China Down, India Up: 6 Trends to Look for Study Abroad

By Gaurav Kandari | November 21, 2024

Did you know India just surpassed China after 15 long years? The last time that happened was in 2009–two years post Great World Recession. So, what did India do? And why is it special?

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According to the Open Doors Report, an annual survey funded by the US Department of State, India eclipsed China, becoming the largest cohort of International students in the United States.

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For those unaware, here is a breakdown: Of the 11 lakh international students in 2023-2024, 29.4% are Indians. That’s roughly 3.31 Lakhs! So much for VISA and H1B concerns!

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But, there is a twist–while Indian students going to the US are exponentially on the rise, their choice of programs, to say the least, is seeing a very interesting change of trend.

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Mathematics and Computer Science, two of the comparatively traditional choices, have seen an increase in admission—with 42.9% pursuing these fields.

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However, what might surprise you most is the decline in engineering disciplines, with only 24.5% pursuing it. You might ask: What caused this change? Which courses are up in ’24?

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The answer is multifold. While students still pursue conventional programs like Business & Management, a sharp increase in pursuing Physical & Life Science courses can be seen.

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So, what do you make of these recent trends? Does India’s position as the largest cohort indicate the rising trends in studying abroad? What about courses? One’s that are future-proof?

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For more information, contact Admissify. And if you wish to get a comprehensive overview of your profile, book a free consultation with our experts today.

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