Since the pandemic, international student numbers have surged, increasing housing costs and straining public services. This has fueled populist calls to restrict immigration. Conversely, higher education institutions highlight the critical financial contributions of international students to both educational institutions and the economy. Employers also prefer a larger pool of skilled labor.
Data from loan providers and education consultants reveal that nearly half of the students applying for overseas courses and those seeking financial aid are women. Notably, this surge includes applicants from both metropolitan areas and smaller towns.
Education consultants report a significant rise in applications from female students, jumping from 20-30% of total aspirants in FY21 to 40-45% in FY24. Concurrently, financing companies have noted a steady increase in female students seeking education loans, with demand rising from 25-30% in FY21 to 35-45% in FY24.
Amit Gainda, MD and CEO of Avanse Financial Services, highlights this trend: "During FY21, over 30% of the students funded by Avanse were women. This figure rose to over 33% in FY22 and has remained stable in the following financial year. As of FY24, 34-36% of the students funded are female aspirants."
The rise in female students is even more pronounced in non-metro cities. As of December FY24, nearly 45% of the students funded by Avanse from non-metro cities were women, up from 34% in FY21. Gainda anticipates continued growth as more female students enter traditionally male-dominated fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.
Several factors contribute to this upward trend:
Overall, the growing participation of Indian women in overseas higher education reflects broader societal shifts and highlights the increasing support structures in place to facilitate their academic and professional ambitions.