Dear Sir,
My brother is doing his MSW. He is interested in doing his Phd abroad. Which  countries and universities offer this course? Please also give me other details like fees etc.
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
Your brother having done his MSW is academically qualified to pursue a doctoral programme in Social Work. However, the additional pre-requisites that are demanded by Universities all over the world are work experience in the related field from 2 to 4 years and identification of a topic for research. Also one must be prepared to carry out a research programme under the guidance of a professor. One has to take up the GRE as well TOEFL also.
In general the cost of a doctoral programme including tuition fee and living expenditure comes to around Rs. 10 to 12 lakh per year in USA and Rs. 12 to 14 lakh per year in UK. In most other countries such as Australia and New Zealand also the cost is anywhere in between. Part of this expenditure can be recovered by working for a permissible 20 hours per week. Research grants may be available in most cases. One has to explore the possibility by corresponding with the University and its professors. Browse through the following web site for more details: www.gradschools.com

Dear Sir,
I am studying in the 3rd semester, BE computer science. I would like to pursue my further studies (MBA) abroad. I got distinction in the 1st semester. I want work abroad also. Please give me details of some English speaking countries especially USA or UK.
Prakash Mannikeri,
Bangalore

Dear Prakash,
Good you have taken distinction in the first semester. Keep up your academic performance. Whatever you want to study further having good academic record helps you. To pursue management education in USA or UK it is possible as you will be fulfilling 16 years of education, which is the basic requirement. But useful and meaningful business management education in either of the countries requires two to three years of work experience in the related field. Together with it you also need to clear GMAT and TOEFL. No doubt some business schools in UK have a one or two year management course for fresh undergraduates and you don't need the GMAT only TOEFL or IELTS is enough. Management education in the UK costs around 10 to 12 lakh rupees per year. Looking at the affordability you can decide on what your other options are. Now in India also Management Education standards are on par with any other country. If you have the aptitude and capacity to clear CAT, MAT, etc  you can enter a good business school. It is not only economical but your career prospects are equally good. You will have plenty of options to do some specific short term management course abroad in future. You can browse through the following web sites for more information: For UK - www.mba.hobsons.com, www.studyuk.hobsons.com
For USA - www.collegeview.com, www.about.com, www.petersons.com/mba

Dear Sir,
I am a student of Class 12 and will give my boards in 2008. I want to do my medical studies in USA but I don't have any information about good colleges in USA for undergraduate studies. What is the cost like?
Nirmal Chourasia, Kolkata    

Dear Nirmal,
Medical education in the USA starts after a basic degree in a science stream or any other stream also having biology. For USA you need SAT score as well as TOEFL score, for which you can prepare now. During the undergraduate study one has to appear for and clear the Medical Aptitude Test. After entry in to medical college it takes another six years to complete Medical education in general and later one has to do specialisation after getting in to clinical by taking local mandatory licences. It is a long drawn process and needs academic excellence. Further, in all these countries Medical Education is awfully expensive and funding or financial assistance of any sort is also a difficult proposition. For your information many NRI's send their children for basic medical education to India. I suggest you check your aptitude to pursue medical education and be open to write the local entrances also, keeping your options open.

Dear Sir,
I am studying in 2nd PU with Biology as my subject. I want to do my medical (Cardiology) in one of the best universities, and I am interested to do it in London. Where can I study? How do I get into those universities?
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
Medical education in UK starts by taking a basic undergraduate degree in any stream having biology as one of the subjects. After one enters Medical College by clearing the Medical Entrance test one has to study for 6 years to complete and become a full fledged Medical Doctor. Later on you have to specialise in Cardiology. All this takes a minimum of 7 to 8 years. To start the journey the first step is to seek admission to an undergraduate programme for which TOEFL or IELTS score is sufficient after the 12th. Also, be aware that the cost of undergraduate education at any level comes to around 8 lakhs of rupees per year. Later, Medical Education costs are still higher. For your information many Indians settled in UK send their children to India or countries like West Indies etc for the basic Medical degree. Based on this information see what your options are.