Indians turn to Singapore, Ireland, and Dubai as destinations to study abroad: Gradding.com founder.

in a significant shift in international education trends, indian students are increasingly choosing alternative destinations like singapore, ireland, and dubai for higher studies. according to a report by study-abroad platform gradding.com, these countries have seen a 38% rise in indian student enrollment, driven by quality education, affordability, and promising career opportunities.traditionally, the us, uk, and australia were the top choices for indian students. however, stricter immigration rules, limited post-study work options, and tighter dependent visa regulations have led to a decline in their popularity. in 2024 alone, the number of indian students heading abroad dropped by 15%, with canada witnessing the steepest fall at 41%, followed by 27.7% in the uk and 13% in the us.despite the overall drop, indian students studying overseas increased from 750,365 in 2022 to 892,989 in 2023. the changing global academic landscape and evolving visa policies are prompting students to explore destinations that align better with their educational and professional goals.countries like singapore offer globally ranked institutions and competitive tuition fees. enrollment in singapore alone has seen a 25% annual growth. in addition, strong government-business partnerships in ireland and dubai have boosted demand for skilled graduates in sectors like finance, tech, and healthcare."the evolving preferences of indian students reflect a strategic shift in global education choices," said mamta shekhawat, founder of gradding.com.this trend highlights a move toward informed decision-making as students seek better educational and career prospects in emerging global hubs.