Students Not Preferring US For PhD Studies Anymore

A new International survey of Graduate school applicants reveals that there is a decrease in the number of Indian Masters and PhD students selecting US as their preferred study destination. The report showed a 10.2% decrease in interest in the US, traditionally the most popular study destination for Indian students, from 2009-2011.

Also, the UK saw a less than one percent increase in Interest, and Canada saw a 1.36% decrease in interest. With US Universities charging some of the highest tuition fees in the world, Indian Masters and PhD candidates are considering more cost-effective destinations and favorable visa environments to allow them to find employment upon graduation.

A co-author, Danny Byrne of the report says, it is apparent that Indian Masters and PhD candidates are looking for Universities that offer a high quality education at an affordable price. Job prospectus upon graduation are also becoming increasingly important to candidates so a favorable visa environment is likely to attract more of the worlds best graduate students to a country.

The survey, QS TopGradschool.com Masters and PhD's Applicant Survey 2011 has been released by QS Quacquarelli Symonda, compiler of the annual QS World University Rankings. It allows the interested candidates to apply for scholarships worth $1.2 million.