Why are Indian Students Shifting Away from the US and Moving to the UK, Germany & Ireland?
For several decades, the US has been one of the most prominent study abroad destinations for international students, especially Indian students. However, amidst the ongoing US visa rules, the current scenario shows a dramatic reversal: The total number of Indian students applying to study in the US between 2023 and 2025 has declined by 63% (number of Indian students choosing the US dropped to 54% in 2023 to 20% in 2025). On the contrary, countries like the UK saw a sharp rise from 16% to 39% (increase by 143%), Germany saw an increase from 4% to 9% (125% rise), and Ireland saw a growth from 3% to 7.6%(154% rise), becoming major alternate study abroad destinations for international students. In this article we will explore what the shift means, what is driving it, and how Indian students can adapt.
This Story also Contains
- What is the reason for this shift?
- What does the shift mean for Indian students?
- Advantages and disadvantages in different study abroad destinations
- Tips for Indian Students to navigate the shift
Read More: New Visa Rules for international Students
What is the reason for this shift?
Here are the factors that influence the decisions of students to choose alternative study abroad destinations other than the US, and plan to study in Germany, and Ireland.
Visa & immigration uncertainty in the US: Major deterrents impacting the decision of students include uncertain and shifting immigration policies, longer US visa processing times, and post-study work rule updates (eg- OPT, H-1B etc).
Rising cost of study and living in the US: The cost of study and cost of living in the US continue to rise, minimizing return on investment for international students.
Better clarity & pathways in Europe: As compared to the US, other countries like Germany, Ireland, and the UK offer more defined post-study work opportunities, lower tuition fees, and a clear immigration process to international students.
Students making pragmatic choices: Nowadays, students go behind the popularity of a study abroad destination over ROI, job offers, and visa stability.
Also Read:
What does the shift mean for Indian students?
Indian students planning to study abroad for the 2025-26 academic year should know the practical implications associated with these changes.
Re-evaluate your destination choice: Undoubtedly, the US remains a strong option, however, amidst the current policy changes, it has lost its charm. Hence, be mindful and keep your options open when deciding which country to study.
Examine total cost vs. outcome: Calculate the overall cost of living (tuition costs and living costs) and immigration/settlement pathways for the country you choose.
Check visa/work pathways carefully: Check the duration of the post-study work visa of the country and the duration to transition from work visa to permanent residency.
Time your applications carefully: Getting in early, ensuring strong application documents, and being clear about career goals will help.
Related Reads:
Advantages and disadvantages in different study abroad destinations
The following table gives the advantages and disadvantages of studying in countries like the UK, Germany, Ireland, and USA.
Destination | Growth | Advantages | Challenges |
UK | 143% | Top universities, better work options | High living costs |
Germany | 125% | Low tuition, STEM focus | Language, visa rules |
Ireland | 153% | Tech hub, 2-year work visa | Limited seats |
USA | –63% | Global prestige | High cost, visa issues |
Tips for Indian Students to navigate the shift
Here are some effective tips to help you decide wisely:
Choose the course or program carefully: Pay more attention to the specific course that you want to study rather than the destination. This will help you understand the in-demand courses, university outcomes, and industry connections associated with the chosen course.
Be clear with your career trajectory: Know your career pathway–if you want a permanent residency or want to work long-term, select carefully the countries that offer you PR.
Keep all the required documents handy: Research about the documents required to get admission in a particular country and arrange all those documents before you apply.
Read More: convert F1 to H-1B visas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which country is most welcoming to Indians?
A:
Countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK are the most welcoming countries for Indian students. Other countries like Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, etc are also top choices for students who plan to study abroad.
Q: Which country is better for Indian students, USA or UK?
A:
There is no definitive answer to which country among the UK and the USA is better for Indian students. It depends on the individual choices, like a student looking for research opportunities should go to the US.
Q: Why are Indians moving to Germany?
A:
A lot of Indian students have moved to Germany in search of better job opportunities and standard of living. They are helping cover the shortage of skilled STEM professionals in the country.
Articles
Questions related to
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to ?
Hi there
Yes you can try to learn various courses that are for approximately 3 months to 6 months in duration.
Yes you can learn before going to us. Learning skills definitively adds some value to the life of a candidate and also improves in getting good recognition in life..
Below i have mentioned some courses that you can try before visiting us:
- Social media marketing
- Content writer
- Content creation
- Video editing
- Photography skills
- Digital marketing
- Stiching
- Makeup artist course
- Hairstyling course.
So these are some courses you can try.
Hope this answer will help you. Revert incase of any query.
Thank you and good luck:)
Hello Samarasimha,
YES, you can MS in UA after completing Bsc in Statistics. . All you have to do is score good marks in your PG and prepare for GRE. You should also decide upon the country and the university in which you are going to study.
Furthermore, the requirements to pursue MS in USA are as follows :
- 3 to 4 years bachelors degree in relevant field.
- 3.5 or higher GPA, equivalent to 87% in bachelors.
- GRE score of 330 or above.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Research Internships/ Published Research Papers.
- Project work/Seminars.
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation.
- Social & Leadership Activities.
Further, requirements for Software jobs in USA are as follows :
- Enroll in a software development program. The first step to becoming a software engineer is to enroll in a software development degree program. ...
- Gain internship experience. ...
- Choose your specialty. ...
- Pursue industry certifications. ...
- Continue your education.
I hope that this will help.
Dear aspirant hope you are doing well..
To study at foreign universities/abroad in U. S , the admission process will require the candidate to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college, or university you are applying for you may be exempted from standardized exams. The language test will showcase your English proficiency skills. These exams are required for pursuing almost all courses abroad. Different countries have different language exams such as
- TOEFL exam for getting admission to the universities in the US and Canada. The score of this exam is valid for two years after the declaration of results
- There are plenty of universities abroad where you can apply to do master-level course, MSc in statistics, MSc in Operation Research, and Applied Mathematics, MSc in Mathematical Modeling, etc are some of the Master level Course in Mathematics that are available abroad. Students who have completed their graduation or bachelor's degree in Mathematics can apply for these courses. Foreign universities like Uppsala University, Dublin City University, Oxford Brookes University, University of York, University of Liverpool, etc offer all the above-mentioned courses in mathematics.
Top university of The USA for master degree courses
- John Carroll University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Michigan State University
- West Virginia University
- Rhode Island College
- University of Arkansas
- Vanderbilt University
- DePaul University
- Delaware State University
- Texas A&M University-Commerce
- University of South Florida
- California State University Northridge
You can get the detailed information about the process how to apply for MS in USA. read the given article. Link is given below
https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-apply-for-ms-in-usa/amp
Hope it's helpful for you..
Thank you
There are many ways to choose your university such as fees, the ranking of the university, which state it is located and scholarships. My suggestion is to choose your research focus and write academic papers. In the US, PhD in Commerce admission into the university depends on what you want to study (your area of research) and your already completed research papers. You can begin your research by searching online for US universities offering PhD in Business Administration. One example is University of California Los Angeles (https://www.anderson.ucla.edu/degrees/phd-program/admissions#app-req) .
Hello Student
You are aBHM means Bachelor in Hotel Management so after doing BHM,to gain a bright future inthis trade you have to do MSc in Hotel Management,post graduation in Hospitality Management,Master degree in travel and tourism management,or MBA in hotel management,AFter doing post graduation in Hotel management or travel and tourism management will give you the best return in employment opportunity.
Hope this will help.
Applications for Admissions are open.
Want to study in Ireland? Explore Universities & Courses
Study in Canada
ApplyExplore Universities, Courses & Subjects | Work while study
Study in UK
ApplyApply for upcoming intake & plan your journey
Study in USA
ApplyUniversities inviting applications | Get expert guidance
Study in Australia
ApplyShortlist best ranked universities & get expert guidance