Highlights:
- Indian students now account for 14 per cent of all foreign tertiary-level students in OECD countries.
- Enrolments in traditional hubs like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia declined sharply in 2024 due to stricter visa and work rules.
- Germany, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands are rising as major new study destinations offering affordability and work opportunities.
- Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand are gaining traction through work-integrated education and flexible post-study policies.
- Indian students are prioritising value, long-term career prospects, and clear migration pathways over legacy English-speaking preferences.
Indian students have long formed one of the largest international student communities across key destination countries. However, new data from the OECD International Migration Outlook 2025 reveals that their mobility trends are undergoing a significant shift. While India remains the second-largest source of international students in OECD nations, accounting for approximately 14 per cenr of all tertiary-level foreign enrollments in 2023, the geography of where these students choose to study is changing rapidly.
For many years, countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia dominated as the preferred education hubs due to their English-speaking environments, broad course offerings, and perceived pathways to employment or residency. But recent immigration policy changes in these nations have led to tightened visa requirements, stricter proof-of-funds rules, increased language benchmarks, and restricted post-study work opportunities. As a result, there has been a noticeable decline in new enrolments from India in 2024 across these traditional destinations.
For instance, the United States and Canada have recorded a 39 per cent drop in Indian student arrivals, reflecting higher financial thresholds and national caps on student permits. Similarly, the United Kingdom saw a 26 per cent decline, largely driven by restrictions on dependents and changes to its Graduate Route visa, while Australia’s 22 per cent fall is linked to tougher English proficiency and funding criteria. These measures are part of broader government efforts to regulate migration, ensure labour market stability, and reduce temporary residence flows.
In response, Indian students are increasingly shifting their focus to alternative destinations in continental Europe. Countries such as Germany, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands have emerged as attractive options due to lower tuition costs, clearer employment pathways, and an expanding range of English-taught programs.
Germany has become a particular favourite among students pursuing engineering, management, and applied sciences, backed by strong industry demand and generous post-study work flexibility. Similarly, Ireland and the Netherlands present themselves as English-language alternatives within Europe, while France’s “Choose France” initiative has simplified visa processes and boosted scholarship support.
Beyond Europe, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand are also drawing interest by offering work-integrated learning and more predictable immigration pathways. Japan’s one-year job-search visa and New Zealand’s reinstated three-year work rights for graduates in key sectors highlight a trend toward policies designed to retain skilled international talent.
This shift reflects a broader change in mindset. Indian students today are more strategic and value-oriented, prioritising affordability, safety, professional growth, and visa clarity over traditional brand appeal. What was once a movement centred on a few dominant destinations has evolved into a diversified global education footprint.
