Highlights: Indian Students Drive 37% Surge in Overseas Education Interest in 2025
- Reports suggest that study-abroad enquiries from India rose by 37% in 2025, continuing a steady upward trend.
- A record 1.33 million Indians were studying abroad in 2024, compared to 1.31 million in 2023.
- The United States remains the top destination with 331,602 students, followed by the United Kingdom with 111,329.
- Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and South Korea are emerging as strong alternatives.
- Demand for future-focused courses in AI, Data Science, Bioengineering, and Climate Sciences has surged, with enrolments rising by up to 41%.
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Beyond the US and UK: Why Indian Students Are Turning to Europe and Asia
Indian students are no longer restricting their ambitions to just the US and UK. A growing number are exploring affordable, future-ready destinations that combine quality education with strong career opportunities.
Here’s how the study-abroad landscape is shifting in 2025:
- Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and South Korea are fast-emerging choices, offering lower tuition costs and more English-taught programs.
- Students are prioritizing return on investment, post-study work rights, and long-term career growth over prestige alone.
- Enrolments in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science have grown by 41% in 2024, while Bioengineering and Climate Sciences courses recorded a 32% rise.
- Hybrid programs blending technology with business, design, and sustainability are gaining popularity.
- Canada’s appeal has slowed due to visa caps and housing shortages, while standardized testing (SAT, ACT, AP) is back in focus, with test-prep demand tripling since pre-pandemic times.
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From Affordability to Employability: What’s Influencing Indian Students’ Study Abroad Decisions
Indian students are carefully weighing not just prestige, but the overall value of studying abroad. The choice of destination now reflects a balance between affordability, opportunities, and long-term career prospects.
Here are the key reasons driving this shift:
- Affordable tuition and living costs in countries like Germany, France, and Italy make higher education accessible to a wider group of students.
- English-taught programs are increasing across Europe and Asia, removing language barriers for Indian applicants.
- Stronger post-study work rights in countries such as Australia and South Korea allow students to gain valuable international experience.
- High-growth career fields like AI, Data Science, Bioengineering, and Climate Sciences are being prioritized in university programs worldwide.
- Global employability and return on investment have become top priorities, with students and families focusing on long-term career outcomes rather than prestige alone.
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