As Canada, UK & Australia Tighten Visa Rules, Japan, Germany & Ireland To Emerge As Premier Study Abroad Destinations

While the big four countries — Canada, the UK, the US, and Australia — remain the top choices of international students including Indians, aspirants are now diversifying their study abroad options for several reasons. There has been a noticeable decrease in enrolment among Indian students in these countries due to stricter visa regulations.

But why have these countries imposed visa restrictions on international students? The UK is still reeling under post-Brexit challenges including economic issues and negative perception of migrants. The increase in tuition fees, influenced by university policies and government funding also plays a significant role in a possible decline in UK’s popularity. Rising living costs and restrictive visa policies have also made the country less attractive.

As reported earlier, the percentage of CAS issuance for Indian candidates decreased by 32.55 per cent. Additionally, the number of Indian applicants to the UCAS has also reduced from 12,920 in 2023 to 12,750 in 2024.

Canada has traditionally been an immigrant-friendly company. Dataset by NFAP, which is an analysis of international students’ data, showed that between 2016 and 2019, the number of Indian students in Canada rose by 182 per cent. However, the recent sore diplomatic relations have created a hurdle for Indian students.

Other factors that add to the woes are lack of accommodation and job opportunities, and increasing hostility towards Indian students. “Canada faces a crisis on almost every front – especially related to housing and jobs. Plus, there’s growing hostility against international students. The student visas granted this year, as a result, have come down significantly,’’ said Bhargav Modi, business director, of EduGo Abroad. A similar decline has been predicted by other reports too. According to ed-tech company ApplyBoard, by the end of 2024, just over 2.31 lakh new study permits will be granted, a sharp decrease from the 4.36 lakh issued in 2023.

While the UK, Australia and Canada are predicting a decrease in Indian students, the US, despite shifts in the cost of living and employment opportunities, continues to be a robust destination for Indian students, with over 2.50 lakh currently enrolled at US universities, said Manisha Zaveri, joint managing director of Career Mosaic consultancy. According to the IIE Open Door Report, in 2022 and 23, the total number of international students increased by 12 per cent (1,057,188 students).

Saurabh Arora, founder, and CEO of University Living views the condition as a ripe time for Indians to broaden their study abroad horizon. “Emerging study destinations and alternative pathways are becoming increasingly accessible, offering fresh opportunities that may have been overlooked before,” said Arora.

Is it blessing in guise for international students and countries?

This movement of international students from the traditional-favourites countries to lesser-known destinations is bound to also help the economic condition of the smaller countries.

“We believe that Scandinavian countries, given the emphasis on the high quality of life and adherence to values such as equality amongst others, will attract a lot of Indians,” said Bhargav Modi, adding that countries such as France, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, and Lithuania, along with Ireland, may also see a steep rise in Indian students’ arrival.

Meanwhile, Saurabh Arora claims that European countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and Malta can emerge as some of the beneficiaries.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs data, these countries in the below table are witnessing a spike in Indian students.

What is interesting to note is that despite a recent hike in tuition fees, Finland continues to attract Indian students. “Its clean, safe environment, robust job market, and high-quality education make it a preferred destination. Finnish universities offer scholarships that often cover first-year tuition and provide relocation grants, making it an appealing option for international students,” said Zaveri.

It is also pertinent to note that the country also offers flexible post-study work opportunities, allowing students to gain valuable work experience during and after their studies. Some of the best universities for international students in the country are the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, the University of Turku, and the University of Jyväskylä.

Similarly, Ireland experienced a 20 per cent increase in student enrollment in 2021-22, supported by its “welcoming culture, robust economy”, and cost-effective education system. Institutions such as the National College of Ireland maintain an employability rate of 96 per cent, with graduates commanding an average starting salary of approximately 34,000 euros (approx Rs 31.8 lakh). The country also provides a two-year stay-back option for graduates, which has been a key draw for Indian students seeking career opportunities in Europe.

Between 2021 and 2023, Germany experienced nearly a 13 per cent increase in international student intake, while Spain saw an impressive rise of over 28 per cent. Germany offers an 18-month post-study work visa, allowing students to gain valuable experience after completing their degrees.

Experts also credit Italy and Spain for arts, design, and business education programmes, making them suitable for non-STEM students.

It has also been observed that several countries are now bringing in government initiatives and employability opportunities to attract more international students.

In countries such as Japan and South Korea, government initiatives like job fairs and targeted internships for international students are helping bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring students can smoothly transition into the workforce, Arora added.

Mayank Sharma, senior vice president, ed-tech company PhysicsWallah, said Japan provides affordable tuition and career opportunities where students can work part-time.

“Japan’s institutes like Tohoku University, University of Tokyo and Osaka University are highly ranked. In fact, some of the universities also offer the same tuition fees for international students as they do for locals, along with scholarships like Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Japan Student Service Organization (JASSO),” said Sharma.

He also added that with the country’s ageing population, there are growing job opportunities for skilled graduates, especially in the tech and manufacturing sectors.

Observing a trend among Indian students while shortlisting universities, Zaveri said to maximize their chances of securing admission, students apply to multiple countries. She called this approach ‘hedging bets’. “This strategy also helps mitigate the risks posed by more unpredictable visa policies in traditional destinations such as the UK, the US, and Australia,” Zaveri said.

Prospectus for non-STEM courses

Experts are also flagging an undercurrent of opportunities in the present ecosystem in non-STEM courses. As industries diversify and the global economy demands more specialised skills, graduates in creative arts, international relations, media studies, and psychology are finding lucrative opportunities both abroad and at home.

“While STEM courses continue to attract significant attention, the importance of non-STEM degrees is growing. Students pursuing these fields are making strategic investments in their education to gain specialised knowledge and skills that are highly valued, internationally and in India,” said Manisha Zaveri.

Subjects like Psychology, Law, Sport Sciences, Architecture, Building, and Planning, Performing Arts, and Social Sciences are among the non-STEM courses that are favoured by students, according to the ‘Application-based Survey 2024’, a report by ed-tech company LeapScholar.

Students need to remember that one should always focus on the curriculum, the pedagogy, and whether the course they are opting for will serve their plans or not. They cannot just land in a country and opt for any course, there has to be a plan.

“If you want to take up Luxury and Brand Management in India, it’s not a massive step but if you take on the same course in France or Italy, basically the hub of fashion and almost every luxury-oriented in the world, that’s a well-planned move,” said Bhargav Modi.