Study abroad
Explore subjects, study options, costs, intakes, scholarships and student visa information.
The United States is in North America, and its universities and colleges welcome students from many countries. International students can look at undergraduate, postgraduate and, in some fields, research programmes, as well as shorter courses where institutions offer them. Study options span broad areas such as business, engineering, health, the sciences and the humanities, with digital technology, business services and infrastructure shaping much of the country’s economy.
Washington, D.C., New York, Boston and San Francisco are among the places students often consider. English is widely used in teaching, which many international students find helpful. Use this guide to explore subjects, typical intakes, costs, scholarships and visa steps, then check the details with each institution.
Students choose the United States for different reasons: a particular course, a university’s reputation in a field, the language, the location or the chance to experience life in North America. The right decision depends on your subject, budget, preferred city and long-term plans.
The system includes community colleges, liberal arts colleges and research universities; bachelor’s degrees usually take four years, often with flexibility to choose a major later.
Compare the structure of each programme, how it is assessed and what support is available for international students before you decide.
These subject areas are a useful starting point for students looking at the United States. They are editorial suggestions based on the country’s wider economy and institutions, not a ranking.
Courses connected to digital technology, business services and infrastructure can be a good fit for students who want their studies to relate closely to the local economy. Each subject has its own page for the United States on this site, with its specializations.
Before settling on a subject, compare a few programmes side by side: their modules, how they are taught and assessed, and the options they open up after graduation.
Harvard University · Undergraduate
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Harvard University · Undergraduate
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Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Princeton University · Undergraduate
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English requirements not listed yet
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Undergraduate
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English requirements not listed yet
Stanford University · Undergraduate
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English requirements not listed yet
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · Undergraduate
Sample data
Entry requirements
English requirements not listed yet
Some international students in the United States receive scholarships or grants, but availability depends on where you come from and what you plan to study.
Most scholarships are competitive and have their own eligibility rules, so none can be taken for granted. Read the conditions carefully, apply early and check whether funding covers tuition, living costs or both. Official scholarship providers and university funding pages are the most reliable sources.
Applications often ask for a personal statement, references and academic transcripts, so prepare these early and tailor them to each award.
Koramangala, Bengaluru
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇬🇧 UK
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Test Preparation · Financial Support
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Master's, Foundation
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Germany, USA, Australia and UK.
View Consultant Website Demo Admissions Circle (opens in a new tab)
Athwalines, Surat
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇬🇧 UK · 🇺🇸 USA
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
8 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to UK and USA.
View Consultant Website Demo Brightside Education (opens in a new tab)
Lajpat Nagar, Delhi · +3 more offices
Sample listingStudy Abroad Consultant
Study destinations: 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇫🇷 France · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇬🇧 UK · +1 more
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Pre-Departure · Post-Admission
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, Diploma
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Netherlands, Canada, France, USA, UK and Germany.
View Consultant Website Demo Campus Bridge Consultants (opens in a new tab)
Lajpat Nagar, Delhi
Sample listingEducation Consultant
Study destinations: 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇺🇸 USA · 🇫🇷 France · 🇳🇱 Netherlands
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
8 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, Certificate
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Italy, USA, France and Netherlands.
View Consultant Website Demo Capital Overseas Education (opens in a new tab)
Indira Nagar, Lucknow
Sample listingInternational Education Agency
Study destinations: 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇺🇸 USA
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Test Preparation · Pre-Departure
5 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Canada and USA.
View Consultant Website Demo Global Pathways (opens in a new tab)
Janakpuri, Delhi · +4 more offices
Sample listingLanguage & Education Consultant
Study destinations: 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇮🇹 Italy · +1 more
Services: University Admissions · Visa · Financial Support · Pre-Departure
7 partnered universities (sample data) · Bachelor's, Master's, PhD / Doctorate
Sample consultant used to test the directory: supports applications to Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, Ireland, Italy and USA.
View Consultant Website Demo Global Student Services (opens in a new tab)
Listings are not rankings or endorsements. Check services and fees directly with each consultant.
In the United States, the main intake for many programmes is usually around August or September. Some institutions also admit students around January, although this second intake is usually available for fewer courses. Exact dates vary by institution and programme.
Application deadlines can fall many months before the course begins, especially for competitive programmes and for students who need a visa. Start by checking the deadline for your specific course, then work backwards to leave time for documents, language tests, applications for funding and the visa process.
Postgraduate research programmes may have more flexible start dates, agreed with a supervisor.
A simple planning checklist:
Intake dates and deadlines vary by university and course. Always check them with the university.
Budgeting for a degree in the United States starts with the tuition fee for your specific course, which depends on the institution, subject and level.
When you compare options, look beyond the tuition fee:
Check the latest fees on each institution’s website and confirm whether they can change during your course.
It is also worth asking how and when fees are paid, whether a deposit is required to secure your place, and how exchange rates could affect the amount you pay from home.
Fees change and differ by university, course and level. Check current fees with each university.
Your offer letter is usually only the first step: most students from abroad also need the right permission to enter and stay in the United States for their studies.
Requirements can differ by nationality, programme and length of stay. Depending on the rules, you may be asked for:
Visa rules and fees change, so always check the current requirements with official government sources before you apply. Official information: U.S. Department of State: student visas (official government website).
Visa rules change. Always check the official government immigration website before you apply.
Planning your living budget for the United States early helps you avoid surprises during your first months. Costs in Washington can differ noticeably from those in D.C., New York, Boston or San Francisco and smaller towns.
The main costs to plan for are:
Ask your institution for its estimate of student living costs and plan for some extra money for arrival and emergencies.
Living costs depend on the city and your lifestyle, and they change over time.
It depends on your goals. The United States offers programmes across many subjects, a location in North America and study in English. Students interested in digital technology, business services and infrastructure may find the local context especially relevant.
Institutions offer a wide range of subjects, including Computing & Information Technology, Business & Management, Engineering and Health, Medicine & Veterinary Studies. The subjects page for the United States lists every subject available here with its specializations.
Many programmes start around August or September. Apply well ahead of the start date, especially if you need a visa, and check the deadline for each course on the institution’s website.
Costs depend on the institution, programme, level of study and sometimes your nationality. Budget for tuition as well as application fees, insurance, accommodation and living costs, and use the current fees published by each institution.
Most international students need a student visa or residence permit. Requirements depend on your nationality and programme, so check the current rules with official government sources, such as U.S. Department of State: student visas.
Some funding is available from governments, universities and other organisations, but awards are competitive and eligibility varies. Check official provider websites and apply early.
Washington, D.C., New York, Boston and San Francisco are among the places students often consider. Living costs, housing and the student experience can differ between cities, so compare them alongside your course options.
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