Careers are the topmost reason Indian students migrate abroad, based on IDP Education studies published in March 2025. Emerging Futures Seven – Voice of the International Student did its survey whose data involved in excess of 6,000 students from 106 countries from whom close to 1,400 students below to India.
Indian students prioritise employability and work placements
The results indicate that 77% of Indian students study abroad in order to enhance their future employability, acquire better jobs, and receive better pay. Amazingly, 70% of Indian students had placed access to work placements as the most crucial academic consideration when choosing a university. This creates a chance for international universities to be more reactive in course planning, promotion, and student affairs to address the priorities of Indian students.
On the non-study side, career outcomes from the school counted the most with 69% of Indian students — 9% more than the world average.
Simon Emmett, IDP Education’s Chief Partner Officer, emphasised the significance of work-readiness, commenting, “We know that international students select their destination for study based on things that make them job ready, with access to post-study work visas being the single most influential factor. Students departing India to begin their international journeys are no exception.”
Indian students help fill skill gaps abroad
The research also revealed that Indian students play a vital role in addressing skill shortages abroad. Almost 45% of Indian students now studying and 43% of intending students indicated that they plan to remain in the study country to work after graduation. Emmett continued to say, “International students are increasingly able to address essential skill shortages in the destination workforces.”
However, financial challenges are a growing concern. The cost of tuition and living expenses were cited as the biggest reasons Indian students opt out of studying abroad. “Financial considerations such as tuition fees and savings needs are at the forefront of Indian students’ minds — and we can begin to see how that is influencing their choices in significant ways,” said Piyush Kumar, Regional Director – South Asia, Canada, and LATAM at IDP Education.
Over half (55%) of Indian students mentioned that scholarships might alter their destination plan, and 54% mentioned that the same might happen due to part-time working opportunities.
The survey further indicated a shift in destination trends, with the United States giving way to Australia as the leading destination for Indian students, followed by the United Kingdom. This is indicative of Australia’s initiatives to tie post-study work rights to skill shortages and its relative affordability.
