Choosing a study abroad destination is indeed an overwhelming process, and to pick from a whole list of countries that radiate its own distinctive appeal can be a conflicting process.
For any international student, the study abroad journey offers modern educational methodologies, high-end research facilities, study and work abroad options, full-fledged scholarships, and serene post-class hours.
Many Filipinos dream of a global environment where they have ample exposure to diverse cultures, perhaps to build a healthy relationship with other international students or to simply converse and share knowledge with each other.
In order to ease you through your overseas education planning and process, we have listed below the top 5 study abroad destinations.
- Study abroad destination - Australia
When a Filipino thinks of Australia, the usual expectation will be the eye-catching Kangaroo Island, the beaches of the Gold Coast, or the land of koalas. But Australia has a lot more to offer apart from these attractions.
Thousands of Filipinos prefer Australia as their study and work abroad option due to the country’s education system, high standard of living, and part-time work opportunities. According to the QS ranking 2020, 7 Australian Universities have featured in the list of top 100 universities in the world.
Advantages of studying abroad
Australia accounts for having the lowest crime rate in the world. Whether you study in a city like Melbourne or a regional area, the experience of studying in Australia is highly rewarding. The minimum wage of an international student working in Australia is 17$/hr.
Study abroad scholarships in Australia
- Australian Award Scholarship
- Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Award
- International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)
The top universities in Australia for international students (according to the QS World University Ranking 2020) are:
| INSTITUTION NAME | RANK |
| The University of Melbourne |
38 |
| The University of Queensland |
47 |
| The University of Western Australia |
86 |
| The University of Adelaide |
106 |
| The University of Newcastle |
207 |
- Study abroad destination - Canada
There is no surprise Canada is on this list! With a staggering number of over 600,000 international students, Canada is currently the third-largest preferred study destination in the world.
For this stupendous achievement, there are numerous reasons right from providing proficient research facilities to international students, to offering PR on the successful completion of courses (the Canadian Government offered 2,28,510 PR Visas in 2019).
Advantages of studying abroad:
You can truly get lost with Canada’s natural environment. If you are a fan of outdoor sports, this country satiates your desires with options such as hiking, mountaineering, boating, cycling, and swimming. As an international student, you can avail all the benefits as any other Canadian citizen.
When it comes to safety, Canada has been continuously ranked as one of the top 10 safest countries in the world. In 2018, the Global Peace Index ranked Canada as the sixth most peaceful country in the world. For study and work abroad options, the minimum wage of an international student working in Canada is between 14 and 18$/hr.
Study abroad scholarships in Canada:
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
- PEO International Peace Scholarships for women
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship
According to the QS World University Ranking 2020, 2 Canadian universities have ranked in the Global University List.
| INSTITUTION NAME |
RANK |
| The University of Canada West | 29 |
| The University of the Fraser Valley | 35 |
- Study abroad destination - The USA
According to the Open Door Report on IEF (International Education Exchange), the number of international students pursuing higher education in the US has increased to 1 million for the fourth consecutive year. With worldwide recognised degrees, a variety of course options, cutting-edge research facilities, and virtual classes, the USA has become the dream study destination for many international students, and so for the Filipinos.
For international students preferring to work and study abroad to support themselves financially, the USA government offers a minimum wage of $15/hr.
Advantages of studying abroad:
From exploring the hidden waterfalls to rejuvenating oneself in the Beaches of Miami, the USA has some very cool destinations that will make you reminisce your study abroad experience for decades. Be it Los Angeles or San Francisco or New York City, the liveliest cities in the USA make your post-college hours exciting with vibrant street life and turns into a hub for multi-cultural interaction.
Study abroad scholarships in the USA:
· Foreign Fulbright Student Program
· The Next Gen Scholarship
· The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship programme
According to the QS World University Ranking 2020, the top universities in the USA for international students are:
| INSTITUTION NAME |
RANK |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 92 |
| Youngstown State University | 117 |
| Duquesne University | 132 |
- Study abroad destination - New Zealand
Over 50,000 international students prefer New Zealand as their study destination every year. The predominant reason for Filipinos to choose New Zealand is for their world’s most recognized and accredited education model - The British system.
In fact, New Zealand Universities have minimum entry requirements in comparison to other developed countries’ universities, which in turn provides easy access to attain admission for both undergraduate and masters programs. To meet the financial needs, international students can opt for work and study abroad options through which a student can work up to 20 hours a week with a minimum wage of $14/hr.
Advantages of studying abroad:
New Zealand is a stunning country with picturesque landscapes, lakes, mountains, and unique biodiversity. For adventure lovers, this dream study abroad destination offers skiing, mountain biking, white water rafting, and much more. To add more value, the Global Peace Index in 2017 has announced New Zealand as the second safest peaceful country in the world (out of 163 countries).
Study abroad scholarships in New Zealand:
- New Zealand Scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
- New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships for Pacific and Timor-Leste citizens.
- New Zealand English Language Training for Officials Scholarships (NZELTO).
According to the QS World University Rankings 2019, 4 New Zealand Universities have featured in the best universities list.
| INSTITUTION NAME |
RANK |
| The University of Waikato | 274 |
| Lincoln University | 317 |
| Massey University | 332 |
| Auckland University of Technology | 464 |
- Study abroad destination - The UK
The UK is consistently serving as a prestigious home to international students, with lakhs of students across 100 countries choosing to pursue their higher education in top-notch Universities. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, in 2019, over 400,000 students are pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in the UK.
Advantages of studying abroad:
The multicultural lifestyle in the UK provides you with the chance to experience the diverse culture, meet fellow international students, and acquire a range of skills that are mandatory to be a part of today's workforce. Addin to this, an international student can stay back in the UK for a maximum of 2 years (after completing the course) under the Graduate Immigration Route.
For international students aiding themselves financially, the work and study abroad facility allows them to work 20 hours/week with a minimum wage of 6$ per hour.
Study abroad scholarships in the UK:
- Chevening Scholarship
- Commonwealth Masters Scholarship
According to the QS World University Ranking 2020, the top universities in the UK for international students are:
| INSTITUTION NAME | RANK |
| Teesside University | 151 |
| University of Essex | 370 |
| University of Portsmouth | 401 |
To know more about each destination, go to our study abroad section or fill in the enquiry form. Our expert counsellors will get in touch with you.
