More undergraduate students are going to study abroad

Over the last few years, the majority of Indian students going abroad for higher education have been for post-graduate level courses. They still comprise more than 70-75% of the overall number of Indian students going abroad. However, the number of undergraduate students is picking up at a fast pace. Study abroad consultants and experts are also agreeing on this. Due to a flourishing economy and easy availability of education loans and financial aid and liberal post-study work visa policies of countries like Canada, Australia, and UK a rising number of undergraduate students from India are going abroad for pursuing their higher studies.

As per a RedSeer report, an estimate of 1.8 million Indians will spend $85 billion on overseas education by 2024. World class universities and greater professional opportunities attract Indian students to study in abroad colleges. In just first three months of 2022, 1,33,135 Indian students have gone for foreign education. In 2020, a total of 2,59,655 students went for studying abroad. Whereas, in 2021, this number was 4,44,553, a significant increase of 41% in a period of one year.

As per officials of foreign schools and education consultants, UG students are showing a lot of interest in going to the UK for higher studies. UK offers a three-year UG degree whereas the majority of the other popular study-abroad destinations offer a 4-year UG degree. This is specially the case for students going to pursue engineering courses. 

"India has become the number one supplier of overseas students to the UK. There are 1,08,000 Indian students in the UK to support our education industry." Boris Johnson.

Reasons for studying abroad

Some of the top factors that drive Indians to study abroad are mentioned below.

• High quality education
• Attractive salary packages
• Study niche courses
• Gain international exposure

Top study destinations for Indian students

Some of the popular countries where Indian students preferred to pursue their higher education. As per the latest data shared by the MEA for 2022, more than 1.3 million Indians were studying abroad in 79 countries.

(Source: MEA)

With the opening of Australia's borders, UG students are showing a lot of interest in Australian universities as well which are also a traditional top study destination. Engineering students prefer Australia for its post-study work opportunities.

A practical approach to the curriculum, flexibility in the courses offered by foreign universities, and great work opportunities are some of the prime factors that drive Indian students to study abroad. The US, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, France, and Singapore are some of the top study destinations for Indian students who wish to move abroad for pursuing higher studies. Recently, UAE, Italy, and Belgium have also appeared as preferred study-abroad destinations for Indian students.

Studying abroad at a UG level offers various benefits for international students. International students look for various factors before deciding on the country or course they are going to. Like USA is popular among UG candidates as a lot of international students prefer to go there for its business or STEM (Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Engineering) courses.