'Big four' study-abroad destinations losing ground

THE RESTRICTIVE VISA policies introduced by the "big four" study-abroad destinations — the US, the UK, Canada and Australia — over the past 18 months have resulted in these countries ceding ground to "non-traditional" destinations, with more and more students from India and other countries looking deeper into Europe and Asia.

- MANU KAUSHIK

The shift in demand for the "big four" to the next tier called "big 14" is fuelled by the flexible immigration policies, affordability, clearer career pathways, and rising job opportunities, sources in the study-abroad industry said.

Students from India, the largest source of foreign students in the "big four" countries, are increasingly opting for "non-traditional" destinations, like those in Asia and Europe, for their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Industry players are also witnessing a shift in students' mindset in India who are giving preference to return on investment, accessibility, and opportunity over legacy biases. The lure of marquee universities in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia is waning, partly due to high costs, and less-than-commensurate job-market advantage.