Why Top Universities in Central & West Asia are Drawing Students Away from the West

The global education map is shifting as more Indian students explore destinations beyond North America and Europe, seeking affordability, quality, and career opportunities in Central and West Asia.

Khalifa University(Pic: www.ku.ac.ae)

Published on:

28 Sep 2025, 3:30 pm

The traditional dominance of Western universities is being challenged as countries in Central and Western Asia emerge as preferred destinations for Indian students. Nations such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran are attracting students with a combination of quality education, cost-effectiveness, and globally recognised programs.

The great educational shift? Why students are choosing Central and West Asia

The UAE, for example, hosts branch campuses of prestigious institutions like NYU and Sorbonne, allowing students to earn globally recognised degrees at a fraction of Western costs.

Kazakhstan has witnessed a remarkable 212% surge in Indian student enrollment, jumping from 3,855 in 2022 to over 12,000 by early 2025. Russia attracted more than 31,000 Indian students last year, primarily in medicine, while Turkey is gaining attention for its affordable English-taught master’s programs.

The QS World University Rankings are annual global assessments of universities compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a firm specializing in higher education analysis.

UAE