26th June 2025: As the number of Indian students looking to study abroad continues to rise, the latest findings from Oxford International’s Student Global Mobility Index (SGMI) highlight a shift in what drives these decisions. Practical, hands-on learning and exposure to international environments have emerged as top motivators. According to the study, 30% of students chose overseas education for access to advanced practical studies, while 28% were influenced by the promise of a better future and global career opportunities.
While ambition runs high, the study also sheds light on the emotional and environmental challenges Indian students face when studying abroad. Weather conditions proved difficult for 26% of respondents, followed by homesickness (24%), cultural adjustment (21%), and accommodation issues (20%).
Conducted by Oxford International, the second edition of SGMI surveyed over 15099 current and prospective students from key regions across India. The research offers a holistic view of both the motivations and hurdles that shape Indian students’ global education journey, providing institutions and policymakers with valuable insights to better support this growing segment.
Commenting on the study and its findings, Mohit Gambir, Managing Director, Oxford International India, said, “Indian students today are driven by a desire to gain real-world skills and global exposure that go beyond pure academics. Our Student Global Mobility Index reflects this shift, while also highlighting the emotional and logistical challenges students face. Understanding these motivations and barriers is crucial for institutions looking to better support international students in their academic journey abroad.”
Other Key Findings from the study:
Gender-wise Insights
The top reason female students choose to study abroad is for advanced and practical studies (33%). For male students, both advanced/practical studies and the pursuit of a brighter future are equally important factors, each influencing 29% of their decisions. Among female students, 27% are motivated by the promise of a brighter future.
While 57% of students expressed concerns about studying abroad, a notable gender gap exists—67% of female students reported concerns compared to 51% of male students.
Concerns among students increase with age—from 66% at age 27 or older, to 62% (26 years), 58% (25 years), 53% (24 years), 51% (23 years), and 47% at age 22—while 57% of those aged 21 or younger also report concerns.
Male students’ top concerns include weather (29%), homesickness (21%), and accommodation (21%). Male students are nearly as concerned about food overseas (18%) as they are with homesickness and accommodation. Female students, in contrast, worry less about food (11%) but more about homesickness (27%).
Family influenced 44% of female students and 41% of male students in their decision to study abroad. Meanwhile, 41% of female and 39% of male students described themselves as self-motivated.
Region-wise Insights
Students from Central India show a stronger preference for short-term courses (16%) and top-ranked universities (18%). Students from Eastern India are particularly motivated by globalization, with 14% citing it as a key factor.
Students from Western India express more concerns than those from the South and North—36% worry about weather, 30% about culture, and 23% about food.
Students from Northern (44%) and Western India (42%) are most likely to make independent decisions about studying abroad.
In contrast, Family influence was notably stronger in Central India, where 52% of students cited it as a key factor in their decision to study abroad, followed by 44% in East India, both higher than the 35% – 44% range observed in other regions.
Oxford International India:
At Oxford International India (Oxford International Education Services), we believe in learning without limits. We provide pathways, courses, tools and support that prepare international students to excel in their studies, and help universities connect with a diverse and qualified talent pool. Since 1991, we have grown into a global force in international education, helping over 80,000 students every year.
We offer embedded pathways; direct entry recruitment with university partners, vocational programmes, online digital courses and academic English language courses and testing across the UK, USA, Australia and Canada. Our team of over 360 recruitment and conversion specialists are strategically located in over 50 locations worldwide to provide support to international students and source the right talent for our university partners, enhanced by a network of more than 2,500 educational consultants.