NZ the new destination for Indian professionals and students

A sharp rise in interest in New Zealand next year as an educational destination is highlighted in a survey of 3 million Indian students. The latest survey saw a 30 times jump in interest New Zealand degree offerings.
The Leap Scholar report shows Indian students choosing study-abroad destinations based on affordability, post-study work options and return on investment rather than university rankings.

While 40.4 per cent of respondents wish to pursue specialised Master’s programmes in AI, machine learning, or data science, a majority of 59.6 per cent opt for broader Master’s degrees that incorporate AI modules, it said.

Working professionals lead the race to upskill.

The trend suggests a strategy of academic diversification, where students are seeking AI proficiency while maintaining versatility across established sectors such as business, engineering, and healthcare.

What New Zealand educational institutions need to know

Economic pragmatism has reshaped destination and university preferences, with 68% of students now rating programme cost and affordability as a top priority. Students now see themselves as strategic investors in their education seeking a calculated ROI.

While 65.5% of aspirants are in the 18–25 age bracket, over one-third (34.5%) are mature students aged 26 or older. This indicates a massive trend of working professionals seeking specialized degrees to pivot or accelerate their careers.
With 85% of applicants prioritizing post-study career advancement and 68% focusing on affordability, the path to attracting them to NZ becomes clearer.

The report describes New Zealand as the new “middle path” for students seeking quality of and career stability (The Middle Earth of global education 😊).

#NewZealand #NZhighereducation #India Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa #Auckland University of Technology Eastern Institute of Technology