upGrad explores university tie-ups in Asia amid US visa hikes
It earns by enrolling students in online programs and helps them transition to overseas campuses to complete their degrees
By: : Suraj Sinha
Update: 2025-09-18 10:45 GMT
upGrad explores university tie-ups in Asia amid US visa hikes
It earns by enrolling students in online programs and helps them transition to overseas campuses to complete their degrees
In the wake of US visa restrictions and cost hurdles, Indian ed-tech startup, upGrad, is exploring university tie-ups in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific, as fewer students are opting to study in the US and the UK.
Founded by film producer Ronnie Screwvalaa and backed by Singapore's Temasek, the firm partners with 80 universities across 10 countries to offer online MBAs and executive education. It earns by enrolling students in online programs and helps them transition to overseas campuses to complete their degrees.
Praneet Singh, associate vice president for upGrad's Study Abroad business, remarked, "Some of the top schools in the US and UK have opened campuses in Dubai, Malaysia and Singapore. We have started going that way as well because geopolitical factors restrict enrollment in the US and UK schools. We are fiercely expanding in the Middle East and APAC, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.”
The shift comes amid a dip in applications to universities in the US following President Donald Trump’s administration’s policy, which includes tightening students' social media presence and duration of visas.
UpGrad is considering universities such as Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Birmingham, and Middlesex with campuses in Dubai and Doha, and some in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka for tie-ups.
Singh explained that until now, the US had been the top choice for Indian students, lured by research opportunities, strong job prospects and higher salaries than at home. That is changing due to rising visa hurdles and weaker job prospects.
According to an upGrad survey, amid geopolitical tensions and higher demand for more affordable educational destinations, the share of Indian students heading to the US slipped to 47 percent in the fiscal 2025 from 60 percent a year ago. The trend continues.