INDIA
Indian students’ preferences for studying abroad have undergone a notable shift, with the European Union (EU) emerging as their top choice, while the appeal of Canada and the United Kingdom has waned significantly, as per a recent survey.
The latest edition of the annual Study Abroad Trends Report by an Indian edtech company focusing on higher education and upskilling reveals a stark contrast compared to the previous year’s report.
Drawing data from over 25,000 aspiring students in major Indian cities (42.8%) and tier 2, tier 3, or smaller cities (57.2%), the survey highlights a sharp decrease in Canada’s attractiveness, with only 9.3% of participants now considering it their ideal destination.
Conversely, there has been a notable surge in interest in EU countries, with 48.8% of students expressing a preference for the EU, surpassing the United States at 27.6% and the UK at 9.5%.
This shift is significant given that in the past, 75% to 80% of Indian students seeking education abroad opted for the ‘big four’ destinations—US, UK, Canada, and Australia and New Zealand, according to a consultancy firm based in Bengaluru.
The decline in the UK’s popularity by 11.34%, as indicated in the upGrad report, is attributed to changes in visa regulations, particularly visa rules that [ppp1]. Data from the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service shows a 4% drop in Indian student applications this year compared to the previous year.
Ankur Nyati, the president of the ‘study abroad’ segment at upGrad, commented on the visa and immigration policy changes, noting specific alterations in Canada and the UK, while highlighting the more immigration-friendly environment, affordable education, and attractive post-study work visas offered by EU countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and France.
Inclination towards Europe
The upGrad survey underscores the increasing preference of Indian students for Europe, which boasts 5,000 universities across 44 countries, driven by factors such as affordability, quality education, and promising employment and residency prospects.
Among EU nations, Germany stands out with a significant rise in demand, with 32.6% of participants selecting it as their desired destination, followed by Ireland (3.9%) and France (3.3%), while 9% of students opted for other EU countries for higher studies.
The survey emphasizes the importance of affordability, with 41.1% of participants hailing from middle-class backgrounds and a majority relying on education loans to finance their overseas studies. Germany, known for its low tuition fees for international students, has become an appealing choice.
Popular fields of study include management, computer science, IT, engineering, and medical science.
Canada’s Diminished Popularity
For four consecutive years between 2018 and 2022, Canada attracted the highest number of Indian students, surpassing the US, UK, and Australia, according to reports by University Living and [ppp2].
Although about 41% of the nearly 550,000 new study permits issued by Canada in 2022 were held by Indian students, the recent decline in Canada’s popularity can be attributed to rising living costs, accommodation challenges, and a competitive job market, exacerbated by the [ppp3].
The IRCC processed approximately 60,000 fewer study permits for Indian students from July to October 2023 compared to the same period last year.
Rajshekhar Tubachi, the founder of Maven Consulting Services, noted the growing interest among Indian students in countries like Germany, Ireland, and France due to Europe’s reputation for affordable, high-quality education and abundant post-graduation opportunities.
New Horizons
Students like Pushpak Banerjee and Vijay Sharma are exploring new options in Europe for their higher education, drawn by the availability of English-language programs, affordability, and diverse industrial prospects post-graduation.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of granting 30,000 student visas to Indians annually and the upcoming Classes Internationales scheme in France, offering language training and academic content from reputed French universities, further highlight the evolving landscape of study abroad choices for Indian students.