New Delhi, India: UAE has emerged as one of the top destinations of preference among Indian students wanting to go abroad for higher education, a new survey has revealed.
upGrad, the integrated skilling company released its latest Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024-25, based on insights from over hundred thousand respondents. The central question for Indian aspirants has shifted from ‘Where can I go?’ to ‘What immediate career outcomes will this degree give me?’
The findings reveal a shift in preference as the United States is no longer the default destination for Indian students. While applications to U.S. universities dropped by 13 percent YoY, European destinations like Germany went up from 13.2 percent in 2022 to 32.6 percent in 2024-25 and the UAE where 42% of international students are Indian) are witnessing significant traction.
Praneet Singh, Associate Vice President – University Partnerships, upGrad Study says, “The traditional ‘Big Four’ destinations are no longer the default; instead, Europe, the Middle East, and APAC are emerging as smarter, future-ready alternatives.”
The study also revealed that Indian student share in Germany jumped from 13.2 percent in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024–25, overtaking Canada and the U.S. The numbers in Canada fell from 17.85 percent to 9.3 percent; USA fell by 13 percent.
Interestingly, only 19.9 percent prioritize permanent residency, while 45.7 percent focus on career outcomes.
Close to 39 percent of respondents said STEM is their topmost priority, while 86.5 percent opt for master’s degrees, with Management & MBA programs doubling from 30 percent to 55.6 percent.
