The Indian outbound student market is growing rapidly, in particular with students seeking STEM education options. Indian students' overseas spending is expected to hit $80 billion a year by 2024. This trend suggests a significant increase in the number of undergraduate applicants seeking to study abroad. This session will explain how to approach the fragmented and diverse market of India, how to navigate the cultural obscurities, and how to employ the best strategies for undergraduate outreach.

1. AIRC’S 14th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 8-11, 2022 Los Angeles, California

2. AIRC’S 14th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 8-11, 2022 Los Angeles, California
Tapping into India's Growing
Undergraduate Student Market
for International Recruitment

6. Perspective on India’s undergraduate market growth
● Undergrad Indians in the US - more than doubled since 2012-13
(above chart from IIE Open Doors data 2022)
● SEVIS by the Numbers Data Mapping Tool (Sept 2022) numbers
still growing, India #2 source for undergrad international students

7. Institutional partnerships - variation on a theme
● 2+2 models - standard bachelor’s degree
completion
● 3+1 or 3+2 potential BS/MS program
● Online courses of an Indian university
(delivered by a 3rd party) for first 2
years, then transfer to US for final 2
years - cohort model

8. Important resources
● Open Doors / SEVIS By The Numbers
● Partners - recruitment agencies,
EducationUSA, universities
● International Schools
● Your own backyard
○ Pieter Vemeulen data charts
○ Current students and alumni

9. Factors Fueling the Growth of
Undergrad Outbound Market in India
- India’s growing middle class population
- Demand vs Supply gap in Indian colleges that can accommodate qualified students
- USA, UK, Canada, Australia: Quality of higher ed and its delivery
- Availability of education loans
- Rise of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of India **
- Rise of the International High Schools **
- Post Pandemic: Test Optional **
- Post-Study Work Opportunities **
** Areas where Universities can look into for their outreach: marketing, messaging and student support

10. - Tier 1 & Metros: 8 | Tier 2 Cities: 104
- 98% growth in study-abroad Loan Applications in the Q1 of 2022 vs Q1 of 2021
- 60% applications from Tier 2 and 3 cities, avg loan amount for study abroad was $42K
- Business, Engineering, Healthcare, Law, Science. USA is the top choice for STEM
- Growing Internet Penetration, Digital Counselling, Ambitious Youth
Where to Begin:
Identify Top Recruitment Agencies, In Country Representatives, Participate in Events & Fairs
Rise Of Tier 2 and 3 Cities Of India
adding to the funnel from top
1.8 million
students by 2024
many are expected to be
from tier 2 and 3 cities

11. Rise of the International High Schools in India
- There are 708 International Schools across India, combined enrolment of 373,000
- Annual combined tuition spend is $1.2 Billion (ISC Research)
- Located in Economical Capitals, Industry Hubs, SEZ, Hill Stations
- International mindset, upwardly mobile, elitism, high value on education
Where to Begin:
Establish relations with management & counselors - collaborate with potential feeder schools;
Participate in fairs & student engagement workshops; Identify Recruitment Agencies - US Undergrad.

12. Getting To Know Your Undergrad Prospects
and their expectations
- Why USA? Immigration Policy, Post Study, Prestige & Rank, Scholarships
- STEM Aspirants: Degrees Options, Career Outcomes, OPT
- Employability: Addressing the how-tos, Top Employers, Industry Collabs
- Relatability & Communication: Success Stories, Social Media, Preferred Modes
- Application Handling: The ease, speed, proactiveness, waivers (e.g. test-optional)
1.8 million Indians will be spending US $85 billion on education overseas by 2024

13. Outreach Plan: India’s Undergrad Outbound Market

14. International Undergraduate Recruitment
Why India?

15. Factors that generally influence their decision…
● Univ. Ranking and Reputation
● Scholarships & Cost
● Alums (“Seniors”)
● Location
● Success Stories & Career Outcomes
● Admission & Post Decision Engagement

16. Undergraduate Student Recruitment in India
● Recruitment Agent Network.
● In-Country Representatives.
● Institutional Collaborations.
● EducationUSA Events
● International Recruitment Fairs/HS Visits (e.g., Simple Ed, Kunal Parekh Tours)
● HS Counselor Events (IC3 Movement)
● Virtual Events/Digital Marketing/Social Media
● Other?

17. University of Houston Fall 2022 Indian UG Enrollment
Academic
Level
Fall
2018
Fall 2019 Fall 2020 Fall 2021 Fall 2022
New UG 31 42 35% 26 -38% 28 8% 67 139%
TOTAL
Indian UG
136 142 139 115 143 24%

19. Thank You!
Please complete the session evaluation
in the mobile app.