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Why Are Indian Students Opting for Overseas Education?

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  • 5 min
  • Published: 12 May 2025
  • Updated: 11 May 2025

The last few decades have witnessed a surge in the number of students choosing to study abroad from India. Their reasons are many - pursuit of academic excellence, advanced infrastructure and research facilities, globally top-ranked universities, and improved career prospects.

This blog aims to take a deep dive into more such compelling reasons for Indian students studying abroad. Read on to know more.   

Top 7 Reasons Why Indian Students Choose Overseas Education

Here we identify and understand deeply the possible reasons for Indian students choosing to study abroad:

1. World-class education and institutions

A majority of the universities abroad rank high globally on internationally-renowned ranking systems, such as QS World University Rankings. This explains the high quality of education imparted at these institutions.

2. Better career opportunities and salaries

Studying abroad unlocks a wide array of career prospects for graduates. Indian students, hence, prefer to pursue higher education overseas in the lure of rewarding job opportunities and lucrative salary packages.

3. Access to diverse courses and specialisations

The variety of disciplines to choose from abroad is also quite large. Students can opt for a diverse range of courses as per their personal and academic interests as well as career aspirations. Further specialisations are available within each of these course options for better job prospects.

4. Global exposure and cultural experience

One of the top advantages of pursuing higher learning abroad is that it opens up your mind to a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Such global exposure facilitates the personal and professional growth of the students. It also allows them to learn more about the different cultures in the world.

5. Post-study work and PR opportunities

Several students choose to study overseas as it provides the perfect platform to either work abroad after course completion or look for suitable Permanent Residency (PR) opportunities. Several countries allow students a post-study work permit or PR visa after graduation abroad.

6. Research and innovation infrastructure

International universities and colleges are fully equipped with advanced research and infrastructure facilities. This allows ample scope to experiment with innovative learning methodologies for improved learning for students.

7. Scholarships and financial aid

Indian students aspiring to study abroad can avail of a host of scholarship options and financial assistance from various governments and universities overseas. This further gives them the confidence to apply for higher education abroad.

Which Countries do Indian Students Prefer to Study Abroad?

If you, too, are considering studying abroad, here are the 6 best countries to study for Indian students considering higher learning abroad:

  • USA: A huge number of students prefer to go to the USA for higher education to access the top-class education at its universities. Moreover, several universities in the USA rank high on the QS World University Rankings 2025. The lucrative career prospects post graduation also allure students.

  • UK: The country offers short-term courses, such as one-year Master’s degrees, which are highly preferred by Indian students. These programs are both cost-effective and time-saving, allowing students to commence their career paths early. 

  • Canada: Canadian universities are recognised globally and the degrees they confer hold validity worldwide, which enables graduates to work in any part of the world. Additionally, Canada offers a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) to students to gain work experience after their studies.

  • Ireland: Studying in Ireland is relatively more affordable than the other countries. The tuition fees and other living costs are comparatively lower. Also, the country is home to several top tech firms such as Apple, Google, and Pfizer, offering multiple internship and job prospects to graduates.

  • Australia: The high quality of education at Australian universities lures students from far and wide. Besides this, the country allows international students to work part-time while studying and also apply for a post-study work visa. 

New Zealand: peaceful environment in the country is a huge advantage for students from overseas. Additionally, New Zealand universities focus on hands-on learning, which allows students to apply the skills learned practically.   

How IDP Can Help Indian Students to Achieve Their Study-Abroad Dream?

Ready to study abroad? Take professional guidance and support from IDP Education study-abroad consultants in India. One of the premier consultancies in the country for overseas education in India, IDP helps millions of students worldwide to achieve their abroad study dreams. 

Our consultants can help identify the best country to study abroad for Indian students from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. They would also assist you in choosing the top universities and courses in these countries, applying to the chosen universities, and drafting SOPs on your behalf. Once you receive a letter of enrollment from the applied university, IDP India consultants also help with study visa applications. 

FAQs for Why are Indian Students Opting for Overseas Education?

1. Why are Indian students choosing to study abroad?

Some of the top reasons students from India choose to travel overseas are:

  •  Improved career opportunities 

  • Academic excellence 

  • Global exposure to diverse cultural environments

2. Is studying abroad worth it?

Absolutely! Choosing to study overseas offers a perfect opportunity for both personal and professional growth, and a chance to explore new languages and cultures. While the investment may be financially higher, the potential benefits of studying abroad for Indian students outweigh the financial aspect.

3. How do global university rankings impact choice?

The global rankings of international universities allow students to compare different study institutions and make informed choices based on their reputation, quality of academics, and employment prospects.

4. Are scholarships drawing Indians to foreign study?

Yes, scholarships and financial aid options allure international students to consider studying abroad. This eases the financial burden off the students, making it easier for them to afford the tuition fee and other living costs in the foreign country.

5. Which consultant is best for studying abroad for Indian students?

With over 55 years of experience in the abroad education industry, IDP Education is one of the top study-abroad consultancies in India. Every year, IDP education consultants assist around 100,000 students to pursue higher education at 1,000+ universities globally.

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