For years, West Asia, especially the UAE, had become a popular alternative to Western countries for Indian students. It was closer to home, more affordable, and offered access to well-known international universities.
But now, that momentum appears to have hit pause.
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UAE plan on hold: Indian students rethink study options amid West Asia tension
In one lineIndian students delay UAE study plans due to rising West Asia geopolitical tensions and safety concerns.Key points• Rising alternative disruptedThe UAE and other West Asian countries had become popular study destinations for Indian students due to affordability and proximity, but geopolitical tensions are causing students to defer or cancel plans.• Safety concerns dominateStudents initially prioritised education and job opportunities but now view safety as a decisive factor, leading many to abandon or postpone their study abroad plans.• Mid-process cancellationsSeveral students had secured admissions but paused or dropped their plans midway due to escalating conflicts and uncertainty about future stability.• Professional timeline affectedDelays in study abroad plans have disrupted students' professional timelines, forcing some to seek jobs in India instead and reconsider long-term career goals.• Expert caution on ROIStudy abroad experts advise caution, noting that while geopolitical issues may stabilise, West Asia's job market reliability and brand recognition remain questionable for Indian students.Key statistics18.8 lakhTotal Indian students studying abroad in 2025Over 2.5 lakhIndian students in UAENearly 90%Increase in West Asia study interest in 202559%UAE's share of MENA study searchesProcessed with AI. Reviewed by DH Digital Team.
With rising tensions in the region due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, uncertainty is beginning to ripple into student decisions, forcing many to drop or defer plans mid-application, even after securing admissions.
"I applied in the UAE, got accepted, but now I've changed plans because of the geopolitical situation. My family is worried it's not the safest now," said Niyati, a recent graduate who had planned to pursue a master's in business.
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The shift is significant, especially given how rapidly West Asia has been gaining traction among Indian students.
As of 2025, nearly 18.8 lakh Indian students are studying abroad, with over 25 per cent in Gulf countries. The UAE alone hosts over 2.5 lakh Indian students, alongside tens of thousands in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman.
What made the region attractive was clear:
Proximity to India
Lower costs when compared with the US or the UK
Increasing presence of international university campuses
Search interest reflected this surge. As per a recent report by Keystone Study Group, interest in West Asia study destinations rose by nearly 90 per cent in 2025, with the UAE accounting for 59 per cent of searches in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
But the current geopolitical situation has disrupted this growing popularity.
An alternative to the West
For Niyati, the decision to shift away from the West had been deliberate.
"The US was very expensive and far. I wanted a place where I could come home even in six months… UAE made sense because of safety, opportunities, and proximity," she explained.
But the recent escalation changed everything. "You can never predict the thing. Though I was applying for the September intake, there is no certainty that things will be normal by then. War changes everything," she said.
Her plans are now on hold. "I've stopped applications and might go next year… everything was almost done on my end, but I've given it a break."
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Ayush, another student, had also pivoted to the UAE after ruling out the US due to visa issues and job uncertainty.
"What struck me was that UAE programmes let you work during the day and study in the evening… you could manage living expenses and complete a master's within a reasonable budget," he said.
Niyati, a recent graduate who had planned to pursue a master's in businessThough I was applying for the September intake, there is no certainty that things will be normal by then. War changes everything.But like Niyati, he too has paused his plans midway.
"When I started researching and giving interviews, the conflict started, so I dropped my master's plan," he said.
He had already secured offers, including from the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
"For now, I've dropped the plan… maybe next year, if things improve," he told DH.
Safety concerns overshadow opportunity
Interestingly, students say safety was not initially their primary concern, but it has now become decisive.
"From a student's point of view, the biggest concern is getting a good college and job. Safety comes after that but now it's become unavoidable," Ayush explains.
Beyond safety, the impact is deeply personal and professional. Students who had meticulously planned their professional timeline, are now sitting in uncertainty because of the geopolitical scenario.
"When my masters' options did not work out in India, I planned to go to the UAE as I was adamant on doing my master's this year. In India, gap years are a big deal. People consider it a waste of time," Niyati says.
She has now moved on to job applications, a shift she had not planned for.
"I was so dependent on my plans to get admission this year, that this delay has affected me a lot. It has shaken my professional journey," she adds.
Why the UAE is on students' radarA temporary disruption or deeper rethink?
It is difficult to comment on how soon the conflict will end and the region will return to normalcy. However, study abroad experts advise students to process with caution, even after the situation has normalised.
Sreekar Sannapareddy, founder of Gradvine, a study abroad platform, notes that while geopolitical disruptions tend to stabilise over time, students must evaluate long-term outcomes carefully.
"Most students go abroad for a return on investment… and in that regard, the Middle East was never very reliable, because only a fraction ends up getting jobs," he says.
He also flagged concerns around the rise of "sister campuses" of global universities in the region, noting that institutions such as the University of Birmingham, Heriot-Watt University and Middlesex University have established campuses in Dubai, alongside Indian institutions like IIT and IIM, which operate an international campus in the emirate.
"You'll pay high fees and may still end up job hunting in India… brand recognition matters when you return," he adds.
Experts estimate that 15,000-20,000 Indian students enrol in West Asian higher education each year, with the UAE accounting for a large share.
The larger shift, however, is undeniable. From the US visa crunch to rising costs in Western countries, and now geopolitical instability in emerging destinations, Indian students are navigating an increasingly complex global education landscape.