In the past few years, more and more Indian students have been choosing to study in other countries. This increase is due to changes in the world, the desire for better education, and the search for good job opportunities. Some countries have become especially popular for these reasons. In this blog, we’ll look at the top places where Indian students are planning to study in 2024, review trends from the last three years, and explain why these countries are the top choices.

Increase in number of Students Going Abroad in the Past 3 Years

There is still interest in education, quality courses and international experience as such factors as the COVID-19 pandemic influence globalisation around the world. The increase in number of Indian students studying abroad is as follows: 

Rising Numbers: Over the past three years, the number of Indian students choosing to study abroad has steadily increased. In 2021, approximately 440,000 students left India for higher education, which rose to 520,000 in 2022. By 2023, this number further surged, with nearly 600,000 Indian students pursuing their dreams overseas. This growth reflects a strong desire among Indian students to access global educational opportunities.

Special Focus on 2024: As we move into 2024, the trend is expected to continue, with even more students exploring international education options. The focus on gaining global exposure, access to better job opportunities, and advanced academic programs is driving this surge.

This growing tendency shows that the enrollment of the students in the foreign universities continues to be a preferred and desired option because of the quality education, better job prospects and enhance personal development

Top Destinations for Indian Students in 2024

1.United States 2.Canada 3.United Kingdom 4. Australia 5. Germany 

Why These Countries?

These countries have always been preferred by Indian students because of their quality education, immigrating policies, open opportunities for work visas, and growing employment scope. These factors include cultural diversity, quality of life, the presence of developed Indian communities and much more, which makes these places attractive.

Why Other Countries Might Not Be Ideal

Some countries present challenges for Indian students due to restrictive visa policies, which make it difficult for them to stay and work after graduation. Additionally, limited job markets in these regions may not provide the same level of career opportunities, especially in specialized fields like STEM. Furthermore, higher costs associated with education and living expenses can be significantly burdensome, rendering these options less appealing compared to the more affordable and opportunity-rich destinations such as the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Germany.

1. United States

Academic Excellence: The United States remains the top choice due to its world-class universities, particularly in STEM fields. The availability of Day 1 CPT, OPT, and H-1B visa opportunities makes it attractive for students looking to gain practical experience and build a career.

Visa Services and OPT: F-1 visa with OPT allows the students to work in the U. S. for three years after completion of their course especially for those who have completed their course in any technical field.The U.S. offers a structured visa process that supports students during and after their studies, allowing them to stay and work in the country.

Career Growth: There are plenty of job openings for the Indian candidates in USA across IT, finance, health care sectors and many more.

2. Canada

Affordable Education: Canada is well recognized for providing education at a comparatively reasonable and affordable price as compared to other western countries.

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Post-Graduation Work Permit in Canada entitles the students to work in the country for 39 months after completing their education, which also helps in getting a permanent resident status.

Multicultural Environment: Canada has a rather liberal and multicultural population which makes it easier for the Indians to settle down.

Welcoming Immigration Policies: Canada is known for its student-friendly immigration policies, making it easier for Indian students to stay and work after graduation. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows students to gain Canadian work experience, which is a pathway to permanent residency.

Quality of Life: Canada also offers a high quality of life, multicultural society, and affordable education options, which are significant draws for Indian students.

3. United Kingdom

World-Class Institutions: The United Kingdom has some of the most famous universities in the world and the programs offered in these universities are recognised all over the world.

Graduate Route Visa: The Graduate Route of the United Kingdom enables the students to stay and work within the United Kingdom at a maximum of two years after they have finished their studies and they can easily change to skilled work visas.

Shorter Program Duration: Most of the UK master programs can be done in one year; this is advantageous since you can have a direct entry to the job market.

Prestigious Universities: The UK is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Indian students are attracted to its rich academic heritage and the shorter duration of graduate programs, which reduces overall costs.

Post-Study Work Visa: The UK's Graduate Route visa allows students to stay and work for up to two years after completing their studies, providing valuable work experience in a global hub.

4. Australia

Quality of Life: It is very important to note that the quality of life in Australia is very high hence being attractive to students.

Post-Study Work Rights: The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) enables students to work and reside in Australia for 2-4 years after completion of their course based on the type of course they have done.

Strong Indian Community: India is a hub of students who are looking for better colleges to study, and Australia having a large number of Indian communities is friendly for Indian students.

High-Quality Education: Australia offers top-notch education, especially in fields like engineering, IT, and healthcare. The country’s focus on research and development is another key attraction.

Work Opportunities: The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows students to work in Australia after graduation, providing a pathway to permanent residency.

5. Germany

Tuition-Free Education: Currently many public universities in Germany provide free tuition hence the cost of studying in Germany is considerably cheap for Indian students.

Strong Engineering Programs: Germany is highly favoured by students especially in engineering and technical fields due to their examination based education system.

Job Opportunities: Germany has a highly developed industry and gradually increases the demand for qualified staff in the field of engineering and technology.

Tuition-Free Education: Germany is increasingly popular due to its low or no tuition fees at public universities, especially for STEM courses. The country’s strong engineering and automotive industries attract many Indian students.

Job Market: Germany's robust economy and demand for skilled professionals in engineering, IT, and manufacturing sectors make it a favorable destination for Indian graduates.

 

Indian Students’ Special Study Abroad Guide for 2024

In 2024, several new trends are emerging in the study abroad landscape for Indian students:

Increased Focus on STEM and Healthcare: That is why programs in technology and healthcare in particular are expected to have more enrollment as we see the global shift toward the promotion of the use of technology and health care.

Hybrid Learning Models: Hybrid classes and online sessions; which seem to have become the new normal, are offering students diversity in how they can attend classes.

Sustainability and Green Careers: Courses in sustainability, environmental science, and green technology are emerging popular with people all over the world as they are conscious of climatic change.

Conclusion

These are the places that are most preferred among Indians for studying abroad by the end of 2024 include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Germany. These countries provide a combination of good education, well paying jobs, and standard living conditions that match the dreams of the Indian students. Since the trend of studying abroad is in demand and going strong, these countries are expected to stay as preferred study locations for Indian students who wish to create a better  future for themselves in the international market.Sirian overseas guides you to make your dream of studying abroad into reality. Contact us today for more details and information for spring 2024 abroad studies.