Foreign undergraduate enrolment in US colleges has fallen by an average of 20% this spring, a coalition study says, based on a survey of 149 American schools. The decline is already showing up in both undergraduate and graduate intakes, with 62% of institutions reporting lower international enrolment. Universities blame restrictive government policies, immigration enforcement actions, paused interviews, and sharply fewer student visa issuances. With international students funding large parts of budgets, universities fear stronger pressure ahead for the fall intake.
Rice University is exploring a bigger footprint in India, with research and academic partnerships that align with the new National Education Policy. Noting strong demand from Indian students, the US institution says it is weighing all options for a physical presence, including campus-level engagement, as it studies how best to expand.
Your news, in seconds
Get the Beige app — every story in 60 words, updated hourly. Free on iOS & Android.
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Arizona State University for academic exchange and joint knowledge sharing. The partnership is designed to blend BIT’s technical rigor with global innovation, targeting the education-to-employability gap. The move also supports India’s broader ambition to emerge as a global knowledge superpower.
As AI changes hiring and workplace expectations, institutions are moving from vague intent to verifiable capability. AI certifications are emerging as a benchmark, and structured programs like ET AI-Ready help colleges and universities assess curriculum, faculty strength, and supporting infrastructure—so graduates meet the demands of an AI-driven job market.
Nvidia director Mark Stevens and his wife Mary have pledged $200 million to the University of Southern California to expand AI research and training. The donation is designed to elevate USC into a national AI leader, including the creation of an AI for Business degree program and a planned rename of its advanced computing school.
France says it will raise tuition fees for most non EU students starting the 2026 27 academic year. Bachelor programs are set at €2,895 annually and master’s at €3,941, replacing broad exemptions with a system of differentiated fees. The change is designed to reshape international recruitment, steering demand toward areas like AI and biotechnology.
Never miss a story
Set alerts for the topics and sources you care about. Download Beige for free.
India is increasingly hosting campuses of foreign universities, a shift meant to keep students at home and curb foreign-exchange outflows. UK universities have already set up branches, and more are expected. Supporters frame it as easier access to global degrees, but the fine print on who benefits, how courses run, and what gets priced in is raising questions.
A major US student loan shakeup in 2026 will reduce the number of repayment plans and impose stricter borrowing limits for parents and graduate students. Some existing options will be phased out while new pathways come in. For families planning college costs, the timing of decisions may matter even more as the rules change how repayments and borrowing strategies are built.
A 21-year-old Khaled Sharif, once a topper at Kingston University, has shared his struggle to land work in the UK after spending over ₹1 crore on a degree. He applied to nearly 500 jobs but got fewer than 20 interview calls, prompting him to widen his search beyond his field. He blames an oversupplied graduate market, reduced hiring, and possible misconceptions about work eligibility.
Germany’s academic exchange agency DAAD is redesigning its India strategy. Instead of focusing mainly on sending students to Germany, DAAD plans long-term partnerships with Indian institutions to expand joint research and academic collaboration. The agency is also encouraging more German students to study in India, aiming to strengthen durable ties between the two countries’ education ecosystems.
Reading on mobile?
Open Beige in the app for a smoother experience — free on iOS and Android.
Foreign universities are increasingly setting up campuses in India, signaling a shift in the country’s higher-education landscape. The expansion is positioned as a way to raise academic quality and widen access to international diplomas, potentially making globally recognized degrees more reachable for Indian students without studying abroad.
Protests erupted at Jammu’s Lok Bhawan as Hindu groups, led by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti, burned an effigy of LG Manoj Sinha. The anger stems from allegations over the composition of the first MBBS batch at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence, with protesters demanding cancellation of admissions after many selected candidates, they claim, were drawn disproportionately from a particular group.
The Education Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that the number of Indian students going abroad for higher education has been steadily declining for the past three years. Officials say the focus is shifting to strengthening domestic universities through NEP 2020, including better infrastructure and more research. The government is also inviting foreign universities to set up campuses in India.
Indian students are increasingly moving away from the usual US, UK, Canada and Australia route for study abroad. Stricter visa scrutiny, higher overall costs and worries about post-study job prospects are driving the shift. Ireland, New Zealand and select European countries are emerging as fresh options as applicants take a more strategic, less default approach to international education.
Follow your favourite sources
Track sources, tags and categories — all in the Beige app.
India is making a notable mark in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with many institutions improving their positions. The biggest gains are in engineering and computer science, signaling rising academic quality and stronger global competitiveness. The jump also means more top-ranked programs in key future-oriented subjects, reflecting deeper institutional intent and investment.
IITs are set to let students take select courses at other campuses and even spend a semester away from their home institute starting this academic year. Reportedly the first formal academic exchange within the IIT system, the change aims to reduce the rigidity of the JEE rank driven pathway that has long tied entry to the entire academic journey.
UK universities are being warned that international students can no longer be treated as a financial backstop as demand for UK education cools. Even with aggressive recruitment, institutions face tighter visa scrutiny, higher operating costs and weaker profitability, raising compliance risks. Experts say swelling overseas enrolments may stop guaranteeing revenue, making the current growth model less sustainable.
TOEFL interest in India has rebounded sharply post pandemic, with test takers rising 59%. Indian students are increasingly sending score reports beyond the US and UK, with more activity seen in countries like Singapore, Australia, France, and Sweden. The shift is also linked to TOEFL updates, including a shorter, more user friendly test format.
Stay informed on the go
Bite-sized news from 100+ trusted sources, right in your pocket.
International students are increasingly moving away from traditional study destinations like the US and UK as immigration and post-study work rules evolve. Countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, France, and Germany are gaining attention for visa-friendly pathways, stronger employability prospects, and perceived long-term stability. Robust job markets and clearer post-graduation options are driving the shift.
Since 2008, Indian-Americans have donated more than $3 billion to US universities, boosting research, innovation, and higher-education access. Many gifts target medical sciences, engineering, and business, creating a “flywheel effect” that strengthens the wider academic ecosystem. The giving also supports cultural programming and broader educational opportunities, deepening India-US ties.
Swipe through stories, personalise your feed, and save articles for later — all on the app.