The Growing Trend of Indian Parents Sending Their Children Abroad for Masters

A recent report by HSBC highlights a significant shift among Indian parents, with an increasing number now choosing to send their children abroad for masters. According to the findings, 78% of Indian parents are either currently sending their children overseas or plan to do so in the near future.?

"My son's future is worth every sacrifice." These words from a parent in HSBC's latest Quality of Life Report 2024 capture the sentiment of millions of Indian families today. By 2025, it is estimated that over 2 million Indian students will be studying abroad.?

As Kai Zhang, Head of South and Southeast Asia for Wealth and Personal Banking at HSBC, puts it, "As Asian economies continue to thrive, they're fueling rapid growth in the middle class, enabling more families to invest in overseas education for their children."

This shift reflects a growing recognition of the value of global education among Indian families. However, this decision comes with a substantial financial commitment, some parents are even contributing up to 64% of their retirement savings to fund their children's education abroad. In fact, the financial commitment is so great that 40% of respondents expect their children to take on student loans, 51% are hopeful for scholarships, and 27% are even considering selling assets to make their children's education possible.

Even with the hefty financial commitment, the motivations behind Indian parents decisions to send their children abroad are varied but undeniably strong:?

• 40% of parents prioritise the superior quality of education available abroad.
• 38% seek specialised programs and courses that are available internationally.
• 31% believe that an international education gives their children a spotlight in the global job market.

The USA remains the most popular destination in 2025, followed by the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Poland. As competition for spots at these top countries grows, a comprehensive financial strategy, combining savings, loans, scholarships, and asset management, becomes essential to make this investment in a child’s future.

In addition to these academic and professional considerations, parents see studying abroad as an essential stepping stone for their children’s personal and professional growth. The benefits go beyond just earning a degree, they include opportunities for improved language skills, career advancement, exposure to new cultures, and personal development.

Here are some of the key factors that motivate Indian parents to encourage their children to pursue education abroad:

1. Improved Language Skills

17% of parents view studying abroad as an opportunity for their children to learn new languages. In today’s globalised job market, multilingualism is a significant asset, enhancing both communication and cultural understanding. The ability to speak multiple languages is a skill that can set a student apart.

2. Attractive Pay Packages

18% of parents see international education as a pathway to higher paying jobs and faster career advancement. Graduating from a global institution can lead to better job offers, with the potential for quicker returns on the significant investment in tuition and living expenses.

3. Exposure to Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity is a major consideration for many parents, with 15% of them viewing it as an important factor when choosing a study abroad destination. Parents believe that exposure to different cultures develops adaptability and a broader worldview, all of which are valuable in today’s interconnected world.

4. Personality Development

Living abroad helps students develop essential life skills like independence, mental and emotional maturity. The challenges of adjusting to a new environment promote personal growth and build confidence, problem solving skills and the ability to meet new social and academic expectations.

5. A Global Degree

18% of parents believe the appeal of a global degree is undeniable. While India has excellent universities, parents believe that international education offers specialised programs, world class faculty and access to best infrastructure. A globally recognized degree provides their children with a spotlight in the job market and valuable international networking opportunities.

6. Gaining New Skills

Living and studying in a foreign country teaches invaluable skills that can’t be gained through traditional education. Students learn how to manage their finances, deal with new social situations, and solve problems in unfamiliar settings—10% of parents believe skills that are critical for both personal and professional success.

7. Scholarships and Financial Aid

Many parents are drawn to the scholarship and financial aid opportunities offered by foreign universities. Approximately 8% of parents consider scholarships a significant factor in alleviating the financial stress of studying abroad, making the cost of international education more manageable.

For many Indian parents, sending their children abroad is not just a financial investment—it’s an investment in their future. The academic, personal, and career benefits of an international education are seen as key to preparing children for success in today’s globalised world. However, alongside getting the necessary funding, parents often face the challenge of helping their child choose the right course, pick the right university, and meet all the admission requirements, something that can feel overwhelming.

That’s where our AI Course Finder comes in. Our smart tool makes the process easier by connecting you to affordable universities that focus on practical, in-demand skills. We offer a curated list of trending courses, personalized to your child’s background and career goals, helping you make better decisions.

To make this even easier, we offer what we call the "SIRIAN effect" a complete support system that’s with your child every step of the way. Here’s how it works:

Learn Skills: We start by helping your child build important skills through our Skill Mastery Programs. These programs give them hands on knowledge and practical experience in their chosen field, preparing them for the future.

Gain Experience : We offer abroad internships to help your child put their learning into practice. This real world experience in high demand areas boosts their skills and makes them more competitive.

Choose Your Path: We guide your child to find the right courses, universities and countries to fast track their career growth. We also provide AI visa mock to help them feel ready for the visa interview.

Get Ready for Work: As your child finishes their studies, we help prepare them for the professional world with our Employment Readiness Training. This program sharpens their job search skills, improves resumes and cover letters, and gets them ready for any interview. With feedback from industry experts, they’ll be prepared to impress employers and get the job they want.

Start Your Career: We don’t stop when they graduate. Our Career Placement Services help your child find a job, making their transition into the workforce smoother.

With the SIRIAN effect, we provide support from day one to graduation and beyond helping your child learn new skills, gain valuable experience, choose the right program, find a job, and settle into their new life abroad.

In today’s world, investing in your child’s future is one of the most important decisions you can make. With the right guidance and support, your child will have everything they need to succeed both in their education and in their career.

As one parent wisely shared, "It's not just an expense, it's an investment in my child's future." And that’s a goal worth planning for, isn’t it?