A study-abroad loan could shadow you for decades. Hence, choosing where to invest that money requires careful consideration.
Countries like the USA, UK, Australia and Canada have been traditionally preferred for higher education. However, the educational price tag of the “Big Four” continues to rise.
In 2023/24, global student-housing operators raised rents by an astonishing 11%. The spiralling cost of living forces families to rethink their preferred study destination. The IDP worldwide survey further confirms this.
Moreover, recent trends show major job cuts in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.
- 10,000 job cuts in UK universities as international enrollment fell 21 % in 2024–25.
- Canada cut study permits by 10 % for 2026.
- The USA’s H1-B layoffs and Australia’s visa caps.
Such signals further alienate students from pursuing higher education in the Big Four.
Amidst all this, Indian students are shifting their attention to newer destinations. Government statistics reveal a remarkable shift over the last two years. There has been a considerable uptick in enrollment figures in countries not part of the Big Four. For example, statistics recorded an enrollment surge of:
- 68% in Germany
- 59% in Russia
- 33% in France
- 49% in Ireland, and
- a remarkable 354% in New Zealand.
These changes signal that the global education marketplace is shifting.
Students have been slowly gravitating away from traditional study destinations to explore newer options. The TNE Report 2.0 suggests that nearly 45% of Indian students are exploring non-traditional destinations. Countries like Poland, Taiwan, Belarus and South Africa are increasingly becoming more popular.
What makes a destination new & emerging?
In recent years, a growing number of countries that were once “off radar” are becoming increasingly attractive.
What are the differentiating factors that set tomorrow’s hotspots apart from yesterday’s hype? Affordability, evolving academic quality, flexible visa policies, and lower competition are some. But there are also other tell-tale markers that hint at a good study destination.
Sustained Surge in International Enrolments:
Look out for countries recording double-digit year-on-year growth in foreign student enrollment numbers. For instance, Estonia registered a 20% increase in new international students from the 2020/21 to 2021/22 intake years.
Post-2022 Policy That Backs Graduates:
New stay-back visa rules, work permit, and residency programs reflect a long-term commitment to attract global talent. For example, in 2024, Malaysia introduced the “Graduate Pass”. It allows international graduates to stay and work without employer sponsorship for 12 months.
Rapid Expansion of English-Taught Degrees:
The sharp increase in the number of English-taught degrees offered by universities is another good indicator. It removes language barriers and widens academic choice for the students. Case in point, Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 drive. As a result of this drive, Taiwan now has nearly 500 fully English-taught degree programs as of 2023.
Favourable ROI
Affordable fees, coupled with rising salaries, make the educational ROI more favourable. For example, public universities in Poland charge between €2,000–€6,000 a year. The average monthly salary in 2025 reached 7,590 PLN. This ensures a higher return and makes the cost of education less burdensome.
When put together, these metrics will help you identify new and emerging destinations that will give you a strong value for your investment.
Methodology: How we short-listed eight new & emerging hotspots
Our shortlist was derived from an initial set of 40 countries. The data was identified from
- ICEF Monitor’s 2024 report on “Emerging Destinations”, and
- UNESCO’s 2023 higher-education enrolment data.
We then set the following four filters to ensure only genuine contenders qualified.
- Branch-Campus Growth:
We retrieved the C-BERT listing of International Branch Campuses (March 2023). We then identified any new foreign‐university campus openings in each country between 2020–2023. - Upward Movement in Emerging Economies Rankings
Next, we used Times Higher Education’s Emerging Economies Rankings, 2022. From this data, we picked out those countries whose top domestic institution improved its position by 100 or more between the 2019 and 2024 listing. - Surge in Government Scholarship Funding:
For this, we reviewed the national scholarship award reports from the education ministry. We shortlisted countries whose total number of scholarships (or total scholarship budget) increased by ≥ 20 % between 2021–2023. This data demonstrates a government’s long-term commitment to attracting international students.
Increase in Research Output with International Collaboration:
We analysed the Scimago Journal & Country Rank data. Identified countries whose SCOPUS-indexed publications with at least one international co-author increased by 25% or more between 2020 and 2023. This surge indicates expanding global academic ties.
Only eight destinations satisfied all of these specific criteria. This type of data filtering further validates that these destinations are not just a temporary trend. Rather, these countries are genuinely emerging as the next wave of study-abroad markets.
2025 hotlist: Eight new & emerging study abroad destinations at a glance
With the four filters applied, only eight countries passed all the hurdles. Let’s explore what makes these destinations a hot favourite among international students.
Portugal
Portugal was once just a fringe option for students, but now has 74,597 foreign students enrolled in 2022/23. A record figure, this is 17% of its total higher-education cohort. The biggest senders are Brazil and other Lusophone nations. However, there is an increasing Indian and North African applicant boom due to Lisbon’s tech expansion.
Tech Visa grants immediate residency to skilled employees and company founders.
Job-Seeker Visa (120 days + 60-day extension) allows foreign graduates and newcomers to remain in the country and find work.
Estonia
Europe’s first “digital republic” now has over 109,000 e-residents from 180 countries. They have established 20% of new Estonian companies, contributing € 200M to the treasury. There are 4,873 international degree students in the country (11% of total enrollment). Usually, technology-based postgraduate courses tend to fill up quickly.
E-Residency enables users to establish and manage an EU company remotely.
Long-stay D Visa allows up to 365 days spent in Estonia and travel within the Schengen zone.
Poland
The Perspektywy survey records 102,200 international students in Poland in 2022/23. This figure is three times what it was a decade ago, and 9% of total enrollment in Poland. Ukrainians dominate this population. However, there is a growing surge of Indian and Nigerian students as well. Poland now highlights its English-taught STEM programs and fast-track work permits in its marketing.
Public university tuition prices start at €2,000 per year, one of the lowest in the EU.
Over 300 programmes offered in English, including Engineering and IT programs.
Taiwan
With the reopening of borders, Taiwan witnessed a surge of 123,190 international students in 2024. More than one-third of these students specialise in semiconductors, AI, or supply-chain management. The 2030 Bilingual Nation plan is sponsoring English-medium courses and language support across all public universities.
The Taiwan Scholarship scheme covers tuition and stipend for scholars achieving the highest marks in prioritised undergraduate sectors.
World-class chip-design cluster (TSMC, MediaTek) offers paid internships that convert to work visas.
Malaysia
Johor’s EduCity Iskandar now houses nine international branch campuses and two schools. It allows students to enjoy a ‘multi-varsity’ lifestyle just minutes from Singapore. Reports confirm that 2024 encountered a 25 % surge from 2023 in international student applications.
The EduCity/branch-campus ecosystem allows students to obtain UK, US, or Australian degrees at ASEAN price levels.
12-month Graduate Pass visa holders are eligible to stay for a year in the country to find work. The visa is renewable upon application through the Graduate Pass program.
United Arab Emirates
The international enrollment rate in the UAE has seen a twofold increase since 2018. It is due to Dubai’s tax-free income policy and the 5-year Green Visa, which does not require a local sponsor. The enrollment is mostly dominated by Indian, Pakistani, and Nigerian students. However, European schools are also opening branches in Dubai to cater to the growing demand.
Green Visa: self-sponsored, up to five years for graduates and skilled professionals.
The EdTech boom, alongside tax-free earnings, attracts young career talent.
Ireland – Atlantic Technological University Corridor
ATU, created in 2022, has already integrated 8 campuses with 26,692 learners from 90 countries. The region also has med-tech and AI skill shortage lists, which expedite work permits.
- i) Post-study work visa of 24 months for master’s graduates in Critical-Skills roles.
- ii) State-backed regional R&D hubs channel EU funds into blue-economy and renewable-energy projects.
South Korea
As of April 2024, South Korea recorded 208,962 international student enrollments. It marks a 25% increase in admissions since 2022. Its Study Korea initiative aims for 300k enrollment by 2027. To meet enrollment goals, Seoul is expanding English-language majors and internship programs.
By 2027, the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) quota will increase to 6000, including a $2,700 STEM cap.
Eased part-time employment (25 h/week), 3-year job-search stay, and retention period solidify Korea’s top position in Asia.
Costs and scholarship for new & emerging study abroad destinations
Now that we know the new and emerging study abroad destinations, let’s answer the basic question. How much do these “new and emerging” hubs cost? The following table summarises each country’s average annual tuition. It also adds living expenses for accommodation, food, transport, and leisure.
Here is a breakdown of tuition and living costs in new and emerging study abroad destinations.
| Destination | Average Annual Tuition* | Typical Student Living Cost (monthly) | Flagship National / Multi-university Scholarship & Benefit |
| Portugal | €3,000 – 7,000 / year | €500 – 800 / month | Portugal Government Scholarship – full tuition waiver + €1,250 monthly stipend |
| Estonia | €1,660 – 7,500 / year | €300 – 500 / month | Estonian Government Degree Scholarship – €350 monthly living allowance (up to 10 months) |
| Poland | €2,000 – 6,000 / year | 1,500 PLN ≈ €330 / month | NAWA “Banach” Scholarship – tuition-free studies + 1,800 PLN monthly stipend |
| Taiwan | NT$40,000 – 120,000 / year | NT$12,000 ≈ €350 / month | MOE Taiwan Scholarship – tuition waived (up to NT$40,000/semester) + NT$15,000–20,000 stipend |
| Malaysia | €2,000 – 4,500 / year | MYR 1,500 ≈ €300 / month | Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) – full tuition + MYR 1,500 monthly allowance |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 45,000 – 75,000 / year | AED 8,480 ≈ €2,100 / month | Merit scholarships at branch campuses and federal universities typically cover up to 50 % of tuition |
| Ireland | €9,000 – 25,000 / year | €550 – 1,000 / month | Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship – €10,000 stipend + full fee waiver for one year |
| South Korea | US$11,600 – 13,000 / year ( two semesters at US$5,800–6,500 each) | US$900 – 1,400 / month | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – full tuition, airfare, health cover + ≈ KRW 1,000,000 monthly stipend |
Visa, work hours & post-study benefits
Check the fine print on visas before you click on any application. Generous work-hour policies compensate for the costs of living. A clear residency pathway translates tuition into a long-term investment. In contrast, ambiguous visa processing can derail an entire intake cycle.
The snapshot below aligns eight new & emerging hubs on three make-or-break criteria:
- Work limits during the term
- Primary post-study pathway, and
- Usual decision time for a first study permit.
| Destination | Work-hour cap while studying¹ | Post-study stay/work option² | Typical study-visa decision time³ |
| Portugal | 20 h/week in term; full-time in holidays | Job Seeker Visa — 120 days + one 60-day extension (total 180 days) to find work and convert to residence | Residence-category “D” visa: 45-60 working days |
| Estonia | No fixed cap – students may work full-time if their studies are not affected | Extra 9-month stay to seek employment, then convert to a work permit | Schengen/D-visa decisions are usually made within 15 days |
| Poland | 20 h/week during term; full-time in vacations | One-off 9-month graduate residence permit to job-hunt or start a business | National (D-type) visa issued in ~15 days (may extend to 30) |
| Taiwan | 20 h/week (work permit required); unlimited in summer/winter breaks | Job-Seeking Resident Certificate — 6 months + one 6-month renewal (max 12) | Resident-study visa processed in 8 working days |
| Malaysia | 20 h/week only during breaks of ≥7 days, in approved sectors | New Graduate Pass (2024): 12 months open work, no sponsor needed | EMGS aims to issue e-VAL in 14 working days |
| United Arab Emirates | 15 h/week (60 h/month) in term; 40 h/week in breaks with MOHRE permit | 5-year self-sponsored Green Visa for skilled graduates & freelancers (launched 2022) | University-sponsored student visa: 15–20 days standard; 10 days express |
| Ireland | 20 h/week in term; 40 h/week June–Sept & 15 Dec–15 Jan | Third-Level Graduate Scheme: 12 months (Level 8) or 24 months (Level 9) stay-back | Long-stay ‘D’ study visa decisions in ~8 weeks |
| South Korea | 20 h/week undergrad, 30 h/week postgrad; no cap in vacations (permit required) | Job-Seeking Visa D-10-1: 6 months, extendable once to 12 months total | D-2 student visa issued in 4 working days (at consulates) |
Graduate outcomes & employer demand
Before diving into curriculum comparison, take a moment to survey what happens after graduation. Countries that support graduate employment offer long-term stability. When employers are actively hiring, it lowers your long-term financial risk.
The table below indicates the latest available employment outcomes for graduates. It also includes one clear indicator of labour-market demand.
| Destination | Graduate-level employment snapshot* | Employer-demand signal |
| Portugal | 81.7 % of recent tertiary graduates were working in 2022 | ICT vacancies run 288 % tighter than the average Portuguese job, the highest shortfall across all sectors |
| Estonia | 77.4 % employment rate for recent graduates (2022) | National skills-gap bulletin warns of “persistent labour shortages”, especially in digital roles |
| Poland | 84.7 % of recent graduates were employed in 2022 | ICT jobs show 275 % more vacancies per worker than the average post—the biggest gap in the OECD dataset |
| Taiwan | University-degree holders’ unemployment is just 4.49 % (Nov 2024) | “Green-collar” hiring averages 22,000 vacancies a months across 3,600 firms (2024 trend report) |
| Malaysia | 4.76 m of 4.92 m graduates were employed in 2023 → 96.7 % employment | Graduate job-mismatch rate fell to 18.2 % in 2023, its sharpest drop in years |
| United Arab Emirates | National unemployment is at 2.9 %, the lowest in the Arab world (2024) | Labour-market growth >10 % in 2024; green jobs already 11 % of total positions |
| Ireland | 80.2 % of 2023 graduates were employed nine months after finishing their degrees | Record 38,000 critical-skills work permits issued in 2024, half in ICT & health, avg. salary €58,746 |
| South Korea | Economy-wide employment ratio hit 63.3 %, an all-time high (Jul 2024) | Tech-sector demand forecast to rise 12 % in 2024, led by AI and cloud roles |
Quick decision grid to find your best-fit new destination
Data, no matter how precise, is powerless without a context to guide its use. This next section outlines a simplified strategy to help you make decisions. It allows you to compare career ROI, financial comfort, and ease of daily living side by side. Run every country through these filters, and the winners will become self-evident.
Target Fast-Growing Career Sectors
Begin by matching your ambitions to each country’s fastest-growing sector. Portugal’s expansion in green energy and Estonia’s cybersecurity ecosystem favour engineers. Malaysia’s campuses are more suited for hospitality and logistics aspirants.
Scan lists of national skill shortages and salary surveys. Ask yourself if the post-study work visa applies to the industry cluster of your interest. If yes, your degree will rapidly convert into market-competitive pay and stable careers.
Compare Affordability with Funding Opportunities
Low tuition alone does not guarantee affordability. Get an estimate of scholarship opportunities and living expenses before making a decision. Poland and Estonia may advertise their low tuition fees. However, national stipends from Portugal or Malaysia’s MIS scholarship can erase the entire bill.
Project a cash-flow analysis for two years: tuition, rent, health insurance, and visa renewals. Apply a 10% buffer for currency fluctuations. Any destination that meets the budget after this stress test is safe to pursue.
Language Proficiency and Cultural Acclimation
A degree is more than a certificate—it’s a life experience. Make sure you’re prepared to connect with the culture and language from your first day. Taiwan’s bilingual implementation is helpful to English speakers. However, learning Portugal’s Romance dialect may require foundational training.
Consider other living factors like
- access to transport,
- eating habits,
- climate,
- social attitudes, and
- student support infrastructures.
Participate in student forums, campus vlogs, and estimate prep time for languages. Greater alignment in lifestyle ergonomics means fewer distractions from academics.
FAQs
1. What are the top study abroad destinations for Indian students in 2025?
Portugal, Estonia, Poland, Malaysia, UAE, Ireland, Taiwan, and South Korea are the top study abroad destinations. They offer value for money, easy visa access and great employability outcomes.
2. Which new study abroad destination offers the longest post-study work visa?
UAE offers a 5-year Green Visa and a 10-year Golden Visa, allowing graduates to reside and work in the country.
3. Are English-taught programs common in emerging study abroad countries?
Yes. Estonia, Poland, Taiwan and Portugal have rapidly expanded English-taught degrees. Language will not pose a challenge for international students seeking opportunities abroad.
4. How do I choose the best emerging study abroad country for my goals?
Assess your industry’s key growth areas and determine the total cost after scholarships/funding. Examine post-graduation work options, and determine fit on culture, language, and climate.
5. Do emerging study abroad destinations offer a strong return on investment?
Yes. Emerging study abroad locations offer graduates lower tuition and living expenses. This results in a faster repayment of loans. Graduates secure competitive salaries compared to peers in costlier traditional markets.
