Students rethink overseas study plans amid ₹ slide

Deferred study plans, shrinking interest in high-cost degrees, and a growing exit from traditional study destinations — these are some of the responses emerging among Indian students as the rupee’s slide makes overseas education significantly more expensive.

- AUHONA MUKHERJEE

Kritika Saha (name changed), who has secured admission to a business school in France for her postgraduate studies, said her family had converted money into euros in advance, to account for an €875 university deposit. However, the 23-year-old is now bracing for higher living costs and a larger second instalment due later this year.

“I’m now preparing for a scholarship test in June, which will provide me some relief, as I will not have to face further cost burden during my stay there,” she said. The scholarship would provide a monthly allowance of €860, along with benefits including visa fee exemption, health insurance and subsidised accommodation support.

Study abroad consultancies and career counsellors said student planning has shifted sharply as costs rise. “Compared with a year ago, the effective cost of studying abroad for Indian students has increased by roughly 10-12 per cent, due to currency depreciation and rising living costs,” said Nitina Dua, executive head of the Career Guidance Centre at Shiv Nadar School.

Saurabh Arora, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Noida-based University Living, estimated the cost burden for Indian families has risen 15-25 per cent over the past two to three years, driven by currency depreciation, higher living costs, visa fee increases and accommodation inflation. He said the pressure is most visible across traditional destinations such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia, where multiple cost components are compounding the impact of the weaker rupee.