Indian students are now among the largest groups studying abroad. As per data from the Ministry of External Affairs, over 1.8 million Indians are studying overseas in 2025, which is a big jump from 1.3 million just two years ago.
When we look at recent year-wise numbers, around 7.6 lakh Indians went abroad to study in 2024. This is just a little lower than 2023, when nearly 8.95 lakh students left India for higher education.
This steady rise shows that more young Indians want global exposure, better career opportunities and new experiences outside the country.
It also raises some important questions: What is causing this shift? Which countries are students choosing now, and which ones are becoming less popular?
Let’s look closer to understand this trend better.
Indian Students Studying Abroad – Top Destinations
Indian students apply to universities in half the total number of countries in the world. Even countries in Africa appeal to a certain section of Indian students. That said, there are some countries that are more attractive to the average student population.
In 2025, the number of Indian students studying abroad has grown by over 35% in just two years, highlighting a significant upward trend in international education and the growing global presence of Indian students.
Top Destinations For Indian Students
The latest findings show that the most popular destinations for Indian students today are:
| Country | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| USA | 331,600 |
| Canada | 137,600 |
| UK | 98,900 |
| Australia | 122,200 |
| Germany | 42,997 |
Source: timesofindia
Indian Students Going Abroad Each Year
| Year | Indian students |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 259,655 |
| 2021 | 444,559 |
| 2022 | 750,365 |
| 2023 | 892,989 |
| 2024 | 759,064 |
Source: External Affairs Ministry
Traditional destinations like the USA, Canada and the UK still attract most Indian students, but countries such as Australia and Germany are also becoming popular alternatives. This shows changing preferences and increased global mobility.
Indian Students Studying Abroad – What Do They Study?
The way Indian students choose to study abroad has changed a lot in recent years. Earlier, most students went overseas mainly for postgraduate courses. Now, both undergraduate and postgraduate programs are popular. Here are some facts:
- Many Indian students now choose specialised and job-focused courses, especially in STEM, business and technology.
- Undergraduate enrolments are rising in countries like the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
- Students prefer programs that offer better career opportunities.
- More students are choosing practical courses that are linked to jobs instead of general degrees.
- Factors like visa policies, job markets and global demand for skilled workers influence where and what they study.
Why Do Indian Students Go Abroad?
The following are some top reasons why Indian students go abroad:
- Experience global cultures and learning environments: Studying abroad helps students meet people from different countries and gain new perspectives.
- Study at top-ranked universities with modern facilities: Students get to learn with modern facilities, new technology and good research options.
- Better career opportunities: An international degree helps students get good jobs and earn more, both in India and abroad.
- Work and stay options: Many students can stay and work after finishing their studies, helping them gain international experience.
- Career-focused courses with practical training: These programs offer internships and hands-on training that build useful skills employers look for.
What Stage of Education Do Children Move Abroad For?
Indian families are usually close-knit, and many parents prefer that their children stay with them until they feel mature and independent. Therefore, it is still uncommon for Indian students to move abroad while they are in school. Most students choose to go abroad either after finishing Class 12 or after completing their graduation.
Reports show that:
- More Indian students are now going abroad for undergraduate (bachelor’s) studies than before.
- Many students still go abroad for postgraduate (master’s) programs, especially in specialised or career-focused fields.
- Family often guides decisions about undergraduate studies, while the students themselves usually make postgraduate choices.
Most Indians Choose Anglophile Countries
Many Indian students who go abroad still choose English-speaking countries. Here are some key points:
- Since English isn’t the first language for many Indians, passing an English proficiency test is often a required step before studying abroad.
- The two most common tests for this are IELTS and TOEFL iBT.
- Worldwide, IELTS continues to lead as the most popular English proficiency test, with more than 4 million candidates in 2023.
- TOEFL iBT is also very popular, and by 2025, more than 13,000 colleges and universities in over 160 countries will accept it.
- Over the years, millions of people around the world have taken the TOEFL test.
- In India, the number of students taking the TOEFL test grew a lot after the pandemic. In 2022, it rose by about 59% compared to 2021.
Conclusion
The process of studying abroad for Indian students is becoming more digital. Students from both big and small cities now rely on the internet to find information about universities, admissions and placements. The pandemic made this shift even faster.
Also Read
- Why Indian Students Favor Australia For Higher Education
- Top 5 Countries for Indian Students to Pursue MBA
- Study Abroad – The Most Expensive And Cheap Countries For Indian Students
- New Zealand Emerges As a Top Destination for Indian Students Know Why Germany Has Emerged as a Top Destination for Indian Students
- Indian Citizenship Renunciation —Statistics, Trends, And Top Destinations
- Indian Students In Russia – Why More Indian Students Are Heading To Russia