General Questions
Should I study in India or go abroad?
It depends on your profile, budget, and career goals. If you can get into top Indian colleges (IIM ABC, IIT, BITS), the ROI is often comparable to mid-tier overseas universities. However, for global career aspirations, immigration goals, or specialized fields, overseas education can be better. FDM provides honest, data-driven comparisons to help you decide.
Read detailed comparison
How much does it cost to study abroad?
Total cost (tuition + living) varies by country:
- UK: ₹20-35 lakhs for 1-year Masters
- Canada: ₹25-45 lakhs for 2-year Masters
- USA: ₹30-60 lakhs for 2-year Masters
- Australia: ₹30-50 lakhs for 2-year Masters
- Dubai/UAE: ₹15-30 lakhs for Masters
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on university, city, and lifestyle.
Do I need IELTS/TOEFL for all countries?
Most English-speaking countries require English proficiency tests (IELTS or TOEFL). Some exceptions: if you've studied in English medium for 3-4 years, some universities waive this requirement. UK, Canada, Australia prefer IELTS. USA prefers TOEFL but accepts IELTS. We'll guide you on which test is required for your target universities.
Can I work while studying abroad?
Yes, most countries allow part-time work during studies:
- UK: 20 hours/week during term, full-time during breaks
- Canada: 20 hours/week on-campus, varies off-campus
- USA: 20 hours/week on-campus only (CPT/OPT after)
- Australia: 20 hours/week
Part-time work helps with living expenses but shouldn't be relied upon to cover tuition.
Admissions & Applications
What GPA/percentage do I need?
Requirements vary by university and program:
- Top universities: 75-85%+ (or 3.5+ GPA)
- Mid-tier universities: 65-75%
- Lower-tier universities: 60-65%
However, admissions are holistic. Strong test scores, work experience, SOP, and LORs can compensate for lower academics. We evaluate your complete profile and recommend realistic target universities.
How many universities should I apply to?
We recommend 8-12 universities across three categories:
- 2-3 Dream schools (reach universities)
- 4-6 Target schools (realistic admits)
- 2-3 Safe schools (backup options)
This balanced approach maximizes your chances of getting good admits with scholarships.
When should I start the application process?
Ideally 12-18 months before your target intake. Timeline:
- 12-18 months before: Counselling, test prep, profile building
- 8-12 months before: University shortlisting, application preparation
- 4-8 months before: Applications, scholarships, admissions
- 2-4 months before: Visa, loans, pre-departure
Earlier start gives you time to strengthen your profile and secure scholarships.
What is a good GRE/GMAT/IELTS score?
Competitive scores vary by program and university:
- IELTS: 6.5-7.5 (most programs require 6.0-7.0 minimum)
- GRE: 310-330 (top universities expect 315+)
- GMAT: 650-750 (top MBA programs expect 680+)
- TOEFL: 90-110 (most programs require 80-100)
We help you set realistic score targets based on your profile and target universities.
Finances & Scholarships
Can I get scholarships as an Indian student?
Yes! Many universities offer merit-based scholarships ranging from 10% to 100% tuition waivers. Additionally, there are government scholarships (Chevening, Fulbright, Australia Awards) and private scholarships (Inlaks, JN Tata). Strong academic profile, test scores, and compelling SOP increase your chances. We help identify and apply for relevant scholarships.
How do education loans work?
Banks and NBFCs offer education loans covering tuition and living expenses. Key points:
- Loan amount: Up to ₹1.5 crore
- Interest: 9-13% (varies by lender and collateral)
- Repayment: Starts 6-12 months after course completion
- Collateral: Required for loans above ₹7.5 lakhs (some NBFCs offer collateral-free)
FDM has tie-ups with lenders and helps with documentation and approvals.
What is the ROI of overseas education?
ROI depends on country, university, and field. Typical payback period is 2-4 years. For example:
- MS CS in USA: $70,000 salary, total cost $50,000 → payback in 2 years
- MBA in UK: £35,000 salary, total cost £40,000 → payback in 2-3 years
- MS in Canada: CAD 60,000 salary, total cost CAD 50,000 → payback in 2 years
We provide ROI analysis for your specific profile and target programs.
Visa & Immigration
How difficult is it to get a student visa?
With proper documentation and genuine intent, student visa approval rates are high (80-95% for most countries). Key requirements:
- Valid university admission letter
- Proof of financial capacity (tuition + living for 1 year)
- English proficiency proof
- Health insurance (for some countries)
- Genuine intent to study and return
FDM provides complete visa documentation support and interview preparation.
Can I stay and work after graduation?
Yes, most countries offer post-study work visas:
- UK: 2 years (3 years for PhD)
- Canada: 3 years PGWP
- USA: 12 months OPT (36 months for STEM)
- Australia: 2-4 years (depends on degree)
- Dubai: Varies by employer sponsorship
These work visas allow you to gain experience and potentially qualify for permanent residence.
Which countries offer permanent residence (PR)?
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have clear PR pathways for international students. Canada is particularly student-friendly with Express Entry system. UK offers a points-based system. USA has H1B visa route but no guaranteed PR pathway. We guide you on immigration prospects when selecting countries.
About FDM Services
What services does FDM provide?
We provide end-to-end support:
- Free initial counselling and profile evaluation
- India vs overseas honest comparison
- Country and university shortlisting
- Test preparation (IELTS, GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL)
- Profile building guidance
- SOP, LOR, Resume writing support
- Application management
- Scholarship applications
- Education loan assistance
- Visa documentation and interview prep
- Pre-departure and post-landing support
View detailed services
What are FDM's service charges?
We offer transparent pricing based on services chosen. The first counselling session is completely free with no obligations. After understanding your needs, we'll provide a clear breakdown of service charges. We have packages for different levels of support (counselling only, application support, end-to-end). Book a free session to discuss pricing that fits your budget.
Does FDM guarantee admission or visa approval?
No ethical consultancy can guarantee admissions or visas, and we don't make false promises. What we DO guarantee is honest guidance, professional application support, and realistic expectations. With proper documentation and genuine profile, visa approval rates are typically 80-95%. We maximize your chances through thorough preparation and support.
Can FDM help if I'm still in 2nd or 3rd year of college?
Yes! In fact, this is the ideal time to start planning. We can help you build a strong profile through strategic internships, projects, research, and extracurriculars over the next 1-2 years. Early planning gives you time to prepare for tests (GRE/GMAT/IELTS), strengthen weak areas, and apply for competitive scholarships. Students who start early have significantly better admission and scholarship outcomes.
Can FDM help if I've already applied to some universities on my own?
Yes, we can support you with pending applications, scholarship applications, visa preparation, and decision-making if you have multiple offers. We can also help evaluate whether your existing applications are strong or if you should apply to additional universities in future rounds.
Do you have physical offices I can visit?
We operate primarily online to serve students across India efficiently. However, we have presence in Madhya Pradesh (Indore region) and conduct in-person meetings when needed. Most counselling and support is provided via WhatsApp, video calls, and email for convenience. We're available 6 days a week to support you wherever you are.
I don't come from IIT/NIT. Can I still get into good overseas universities?
Absolutely! While top undergraduate colleges help, many students from tier-2 and tier-3 colleges get admitted to good overseas universities with strong profiles. Focus on: good academics (70%+), relevant projects and internships, strong test scores (GRE/IELTS), well-written SOPs, and good LORs. We've helped students from various backgrounds secure admits at top 100-200 global universities.
What if my GPA/percentage is low (below 65%)?
Lower GPA is challenging but not impossible. Strategies: target universities with holistic admissions, strengthen other parts of your profile (work experience, projects, high GRE/GMAT scores), write compelling SOPs explaining any academic gaps, consider post-graduation diploma or certificate programs first. Some countries (UK, Dubai) are more flexible with GPA requirements than others (USA top schools).