More women are now seizing the chance to study abroad

A growing number of Indian women are opting for higher education abroad, particularly in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, and in Europe, owing to a growing array of dedicated scholarships and funding opportunities – as well as changes in traditional societal attitudes.

Education consultants contacted by University World News said the number of female applicants looking to study abroad has been increasing. Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO of the education consultancy Leverage.biz, said: “In recent years, women have accounted for over 40% of applicants on the Leverage Edu platform.”

These female applicants, who originate from smaller towns as well as big cities, are taking advantage of the wide range of scholarships increasingly available to them through government, educational institutions and non-profit organisations.

For example, the GREAT Scholarship offered by the British Council assists Indian students in obtaining scholarships for postgraduate programmes across a range of fields in the UK.

In addition, the British Council collaborates with UK universities to provide a STEM scholarship specifically for women seeking to pursue a one-year masters programme. This scholarship also accepts applications from women with dependants and covers tuition fees, a stipend, travel expenses, visa fees, health coverage, and English language support.

Opportunities for overseas scholarships also extend to women classified as Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe.

Palak Kumhare hails from the Harda district of India's central state of Madhya Pradesh. Last year she went to England to pursue a Masters in International Law at Kent University.

As a member of the marginalised Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes community, her educational expenses are being covered by the Madhya Pradesh government which offers overseas scholarships for foreign studies to students from deprived communities.

Kumhare’s mother, Seema, said: “I work as a lower division clerk, and it would not have been possible for me to afford my daughter's education overseas on my own as my salary is not enough. Thanks to the state government's scheme, Palak can pursue higher studies abroad.”

Seema said she believes that once her daughter returns after completing her studies abroad, she will gain greater respect and have a brighter future ahead.

Employment prospects

For many women, the prospect of better job opportunities is a key motivator to study abroad.

Kavita Khare, a final-year graduate student at a private college in Delhi, is looking to pursue her masters in the US or UK. She believes that better employment prospects are a primary reason for considering studying abroad.

Khare said: “Studying overseas would provide me with access to better job opportunities compared to obtaining a similar education in India.”

MSM Unify, which conducted a comprehensive survey in March this year involving over 1,256 students and more than 250 education consultants, with about 65% of the student respondents being women, also found that Indian women are increasingly opting for global education to enhance their career prospects.

According to 60% of the education experts surveyed, Indian women are starting to recognise the importance of building a strong career path.

Notably, female graduates who study abroad tend to earn more than those who do not.

The survey indicated that Indian women believe studying abroad would lead to academic advancement, better job opportunities, higher salaries, and improved career prospects.

It also highlighted that women are among the most eager students to pursue education abroad in India, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada being the most preferred destinations.

Many academics and students believe that a key factor motivating women to study abroad is the increased awareness of global educational opportunities.

Manisha Purohit, another student planning to pursue higher studies overseas, said: “Studying abroad could lead to permanent residency, making my choice to study overseas even more attractive.”

Societal changes

Education consultants have noted a significant change in study abroad demographics, as societal moves toward gender equality and empowerment have motivated more women to pursue enriching experiences overseas.

Rohan Ganeriwala, co-founder of Collegify, a Kolkata based education consultancy, said: “India has undergone significant modernisation, with parents increasingly providing equal opportunities for both men and women. This shift is largely a result of the decline of patriarchal structures, leading to a more equitable treatment of women in families.”

Regarding safety concerns, Ganeriwala said: “I believe that these cities are much safer now. We’re discussing the top 50 global cities that students typically choose to study in, and I don't see any major safety issues.”

In the past, conservative norms have posed challenges for girls in India seeking to pursue education abroad – or even higher education.

“As families and communities begin to acknowledge the importance of female education in achieving gender equality and progress, these barriers are slowly being removed. And parents believe that these countries are much safer for women,” Khare said.

Earlier, there used to be a feeling that it may not be safe to let daughters go abroad. But this perception is changing now, according to Khare.

“While conservative norms have traditionally hindered women from seeking education abroad, this mindset is gradually changing as families appreciate the value of female education in achieving gender equality,” Khare said.

United States

Even as the number of female students studying abroad continues to rise, the US Embassy in New Delhi has emphasised the importance of enhancing female representation among Indian students pursuing education in the United States.

Gloria Berbena, minister-counsellor for public diplomacy at the US Embassy, highlighted the need for more women to reach the highest levels of academia, research, and educational leadership.

During an event held in New Delhi on 27 August, she underscored the significance of initiatives such as the Fulbright Scholarship Program and EducationUSA in supporting women scholars.