25 Best Universities In India For International Students 2025

If you are looking to study in India, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 388 universities and colleges in India, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 388 universities in India, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and Indian Institute of Technology Madras are the top-performing schools in India. This list covers both public and private institutions in India.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in India. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in India.

How do I get admission to the best universities in India?

Applying to the universities in India involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in India to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in India?

Tuition fees at India’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 INR to 2,789,700 INR , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 INR to 9,592,000 INR. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in India!

As we cover the best universities in India for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in India for International Students

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has found its place among the world’s most prominent universities, especially in engineering. This institution in Maharashtra, India, was established as an Institute of National Importance in 1961. Such a decree elevates it into an institution of high importance in India.

IIT Bombay’s primary focus is engineering, such that it provides education from bachelor’s to Ph.D. level. However, it has a few courses in other disciplines, such as the humanities.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras is the third to be founded among the different IIT campuses in India. As such, it is considered an Institute of National Importance. Such a title recognizes IIT Madras’s significant role in molding the future generation of young leaders, innovators, and workers. Like other IIT branches, the Madras campus is also known for its engineering programs. However, it does provide a wide range of program choices, including business administration and the humanities.

Indian Institute of Science, a public institution in Bengaluru, is one of India’s premier state-funded universities. According to global university assessments, such as QS Top Universities and Times Higher Education, it is a top-ranked university. By 2018, it was elevated into an Institute of Eminence.

Programs offered are available at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. They are specialized, primarily focusing on technology, design, science, and other related fields.

One of 23 member institutes, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is among the oldest in the system. It was founded in 1961 and became a full-fledged, autonomous institution in 2018. With such freedom, it could welcome more international students than ever before. This progress, combined with world-class education, makes education at IIT Delhi one of the most sought-after.

Like other IIT campuses, this one is also stellar in engineering but does not concentrate on one field. Students can pursue other disciplines like business or cognitive science through IIT Delhi.

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is an internationally-renowned university that offers a diverse set of courses related to science and technology. The university is popular for its engineering courses that truly enhance the critical thinking, wisdom, and practical skills of the students, allowing them to secure better career jobs after graduating.

The University of Delhi is one of the largest institutions in the world, currently comprised of 86 academic departments and 77 colleges. It upholds international standards in teaching and research, which is why it receives a large number of student applications each year. Several graduates from the University of Delhi have become Nobel laureates, prominent politicians, and eminent scientists.

The history of the prestigious and state-funded Indian Institute of Technology system begins with IIT Kharagpur. It was the first to be founded in 1951. Later, it was also the first to be conferred the title of Institute of National Importance. Now, it is the most extensive and diverse among IITs, a trailblazer in a group of elite Indian institutions. Similar to other IIT campuses, IIT Kharagpur ranks well worldwide, charting in global university assessments like QS Top Universities.

IIT Kharagpur initially specialized in engineering. However, it has since expanded the type and number of programs it offers, including science, law, and other unique courses in its arsenal.

Named after India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is an internationally renowned institution in New Delhi, India, established in 1969. It is best known for its programs in the social sciences. Although it is considered a young university, JNU has already reaped various awards for its excellent teaching and research.

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research is a premier graduate school in Mumbai, India. It is part of the top-ranking university charts worldwide but only welcomes masters and Ph.D. students. Programs available are also concentrated in the sciences and related disciplines. Thus, you may expect only courses like Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, and more. There may also be available studies in the said field’s subdisciplines. The institute offers integrated MSc-PhD programs, which are set for six years only.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is a private university in Manipal, Udupi, India. It was founded in 1953 as a medical college and transitioned to the Manipal Institute of Technology in 1958. Besides its campus in Manipal, the university also offers undergraduate, graduate, and postmaster’s programs in its Bangalore, Dubai, and Malacca campuses. Overall, the university is home to some 23,700 students.

Anna University continues to be a world-class institution that is a preferred partner to various industries and communities. It is known for being an active contributor to the economic and social development of the country because of the technical knowledge and professional skills it instills in the minds of young aspirants. As a leader in technical education, Anna University provides academic and research programs that lead to cutting-edge technologies.

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) is one of the most prominent public technical universities in the northern part of India. It was founded in 1847 as Thomason College of Engineering, providing comprehensive higher education programs. For many years, the institute has offered a specific field of study; however, as it continues to flourish, it has begun developing more study programs in various academic disciplines. And today, IIT Roorkee is considered among the most preferred technical institutes for prospective local and international students.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is an outstanding public institution in India. It boasts of having an international reputation as it is considered among the best to provide high standards of teaching and research in the country. It has cultivated numerous professionals, experts, and leaders who have significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of its community. Moreover, due to its internationally acknowledged study programs, many students from across the globe prefer to obtain a degree at the university.

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a research-intensive university located in Vellore, India. This private institution boasts several international awards and consistently ranks among the top schools in the world in reputable university rankings. VIT upholds global standards in its teaching and research, encouraging students and staff to always work with the highest quality.

With stellar global rankings, the Savitribai Phule Pune University has earned the title of “Oxford of the East.” It was previously known as the University of Poona and was established on February 10, 1949. Various courses at different levels are offered at this institution. Thus, you can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. studies in multiple disciplines like science, commerce, arts, or foreign languages. These, along with abundant resources and quality education, have made it a magnet for students worldwide.

Osmania University is one of the most well-known universities in Hyderabad, India. This university is ranked among the top universities in the world by all prestigious ranking platforms, and it provides studies to over ten thousand students, of which 30% are international students. The main aim for this university is to increase its facilities so it can bring forth innovative techniques and teaching materials.

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, or IIT Guwahati, was founded in 1994 and has been one of the public universities in India. It has over 3,800 students across degree programs, ranging from bachelor’s to Ph.D. levels. The university specializes in Engineering, Technology, and Design study fields and has joined the top 10% of universities in reputable ranking institutions, such as QS and Times Higher Education.

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is deemed the top private university in India. It has multiple campuses across the country and offers a wide range of degree and certificate programs. Amrita has a strong international reputation because of its high standards for education and research. Throughout the years, students and researchers from the university have contributed significantly to various disciplines, particularly in nanomedicine.

Panjab University is at the forefront of offering high-quality education that promotes research and practical experience. With its course offerings related to arts, science, and letters, among others, the university has been able to nurture thousands of individuals who flourished into renowned experts today. Since its establishment, the university has been committed to achieving its goal of offering an education that is productive, inclusive, and comprehensive.

Aligarh Muslim University is one of the leading universities in India. It has trained countless students since its inception in 1877. It provides education at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels while also offering vocational and technical programs. The university currently offers a wide range of educational programs, including courses in arts, agricultural sciences, commerce, engineering and technology, and international studies, to name a few.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (AIIMS, New Delhi) was founded in 1956 to educate healthcare and medical students. The university offers a broad range of medical programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Recognized for its quality of education, the university remains one of the most prominent medical institutions in India

Lovely Professional University offers exceptional educational training by exposing students to advanced learning equipment, improving their skills and knowledge in the modern way. The university’s mission is to nurture individuals that can meet industry standards and are willing to contribute their learnings to society. With the growing demand for globally-competent professionals, the university has begun participating in international academic exchanges and conferences.

The Jamia Millia Islamia University was founded in New Delhi, India, and it is one of the most well-known universities in the region. The Jamia Millia Islamia University is ranked among the top 1,000 universities in the world by prestigious ranking websites. This institution is famous because it provides programs from all areas of study and is not limited to a specialized category. Here, students can find programs from language and literature all the way up to medical degree programs of the highest difficulty.

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) is a deemed university located in Patiala, Punjab, India. The deemed university is an accreditation granted to higher educational institutions by the Department of Higher Education. It was established in 1956 by Karam Chand Thapar. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, computer science, design, business, and health sciences.

The University of Calcutta is one of the finest universities in India. It is nationally and internationally recognized for its academic excellence as the school is highly positioned in several university world rankings. Its remarkably high standards of teaching and research are one of the key features of why elite students prefer to obtain a degree at the university. Furthermore, it is also the home of numerous distinguished professionals, leaders, and experts.