Why are students like me moving from the US, UK, Canada and Australia to other study destinations?
25 Oct 2026 · Answered by Smitha Satish S · 2 min read
Indian students are increasingly looking beyond the US, UK, Canada and Australia. The main reasons reported are higher costs, stricter visa processes, tighter processing times, reduced post-study work rights and higher rejection rates.
Reasons Behind the Shift
- The big four destinations have become expensive for study and living costs.
- Student visa processes have become more stringent.
- Visa processing for Indian students has become tighter and more time-consuming.
- Post-study work rights for international students have been cut in many countries.
- Student visa rejection rates have reportedly increased in several of these countries.
What Emerging Destinations Offer
| Country | Typical pitch reported |
|---|---|
| Germany | Tuition-free at public universities, with living costs reported around INR 10 L per year |
| Japan | Public tuition reported at around INR 3 L per year, with the MEXT Scholarship |
| South Korea | Public tuition reported at around INR 1.5 L to 3 L per semester, with the GKS Scholarship |
| UAE | Costs reported as 40 to 60% lower than the US and UK, with merit-based waivers |
| Ireland | One-year master's programmes, with fees reported from around INR 9 L per year |
My Advice
Do not choose a country only because it is trending. Compare total cost, course quality, post-study options and visa rules for your own profile. Check the official government and university pages, since policies change often.
How long can you stay and work after your master's?
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