Which country do Indian students prefer for studying AI, MSc and Machine Learning in 2025?
Indian students are exploring the world like never before, seeking study-abroad opportunities in AI, MSc Management, and Machine Learning. Over the past two years, demand has surged dramatically, with interest from Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities increasing 4.5 times since 2023. Leap, a leading study-abroad platform, highlights how students are broadening their horizons beyond traditional destinations, signalling a new wave of global education ambitions from India.The surge in applications is most pronounced in courses linked to Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Analytics. These programmes have seen a five-fold increase in interest since 2021 and have doubled in the past year. MSc Management courses have also recorded a two-fold year-on-year growth, reflecting the appeal of programmes that blend technical expertise with global business exposure. Undergraduate programmes grew 1.5 times in the past year, while PhD interest doubled compared with 2024.Germany and Ireland lead the destinations for Indian studentsLeap’s Q3 2025 data shows that Germany and Ireland have emerged as the fastest-growing destinations for Indian students pursuing AI, MSc, and Machine Learning courses. UAE and New Zealand also recorded a three-fold rise in student demand between Q1 and Q2 2025, indicating that students are exploring options beyond traditional countries. Ireland’s visa approvals have tripled over two years based on student-reported and partner-verified outcomes, strengthening its position among Europe’s preferred study-abroad destinations.Rising interest across regions and citiesThe growth in study-abroad interest is not limited to major metropolitan areas. Smaller cities are now contributing to India’s global education aspirations, with the eastern region accounting for 7% of total student interest, the highest share recorded to date. This trend demonstrates expanding awareness and participation beyond established education hubs.Course preferences and student interactionsAccording to Leap, students are increasingly focusing on AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning not only for their popularity but for their relevance to emerging career opportunities. Across more than one million verified interactions on the platform between January 2023 and September 2025, students asked detailed questions about aligning their education with global job prospects. AI-enabled guidance tools on Leap have helped map personalised study-abroad pathways.
Source: LeapA shift in student prioritiesThe data reflects a clear preference for courses that combine technical depth with international exposure. With verified and de-duplicated student interactions forming the basis of the analysis, Leap provides insights into both destination and course trends for Indian students seeking study-abroad opportunities.
