DRAGON BECKONS INDIAN STUDENTS AGAIN AMID THAW
DRAGON BECKONS INDIAN STUDENTS AGAIN AMID THAW
Rohin Kapoor - Partner - Management Consulting
Indian students once flocked to Chinese universities for affordable medical and tech degrees, but that trend reversed sharply following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and pandemic disruptions. Now, with border tensions easing, experts say China may again appeal to Indian students—especially with tightening visa policies in popular destinations like Canada. But uncertainties linger, and it’s unclear if improved diplomatic ties alone can restore trust.
Rohin Kapoor, partner, management consulting, BDO India, says that political tensions have had an impact on the favourability of the Chinese market. Students did not feel welcome in the country, and many stayed away.
However, with the tightening of visa restrictions – Australia and Canada have again cut their immigration targets sharply – options for Indian students are decreasing, and this could tilt the scales in favour of China, he says. Depending on who the US votes for, things could get even more complicated.
“The perception may improve as India and China move towards improved ties but how drastically it will, is difficult to say,” says Kapoor. "We could see more Indian students considering it in the next 6-8 months should ties between the countries improve,” said Kapoor
Additionally, Karan Gupta of Karan Gupta Consulting observes that China’s universities are known for advanced infrastructure, affordable tuition and specialised programs, and with ongoing uncertainties in Canada, Indian students may look at exploring alternative destinations, including China, especially in fields like business.
Historically, drawn by the prospect of affordable medical education, China attracted middle-class Indian students, particularly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Nikhil Jain, founder ForeignAdmits, explains that students pursuing MBBS valued China’s quality of education and affordable fees, which averaged ₹15-20 lakh—far less than private medical colleges in India.
“The typical profile was medical aspirants from families with incomes of ₹5-12 lakh,” he said, noting that 20,000 plus Indian students studied in China annually before the pandemic.
However, In the wake of the Galwan clash and China’s strict COVID-19 policies, the number of Indian students in China plummeted. Between 2020 and 2021, new enrollments nearly stopped, and even in 2023, only about 8,580 Indian students returned, far below pre-pandemic levels, showed official estimates.
For those still seeking affordable options, China faces stiff competition from emerging destinations like Georgia, the Philippines, and Central Asia, which now host many students who might otherwise have considered China.
Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia at IDP Education, said China’s educational strengths are notable, particularly in emerging fields. “China is a powerhouse in areas like Computer Science and AI, which could make it a real alternative to the U.S. for some students,” Kumar said.
However, he noted that India too needs to normalise the visa process for Chinese nationals as it would go a long way in improving sentiments.
Before the disruptions of 2020, most Indian students in China enrolled in medical programs at universities in cities like Shenyang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Popular institutions included Dalian Medical University and Shandong University. As Nikhil Jain points out, these institutions have been actively seeking Indian students again, yet many families remain cautious.
“We participated in an education fair where Chinese universities offered reduced fees and scholarships, but student interest was limited,” he said, suggesting that the psychological impact of recent events may have lingering effects.
With its cost advantage, China could re-emerge as a favoured destination for Indian students if diplomatic stability is sustained. Western options have become pricier post-pandemic, raising China’s appeal as an affordable study destination.
Besides Kapoor of BDO India, Kumar of IDP too anticipates a potential rise in student interest within six to 12 months if the relationship between the two countries continues improving.
However, concerns about cultural differences and geopolitical unpredictability persist.
“The risk perception has changed, despite China’s affordability,” Jain noted, highlighting that some students are wary of the “what ifs” in China-India relations.
Source:- Economic Times
Rohin Kapoor, partner, management consulting, BDO India, says that political tensions have had an impact on the favourability of the Chinese market. Students did not feel welcome in the country, and many stayed away.
However, with the tightening of visa restrictions – Australia and Canada have again cut their immigration targets sharply – options for Indian students are decreasing, and this could tilt the scales in favour of China, he says. Depending on who the US votes for, things could get even more complicated.
“The perception may improve as India and China move towards improved ties but how drastically it will, is difficult to say,” says Kapoor. "We could see more Indian students considering it in the next 6-8 months should ties between the countries improve,” said Kapoor
Additionally, Karan Gupta of Karan Gupta Consulting observes that China’s universities are known for advanced infrastructure, affordable tuition and specialised programs, and with ongoing uncertainties in Canada, Indian students may look at exploring alternative destinations, including China, especially in fields like business.
Historically, drawn by the prospect of affordable medical education, China attracted middle-class Indian students, particularly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Nikhil Jain, founder ForeignAdmits, explains that students pursuing MBBS valued China’s quality of education and affordable fees, which averaged ₹15-20 lakh—far less than private medical colleges in India.
“The typical profile was medical aspirants from families with incomes of ₹5-12 lakh,” he said, noting that 20,000 plus Indian students studied in China annually before the pandemic.
However, In the wake of the Galwan clash and China’s strict COVID-19 policies, the number of Indian students in China plummeted. Between 2020 and 2021, new enrollments nearly stopped, and even in 2023, only about 8,580 Indian students returned, far below pre-pandemic levels, showed official estimates.
For those still seeking affordable options, China faces stiff competition from emerging destinations like Georgia, the Philippines, and Central Asia, which now host many students who might otherwise have considered China.
Piyush Kumar, Regional Director for South Asia at IDP Education, said China’s educational strengths are notable, particularly in emerging fields. “China is a powerhouse in areas like Computer Science and AI, which could make it a real alternative to the U.S. for some students,” Kumar said.
However, he noted that India too needs to normalise the visa process for Chinese nationals as it would go a long way in improving sentiments.
Before the disruptions of 2020, most Indian students in China enrolled in medical programs at universities in cities like Shenyang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. Popular institutions included Dalian Medical University and Shandong University. As Nikhil Jain points out, these institutions have been actively seeking Indian students again, yet many families remain cautious.
“We participated in an education fair where Chinese universities offered reduced fees and scholarships, but student interest was limited,” he said, suggesting that the psychological impact of recent events may have lingering effects.
With its cost advantage, China could re-emerge as a favoured destination for Indian students if diplomatic stability is sustained. Western options have become pricier post-pandemic, raising China’s appeal as an affordable study destination.
Besides Kapoor of BDO India, Kumar of IDP too anticipates a potential rise in student interest within six to 12 months if the relationship between the two countries continues improving.
However, concerns about cultural differences and geopolitical unpredictability persist.
“The risk perception has changed, despite China’s affordability,” Jain noted, highlighting that some students are wary of the “what ifs” in China-India relations.
Source:- Economic Times