A sweeping new global study has revealed a decisive shift in how Indian students choose their overseas education pathways: they overwhelmingly want degrees that translate directly into jobs.

Commissioned by City St George’s, University of London and conducted by Arlington Research, the survey shows that 97% of Indian students now prioritise career-linked education, making them the most employment-focused cohort among all countries studied.

Employability at the centre

The report, Value of Studying Abroad, finds that Indian learners are no longer impressed by theory-heavy programmes alone. Instead, they expect universities abroad to deliver real-world skills, work exposure and practical training from the first day of their course.

Globally, 56% of students ranked employability among their top three decision factors, rising to 87% when all priorities are considered. But Indian students topped the list, signalling a sharper, more urgent demand for job-ready outcomes.

‘Students want more than knowledge’

Gemma Kenyon, Director of Employability at City St George’s, notes that expectations have transformed: Indian students increasingly want education that builds not only expertise, but also confidence, professional networks and industry-aligned skills.

She emphasises the need for universities to redesign programmes that blend academic learning with internships, hands-on modules and direct industry engagement.

what indian students value most

The study covered 3,000 respondents, including students and parents, and highlights distinct preferences among Indian learners:

·        Courses tied directly to employment outcomes

·        60% consider technology-integrated learning essential

·        56% prioritise technical skills

·        56% emphasise the importance of developing professional behaviour

The new yardstick for global education

The findings leave little doubt: Indian students want to be job-ready, not just degree-ready. Practical learning, industry-backed curricula and tangible career pathways now define how they evaluate international universities.

As one of the world’s largest student groups in global education, India’s shift in expectations will likely push higher education providers worldwide to rethink programme design, strengthen internship pipelines and reimagine career support systems to stay relevant to this fast-changing demand.