A major shift is happening in the preferences of Indian students looking to study abroad. Despite a 15% drop in the overall number of Indian students studying abroad in 2024, destinations like Russia, France, Germany, and New Zealand are witnessing a surge in interest.
According to education ministry data, the number of Indian students studying abroad dropped from 892,989 in 2023 to 759,064 in 2024. This decline can be attributed to fluctuating student numbers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, collectively known as the ‘Big Four’ study abroad destinations.
However, some countries have bucked this trend, with Russia seeing a 34% increase in Indian students from 2023 to 2024. France witnessed a 14% growth during the same period, while Germany experienced a 49% rise. New Zealand also saw a major surge, with the number of Indian students climbing from 1,605 in 2022 to 7,297 in 2024.
Russia’s medical education programs are a major draw for Indian students. Approximately 5,000 Indian students choose to pursue medicine in Russia every year, attracted by the lack of entrance exams and affordable tuition fees. Russian universities offer partial scholarships, guaranteed accommodation, and low living costs, making them an attractive option for Indian students.
France, meanwhile, has set a target of attracting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. To achieve this goal, France has launched several initiatives, including immersive French language training programs and academic preparation for Indian students. Campus France tours in major cities across India are also attracting large numbers of prospective students.
Indian students are among the five nationalities eligible for a two-year post-study stay visa in France after completing their master’s degree. They are also the only nationality to benefit from the Alumni Visa, which allows them to travel to the Schengen zone for short-term tourism or business trips for up to five years.
Germany, which already has the largest international student cohort from India, is also witnessing continued growth. New Zealand, which saw a sharp surge in Indian students, has announced a NZ$260,000 scholarship package under the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025 to further support Indian students.
The rise in student numbers in emerging study destinations comes at a time when the ‘Big Four’ countries are experiencing either a decline or stagnation in overall applications from India. Policy changes, increased costs, and diplomatic issues have contributed to the current trend.
As the landscape of international education continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these emerging destinations continue to attract Indian students and what strategies they will employ to sustain this growth. With the ‘Big Four’ countries facing challenges in attracting Indian students, it remains to be seen how they will respond to this shift in the market.
One thing is clear, however: Indian students are increasingly looking beyond traditional study abroad destinations and exploring new options that offer affordable tuition fees, simplified admission processes, and attractive scholarship opportunities. As the demand for international education continues to grow, it will be fascinating to see how different countries respond to this trend and adapt their strategies to attract Indian students.
