Source Sheet https://www.studyportals.

com/blog/new-wave-of-indian-students-studying-abroad/

This article originally appeared on CNBC. Rahul Choudaha is the Executive

Vice President of Global Engagement and Research at Studyportals.

More than 5 million international students were studying outside their home
country in 2016. With over 3,00,000 Indian students studying overseas, India
is the second largest source of international students after China.

While the overall number of Indian students abroad has increased, it also
experienced a phase of decline as an aftereffect of the global financial
recession. The number of Indian students reached its peak of 210,649 in 2010
and then declined until 2013 to reach 190,358 students. Since then Indian
students overseas started growing again to cross 3,00,000 in 2016.

Source Link
https://dreamapply.com/trends-for-indian-students-studying-abroad/

Most universities using DreamApply have made it mandatory for applicants to choose
their main information channels from where they got information about studying abroad.
By combining information channels across all students who have applied, we can
determine general trends and measure changes. We were interested if this data could
give us answer on top information channels for Indian students.

We analysed a sample of 13 125 student applications between 2016 and 2018 and
divided them into main categories:

Information
Description
source
 Advertisements on billboards, newspapers, web banners,
Advertisement
marketing handouts etc

Agent Agents, personal counsellors etc

Fair Education fairs

Centralised marketing portals aimed at marketing country as a

National portal
whole

Online General organic searches, Google, Bing etc

Any other channel not listed elsewhere, such as

Other
country visits etc

Designated education portals such as StudyPortal,

Portal
Masterstudies etc

Ranking Ranking sites and -lists

Recommendatio
Recommendations by friends, family, alumni etc
ns

School visits Locally held info sessions, visits of recruitment

 staff in applicant’s school etc

Social media Social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter etc

Website University websites

So, what are the results? After some calculations we ended up with following pie chart:

Information sources of international students from India

The main channel in India, by far, is agents with 44% of all students using them to apply
to international universities. The 2nd main channel is online channels. (Interestingly, the
combined online channels of organic search, education portals, social media and school
websites accounted for 37%). All other channels, such as fairs, lag far behind. In more
detail, having a clear and engaging school website (12% of all applicants have
mentioned a school’s website as their main information channel) and the importance of
SEO (14% of students utilized online search engines to look for their new learning
opportunities) paid dividends for universities.
But another question that is important is the trends – what are the trends and changes
in information channels? We compared information channels of students from India
using the latest data between 2015 and 2018:

Information channels of international students from India 2016-2018

We can see that importance of agents has dropped a bit from 2016 while specialised,
online portals have been rising. The importance of a communicative and user-friendly
school website has also been climbing since 2015 while all other channels have been
mainly the same.

Main takeaways

Here are the six, main takeaways from this article:

● Do your research. Gather as much data and analyse it yourself or contact us

and we’ll help you out. By selecting channels that work and target groups
(market segmentation is vital for large countries) that you are interested in, we
will build a winning strategy for you.
● Invest in good agents. Almost half of Indian students still rely on agents to
find their new university. If you forego their services, you are giving up on a
huge chunk of the market.
● Invest in online marketing, especially in SEO (to make your university is
easy to find) and on website design (to keep the interest of said students who
have found you via online channels). Investing into visibility in online portals
should not be dismissed as this channel shows signs of potential for growth as
well.
● Temper your expectations from fairs. In lieu of the above data, it would be
prudent to analyse your own numbers from fairs (if you are or have attended
them) and reconsider before attending (if you have yet to do so). We have no
doubt that they are a powerful tool for some universities (and they are
important for building long-term brand awareness), but, based on our stats
and purely from a recruitment viewpoint, the cost-benefit is against them.
● In fact, measure all the results of all your marketing activities. Each
University and country is unique and different messages work for different
segments. If you run an online campaign, measure the results as closely as
possible. Page views and clicks are nice, but it might be worthwhile into
checking out some tools that allow you to measure real enrolments. Simple
PDCE circle (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust) works wonders in higher education
marketing.
● Look at the bigger picture. To receive the best students from India, and
elsewhere, in addition to investing in the correct, marketing channels, you also
need to work on conversion. On average in our data, the conversion rate for
India is 38%. Which means that, on average, you should be able to convert 1
student out of every 2.5 applications. However, for every finished and
submitted application, there are many more leads that never got to the
application stage. Employ a good lead management platform and strategy to
increase your number of applications and also work on your conversion
 process to find the best student faster and convert them into enrolments
before your competitors do.

Lastly, you don’t have to pursue this marketing strategy alone. Here at DreamApply, we
have over a decade of experience, knowledge and data which we can apply to improve
your international student numbers. Give us a call or contact us at
hello@dreamapply.com and see how we can help you! Also, feel free to let us know
which country information you would like to see us analyse next.

Raul Ranne

Head of Marketing and Development

raul.ranne@dreamapply.com

Source Link
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20160601180527213

Surge in growth of Indian students studying

abroad
Yojana Sharma 01 June 2016

Share
The number of Indian students going abroad to study is growing at a faster pace than ever
before. With the exception of the United Kingdom, student numbers from India to the
United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany grew faster than overall
overseas student numbers to these destinations, according to the latest report by MM
Advisory Services in New Delhi.

And despite a focus on a record number of students from China, particularly to US

and Canadian universities, the growth of Indian students heading abroad has been faster
than China’s, according to the just-released Indian Students Mobility Report 2016
using figures from the main study destinations.
“For years, India’s numbers have been a bit of a see-saw, but 12% growth in 2014, and now
clocking an even higher rate of 17.8% – this is the second year in a row that India’s [growth]
rate has been higher than China,” the report said.

Student numbers from China grew around 14% in 2015.

“In terms of growth rate we have said in the past that India is set to overtake China, and it is
certainly on track,” said Maria Mathai, director of MM Advisory Services. However, she
added that in terms of absolute numbers China is still well ahead with almost 700,000
internationally mobile students, close to double India’s 360,000 students at key
destinations.

Nearly 85% of internationally mobile Indian students head for five countries: the US, UK,
Australia, Canada and New Zealand, but China and Germany are both emerging
destinations for Indian students heading abroad, though the numbers heading for Germany
are still relatively small.

US numbers from India jumped by almost 30% in 2015, accounting for a large proportion of
the 10% increase in overall foreign student numbers to that country.

“In the US alone, nearly 45% of international students are either Chinese or Indians. That’s
almost half the market. Canada seems to be headed that way too. In 2010, the percentage
share for China plus India was 30%. In 2014, it was almost 42%,” the report noted.

Australia is back as the second favourite choice for Indian students after a downturn for
several years after 2009 when a number of racial attacks led to a drop. In 2015 Australia
crossed its previous peak for international students in 2009.

‘Emerging’ destinations

In a new trend, Germany is emerging strongly as a favoured destination and could soon
overtake the UK as the most popular study destination in Europe for international students.
In 2015 it attracted some 340,000 international students, compared to almost 450,000 in
the UK.

The number of Indian students studying in the UK has been flatlining after major drops – of
around 23% between 2012 and 2014. It is the only key destination that has seen a major
downturn, the report notes. Immigration policies have made it more difficult for overseas
students to secure visas, with Indian students the most affected.

The number of Indian students studying in Germany grew by 24.3% to 11,655 last year,
overtaking Russia as a destination country. Given the lower cost of higher education in
Germany, “the trend from India is only going to get stronger”, the report said.
“Based on the past three years’ momentum, and the smart initiatives being rolled out to
attract students, we are projecting that Germany will overtake the UK and become the
international education leader in Europe in the next five years,” the report states.

After five years of virtually no growth in international students to Germany, the country
attracted a lot of attention globally when it announced an initiative to waive tuition fees for
international students.

“That’s made many students, especially in high-cost countries including the US, start
evaluating Germany as a serious option for international education,” the report said.

“The package that Germany offers now is perceived to be so attractive that the language
hurdle is something that students feel they can manage. Germany is also a leader in Europe
and a strong technological country. It is seen as a place where cutting edge high-tech
happens,” Mathai said, although the number of Indian student is still relatively small.

In 2015, Indian students to China jumped by almost 23% to 16,694 – approaching the
number going to the UK, 18,320.

“China was a surprise,” Mathai told University World News. But Indian student flows to
China are almost all for medical studies, given a severe shortage of medical school places in
India. “Unlike Indian students to other destinations, the vast majority who study in China
return to India to practise medicine,” she said.

Overall, Indian student growth overseas is still powered by a lack of places in good Indian
institutions, even for the best students, Mathai said. “Even those with 90% marks cannot
assume they will get into the Indian institution of their choice.”

She added that there was unlikely to be a significant easing of academic pressure for the best
institutions in the coming years. “Students leaving India are some of the best brains.”

This push factor is coupled with rising purchasing power among India’s growing middle
class that has increased the affordability of overseas study, she said.

Source Link
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/indian-students-help-boost-international-market
-for-universities-20180417-h0yv0x

Indian students help boost international

market for universities
Robert Bolton

Education Editor

Updated Apr 18, 2018 — 9.13am,

first published at 12.15am
Save
Share
Strong growth in enrolments from India has helped push international student numbers over
half a million for the first time.

In the year to the end of February there was a 17 per cent increase in growth of students
from India, compared to 16 per cent from China. Total international student numbers hit
509,610, which was a 12 per cent increase on the previous year, with India contributing more
than 62,000 students to the tertiary sector.

China contributed more in absolute numbers but the growth of India as a source of
international students has been welcomed by universities, which have been desperate to
diversify their income stream away from China.
 The Grattan Institute's Dr Andrew Norton said it was important to look at where Indian and
Chinese students were going and how much they were paying. Bloomberg

Twice in the past five months Beijing has signalled it is ready to stop its young people from
travelling to Australia in search of education, threatening to undermine the business model of
many universities. Relations between Beijing and Canberra have been strained by China
building naval bases in the South China Sea, and only last week deteriorated again when it
was revealed Beijing was interested in sending navy ships to Vanuatu.

Universities have been beating a path to Canberra, urging the government to tone down its
diplomatic spat with Beijing in order to prevent a collapse in revenue, especially since the
government cut off funding for new domestic students.
Universities welcomed the relative strength of Chinese arrivals, saying that despite Beijing's
warnings, students have not been put off coming to Australia.
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham pointed to the increasing diversity in
international student arrivals, noting that enrolments from Colombia and Brazil were both up
nearly 30 per cent in the past 12 months. Nepal was up 54 per cent, admittedly off a low
base.

"The sector also supports around 130,000 local jobs through tourism, retail and hospitality
and recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown the value of international
education jumped 22 per cent from 2016 to $32.2 billion last year," Senator Birmingham said.

The chief executive of the Group of Eight major universities, Vicki Thomson, said there had
been a consistent effort by government and the higher education sector to rebuild the India
market after a collapse in arrivals in 2009, following a series of attacks on students.

Universities also welcomed the relative strength of Chinese arrivals, saying that despite
Beijing's warnings, students have not been put off coming to Australia. Huang he
"We worked really hard to rebuild our reputation even though it wasn't the uni sector that was
to blame. We had to work hard at the time and so did Labor and Liberal governments.
"Australian governments have recognised India is an important partner for us. Look at the
Australia India Economic Strategy – which is still to be signed, and a lot of ministerial visits,"
she said.
Ms Thomson said growth in Chinese students was partly due to university-to-university
relationships which encouraged the offshore market at a time of uncertainty at a political
level.

The Grattan Institute's Andrew Norton said it was important to look at where Indian and
Chinese students were going and how much they were paying. Indian students tended to go
to less-expensive universities whereas Chinese students were prepared to pay higher fees to
go to the sandstone campuses. In any case China still contributed the biggest overall number
of students.
Dr Norton said it was still possible there would be a drop-off in business from China over
political issues. "These decisions are made a long way ahead. There may be a delayed
effect and we may see a softening in Chinese student numbers down the track."

The CEO of Universities Australia, Belinda Robinson, said the fact that half a million
international students were studying in the country was a significant contributor to the
economy.

"These half a million international students will become tomorrow's global leaders, returning
home as informal ambassadors for Australia and extending our nation's worldwide networks
in business, diplomacy and politics," she said.

Source Link https://whataftercollege.com/insights/foreign-universities/

Why foreign universities cannot afford to

miss Indian market

Education businesses are always on a lookout for new opportunities to

enroll quality students. Foreign universities hold many events and
seminar for the same. Given the size of the Indian market, that is not
enough.

India has one of the largest young population in the world. India will most
likely be the largest economy and will be the most populous country by
2060. Many countries like U.K and the U.S.A are already deepening their
network in India by opening up branches and providing certified courses.

The competition for the higher education market might seem huge to
foreign universities given the fact that we have close to 38,000 colleges
and 760 universities. Although the lure of quality education and
certification from a foreign university among Indian students can help
them win over local competition.

The market is open for foreign players because of the current challenges
that the Indian higher education ecosystem faces. Centrally funded
government universities are considered to be the best in India but the
issue is that only 3% of students are enrolled in these universities. Rest
go to the the state funded universities or private/deemed universities.
These 97% of students can be lured by foreign universities by providing
differentiated values and quality that may not be found otherwise.

There are many reasons why foreign universities cannot afford to miss
the India market and why this might be the best time to look at India as a
market. One of them is the current government.
The current government is collaborative

Our current Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi is known for his
collaborations with international institutions. The current government has
done a lot for bringing foreign institutions to India and making the
process of setting up business easy for foreign players. In fact, one of
the biggest challenges that institutions face while setting up in
international markets are the policies and regulations, with those things
in place, there is no reason foreign universities should not come to India.

So how can foreign institutes tap the Indian market? Here are my few
suggestions that can help out foreign institutions planning to setup
business in India and enroll Indian students.

1. Open up Indian Campuses

While online courses might be the rage worldwide, Indians do prefer
physical establishments. Having a physical establishment instills a sense
of trust among students. The ideal way to go about it is setting up your
campus in some good commercial area which can be used not just for
counseling but also some small courses.

2. Bring scholarships to reach out to diverse Indian

audience

India has abundance of good talent, but many time, talented students
don’t have the financial backing to afford good education that would be
able to make them unleash their talent to the fullest. In fact, middle class
makes up for a good majority of the Indian population, a good
scholarship can be a good way to tap into this scholarship – aspiring
audience. Scholarships are a big deal for most of the Indian students
and they generate a good word of mouth as well. This would also allow
institutions to receive enrollments from a diverse bunch of students.

3. Establish qualifications that are

recognized in both the countries
One of the biggest challenge students face while moving outside India
for education is the recognition of their degree. The school and graduate
level education in India follows a pattern different from outside countries.
Often, talented students are not able to make it to international
institutions because of these regulations. Mutually agreeing upon
qualifications and degrees that are recognized in India as well as in the
international country and can reap huge benefits for the international
country.
4. Collaborate on key issues
India has a certain set of challenges where it could benefit greatly from
academic and research work done by foreign institutions. Setting up
research labs in India where foreign universities collaborate with the
Indian ones to solve local issues would be a great step. This could be
beneficial for both the institutions. If the aim is to drive enrollments at
masters or PhD level, this method can be very useful.

But this is not all, creating student exchange programs, or summer

schools can also create enthusiasm among students and lead to great
word of mouth. Also, the old method of organising exhibitions and
seminars is still effective today.

Given the numbers about Indian population and economic growth, India
presents an opportunity for foreign universities that they should not miss.

Source Link
https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/study-abroad/story/trends-overseas-education-industr
y-in-2019-divd-1431292-2019-01-15

Trends for studying abroad in 2019:

Top courses, top countries and
more
STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) have
always remained the top preferences for Indian students for studying abroad,
and 2019 will see no exception.
 India Today Web Desk

New Delhi

January 15, 2019UPDATED: January 20, 2019 17:41 IST

ccording to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), more Indian students are now
going abroad to pursue higher education. In fact, spending on tuition and hostel
fees by Indians studying overseas has gone up by 44 per cent from $1.9 billion
in 2013-14 to $2.8 billion in 2017-18.

While the US, Canada, and the UK remain the key destinations for them,
students are now increasingly opting for Australia and EU countries as well.

In a recent statement, Rod Hilton, deputy high commissioner of Australia in

India, said that his country is now accommodating 68,000 Indian students.

The statistics indicate that Indians will continue to flock foreign countries for
educational purposes in the next few years. And, with 2019 just around the
corner, let's have a look at the trends that will shape the overseas education
industry the forthcoming year.

Courses that will remain popular

STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) have

always remained the top preferences for Indian students, and 2019 will see no
exception. From software engineering to computer programming and accounting
to statistics, they will take up STEM subjects to get lucrative job opportunities
following the completion of their degree.
With several universities around the world tying up with industrial bodies make
their curriculum more relevant to today's jobs, STEM courses will still be in high
demand in next year.

Unconventional courses catching the attention of Indian students

As per the recent data revealed by the 2018 Open Doors Report on International
Educational Exchange, Indian and other international students in the US are now
showing a strong interest in off-beat courses like marine engineering,
geophysics, game design and development. One main reason behind the shift in
their demeanour is that these interdisciplinary courses are not easily available in
their home countries.

Also, as parents in India become more supportive of their children's career

choices, students are no longer shying away from choosing the road less
travelled. In 2019, unusual courses are expected to strike the chord with more
Indians enrolled in foreign universities.

Rise of specialized courses

With the ongoing fourth industrial revolution and rapid progress in automation,
machine learning and AI (artificial intelligence), traditional job roles are evolving
and new jobs are coming up. In line with the changing times, modern employers
are now lookout for people who are skilled in these specialized fields.
This explains why some specialized courses such as Robotics, Automation and
Mechatronics are likely to witness a demand in 2019. Other than that, disability
programmes and infection control courses seem to gain popularity among Indian
students heading abroad.

Most preferred countries for higher education in 2019

1. US

As mentioned earlier, the United States will be the top international destination
for Indian students in the coming year. According to a statement by the USIEF
earlier this year, with over 186,000 Indians studying in the US, they make up 17
per cent of all overseas students in the country. In 2019 too, the North American
country will attract lakhs of Indian students who wish to strengthen their
curriculum vitae.

2. Canada

Canada is another country that has been the favourite destination for Indian
students for years. Unlike the US, the Canadian government allows them to stay
back in the country and get the work permit after they finish their post-graduate
degree.

Especially, following the introduction of the SDS (Study Direct Stream)

Programme, there has been a significant rise in the number of Indians applying
for a student visa for Canada. As we come to the end of another year, the
numbers are speculated to further go up.

3. Australia

Cities like Melbourne and Sydney have remained the favourite destinations
among the Indian students. However, in 2018, there was a noticeable shift
towards new regions such as Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, and Northern
Territory. In Australia, students tend to opt for postgraduate courses as having a
master's degree paves the path for permanent residency.

4. UK

While the number of Indians studying in the UK has dropped alarmingly due to
strict student immigration laws and lack of stay-back opportunities, the
government is now looking to increase the inflow of international students. In fact,
a cross-party group of British Parliamentarians plans to change the country's
post-study visa policy.

If the post-study work visa is reintroduced, more students will turn to the UK for
higher studies. Also, the one-year master's courses offered here ensures
relatively lower expenditure and faster entry into the workforce.

5. Other European countries

Germany, Ireland, Latvia and a few other European countries are also emerging
as popular study destinations for Indian students seeking quality education.

(Authored by Rohit Sethi, Director at ESS Global-study abroad consultant)