Treat tuition ranges as ballparks: the exact figure is on each university's fee page, and it is the number you should actually plan against.

United Kingdom#

For a visa, you must show living costs of 1,529 pounds per month for study in London, or 1,171 pounds per month outside London, for up to nine months, on top of your unpaid tuition. That works out to 13,761 pounds in London or 10,539 pounds elsewhere, per the UK government student visa guidance. The money must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.

Tuition for most taught master's degrees runs roughly 16,000 to 35,000 pounds for the year. Add the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently 776 pounds per year of your course, which buys access to the NHS.

Canada#

Outside Quebec, you must show living costs of 22,895 Canadian dollars for a single student, on top of your first year tuition and travel, per the Canadian government's financial proof guidance. A GIC of 20,635 dollars is one common way to evidence part of this, though it is no longer the only route now that the Student Direct Stream has closed.

Tuition for most master's and undergraduate programmes runs roughly 18,000 to 40,000 Canadian dollars per year, depending on the institution and course.

Australia#

You must show living costs of 29,710 Australian dollars for a single applicant, plus twelve months of tuition and travel, per the Study Australia visa guidance. Your savings generally need to have been held for at least three months.

Tuition for most master's degrees runs roughly 30,000 to 45,000 Australian dollars per year. Health cover, OSHC, is mandatory and adds a few hundred dollars a year.

Germany#

This is where the maths changes. Most German public universities charge little to no tuition, often only a small semester administrative fee. What you must prove is living costs: a blocked account of 11,904 euros for the year, released to you in monthly instalments, per the official Study in Germany portal (DAAD).

So for a public university in Germany, your main cost is living, not fees. That is what makes it the most affordable serious destination for many Indian students.

United States#

The US has no single fixed government figure. Instead, your university issues an I-20 form stating the total cost of attendance, and you prove you can meet it. Tuition varies more than anywhere: roughly 20,000 to 60,000 US dollars per year depending on whether it is a public or private institution. Living costs typically add 12,000 to 20,000 dollars a year. The upside is funding: teaching and research assistantships are common at the graduate level and can offset a large part of the cost.

So, is 20 lakhs enough?#

Honestly, it depends:

• For a public university in Germany, 20 lakhs can cover the year comfortably, because there is little tuition to pay.
• For the UK, Canada, or Australia, 20 lakhs usually covers part of the first year, not all of it. A realistic first-year, all-in figure for these destinations is often in the range of 25 to 45 lakhs, depending on the city and university.
• For the US, the range is the widest, from manageable with an assistantship to very expensive without one.

These are estimates to set expectations, not quotes. Run your specific universities and city through the real numbers before you commit.

Costs students forget#

The headline tuition and living figures miss several real expenses:

• Visa and biometric fees.
• Health cover: the IHS in the UK, OSHC in Australia.
• Flights, and the deposit for accommodation, often one to two months upfront.
• The currency exchange and bank charges on large transfers.

These extras routinely add a lakh or two that students do not budget for.

How we help#

We do not quote a generic number, because a generic number is useless. We build the cost against your actual shortlist: these universities, this city, this intake. You can start with our study cost calculator and cost of living calculator for a first estimate, then we refine it on a call.

Frequently asked questions#

Is 20 lakhs enough to study abroad?#

For a public university in Germany, often yes, because tuition is minimal. For the UK, Canada, or Australia, 20 lakhs typically covers part of the first year rather than all of it, with realistic first-year totals often between 25 and 45 lakhs. The country matters far more than any single rule of thumb.

Which country is cheapest for Indian students?#

Germany is usually the most affordable serious option, because most public universities charge little to no tuition. You still need to prove living costs through a blocked account, currently about 11,904 euros for the year, but the lack of tuition lowers the total significantly.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa?#

It varies by country. The UK requires 1,171 to 1,529 pounds per month of living costs for up to nine months plus tuition. Canada requires 22,895 Canadian dollars in living costs plus tuition and travel. Australia requires 29,710 Australian dollars plus tuition and travel. Germany requires a blocked account of 11,904 euros. Always confirm the current figure on the official government site before you apply.

Does the proof of funds amount change every year?#

Yes. Governments update these figures regularly, usually upward. The numbers here are current for 2026, but check the official source close to your application date, because an outdated figure can sink an otherwise strong application.

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Once you know the number you are funding against, the next question is usually how to bring it down. See whether a 100% scholarship is realistic for your profile, or talk it through with our online study abroad consultancy.