AI, data science drive new wave of Indian global learners

Various courses linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science and Analytics have seen significant growth among Indian students planning to study abroad, growing five times since 2021 and doubling in the past year. Demand for MSc Management courses has also doubled year-on-year, underscoring a shift towards programmes that combine technical depth with global business exposure.

Significantly, experts are of the view that we are seeing a strong shift toward AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning courses not just because they’re popular, but because students clearly see where the world is headed.

If a recent research paper by the transnational study abroad platform-Leap is to be believed, what also appears to be very significant is the fact that overall interest in study abroad among Indian students has also hit a record high, with new data of showing a 4.5-fold rise in demand from Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities over the past two years. The eastern region of India now accounts for 7 per cent of total study-abroad interest, the highest share recorded so far, reflecting growing awareness and participation beyond traditional education hubs.

Different undergraduate programmes registered 1.5x growth year-on-year, while PhD interest doubled compared with 2024, led largely by students targeting Germany and the EU for research opportunities.

The Q3/2025 data points to a marked shift in destination preferences. Germany and Ireland have recorded the fastest growth this year, while UAE and New Zealand saw a three-fold rise in student demand between Q1 and Q2 2025, suggesting that students are expanding their choices beyond traditional destinations. For example, Ireland’s visa approvals based on student-reported and partner-verified outcomes have tripled over two years, consolidating its position among Europe’s leading destinations for Indian students.

Such growing interest in these subjects, experts feel, is not without reasons. These are the skills shaping the next generation of jobs. Across more than a million interactions on our platform, students are asking smarter questions about how to align their education with real career outcomes. AI is helping us make those links visible, giving every learner a clearer, more personalised roadmap to succeed globally.

Interestingly, the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) data shows that a little over 7.6 lakh Indian students pursued higher studies abroad in 2024, slightly down from 8.95 lakh in 2023. Despite this minor dip, the numbers highlight a steady demand for international education. Official statistics show that in 2020, over 2.6 lakh Indian students went abroad. This number rose to 4.45 lakh in 2021, followed by a sharp increase to 7.52 lakh in 2022. The upward trend peaked in 2023 when nearly 8.95 lakh students pursued studies overseas.

In comparison, 2024 saw 7.6 lakh students moving abroad, marking a slight reduction from the previous year but still much higher than pre-2022 levels. This consistent increase indicates a strong demand for overseas education among Indian youth despite fluctuations.