A recent survey of overseas education aspirants conducted by The WorldGrad, a tech-enabled overseas education platform, highlights the increasing trend concerning the cost of education playing a deciding role in determining the choice of education. An equal number of students considered the cost of education and ranking of universities to be the most important factor with a large overlap between the two groups. Consequently, 72 per cent of all students surveyed,  were open to choosing a hybrid route i.e. part online - part on campus in order to save costs. This proportion is a massive rise from 55 per cent just a few months back. The factor that has played a pivotal role in the above trend is the ongoing pandemic. 66.8 per cent of the students have accepted the fact that the ongoing pandemic wave - Omicron has impacted their overseas study plan. As in a lot of cases, parents were uncomfortable with their children moving overseas right now due to safety concerns. Not surprisingly, the handling of Covid-19 by destination countries was the third most important criterion while choosing a country for studies. 

Highlights of The WorldGrad Study Abroad Survey: Post Omicron/Corona

• 72 per cent of students (earlier 55 per cent) have opted for the hybrid-mode (part online-part offline degrees) to bring down the cost of education without compromising the quality of education.
• 20 per cent increase in the number of students opting for a hybrid mode of learning, a surge from 55 per cent to 72-75 per cent recorded in the last 8-9 months. 
• Omicron has affected 68 per cent of the students’ study abroad plans; Travel, Finances, mode of study.  
• Post-Covid, favourable study abroad destinations are as follows USA- 41 per cent, Canada-21 per cent, Australia- 18 per cent, UK- 16 per cent
• 58 per cent of the students have no knowledge or confusing information around changes in VISA policies post-Covid. 
• Based on the poll, the USA  emerged as the most favoured destination for Indian students (41 per cent) followed by Canada (21 per cent), Australia (18 per cent), and the UK (16 per cent). This signifies a change in trend in favour of two countries - the USA and Australia, both of which had fallen out of favour amongst international students during the pandemic. 

The survey also revealed an unanticipated finding - 58 per cent of students had a limited understanding of the visa guidelines related to overseas studies. This asymmetry is caused by the persistent coronavirus which has led countries to change their policy, time and again.