Why Do Indian Students
Go Abroad to Study?

There has been an increasing trend of Indian students migrating abroad to pursue higher education. According to data released by the Ministry of External Affairs, over 13 lakh Indian students were studying overseas in 2023. Estimates from UNESCO and OECD suggest the number of Indian students abroad crossed 15 lakhs in 2024, making India one of the largest sources of international students globally.

India has some of the most prestigious higher education institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). So, what is driving this trend of Indian students leaving to study abroad? The answer to this question is not quite as straightforward as it may seem.

Better academic opportunities, global exposure, and enhanced career prospects are just a few of the reasons. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind Indian students preferring to study abroad, popular destinations and mistakes to avoid to successfully secure admission abroad.

Indian students are scattered across the globe, however, some destinations stand out more than others. Here are some o f the top destinatrions;

1. United States - United States - The USA is home to some of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions like Harvard, MIT and Stanford. The programs offered in these institutions are top-ranked. The working opportunity after finishing college is another reason that the USA attracts interest from Indian students.
2. Canada - Canada - A perfect North American destination with affordable education, an easy path to permanent residence and most importantly, a large Indian population across the country. Students finishing their education in Canada can stay back for up to 3 years with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
3. United Kingdom - United Kingdom - The globally recognised universities like Oxford and Cambridge play a vital role in drawing attention from Indian students. The UK is also preferred due to the short-duration master’s programs offered.
4. Australia - Australia - Top colleges, affordable tuition fees, high standard of living, research opportunities and part-time work opportunities make Australia a popular choice amongst Indian students. And one of the biggest perks is the ability to work for up to 6 years using the temporary graduate visa.
5. Germany - Very strong engineering programs, quality education, and a very low/free (public universities) cost of education are top reasons why Indian students prefer to study in Germany. The only real challenge to studying in Germany is the language barrier, as students require German proficiency.

Other popular destinations include Ireland, New Zealand, France, Singapore, China and so on.

Finding one specific answer to this question can seem challenging, as there are many factors at play. Nonetheless, here are some of the most important factors attracting Indian students abroad;

1. World-Class Education & Research Opportunities - Most of the global universities in which Indian students get enrolled are ranked higher in QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and Times Higher Education (THE) global university rankings. State-of-the-art labs for practical opportunities, industry collaborations, and research funding attract many STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) students.
2. Access to Better Career Prospects & Global Job Market - Students with foreign degrees have a higher chance of securing important jobs at multinational companies. Many countries also offer permanent residency pathways to graduates, opening the doors to global job markets for Indian students.
3. Exposure to Multicultural Environments - Studying abroad, along with students from 100+ countries, exposes students to various cultures, enhancing their global perspective. It proves crucial for students to pursue international careers as this environment enables them to develop cross-cultural communication skills, amongst other things.
4. Post-Study Work Opportunities - Many foreign degree provides students the opportunity to stay back and work after completing their studies. The USA offers Optional Practical Training (OPT), Canada has a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), the UK provides a Graduate visa, and almost all countries have something like this in place to help the students. International work opportunities help recover education costs and gain valuable work experience.
5. Strong Industry-Academia Collaboration - Top universities abroad have strong ties with tech giants and other notable names in various fields, providing students with an unmatched opportunity to launch their careers on a global scale right after finishing their education.
6. Research Prospects - Universities abroad provide students with excellent opportunities to pursue a career in research-oriented fields. The availability of world-class research facilities and a focus on practical aspects of learning appeals to the students.
7. Permanent Residency - As already mentioned, students are provided with many post-study work opportunities. Most of the time, these opportunities lead to paths that help the students stay back, continue pursuing their careers and eventually settle down abroad permanently.

Multiple scholarships & financial support, higher standards of living, developed infrastructure, opportunities for personal growth and escape from the competitive Indian education system are some other important reasons why Indian students are flocking overseas to continue with their higher education.

1. Choosing the Wrong Course or University - It is highly suggested to familiarise yourself with university rankings, and check alumni feedback and job placement rates before applying to a particular university. You can enlist help from study abroad professionals like Superb Study Abroad.
2. Underestimating Costs - Factor in the tuition fees along with the living expenses while calculating the costs of studying abroad. Although students have the opportunity to pursue part-time work options to help with the expenses.
3. Not Applying for Scholarships Early - Scholarships are very useful for indian students planning to study abroad, however, it is a tedious process to obtain scholarships as it involves various time-sensitive requirements. The solution to this problem is to start the applications as soon as possible to finish before the deadline.
4. Poor Language Preparation - Language proficiency is a compulsory requirement for studying in a lot of foreign universities. If you are not prepared with language test scores like IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache), you can face issues with visa applications and securing admission.
5. Overlooking Part-Time Work Regulations - Students are allowed to engage in part-time work opportunities while studying abroad. However, there are regulations and limitations that one needs to adhere to.

For Indian students, pursuing higher education abroad can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity offering excellent education, unmatched opportunities for career growth and overall personal development. However, to study abroad, one must conduct thorough research, plan finances and adapt to the challenges faced. Indian students abroad can maximise their overseas education experience by capitalising on global opportunities presented to them for a better future.