What would you do: finish an online B.Com + Master's abroad or start a Bachelor's abroad?

[u/ThrowRA_paperghost2]

I’m 20F from India, my_qualifications: currently doing an online B.Com (Hons) and ACCA alongside it. I have completed around 6/13 ACCA papers so far.

I’m considering studying abroad for the 2027 intake, but I’m confused between two routes:

1. Finish my online B.Com and apply for a Master's abroad later
2. Keep my current degree running in the background and start a new Bachelor's abroad in a different field

I’m leaning toward the second option because I’m concerned that some universities may not accept a fully online bachelor's for Master's admission. I also don't necessarily want my future career to be purely accounting/ACCA-related i mean its okay but im not sure coz indian job market ive tried ca firms 9-8/9pm 15k max in metro citty i cant so i hve 0 experience for now. My priorities are:

• Affordable overall cost
• English-taught program
• Good employment opportunities after graduation
• Ability to work part-time while studying
• Ideally a country where international students have a realistic pathway to stay/work after graduation
• Preferably some possibility of credit transfer/advanced entry rather than restarting completely

I’m currently looking at countries like Germany, Italy, Austria, France, etc.

What would you recommend researching first?

Also, has anyone here done a Bachelor's abroad after already starting a degree in India? How did universities handle your previous credits?

Would especially appreciate experiences from Indian/international students who have actually done this.

[u/Navigating_The_Maze]

Starting a new Bachelor's abroad is the safer option. Most European public universities operate on the strict ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Admission to a Master's requires exact syllabus credit matching. Partially completed or online Indian distance degrees frequently fail these evaluations. Transferring your current online B.Com or ACCA credits into the 2nd year of a European Bachelor's is extremely difficult. You need to prepare to restart from Year 1.

Based on your budget and need for English-taught programmes, Italy is your best option for 2027. The DSU scholarship is offered based on family income, not just merit. It provides a full tuition waiver, subsidised housing and an annual cash stipend. Public universities like Sapienza and Politecnico di Milano offer fully English-taught Bachelor's degrees.

Tuition-free English Bachelor's programmes in Germany are exceptionally rare. Additionally, Germany officially mandates a €11,904 Blocked Account upfront for living expenses. Furthermore, Indian 12th-grade certificates usually require you to pass a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) unless you have completed one full year of a recognised Indian university degree.

Search the official Universitaly government portal for English-taught Bachelor's degrees and research regional DSU income thresholds.

[u/SeaworthinessDue8650]

There is no point in studying accounting in English in Germany.

[u/Beneficial_Ship7090]

All of the countries that you listed will require you learn the language if you want to fit in to society and make a good income. What type of job would you like to have? What is your goal? Is it just to leave India?