Germany, Russia and...Uzbekistan? Indian students look to new countries as global education landscape changes

More Indian students are heading to countries like Germany, Russia and Uzbekistan as they look beyond traditional choices. According to India’s Bureau of Immigration, nearly 760,000 Indian students went abroad for higher education in 2024 — part of a larger trend that reflects the growing number of Indians in their 20s and changing policies across popular destinations.

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Traditional destinations see a dip
The US remains the top destination, according to an ApplyBoard study. Last year, 204,000 Indian students declared the US as their study destination — more than any other country — although this was a 13% drop compared to 2023. The UK, Canada and Australia also saw fewer Indian students in 2024.

In Canada, caps on new study permits led to an 8% drop in Indian study permit holders to 393,000. The UK experienced a 4% decrease after new restrictions on bringing family members were introduced. Australia, meanwhile, hosted 139,000 Indian students — up 11% — although policies like higher visa fees and stricter language requirements may discourage some future applicants.

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Germany, Russia and Uzbekistan gain popularity
While traditional countries face headwinds, Germany, Russia and Uzbekistan have seen steady growth. According to the report, nearly 35,000 Indian students declared Germany as their destination in 2024 — almost twice the number who chose Germany in 2019. Indian students appreciate Germany’s affordable programs and qualifications that are recognized globally.

Russia also attracted more Indian students. About 31,400 Indian students went to Russia in 2024 — nearly double the numbers from 2019. Popular medical degrees and affordable tuition help draw students to Russia, which has continued to grow as a preferred destination.

Uzbekistan, one of the most surprising additions to this list, is becoming an emerging choice. Just 300 Indian students went to Uzbekistan in 2019. That number rose to almost 10,000 students in 2024. Many Indian students opt for Uzbekistan because of its English-taught programs and affordable medical degrees.

Students looking for value and opportunity
As policy and economic changes shape traditional destinations, Indian students continue to explore new options. They are looking for good-quality programs that offer recognized degrees at a competitive cost. Recent trends show that as top Anglophone countries introduce stricter policies, Indian students are widening their options to include destinations like Germany, Russia and Uzbekistan.

With these shifts, Indian students will likely continue to diversify their choices. Established destinations will need to adjust policies if they want to remain competitive for this large and dynamic group of international students.