US, UK, Canada universities losing appeal? How Indian students' approach is changing — 'brand value' vs ROI
As studies and government data suggest a decline in Indian student enrolments at universities of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), attention
As studies and government data suggest a decline in Indian student enrolments at universities of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), attention is turning to a broader question: Are traditional and popular study-abroad destinations such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia losing their appeal among Indian students? Are their priorities changing? Leading experts said the US, UK, Canada, and Australia continue to remain highly "relevant and aspirational", given their established academic ecosystems, global recognition, and strong career pathways. Also Read | How Indian student made ₹80,000 a month from overseas clients IDP Education, a leader in global education services, said that despite concerns about visa availability in the US and Post-Study Work (PSW) visa in the UK, students are not deterred. "Instead, we have observed that students are more prepared now and apply early," an IDP spokesperson told Mint. Brand vs ROI Karan Lalit, Executive Director – South Asia, TOEFL & GRE, ETS (Educational Testing Service), believed that Indian students’ approach to choosing universities abroad is steadily shifting from "brand-led aspiration to a more informed, outcome-driven decision-making process." Experts said students today are taking a more informed approach, evaluating factors such as return on investment (ROI), employability, affordability, and long-term career outcomes before making their decision.
Also Read | Andhra Pradesh student dies in US amid financial stress, job search struggles "...students are increasingly being viewed through a more comparative and selective lens rather than as automatic choices, with students evaluating multiple options before finalising their destination," said ETS' Karan Lalit. Meanwhile, the IDP spokesperson said, "In addition, we are witnessing students and families making decisions that are more strategic in nature. Students have become more inclined to enrol in subjects that are relevant to future workplace requirements in areas like STEM, artificial intelligence, healthcare, business analytics, and sustainability." Indian students 'diversifying' their preferences. Here's why While the US, UK, Australia and Canada remain popular, students are diversifying their preferences for higher studies, weighing factors such as return on investment, total cost of education, post-study work opportunities, visa stability, and long-term career outcomes. "Decision-making has become more pragmatic...this has led to greater diversification in preferences, with growing interest in destinations such as Germany, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, UAE, and other parts of Europe," ETS' Lalit said. Meanwhile, the IDP spokesperson explained that Indian students are showing interest in emerging destinations such as Ireland, New Zealand, Germany, and France due to a plethora of factors.
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