The figures, released by Keystone Education Group, indicate that alongside the continued diversification of international education beyond the traditional "big four" destinations, prospective students are increasingly exploring regional and local study options. The analysis is based on more than 350,000 searches conducted during each period and excludes searches made by domestic students.
According to Mark Bennett, Vice President of Research and Insight at Keystone Education Group, India emerged as the second-fastest growing destination in global search demand, with much of the increase being driven by Indian students themselves.
Bennett described the trend as surprising but consistent with broader changes in international higher education. He said traditional student-sending countries are increasingly focused on retaining talent within their own education systems, while transnational education has become a strategic priority. He also noted that policy changes and financial barriers are making conventional overseas study pathways more difficult for many students.
New Zealand recorded one of the strongest increases in international interest, reflecting the country's sustained positive messaging on international education and post-study employment opportunities. Bennett said prospective students are responding to these developments as the New Zealand government prepares to introduce a new graduate work visa later this year.
Among Indian students, interest in pursuing higher education within India surged by 94 percent. Demand for the United Kingdom remained relatively stable, recording a modest increase of 2 percent. However, interest in Canada declined by 6 percent, while the United States and Australia experienced much steeper drops of 37 percent and 42 percent respectively.
The decline in demand for the United States and Australia has been linked to policy uncertainty and falling visa approval rates, which have affected confidence among prospective international students. In the United States, the search data reinforces findings from the Institute of International Education's 2026 Spring Snapshot, which reported that 61 percent of American colleges experienced a decline in applications from Indian students for the 2026-27 academic year.
Industry experts have attributed the trend to growing uncertainty surrounding student visas. Study visa issuance to Indian students for the United States reportedly fell by 62 percent over the past year, further discouraging applicants.
Bennett also emphasized that Indian students are particularly sensitive to changes affecting post-study employment opportunities. He said continued uncertainty surrounding the Optional Practical Training program has weakened the attractiveness of the United States as a study destination. Indian students accounted for nearly one-third of the total international student population in the United States during the 2024-25 academic year and represented just under half of all participants in the Optional Practical Training program.
The United Kingdom also recorded a 4 percent decline in overall demand. Bennett attributed the reduction to the government's decision to shorten the graduate route, along with continuing reports of visa refusals and visa withdrawals. The trend coincides with Home Office data showing the weakest month of May for study visa issuance since the post-pandemic recovery began, while the number of study visas issued during the first quarter of 2026 was nearly one-third lower than during the same period a year earlier.
Despite declining interest among Indian students in Australia, Bennett said overall demand for Australia improved following what he described as a poor performance in 2025. Interest in Canada also appeared to stabilize after previous declines.
India's emergence as a higher education destination rather than solely a student-sending nation has been driven by the National Education Policy 2020, which has facilitated the establishment of international branch campuses and expanded transnational education initiatives across the country.
The changing search patterns reflect a broader transformation in global higher education, where policy stability, visa certainty and post-study employment opportunities are becoming decisive factors in student decision-making. The trend also highlights India's growing position as an international education hub, reinforced by recent developments including Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, during which it was announced that Flinders University would become the latest institution to establish a branch campus in Bengaluru.
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