A postgraduate degree overseas often comes with a high price tag, typically ranging between ₹20 lakh and ₹40 lakh, pushing more students to depend on education loans to cover costs. RBI data highlights this trend, with the outstanding education loan portfolio climbing to ₹1.31 lakh crore by November 2024.
With such growing demand, identifying universities that lenders officially approve becomes essential. That’s where the approved foreign universities for study abroad loans 2025 list proves invaluable, guiding students and families toward trusted institutions recognised by banks and NBFCs.
In this article, you’ll find the updated list of approved universities, insights into eligibility, and steps to secure financing.
By the end of this blog, you will came to know Key Takeaways
- Postgraduate education abroad can cost between ₹20 lakh and ₹40 lakh per year, making education loans crucial for many students.
- Indian banks and NBFCs maintain a list of approved foreign universities, helping streamline loan approvals.
- The USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Singapore, and Dubai feature top-ranked universities recognised for study abroad loans.
- Flexible loan options, scholarships, and NBFC financing can help manage costs, repayment timelines, and financial risks effectively.
Top Ranked Universities Covered by Education Loans in the U.S.A
The average annual expense for studying in the U.S. ranges from $25,000 to $55,000, covering tuition, accommodation, and living costs. For Indian students, this translates to ₹22–48 lakh per year, depending on the program and city. Because these costs are high, students and families increasingly look for universities already on banks’ and NBFCs’ approved lists to streamline loan approvals.
Listed below are some of the top approved universities in the USA for Indian Students 2025.
University Name
|
Location
|
Popular Programs
|
Harvard University
|
Cambridge, Massachusetts
|
Business, Law, Medicine, Social Sciences
|
Stanford University
|
Stanford, California
|
Business, Engineering, Law, Medicine
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
Cambridge, Massachusetts
|
Engineering, Computer Science, Economics
|
University of Michigan
|
Ann Arbour, Michigan
|
Engineering, Business, Medicine, Social Sciences
|
University of Washington
|
Seattle, Washington
|
Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences
|
Cornell University
|
Ithaca, New York
|
Business, Engineering, Agriculture, Law
|
Columbia University
|
New York, New York
|
Business, Journalism, Law, Medicine
|
Johns Hopkins University
|
Baltimore, Maryland
|
Medicine, Public Health, Engineering, Arts
|
University of Pennsylvania
|
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
|
Business, Law, Medicine, Social Sciences
|
University of Minnesota System
|
Minneapolis, Minnesota
|
Engineering, Business, Life Sciences
|
University of Pittsburgh
|
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
|
Medicine, Engineering, Public Health
|
Texas A&M University
|
College Station, Texas
|
Engineering, Agriculture, Business
|
University of Arizona
|
Tucson, Arizona
|
Astronomy, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences
|
Arizona State University
|
Tempe, Arizona
|
Business, Engineering, Journalism, Social Sciences
|
University of Chicago
|
Chicago, Illinois
|
Economics, Business, Law, Social Sciences
|
The Ohio State University
|
Columbus, Ohio
|
Business, Engineering, Medicine
|
University of California (System)
|
California (multiple campuses)
|
Computer Science, Business, Life Sciences
|
Pennsylvania State University
|
University Park, Pennsylvania
|
Engineering, Business, Agriculture
|
University of Wisconsin–Madison
|
Madison, Wisconsin
|
Engineering, Life Sciences, Business
|
Northwestern University
|
Evanston, Illinois
|
Business, Journalism, Law, Engineering
|
New York University (NYU)
|
New York, New York
|
Business, Arts, Law, Engineering
|
You can learn more about financing your studies in the United States by checking out Education Loan for USA. This guide covers key banks, interest rates, and eligibility criteria to help you plan your loan effectively.
Get an Education Loan 10X Faster than Banks.
Top Canadian Universities Eligible for Overseas Education Loans
When it comes to studying abroad, Canada continues to be one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students. By late 2024, Canada became home to nearly 4,27,000 Indian students, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Below is a list of leading Canadian universities recognised by banks and financial institutions for education loans.
University Name
|
Location
|
Popular Programs
|
University of Toronto
|
Toronto, ON
|
Engineering, Business, Medicine, Law
|
McGill University
|
Montreal, QC
|
Medicine, Law, Arts, Sciences
|
University of British Columbia
|
Vancouver, BC
|
Computer Science, Engineering, Business
|
University of Alberta
|
Edmonton, AB
|
Energy, Engineering, Health Sciences
|
McMaster University
|
Hamilton, ON
|
Health Sciences, Engineering, Business
|
University of Waterloo
|
Waterloo, ON
|
Engineering, Computer Science, Math
|
University of Ottawa
|
Ottawa, ON
|
Public Policy, Law, Engineering
|
Queen’s University
|
Kingston, ON
|
Business, Law, Humanities, Health Sciences
|
Dalhousie University
|
Halifax, NS
|
Ocean Studies, Medicine, Business
|
Simon Fraser University
|
Burnaby, BC
|
Computer Science, Business, Arts
|
University of Manitoba
|
Winnipeg, MB
|
Agriculture, Medicine, Engineering
|
York University
|
Toronto, ON
|
Business, Law, Arts, Engineering
|
Concordia University
|
Montreal, QC
|
Business, Arts, Computer Science
|
Learn more about financing your Canadian education in our guide on Education Loan for Canada with insights on eligibility & application process.
Approved Foreign Universities for Study Abroad Loan in the UK
The United Kingdom has always been a top choice for Indian students aiming for quality higher education. The cost of studying in the UK can vary widely. For international students, postgraduate programs in the UK typically cost between £9,000 and £30,000 per year.
Below is a list of recognised UK universities where students commonly secure funding through foreign education loans.
University Name
|
Location
|
University of Oxford
|
Oxford, England
|
University of Cambridge
|
Cambridge, England
|
Imperial College London
|
London, England
|
London School of Economics (LSE)
|
London, England
|
University College London (UCL)
|
London, England
|
University of Edinburgh
|
Edinburgh, Scotland
|
University of Manchester
|
Manchester, England
|
King’s College London
|
London, England
|
University of Warwick
|
Coventry, England
|
University of Bristol
|
Bristol, England
|
University of Glasgow
|
Glasgow, Scotland
|
University of Birmingham
|
Birmingham, England
|
University of Leeds
|
Leeds, England
|
University of Nottingham
|
Nottingham, England
|
Durham University
|
Durham, England
|
Many students also compare study destinations before applying for loans. Check out our guide on the US or UK for Indian Students 2025 to make an informed choice.
Education Loan - Min Docs. Max Approval. Min Hassle. Max Tenure.
Considering a Large Education Loan for a UK Master’s in 2025-26? Here’s What You Should Know
Many students are excited about pursuing a master’s in the UK but hesitate due to high tuition fees and living costs. Taking a substantial education loan can feel risky, especially when post-study job prospects and repayment timelines are uncertain.
Reddit User shared:
“I got into a UK CS program, but the tuition fees are huge—around ₹20 lakh. Part-time jobs barely cover living costs. Is taking this loan worth it?”
Insight: While a UK degree can open international career opportunities, relying on part-time jobs to offset costs is limited. Loan repayment depends heavily on your post-study salary and whether you stay in the UK or return to India.
What do we infer from this case?
- UK education loans carry significant financial risk. Careful planning is essential.
- Part-time jobs provide some relief but rarely cover major expenses.
- Repayment timelines vary greatly based on the country you work in post-graduation.
- Consider long-term career goals and realistic salary expectations before taking large loans.
Tip: Explore scholarships, assistantships, and NBFC or bank loans with flexible terms. Evaluate whether the degree’s ROI aligns with your career plans and financial comfort.
Facing bank loan hurdles? Check out NBFC Education Loan and explore top lenders, interest rates and learn how to apply for flexible options!
Approved Foreign Universities for Study Abroad Loan in Australia
Several Australian universities are approved by Indian banks and financial institutions, simplifying the loan process for aspirants.
Below is a list of leading Australian universities commonly recognised by lenders for study abroad loans.
University Name
|
Location
|
University of Melbourne
|
Melbourne, VIC
|
University of Sydney
|
Sydney, NSW
|
Australian National University (ANU)
|
Canberra, ACT
|
University of Queensland (UQ)
|
Brisbane, QLD
|
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
|
Sydney, NSW
|
Monash University
|
Melbourne, VIC
|
University of Western Australia (UWA)
|
Perth, WA
|
University of Adelaide
|
Adelaide, SA
|
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
|
Sydney, NSW
|
Macquarie University
|
Sydney, NSW
|
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
|
Brisbane, QLD
|
Deakin University
|
Melbourne, VIC
|
RMIT University
|
Melbourne, VIC
|
Griffith University
|
Brisbane, QLD
|
University of Wollongong
|
Wollongong, NSW
|
New Zealand Universities Eligible for Foreign Education Loans
Between January and August 2024, the number of Indian students enrolling in New Zealand universities rose by 34%, reaching 10,640, according to Education New Zealand. The country offers globally recognised degrees, excellent research facilities, and post-study work opportunities, which make it attractive for international students.
The table below shows a list of the leading New Zealand universities commonly recognised by lenders for study abroad loans:
University Name
|
Location
|
University of Auckland
|
Auckland
|
University of Otago
|
Dunedin
|
Victoria University of Wellington
|
Wellington
|
Lincoln University
|
Lincoln, Canterbury
|
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
|
Auckland
|
Massey University
|
Palmerston North
|
University of Waikato
|
Hamilton
|
University of Canterbury
|
Christchurch
|
Manukau Institute of Technology
|
Auckland
|
Southern Institute of Technology
|
Invercargill
|
Waikato Institute of Technology
|
Hamilton
|
Imperial College of New Zealand
|
Auckland
|
Visa-Approved Foreign Universities for Study Loans in Europe
From 2015 to 2023, the number of Indian students going to Europe increased by 45%, with enrollments in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Ireland rising by 68.3%. Indian banks and financial institutions approve many European universities.
Below is a list of countries in Europe with leading universities that are commonly recognised for foreign education loans:
1. Ireland
University Name
|
Location
|
Trinity College Dublin
|
Dublin
|
University College Dublin (UCD)
|
Dublin
|
University College Cork (UCC)
|
Cork
|
University of Galway
|
Galway
|
University of Limerick
|
Limerick
|
2. Germany
University Name
|
Location
|
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
|
Munich
|
Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU)
|
Munich
|
Heidelberg University
|
Heidelberg
|
University of Hamburg
|
Hamburg
|
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
|
Karlsruhe
|
3. Netherlands
University Name
|
Location
|
Delft University of Technology
|
Delft
|
University of Amsterdam
|
Amsterdam
|
Leiden University
|
Leiden
|
Erasmus University of Rotterdam
|
Rotterdam
|
Eindhoven University of Technology
|
Eindhoven
|
Utrecht University
|
Utrecht
|
University of Groningen
|
Groningen
|
4. France
University Name
|
Location
|
Sorbonne University
|
Paris
|
École Polytechnique
|
Palaiseau
|
INSEAD Business School, France
|
Fontainebleau
|
Paris School of Business
|
Paris
|
ESSEC Business School
|
Cergy
|
5. Switzerland
University Name
|
Location
|
ETH Zurich
|
Zurich
|
University of Zurich
|
Zurich
|
University of Geneva
|
Geneva
|
IMD Business School
|
Lausanne
|
University of Basel
|
Basel
|
Recognised Asian Institutions Eligible for Study Abroad Loans
For Indian students, destinations like Singapore and Dubai stand out because of their geographical proximity, cultural familiarity, and rising global reputation. Singapore is home to top institutions that rank consistently in the QS World University Rankings, making it a hub for research, technology, and business studies.
Below are some of the leading approved institutions in Singapore and Dubai:
1. Singapore
University Name
|
Location
|
National University of Singapore (NUS)
|
Singapore
|
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
|
Singapore
|
NUS Business School
|
Singapore
|
Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
|
Singapore
|
INSEAD, Singapore
|
Singapore
|
2. Dubai
University Name
|
Location
|
Abu Dhabi University
|
Abu Dhabi
|
Heriot-Watt University Dubai
|
Dubai
|
University of Birmingham Dubai
|
Dubai
|
Middlesex University Dubai
|
Dubai
|