Indian Students are Showing Less Interest in the “Big Four” in 2025 and Exploring Alternate Options

A few years ago, Indian students were swarming to the "Big Four" of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, as well as other alluring study abroad destinations. Together, those four host nations offered a range of study options, post-study employment rights, and the opportunity to immigrate, welcoming over 70% of all Indian students studying abroad. Now, with the constant policy changes across these 4 countries, getting a visa is tougher than earlier; restrictions on post-study work rights, regulations regarding bringing dependents, and ensuring that policies will remain stable, all these factors have turned the tide. Now Indian students started considering other destinations, and not just looking at these 4 as the be all, end-all scenario.

Nevertheless, Indian enrollments have been vital for all universities and school in the ‘big4’, with India frequently ranking as the first or second-largest market for most of these countries. However, a considerable softening, if not a decline, in the number of Indian students is currently affecting many of those educators. For instance, according to data from the Indian government, the number of Indian students pursuing degrees who traveled overseas for study fell by nearly 15% in2024 compared to 2023, and below are the interesting statistics.

●    Canada saw a decline of 41%, from 233,500 in 2023 to 137,600 in 2024.

●    UK had decline of 28%, from 136,900 in 2023 to 98,900 in 2024

●    US also witnessed decline of 13% from 234,500 in 2023 to 204,000 in 2024

●    Australia is also there in this list with decline of 12% from 78,100 in 2023 to 68,600 in2024

According to Indian government data, the total number of Indian students studying overseas decreased from 893,000 in 2023 to 759,000 in 2024.

The number of Indian students will almost certainly drop for major study designations this year, according to a recent British Council report. Although the Indian market's fundamentals, such as the enormous demand for higher education, are still very strong, the market correction following a spike in enrollment from the country in 2022 and 2023 is partly responsible for the wide-ranging slowdown in outbound movement from India. Demand from less qualified Indian students is also being lowered by tightening visa requirements in major host destination countries.

Meanwhile Indian students are more than happy looking for and going to quality alternatives. In accordance with Indian government data, the number of Indian students are increasing in places like these, which contrasts with trends in the Big Four.

Germany :+68% ( up from 20,700 to 34,700 ) between 2022 and 2024

Russia : +59%( up from 19,800 to 31,400 ) between 2022 and 2024

France : +33%( up from 6,400 to 8,500 ) between 2022 and 2024

New Zealand :+354% ( up from 1,600 to 7,300 ) between 2022 and 2024

Ireland :+49% ( up from 4,700 to 7,000 ) between 2022–2023 and 2023–2024

According to data from the Indian government, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh are also very popular; in 2024, they welcomed 10,000 and 8,900 Indian students, respectively.

By 2030,France wants to welcome 30,000 Indian students. As a result, it is hiring more people in India. Indian students can choose from almost 2,000 English-language programs in the nation or enroll in a brand-new French-language foundation program to prepare for French bachelor's or graduate programs. Opportunities for post-study work are also appealing: Only five nationalities are eligible for a two-year post-study visa, including Indians who earn master's degrees in France.

In contrast, Russia has long enjoyed popularity in India due to its aviation, engineering, and medical programs. Its admission requirements are significantly lower than those of the Big Four, and it is also far more affordable.  There is a 24% increase in Indian student numbers in 2024 in New Zealand as well.

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