Why Indian Students Are Quietly Dropping the UK and US for Study Abroad
Nidhi | Dec 31, 2025, 12:24 IST
Study Abroad
Image credit : Ai
Indian students are quietly rethinking their study-abroad choices as the UK and US lose their status as automatic first options. Rising costs, visa uncertainty, post-study work restrictions, and changing immigration policies have altered the risk-reward balance for families. While enrolments remain high, growth in new Indian student arrivals to the US and UK slowed sharply in 2024–25. At the same time, destinations like Ireland and parts of Europe are seeing strong growth. This shift reflects a broader change in how Indian students evaluate education, careers, and long-term stability abroad.
For more than two decades, the United States and the United Kingdom dominated the aspirations of Indian students seeking international education. From Ivy League campuses and Russell Group universities to lucrative post-study careers, the Anglo-American route symbolised academic prestige and upward mobility.
That equation is now changing quietly but decisively.
While the US and UK continue to host the largest number of Indian students globally, recent data from 2024 and early 2025 indicates a clear shift in new enrolment momentum. Indian students are increasingly diversifying their choices, moving toward destinations that offer greater predictability, affordability, and post-study certainty. According to the latest Open Doors Report (2024–25), the United States hosted approximately 337,600 Indian students, making India the largest source country for international students in the US. However, while the overall stock remains high, the rate of growth in new Indian enrolments slowed sharply in 2024, compared to the post-pandemic surge seen in 2022 and 2023.
Parallel trends are visible in the UK. Data released by the UK Home Office shows that the total number of Indian students enrolled in the UK stood at around 185,000 in 2024, keeping India among the top two source countries. But crucially, new student visa issuances to Indians fell by nearly 23–25% year-on-year in 2024, following tighter visa norms introduced in 2023, especially restrictions on dependants and post-study work transitions.
In short, while Indian students already present in the US and UK remain numerous, fewer new students are choosing these destinations than before.
In the UK, changes to the Graduate Route and the ban on dependants for most postgraduate students altered the cost-benefit equation for Indian families. For many, the UK no longer offers the same clarity on long-term employment prospects that it did just a few years ago.
In the US, extended visa processing times, unpredictable interview wait periods, and concerns around work authorisation under the H-1B system have increased perceived risk. According to OECD-linked migration analysis, new Indian student arrivals to the US declined by nearly 35–40% in certain 2024 intake cycles, even as total international student numbers remained stable.
For middle-class Indian families funding education through loans or savings, uncertainty is no longer acceptable. Tuition fees and living expenses in both the US and UK have risen sharply.
A typical postgraduate degree in the US now costs between $45,000 and $70,000 per year, excluding healthcare and living costs. In the UK, annual expenses often exceed £35,000–£40,000 in major cities.
At the same time, entry-level job markets have tightened globally, especially in technology and consulting. Students are increasingly questioning whether high-cost degrees still guarantee proportionate career outcomes.
This has led to a fundamental mindset shift: Indian students are prioritising return on investment and employment certainty over brand prestige.
Ireland offers a clear example. As per data from the Irish Higher Education Authority and ApplyBoard’s 2025 analysis, international enrolments in Ireland rose by about 10% in 2024–25, while Indian student numbers surged nearly 30% year-on-year, making India the country’s largest international student source.
Other European countries, along with parts of Asia and the Middle East, are also seeing increased interest due to:
Importantly, this is not a rejection of the US or UK as academic destinations. Both countries continue to host world-leading institutions and attract top global talent.
What has changed is decision logic.
Indian students in 2025 are more data-driven, financially aware, and risk-conscious than ever before. They are evaluating:
That equation is now changing quietly but decisively.
While the US and UK continue to host the largest number of Indian students globally, recent data from 2024 and early 2025 indicates a clear shift in new enrolment momentum. Indian students are increasingly diversifying their choices, moving toward destinations that offer greater predictability, affordability, and post-study certainty.
The Numbers Still Look Big, But the Growth Has Slowed
Parallel trends are visible in the UK. Data released by the UK Home Office shows that the total number of Indian students enrolled in the UK stood at around 185,000 in 2024, keeping India among the top two source countries. But crucially, new student visa issuances to Indians fell by nearly 23–25% year-on-year in 2024, following tighter visa norms introduced in 2023, especially restrictions on dependants and post-study work transitions.
In short, while Indian students already present in the US and UK remain numerous, fewer new students are choosing these destinations than before.
Policy Tightening Has Changed Risk Calculations
Over 18 lakh Indians studying abroad, violations of visa norms among key reasons for deportations: G
Image credit : IANS
In the UK, changes to the Graduate Route and the ban on dependants for most postgraduate students altered the cost-benefit equation for Indian families. For many, the UK no longer offers the same clarity on long-term employment prospects that it did just a few years ago.
In the US, extended visa processing times, unpredictable interview wait periods, and concerns around work authorisation under the H-1B system have increased perceived risk. According to OECD-linked migration analysis, new Indian student arrivals to the US declined by nearly 35–40% in certain 2024 intake cycles, even as total international student numbers remained stable.
For middle-class Indian families funding education through loans or savings, uncertainty is no longer acceptable.
Cost and Return on Investment Are Under Scrutiny
A typical postgraduate degree in the US now costs between $45,000 and $70,000 per year, excluding healthcare and living costs. In the UK, annual expenses often exceed £35,000–£40,000 in major cities.
At the same time, entry-level job markets have tightened globally, especially in technology and consulting. Students are increasingly questioning whether high-cost degrees still guarantee proportionate career outcomes.
This has led to a fundamental mindset shift: Indian students are prioritising return on investment and employment certainty over brand prestige.
Why New Destinations Are Gaining Ground
Global Degrees Crosses 15,000+ Study-Abroad Successes, Strengthens Global Reach With 250+ University
Image credit : ANI
Ireland offers a clear example. As per data from the Irish Higher Education Authority and ApplyBoard’s 2025 analysis, international enrolments in Ireland rose by about 10% in 2024–25, while Indian student numbers surged nearly 30% year-on-year, making India the country’s largest international student source.
Other European countries, along with parts of Asia and the Middle East, are also seeing increased interest due to:
- Lower tuition fees
- Clearer post-study work rights
- Faster visa processing
- Stable immigration policies
- Strong alignment with global job markets
The Shift Is Strategic, Not Emotional
What has changed is decision logic.
Indian students in 2025 are more data-driven, financially aware, and risk-conscious than ever before. They are evaluating:
- Policy stability over reputation
- Career pathways over campus legacy
- Value over visibility