Well-known for its food and clothing, India is also a famous destination for tertiary education. India is the destination with the lowest cost for tertiary education. It has a vast and developed network of 342 universities of higher learning and over 17,000 colleges in the fields of engineering, IT, biotech, agriculture, management, medicine, pharmacy, arts, science, commerce, humanities and social sciences among others.

A majority of the Indian degree-granting institutions maintain large networks of affiliated colleges, which are linked to the largest universities. However, it is the affiliating university, which is responsible for setting the syllabus, conducting examinations and awarding degrees.

Compared to other destinations and even to the private tertiary institutions in Mauritius, India offers cheaper tertiary education services.

In order to ensure that a certain level is respected, some bodies regulate the standard of education and the degree provided in India. The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India is a commission, which sets the minimum standards that institutions must meet in order to earn degree-awarding powers. India offers a friendly environment and cultural diversity. Mauritians will feel at home due to the similarities in culture. Along with a good education, there are also accommodation facilities. Many universities are providing apartments and hostels. Some also offer possibilities for foreign students to stay as paying guests with Indian families.

?There are good universities with a high quality of education and reasonably low fees in India. But there are also certain universities, which are affiliated to notable international universities which do charge higher prices. It is very easy for Mauritian to adapt in India as the Mauritian students have the same status and also because of the culture there. As India is so close to Mauritius, I often tell the students to go and visit the universities in India to see what suits them best. Thus, they will have more information about the courses and the environment?, says Dr. Dorish Chitson, Director of the Overseas Education Center.

The High Commission of India provides information about the Indian universities and the courses being offered as well as some application forms.