Despite India’s booming economy and the increasing stature of its business schools, international student enrollment remains low due to a lack of brand awareness and understanding of the benefits of studying in the country.
India’s economy is booming, and its top business schools are climbing the global rankings, making the country a rising star in higher education. Despite this growth, international students remain scarce in India’s educational landscape, particularly within its business schools.
A new report from the education consultancy CarringtonCrisp provides insights into this phenomenon. Titled the International India study, the report is based on responses from 4,160 prospective business students across 22 countries. It found that while a substantial 79% of respondents are interested in studying abroad, a mere 8% consider India a likely destination for their studies. This low level of interest persists even amidst positive perceptions of India’s economy, visa accessibility, and welcoming environment.
“Despite the rapid growth of the Indian economy and the increasing prominence of its business schools, international students are rare, especially compared to the traditional education powerhouses of Europe, Australia, and North America,” says Andrew Crisp, the study’s author and co-founder of CarringtonCrisp. He attributes the low numbers to a significant lack of brand awareness and understanding of the advantages offered by studying in India.
The study highlights just how far behind India is in attracting international talent compared to its global peers. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), only 46,000 international students were enrolled in nearly 2,400 Indian institutions in the 2021-22 academic year, with more than a quarter coming from neighboring Nepal.
In stark contrast, the United Kingdom hosted over 750,000 international students in 2022-23, Australia reported more than 450,000 in 2023, and the United States saw its international student population rise to a record high of more than 1.1 million in 2024.
Recognizing this gap, the Indian government has sought to increase international enrollments by allowing institutions to admit up to 25% more students beyond their domestic capacity, specifically reserving these additional seats for international students. However, achieving growth in this area requires a deeper understanding of how India is viewed by prospective students globally—a focus of CarringtonCrisp’s report.
Despite India’s strengths, the report identified significant barriers to international enrollment, with awareness at the forefront. A full third of respondents admitted they could not name a single reputable Indian business school. Other cited barriers included a preference for studying in other countries (21%), lack of available scholarships (19%), and unease about living in India (17%).
However, there are notable advantages that Indian schools can leverage. India was rated second only to the United States for having a strong and dynamic economy (50% versus 52%), and as the most welcoming destination for international students (57%). It was also viewed as the easiest country to secure a student visa (56%).
Furthermore, India’s relative affordability is appealing. Nearly half (45%) of potential students saw India as offering excellent value for a business degree, and 41% found travel to the country affordable and convenient given its geographical proximity. Interest is particularly high among students in Nigeria (18%), the UAE (15%), and South Africa (15%).
Though long-term full-degree enrollment may be limited at present, there is strong enthusiasm among international students for shorter-term or hybrid programs with Indian institutions. Over 80% of survey respondents expressed a very or extreme interest in joint degrees between an Indian business school and one in their home country. There was also considerable interest in studying a single module for up to three months in India or engaging in multiple short, intensive courses offered by Indian schools.
“Building partnerships with institutions in other countries is a big opportunity for Indian business schools,” Crisp points out. “These programs can help schools build brand awareness, communicate the benefits of studying in India, and showcase the quality of their academic offerings.”
India’s top business schools are already expanding their global reach. IIM Ahmedabad recently launched its first international campus in Dubai, while the Indian School of Business (ISB) has expanded collaborations with leading universities in the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, more Indian schools are pursuing international accreditations and climbing global rankings published by organizations like The Financial Times and Poets&Quants.
These efforts, while promising, remain in their early stages compared with more established international education destinations. As the International India report emphasizes, building global appeal will require time, consistency, and creative partnerships.
Nevertheless, the report suggests a growing interest, particularly in education models that allow students to “sample” Indian education before committing to a full degree program. The challenge lies in converting this curiosity into actual enrollment.
“India has a strong story to tell,” Crisp concludes. “Now it needs to be heard.”
Source: Original article
“`