Aug 24: South Asian students remain ambitious about global careers, but the route they are taking to get there is changing.

Findings from the Cambridge University Press Assessment Destination Survey 2025–26 suggest a growing preference for a more strategic higher education journey: undergraduate study closer to home, followed by international postgraduate education and global career opportunities.

The shift has increasingly been seen in India and Bangladesh, with many schools reporting that a majority of learners are choosing local universities before pursuing international postgraduate education.

WHAT IS DRIVING THE CHANGE?

  • Across South Asia, technology-led careers are rising in popularity, while business & management studies are popular subjects in India – indicating the flexible and non-conventional choices learners are making
  • The international destination map is widening, with Singapore, the UAE, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan and South Korea increasingly being considered alongside traditional destinations
  • Value is becoming central to decision-making, with affordability, employability, return on investment and visa certainty influencing destination choices. 

Rod Smith, Group Managing Director, International Education, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: “Learners across South Asia remain ambitious about global careers. What is changing is how they achieve those ambitions. More learners are choosing to begin their journey locally, build strong foundations, and pursue international opportunities at the right stage of their education. The rapid growth in interest around AI, computer science and technology-focused careers reinforces the importance of educational pathways that develop critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability alongside subject knowledge.”

Vinay Sharma, Regional Director – International Education, South Asia, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said: “The survey findings are reflected in the choices we are seeing among Cambridge learners in India. Through both our March and June series results, we are seeing increasing numbers of students choosing to pursue their undergraduate education in India, while keeping international postgraduate opportunities firmly in view. This shift is being driven by a combination of factors, including greater alignment of Cambridge qualifications with competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET, and also structured to India’s university admissions cycle. Importantly, the survey shows that this is not unique to India. Globally, more students are choosing to begin their higher education journey in their home country before seeking international exposure at the postgraduate level, reflecting a more strategic and value-conscious approach to educational planning.”

India: A Market Transformation

The survey suggests growing demand for India’s higher education ecosystem that includes many global universities opening campuses in India. Several schools reported that between 70% and 90% of their learners are now choosing Indian universities for undergraduate education, supported by stronger domestic options, emerging private universities, international collaborations and expanding skilling opportunities.

There is a widespread belief that students from international curricula face lower acceptance rates at Indian institutions or are more likely to head overseas. The data tells a different story. A significant proportion of Cambridge graduates are successfully securing admissions to leading Indian universities, demonstrating increasing recognition and acceptance of international qualifications by the domestic higher education sector.

Bangladesh: Balancing Global Aspirations and Affordability

Bangladesh continues to demonstrate strong interest in international education, as learners and families are becoming increasingly selective in their choices. Survey respondents cited rising tuition and living costs, reduced scholarship opportunities, visa challenges and post-study work uncertainties as key factors influencing decisions. At the same time, progression towards domestic universities is an outcome of a desire to reduce overall education costs, leading more learners to consider completing undergraduate studies locally before pursuing postgraduate qualifications overseas 

Nepal: Growing Interest in Flexible Global Pathways

Learners in Nepal continue to demonstrate strong international aspirations, particularly towards destinations that offer quality education, scholarship opportunities and post-study career pathways. The survey suggests that affordability and return on investment are becoming increasingly important considerations, leading learners to explore a broader range of destination countries and progression routes. There is also growing interest in pathways that provide flexibility between local and international higher education opportunities. 

Sri Lanka: Seeking Value, Mobility and Future Skills

Across Sri Lanka, learners remain highly motivated by opportunities for global exposure, international qualifications and enhanced career prospects. However, economic considerations, evolving immigration policies and the availability of regional education options are influencing destination choices. Survey insights point to growing demand for qualifications and pathways that support mobility while equipping learners with future-ready skills in technology, innovation and problem-solving.