Indian students turn to Europe, Singapore for better education

Metro India News | MUMBAI 

Indian students are increasingly opting for emerging study destinations such as Spain, Germany, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea due to the availability of affordable and high-quality education, according to a report by Auxilo Finserve.

The report noted that while traditional destinations like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia remain highly attractive for Indian students, particularly for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes, there is a clear shift towards diversifying study options. Many students are now exploring countries that offer better affordability, strong academic standards and improved post-study opportunities.

According to the findings, factors such as reasonable tuition costs, quality institutions, flexible visa policies, internship prospects, employment opportunities and student safety are influencing the decision-making process of Indian students planning to study abroad.

Shweta Guru, Chief Business Officer – Overseas Loan at Auxilo Finserve, said Indian students are becoming more pragmatic and are focusing on the return on investment (ROI) when selecting study destinations. She noted that countries like Spain, Germany and New Zealand are witnessing rising demand as they offer high-quality education at comparatively lower costs along with clearer visa pathways and stronger alignment between education and employment opportunities, particularly for postgraduate and STEM courses.

The report highlighted that several non-traditional European destinations have recorded strong and sustained growth in student interest between 2023 and 2025. These destinations are no longer considered backup options but are emerging as preferred choices for many Indian students.

Cost comparisons also reveal a major shift in preferences. The total course cost in emerging destinations ranges between Rs 18 lakh and Rs 40 lakh per year, significantly lower than the Rs 60 lakh to Rs 90 lakh annual cost in traditional study-abroad destinations like the United Kingdom.

The report further noted that the average time taken by graduates to secure employment in emerging destinations such as Germany and Spain is around six to nine months, compared to nine to fifteen months in legacy destinations. However, the starting salary range in emerging destinations is estimated between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 45 lakh, lower than the Rs 45 lakh to Rs 75 lakh typically offered in traditional destinations.

Auxilo Finserve said it has facilitated education financing for more than 18,000 students across over 1,600 universities in more than 30 countries, indicating a growing demand for overseas education among Indian students.