Faced with US visa hurdles, students flock to Europe

The tightening of US student visa policies is pushing Bengalureans towards European universities. Germany has emerged the leading choice, say education consultancies operating in Bengaluru.

Consultants point to budget-friendly, and often, tuition-free education, besides easier post-study work options, as key attractions. They say students are even learning European languages before heading there to maximise their study and work prospects. 

The US, Canada, Australia, and the UK have traditionally found favour among Indians — mostly because English is a common language. But things had begun to change over the past few years; the recent policy changes under the Trump administration in the US have accelerated that shift, say experts.  

Study Next Overseas in Jayanagar has reported a 124% increase in enquiries for European universities, with Germany accounting for 80-85% of the demand. Students are drawn to Germany for programmes in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automotive engineering, data science, and data analytics. France is gaining attention for courses in aerospace, luxury brand management, and fashion technology. Sweden, Italy, and Ireland put together are attracting interest in the fields of renewable energy, robotics, molecular biology, and computer science. The growing EU investment is also boosting management job opportunities, previously dominated by the UK, notes Rakesh S Malagithi, its director.

Cheaper than India

According to Malagithi, affordable undergraduate programmes are a big draw. He says, “The tuition fee of a three-to-four year course at a top private institute in Bengaluru is Rs 20 lakh, whereas in the EU, it is in the Rs 1.5-Rs 3.5 lakh range. And annual living expenses there vary between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.”

Overseas Educational Services, located on M G Road, has witnessed a 20% decrease in enquiries for the US, accompanied by a 20-25% rise in interest for Germany, Ireland, and Australia. Dilip Rai, director, attributes this shift to changes in US visa policies and stagnation in the UK job market.

Scholarship opportunities

SNY Cosmos in Jayanagar reports a 55-65% shift toward countries within the Schengen Area, which includes 25 EU nations and four non-EU countries. Access to so many countries on a single visa, and availability of merit-based scholarships and financial need grants are contributing to this growing interest, explains a representative. “Plus, familiarity with the language of one country can sometimes open work opportunities in the neighbouring country,” he continues.

His consultancy is seeing an increase in demand for technical programmes in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, while new markets such as Malta, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, and Luxembourg are gaining in popularity for management and science courses. 

Sayeeda Maliha, international career counsellor at Vidya Loka Overseas Education, Mathikere, has not received any applications for the US this year. However, her agency has received enquiries for AI and management programmes in France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Swathi Naidu, representative at Hope Consultancy, Vijayanagar, has seen a 20% increase in enquiries for France, 25% for Germany, and 60% for Luxembourg, the latter attributed to the availability of free education and high visa approval rates. Interest in New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland has grown by 15% compared to the previous year, she says.

Japan has also come into the picture. Mohammed Faisal, managing director at Admit Mentors, Frazer Town, says the country’s ageing population is fuelling demand for robotics and automation programmes.

However, Rajesh S, director of the Bengaluru office of K C Overseas Education, says students aspiring to study in the US should not panic as he believes the current uncertainty is temporary. Australia is the best alternative for such students, he offers.