Edtech upGrad Eyes University Partnerships in APAC, Gulf Amid US Admission Drop

Indian edtech startup upGrad, founded by Ronnie Screwvala and backed by Temasek, is intensifying efforts to form university tie-ups in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, as fewer Indian students are choosing to study in the U.S. or UK due to visa restrictions and rising costs. 

upGrad Reorienting Strategy Amid Changing Global Education Preferences

Current Operations & Revenue Model

• upGrad currently partners with about 80 universities across 10 countries to offer online MBAs and executive education.

• Its revenue mix involves enrolling students in online programmes and facilitating transitions for those who later complete degrees at overseas campuses. 

What’s Driving the Shift

Visa & Cost Barriers

Praneet Singh, associate vice president for upGrad’s Study Abroad business, notes:

“Some of the top schools in the U.S. and UK have opened campuses in Dubai, Malaysia and Singapore. We have started going that way as well because geopolitical factors restrict enrollment in U.S. and U.K. schools.”

These changes stem from complexities around visa approvals, stricter rules for social media presence, reduced duration/difficulty of obtaining visas, and elevated overall cost of studying abroad.

Surge in Alternative Destinations

UpGrad is aggressively targeting tie-ups in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, as well as universities in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. 

It is also considering partnerships with well-known international universities that maintain or are developing offshoot campuses in UAE-region locations like Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Birmingham, and Middlesex in places such as Dubai or Doha. 

Measurable Trends & Survey Findings

• According to a recent upGrad survey, the share of Indian students aiming for U.S. institutions dropped to 47% in fiscal 2025 from 60% in the previous fiscal year. 

• Applications to U.S. universities fell by 13% year-on-year, while destinations like Germany (up to 32.6%) and the UAE are seeing significantly increased interest among Indian students. 

Strategic Implications & Benefits for upGrad

Reduced Barriers, More Options Locally & Regionally

By focusing on universities in APAC and the Middle East, upGrad can:

• Lower travel costs, living expenses, and logistical hassles for students.

• Access campuses closer to home that may have fewer visa rigours or more welcoming local policies.

• Leverage online + hybrid models to reduce disruptions.

Strengthening Presence of Global Universities Abroad

Some U.S. / UK institutions are already expanding via satellite or partner campuses in Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. By aligning with them, upGrad can provide credentials or degrees from these global schools without students having to relocate. 

Catering to Cost-Sensitive & Career-Focused Students

The trend, as the reports suggest, is that Indian students are increasingly evaluating return on investment, career outcomes, and affordability. Those aspects are gaining precedence over prestige or long stays abroad.

Conclusion

upGrad’s pivot towards deeper partnerships in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific reflects a broader shift in how Indian students evaluate international education.

As visa restrictions multiply, costs climb, and global politics change, students are seeking viable alternatives that offer quality, relevance, and fewer regulatory hurdles.

upGrad is positioning itself at the intersection of these demands—leveraging its 80-university network, online-plus partner campus model, and increasing demand for career-driven outcomes—to meet this evolving market.

The drop in interest for U.S. study destinations, from 60% to 47% in FY 2025, may be a wake-up call for educational providers globally: adaptability, localised access, and affordability are increasingly decisive factors.