Canada and USA remain top study choices for Indian students

Canada and the US remain top choices for Indian students, while the UK surpasses Australia as the third preferred study destination, as per the Indian Students Mobility Report 2023, signaling shifting trends in international education.

Amidst shifting preferences among Indian students, Canada remains the top choice followed closely by the United States. The recent Indian Students Mobility Report 2023 sheds light on entry numbers for 2022, revealing interesting trends in international education.

A noteworthy shift in preferences emerged as the United Kingdom surpassed Australia to claim the third spot in the ranking of favored study destinations for Indian students.

The report indicates a substantial year-on-year growth rate for the UK at 49.6 percent closely followed by Canada at 46.8 percent.

Over the last four years, Canada has consistently attracted the highest number of Indian students, securing the top position three times. However, the United States took the lead in 2021, while Australia and the UK held the third and fourth positions from 2019 to 2021.

Notably, 2022 saw a significant reshuffling of this order, signaling renewed demand post-Covid-19 challenges.

The concerns regarding diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, projections for student mobility could face disruptions. Director Maria Mathais expressed cautious optimism but highlighted potential challenges in visa processing.

Despite this, it's anticipated that student interest in Canadian institutions may remain resilient, albeit with potential exploration of alternative destinations by a segment of the market.

Canada has witnessed a remarkable surge in Indian student enrollments, showcasing an increase of over 86 percent since 2018.

However, projections suggest a potential slowing down in momentum for Canada in the coming years. Conversely, Australia's standing as a preferred destination has gradually waned over the past five years, with a drop in ranking for Indian students from third place in 2019 to fourth place in 2022.