A significant shift is happening in India’s academic landscape: students are increasingly looking beyond national borders for higher education. They are specifically flocking to programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI), MSc Management, and Machine Learning. Data from Leap, a prominent study-abroad platform, reveals a remarkable 4.5-fold increase in interest from both Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities since 2023, indicating a burgeoning desire among Indian youth to pursue global education in these cutting-edge fields.This growing trend is particularly strong in programs related to AI, Data Science, and Analytics, which have witnessed an astonishing five-fold rise in interest since 2021, doubling in just the last year. Likewise, Master of Science (MSc) in Management courses have seen year-on-year growth of two times, appealing to students seeking a blend of technical skills and international business acumen. Even undergraduate programs experienced a 1.5-fold increase in the last year, while PhD enrollment doubled compared to 2024, demonstrating broad-based growth across all levels of study.
Germany and Ireland: Emerging Favorites for Indian Students
According to Leap’s Q3 2025 report, Germany and Ireland are rapidly becoming the top choices for Indian students specializing in AI, MSc, and Machine Learning. Other emerging popular destinations include the UAE and New Zealand, both of which saw a three-fold jump in student demand between Q1 and Q2 2025. This diversification highlights a broader search for international opportunities beyond the usual study hubs. Notably, Ireland has significantly boosted its appeal, with visa approvals tripling over the last two years, solidifying its status as a premier European study destination.
Broadening Horizons: Interest Surges Beyond Major Cities
This educational outreach isn’t confined to India’s bustling metropolises. Increasingly, students from smaller cities are fueling the nation’s global education ambitions. The eastern region, in particular, now accounts for an impressive 7% of total student interest—the highest recorded share yet. This signals a widespread increase in awareness and a desire to participate in international education, extending far beyond traditional urban centers.
Understanding Student Preferences and Engagement
Leap’s analysis reveals that students are choosing AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning not just for their current popularity, but for their direct alignment with future career opportunities. Through over a million verified interactions on the platform between January 2023 and September 2025, students consistently sought guidance on how to best align their international education with global job markets. To address this, AI-powered tools on Leap have been instrumental in crafting personalized study-abroad roadmaps for aspiring students.
Source: Leap
A Transformative Shift in Educational Priorities
The comprehensive data unequivocally points to a strong inclination towards programs that offer a robust blend of technical specialization and international experience. By meticulously analyzing verified student interactions, Leap offers invaluable insights into the evolving preferences for both study destinations and academic courses among Indian students eyeing global educational prospects.
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