India is steadily emerging as an important destination for international students, with the number of foreign students expected to grow by about eight percent each year until 2030, according to a new report
by UK-based QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
The report, titled Global Student Flows: India, examines international student mobility linked to India. Now in its eighth edition, it uses QS flow-mapping technology along with insights from the QS International Student Survey 2025 and the World University Rankings to study both students coming to India and Indians going abroad. It also outlines three possible paths for the future of India’s higher education system.
India currently hosts around 58,000 international students as of 2025. The report says this number is likely to rise faster in the coming years as stricter visa rules and higher study costs in traditional English-speaking destinations push students to look for more affordable and accessible options.
South Asia leading inbound demand
South Asia continues to account for the largest share of foreign students studying in India, making up nearly half of the total enrolments. Nepal and Bangladesh together contribute more than 30 percent of these students. The report estimates that student numbers from Nepal could grow by around 11 percent each year.
In contrast, the number of students from Afghanistan is expected to grow by less than one percent annually because of visa approval challenges, which may reduce its share of students coming to India.
Student interest from Sub-Saharan Africa is also rising. Enrolments from the region are projected to grow by about six percent every year. This demand is driven by large youth populations, limited higher education capacity in many African countries, and India’s relatively affordable education system.
Zimbabwe is identified as one of the fastest-growing markets. The report projects an annual growth of around 11 percent, which could move Zimbabwe from the seventh-largest African source country for India in 2024 to sixth place by 2030.
The Middle East and North Africa region also continues to send a steady number of students to India. By 2030, students from the United Arab Emirates are expected to account for about five percent of the international student population in Indian institutions.
Policy reforms improving India’s appeal
Government initiatives have played an important role in making India more attractive to foreign students. The Study in India programme has helped simplify admission procedures and reduce financial barriers for international applicants.
The National Education Policy 2020 has also introduced measures that allow foreign universities to open campuses in India and permit institutions to create additional seats for international students. According to University Grants Commission rules, universities can reserve up to 25 percent extra seats for overseas students.
India has set a long-term goal of hosting five lakh international students by 2047. However, the report says that reaching this target will require continued policy support along with major investment in infrastructure and student services.
Indian students exploring new destinations
India also remains one of the world’s largest sources of students studying abroad. More than eight lakh Indian students were enrolled in foreign universities in 2024.
However, the report indicates that student numbers going to the traditional “Big Four” destinations — the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia — may decline slightly at an average rate of 0.5 percent each year until 2030.
Instead, Indian students are increasingly looking at countries such as Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates for more affordable and accessible study options. Indians already form the largest group of international students in both Germany and the UAE.
Reputation and employability remain concerns
Despite the positive outlook, the report highlights several challenges for Indian universities.
While institutions have improved their standing in employer reputation rankings — with the median Employer Reputation rank improving by 61 places since 2017 — there has been little change in academic reputation. Students from regions such as the Middle East and the United States still consider institutional reputation an important factor when choosing where to study.
Graduate employability is another concern. A 2025 Mercer-Mettl report found that only 42.6 percent of Indian graduates are considered employable.
The QS International Student Survey 2025 also showed that about half of prospective students want universities to provide clearer information about work placements and links with industry.
The report adds that rapid growth in international student numbers without matching investment in housing, campus facilities and student support services could affect the overall student experience.
“India has long been central to global student mobility — as both a major sending market and an increasingly influential destination,” said Ashwin Fernandes, Chair QS India and Vice President for Strategic and International Engagement at QS.
“The conditions are shifting in India’s favour, from government policy and affordability to regional demographic pressure. But sustaining this momentum will require institutions to close the gap between reputation and real-world graduate outcomes.”
ALSO READ: CBSE Recognises Class 12 Math Paper ‘Rickroll’ QR Code, Says Exam Security ‘Uncompromised’
Three possible scenarios for 2030
The report also outlines three possible futures for India’s higher education sector by 2030.
In the first scenario, called “Regulated Regionalism,” geopolitical changes could increase regional student mobility, making India a major education hub for students from South Asia, Africa and the Gulf.
The second scenario, “Hybrid Multiversity,” suggests that technology-enabled blended learning could change how students study, with India becoming a centre for globally recognised digital and hybrid education models.
The third scenario, “Talent Race Rebound,” predicts stronger global competition for skilled students. In such a situation, India could strengthen its position by simplifying student pathways, aligning courses with high-demand industries and expanding credible post-study work opportunities.
According to the report, these trends show that India has a significant opportunity to strengthen its role as a global study destination, provided key structural challenges are addressed.
