Universities and colleges in India and abroad are very different. While that is the main reason for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad, to be successful in your choice of universities and in entering your dream career it is imperative to know about such differences.
Humankind has created so much knowledge that no one person ever can master all of it. Hence we developed a systematic process of imparting knowledge and skills to our citizens which is called education. In grade schools, you learn what is out there such as languages, math, science and arts. Then in high school you get to go a little deeper into physics, chemistry, math, biology, history and economics. And you are a highschool graduate.
Here comes higher education at a college or university - there are significant differences between a college and a university. Colleges are comparatively small and are focused on teaching while universities are large and are focused more on research to create new knowledge. The name, higher education itself suggests that you have moved up a level. Here, you narrow your scope of study into a particular branch of science or art or social science. For example, you choose a bachelor of science in chemistry or biology. The three or four years of the curriculum should provide you with knowledge and skills to solve the common problems found in that discipline using sound science and best practices. Employers hire someone with a degree because that degree guarantees that the holder possesses a certain level of knowledge and skills to work at that organization, and solve real world problems and/or operate the various systems in the company.
Further up on the ladder, there are master’s and PhD degrees. In a master’s, you typically specialize within a discipline. There is physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry. There is nuclear physics, astrophysics and biophysics. There is Applied Economics, Economic Policy and International Development Economics. The course work will be of a higher level than what you typically take in the undergraduate level. Most master’s degrees have a research component that could be for just one semester to all through your master’s. Usually, if you can apply the science and theories of your discipline to solve a significant problem through research and development, you get a master’s degree.
On the other hand, in a PhD, one gets to do independent research under the guidance of a professor for three years or more depending on the country. There are course requirements for PhD in the USA while it is not typical of Europe.
In a PhD, you go deeper and deeper into an area of research so that you work at the frontier of that science to discover and invent new knowledge. In order to qualify for a PhD you will have to “contribute to the science” by creating new knowledge.
Universities in the world can be classified into three different categories based on their research. The top ones are research universities that are focused on cutting edge research and creating new knowledge. Most of their faculty are excellent scientists and researchers. They have world class laboratories and research facilities. These universities do have undergraduate and graduate students. Harvard, MIT, Stanford and Berkley are examples in the USA. The second category of universities are universities with some research. They are not focused only on research. They have undergraduate and graduate students, but not so many graduate students as the research universities. The third category is teaching universities that are focused only on teaching. They typically have only undergraduate students. They are called colleges in some countries.
The major difference between higher education in India and in the developed world is that most Indian universities are teaching universities or colleges with exceptions such as IIT’s, IISER’s and IISC. Universities in the developed world are very clear about their mission and they say all of these on their websites.
When you select a university in a developed country, you get to choose from those three types of universities. Research universities have great faculty and infrastructure. Education there can provide you with world class opportunities to research and network. For master’s programs, they might offer scholarships and for PhD, they definitely give you financial aid. But they are not easy to get into and because of that, the students there are very competitive.
At times, going to a university with some research such as University of Texas, Irving or California State University would be a better choice for your future plans. Or choosing a teaching college in Canada would be a perfect fit for your ambitions.
In any case, working with an expert in this area could give you great insights so that you can make the most out of your higher education. Boarding the wrong bus or plane could cause unnecessary hassles in your life. We would advise you to think through your plans and take help as you go. We wish you good luck.