The global higher education landscape is undergoing significant changes as Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia for their academic pursuits. According to a recent report, a leading platform in international student mobility has revealed that Indian students are opting for emerging education hubs in Europe and Asia.
Stabilisation of Outbound Numbers
While outbound numbers have been stabilising, choices are diversifying based on affordability, policy shifts, and career prospects. The report highlights that nearly 760,000 Indian nationals will leave the country to pursue education overseas in 2024. Although this is slightly lower than the 2023 figure, it is notably higher than in 2022, indicating a stabilisation trend despite global headwinds.
Factors Influencing Choice of Destination
The factors influencing this pattern include visa policy shifts, affordability, and an evolving appetite for alternative destinations. Meti Basiri, Co-founder and CEO of ApplyBoard, has shared that Indian students are diversifying their global education choices, looking beyond the US, UK, Canada, and Australia toward emerging destinations in Europe and Asia.
Emerging Destinations Gain Popularity
Indian students are turning their attention to new geographies. Germany, for example, has nearly doubled its number of Indian student declarations since 2019, reaching approximately 35,000 in 2024. The country’s tuition-free education model, strong research ecosystem, and English-language programs make it a top contender.
Uzbekistan and Russia Experience Significant Growth
Similarly, Uzbekistan has seen a dramatic rise from just 300 Indian students in 2019 to nearly 10,000 in 2024 largely driven by affordable English-medium medical degrees. Russia has also experienced a near doubling of Indian student numbers, now at 31,400.
The Big Four Destinations Still Strong but Face Challenges
The United States continues to be the top destination for Indian students, with over 332,000 visa holders in 2023–24. More than three-quarters of these students are enrolled in STEM programmes or participating in STEM-related OPT (Optional Practical Training). However, recent pauses in initiatives like the Fulbright programme and ongoing uncertainty around long-term work visas may raise concerns.
Canada and UK Experience Declines
Canada saw an 8% dip in Indian study permit holders in 2024, bringing the total to 393,000. This decline is attributed to tighter immigration controls and new permit caps. Although Indian students still enjoy higher-than-average approval rates, fewer new permits issued signal a possible cooling of demand.
Affordability and Policy Shape Student Choices
The modest dip in outbound numbers is less a retreat and more a recalibration. Influencing factors include policy uncertainty in major Anglophone destinations and the stronger US dollar, which makes education abroad more expensive for Indian families. Still, Indian students continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability.
Forward-Looking Outlook
The ApplyBoard report projects that Indian student mobility will stabilise and diversify even further in the coming years. Early signals, such as declining online search volumes for US, UK, and Canadian programmes, suggest a shift in planning behaviour. Students today are more informed, cautious, and flexible in their choices than ever before.
With over 244 million Indians now in their 20s and global education providers competing for international talent, India’s young population will remain a driving force in international student mobility for years to come.
Summary
Indian students are diversifying their global education choices, looking beyond traditional destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia toward emerging education hubs in Europe and Asia. Factors influencing this trend include visa policy shifts, affordability, and an evolving appetite for alternative destinations. Emerging destinations such as Germany, Uzbekistan, and Russia are gaining popularity due to factors like tuition-free education models and affordable English-medium medical degrees.
Source: India Today
