Indian students pursuing higher education abroad for better jobs, finds Oxford International's study

NEW DELHI: A study conducted by the Oxford International has found that better career opportunities, global culture and developing language skills as the top factors for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad.

The study revealed that 50% of students mentioned better career opportunities as the number one motivational factor to study abroad, while 42% of Indian students cited cultural experience and 41% of Indian students cited development of language skills as the top factors for pursuing higher education abroad.

In addition to this, the study also revealed that 50% of Indian students stated ‘cost of living’ and 35% stated ‘high tuition fees’ as the biggest barriers for pursuing higher education overseas. The findings were published as part of the inaugural edition of the Oxford International's Student Global Mobility Index (SGMI), which aims to provide a comprehensive insight into the preferences and challenges faced by undergraduate students seeking higher education opportunities abroad.

Sample size

The study was jointly by Oxford International and THE Knowledge Partnership. The SGMI study encompasses a diverse sample size of more than 500 current and prospective students. Participants were carefully chosen from key markets such as India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Nigeria, providing a comprehensive understanding of the motivations and obstacles that shape the global student mobility landscape.

Oxford International Education Services managing director Mohit Gambir said, “We are delighted to launch the inaugural edition of our insightful study, the Oxford International’s Student Global Mobility Index. With years of experience in the overseas education services field, we have consistently worked with the global student community to open the borders and make quality education affordable and accessible.”

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Other findings

The study also found that 42% of Indian students believe that studying a specific subject would enhance their job prospects upon graduation, whereas this percentage is higher in other countries such as Pakistan (49%), Nigeria (54%), and Vietnam (46%).

About 35% of the Indian students feel they will have the opportunity for a better-paid career as a result of studying abroad while this is higher in other countries like Vietnam (60%), Pakistan (45%), and Nigeria (38%), the study added.