57% Indians studying abroad come from state boards, girls lead: LeapScholar survey

NEW DELHI: Contrary to the popular belief that the CBSE, ICSE, and international students mostly opt for studies abroad, a LeapScholar survey revealed that 57% of the students pursuing higher education in foreign countries come from state boards. Breaking the conventional boundaries, of the total, 34% female students are studying abroad, according to the “Application-based Survey 2024” published by LeapScholar.

The survey showed a shift in destination preferences and subject areas of interest. While Canada, the UK, and the US remain the top choices, Indian students have also shown interest on “emerging exciting new options” such as Japan and the Netherlands.

While Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) courses remain popular choices of students, a range of other subjects, including psychology, law, sport sciences, architecture, building, and planning, performing arts, and social sciences have also been added to the list “indicating a desire for a more well-rounded and diverse educational experience”.

“This points towards inclusion of a broader and more diverse demographic, with aspirations for international study traveling beyond conventional backgrounds and ethnicities. Furthermore, with females constituting a significant portion of this trend (34%), it highlights how women in India are breaking stereotypes and leading the way on global education,” the official statement read.

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“The survey is a sign that Indian students are becoming more ambitious and forward-thinking in their approach to look for what is best for them. We feel inspired by the growing aspirations of the Indian students, particularly those from State Boards, who are now considering and embracing studying abroad like never before. We also feel very good to see female students leading the charge. This shift not only reflects the increasing accessibility of studying abroad but also the changing mindset of Indian students, who are now more open to exploring unconventional ways of learning,” the LeapScholar co-founder Arnav Kumar said.

The study abroad platform attributed the surge in aspirations among state board students to rapid digital penetration in the country, increased accessibility and growing awareness about international study opportunities.

Additionally, the widespread availability of online resources and education platforms has democratized access to information, allowing students to explore international education options more easily, it added.