The QS International Student Survey 2024 highlights essential trends and preferences among Indian students seeking to study abroad. With over 12,000 respondents, the report reveals the following key insights:
- Digital Research Habits: YouTube dominates as the top platform Indian students use to research universities, with 66% relying on video content, surpassing the global average of 54%. This makes visual content crucial for engaging with prospective students.
- Top Concerns: The biggest worries for Indian students include the cost of living (70%) and getting a job post-graduation (58%). Institutions should emphasise affordability and employability in their marketing strategies to appeal to this audience.
- High-Quality Teaching: The quality of teaching is the top priority for Indian students when choosing a university or course. Universities should highlight rankings and independent ratings as a measure of teaching quality to attract Indian students.
- Sustainability Matters: Environmental sustainability is very important to 70% of Indian students, significantly higher than the global average of 62%. Universities should showcase sustainability initiatives and how they support student-led projects to stand out.
- Tech and AI Innovation: Indian students are ahead of the curve in seeking information about how universities use AI and technology, with 46% actively researching this area—8% higher than the global average. Institutions with cutting-edge technology and AI integration should promote these strengths.
Given our expertise in International student recruitment, we can help universities to refine their recruitment strategies to better resonate with Indian students’ specific needs and priorities. Contact marketing@hunterlodge.co.uk for more information.
