UniHawk guides students to explore alternative top university destinations

Cost-effective, high-quality education makes Europe a popular choice

 As the global higher education landscape continues to evolve, GCC-wide university admissions experts, UniHawk, are seeing a move away from traditional countries like the UK, USA, and Australia, in favour of more cost-effective destinations that offer the same high-quality education, closer to home. Rising costs, political uncertainty and personal safety are prompting students to rethink their options, with several of this year’s UniHawk cohort opting for top-tier universities in Europe.

Abhinav Chamoli, an 18-year-old graduate from Ambassador School Dubai, will soon be heading to the Netherlands to study Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, the country’s highest-ranking university. Initially drawn to the prestige of top universities in the US, Abhinav ultimately made the calculated decision to choose Europe for its practical approach to graduate employability for overseas students.

Abhinav explained, “I was seriously considering America of course, as the symbolic homeland of aerospace innovation, but the job prospects for international students there are not as strong as in other places. Europe, and particularly the Netherlands, offers better long-term opportunities for working in the aerospace sector.”

For Abhinav, the decision was not purely academic, but also a longtime personal passion. He said, “My interest in aerospace began in childhood and evolved into a deeper fascination when I started learning physics. Now, instead of gaming, I watch videos about fighter jets and rocket development. It’s become more than a dream, it’s something I want to live.”

Speaking about the support provided by UniHawk to realize his dream, Abhinav said, “UniHawk didn’t do the work for me, but they gave me the tools and mindset I needed to shift from uncertainty to clarity. They helped me focus, guided my essays, and most importantly, helped me understand how to pursue my goals realistically.”

Arjun Menon Tiwari, another UniHawk student, is preparing to start his integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Helsinki in Finland. With a strong academic profile, including a 1520 SAT score, Arjun explored destinations across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and was accepted into leading US universities, including NYU and Boston University, before settling on the Nordic institution.

Arjun explained, “The University of Helsinki offered the right balance for me; it’s highly ranked and offers flexible study pathways which means I would be able to explore my passion for life sciences alongside my studies in computer science. The graduate employability prospects are also exciting, with many tech multinationals based in Scandinavia.”

Cultural and practical factors also played a part in Arjun’s decision. He remarked, “The straightforward nature of Nordic people really appeals to me, and Helsinki is much closer to home here in the UAE than destinations like the US or Australia. That proximity, combined with the cost efficiencies and quality of education made Finland the natural choice for me.”

While the application process was competitive, Arjun says that UniHawk’s targeted tutoring in maths and economics, along with SAT preparation, helped him to secure his place. He is now looking forward to meeting students from diverse backgrounds and hopes to build a future at the intersection of computer science and life sciences.

With a focus on personalized support and long-term planning, UniHawk is guiding students through an often-complex preparation and application process, enabling them to make informed, strategic choices about their future. At a time when applicants are looking beyond the traditional options and turning their attention to alternative academic environments, COO of UniHawk, Rashmi Menon, believes it’s more important than ever for students to find the best-fit university.

Menon said, “Studying overseas is no longer about following the crowd, it’s about aligning individual ambitions with practical realities. Students can gain a personally fulfilling experience while still earning a world-class degree. Whether their focus is on graduate employability, cultural diversity, or long-term professional mobility, there are a wide range of options beyond the traditional.”

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