Indian students’ interest in the UK for higher education studies over the next three years based on student sentiment survey

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by Deepika Baruah

31/03/2022

Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Institutions, Schools & Independent Colleges, ELT Providers, Agents/Advisors & School Counsellors

A student sentiment survey was conducted by the British Council with Indian prospective students in March 2022, with a view to check the pulse of students and their disposition towards overseas studies, particularly in the UK in the nearer and medium term. The survey was distributed to students amongst our various databases, that is, those students who had registered with us by way of participation in our student facing programmes including thematic webinars and subject fairs.

We received a total of 254 responses, however there were seven invalid entries which were removed. Our analysis, hence considered 247 validated responses which has been the basis of our key findings presented below. These responses represent voices of 52 per cent female students, 47 per cent male students and remaining 1 per cent who do not wish to disclose their gender.

Student profile

Age : There were 19 per cent of students under 19 years. About 25 per cent from 19-21 years, 22 per cent from 23-25 years, 21 per cent from 25-30 years and 13 per cent from above 30 years

Home state/city : The responses are also representative of different regions and city categories in India. Table 1 shows state domicile of students from where we received maximum responses. There were entries from Punjab, Haryana, Assam and other union territories but fewer in comparison. We disaggregated the data further in order to look at the city wise mapping vis-à-vis the number of responses received, we find that maximum responses were received from National Capital Region (this covers the whole of Delhi and certain districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan), Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. This disaggregation to city level has been useful in zooming in to see the level of interest of students particularly from developing cities such as Nagpur, Thrissur, Vijayawada, Chandigarh, Aurangabad, Imphal, Dibrugarh to study overseas. In view of signs of demand seen in these cities in this survey and the growing middle class with disposable income, these cities can be the potential areas for student recruitment in the future, however this will need monitoring and a more on ground assessment.

Table 1

States	Responses
Andhra Pradesh	22
Tamil Nadu	23
Delhi & National Capital Region	36
Karnataka	19
Kerala	19
Maharashtra	27
West Bengal	34

Studying in the UK

To the question on plans to study in the UK over the next three years, all respondents were at least considering studying in the UK. Affirmative response of 60 per cent for studying in the UK was received, out of which, 15 per cent having already applied and another 45 per cent are firm on their decision for the UK but are yet to apply. The remaining 40 per cent are unsure about the UK as they have either applied or will be applying to other countries in addition to the UK.

Level of Study

Overall, as is mostly seen, there are substantial number of students wanting to do a master’s programme. The volume of students interested in undergraduate (UG) and PhD programmes is similar and about a quarter of the total number of students keen on master’s programme

Choice of Academic Year

This shows that students wanting to study undergraduate and PhD courses start planning their studies several years in advance, whereas master’s degree students are more likely to want to study in the coming year.

Reasons for overseas studies

There was an overwhelming consensus on better quality of education and greater career prospect as reasons for students to pursue option for overseas studies. These reasons take the top spot. This was followed by campus life and multicultural and flexibility in choosing and combining subjects as the other top reasons for students. Availability of scholarships is also seen as an important consideration, which takes the fourth spot.

Reasons in selecting UK over other overseas study destinations

For choosing UK over other countries, the top three reasons are better quality of education, greater career prospect and post study work experience (graduate route). The graduate route is a key attraction and takes prominence over campus life, availability of scholarships and shorter duration courses.

Factors which make students less likely to want to study in the UK

Higher tuition fee is the top reason for students not to consider UK at 38 per cent followed by unavailability of scholarships. Third top most factor is visa application process at 14 per cent and similar percentage of students did not think that any of the reasons listed will affect their choice in choosing UK. It should however be noted that the factors which have come through might not be representative of all Indian students’ views because the respondents in this survey were found to be at least considering and interested in the UK.

Criteria in selecting an education institution for higher studies

Overall international reputation/ranking and internal reputation/ranking in my subject of choice are top criteria for students for selecting a higher education institution. Following it, are fees and suitability of course which together is the second criteria as they have similar weightages. Then comes the location, student network and so on in student’s decision-making filter. Only 5 per cent named pandemic management as a major issue.

Main source of information for studying in the UK

British Council and university websites are the top two sources of information for the students to obtain information for study options in the UK. Social media and other online resources jointly come out as the third best information source for students. Since the respondents have either previously participated or are registered with the British Council, it is possible that they are more likely to be influenced by the British Council than the average Indian student.

Main influencers of students’ decision to study in the UK

Three main influencers cited by the respondents are parents/guardian/friends, British Council and social media. Agents are seen to have the least influence on this sample of students.

Funding of studies

A high proportion of students named scholarships as a major funding source, which may mean that many of these students could change their study abroad plans or choose an alternative destination if they are unable to receive a scholarship from a UK university.

Plans to take assistance from agents to apply to UK universities

54 per cent of students have indicated that they will take assistance from agents. They were further asked about the kind of services they might like to avail from them. The three top areas named by students are: advice on which institution to apply, information on scholarships and visa application support.

Impact of covid on student’s decision to study in the UK

Students do not seem to be any longer concerned with covid as a challenge or an impediment in their decision or planning regarding studies in the UK. Only 19 per cent still find it to be a significant issue.

With regards to students’ preferred mode of study in the ongoing pandemic related uncertainty, they favour face to face class in campus which was a 69 per cent of respondents, 28 per cent prefer hybrid (online and then on campus later) and 3 per cent online from home country.

Preference to study an overseas degree/diploma programme at home country (dual degrees, distance learning or international branch campus)

Only 18 per cent students expressed a clear interest to study an overseas degree from home country. 46 per cent of students said no and remaining 37 per cent were not sure.

Conclusion

The mood amongst Indian students towards studying in the UK is high and the demand continues to stay strong for a master’s programme. Quality of education, career prospect and the graduate route have come out as the main drivers for the UK to be an attractive study destination over other countries. However, higher tuition fees, lack of scholarships and visa application process are areas which students have identified as key hinderances for making UK their choice. These could be examined and addressed by the UK universities and the sector.

Students are yet not keen to take overseas degree from their home country. This could be that such options are not yet widely available or that very well developed.

Covid is not a big concern anymore for students for their overseas education plans and most of them prefer face to face learning on the campus. Scholarships and student loans help fund their studies and they go to agents for advice on suitable institutions to apply to, scholarships and visa application.

Students rely on overall ranking as well as subject ranking, fees and suitability of course in their decision to select a higher education institution. Their main information sourcing is done from British Council, university websites and social media and other online sources for gathering information about UK study options. Parents/guardians/friends, British Council and social media are the three main influencers for students.

Author: Sandeepa Sahay, Coordinator, South Asia Region Insight Hub

Theme:

Country/Market Intelligence