Now Reading: Indian students turn to domestic institutions as abroad costs rise
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Indian students turn to domestic institutions as abroad costs rise
Indian students are increasingly choosing to study at home instead of traditional destinations like the US, UK, Canada and Australia, according to official and private surveys cited by Nikkei Asia. Stricter immigration rules, rising costs and uncertainty about post-graduation job availability are driving the shift.
The Hindustan Times reports that students are becoming more outcome-driven, evaluating return on investment and employability before choosing a destination. Destinations such as Germany, Ireland, France, the UAE and New Zealand are gaining traction due to cost structures, visa pathways and industry links. The cost of studying in the US can range from $40,000 to $80,000 annually, while Australia raised its student visa application fee to AUD 2,500 from July 2026.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both outlets report a shift in student preferences, but their framing differs. Nikkei Asia leads with the turn toward domestic education, emphasising constraints like stricter rules and costs. The Hindustan Times frames it as a strategic evolution, highlighting emerging destinations and ROI thinking, not a retreat from study abroad. Neither outlet overstates the trend, both cite concrete data. A measured reading: the big four still matter, but students are evaluating options more carefully. The key number to watch is growth in visa applications for newer destinations over the next year.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): asia.nikkei.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
