IELTS Survey Finds 30% of Indians Prefer Canada for Studies, Fewer Choose the UK and Australia
Canada still remains the most preferred place for Indian students wanting to pursue higher studies overseas, as around one-third of them would like to go there for their education. As per the findings of the first-ever IELTS survey 2026, as many as 30% of Indian respondents stated that they chose Canada as their country of choice for overseas studies. However, the number of students preferring to study in Australia and the UK is much lower.
This research was conducted and published by the combined efforts of the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. The three organisations studied candidates from various parts of the world to understand their motivations, behaviours, and opinions regarding English language testing and global movement. The survey involved 973 candidates from India, where Canada stood out as the top choice. In comparison, only 9% of the candidates chose Australia, while 8% chose the UK.
Global Mobility vs. Indian Student Preferences
Although Indian students indicated a definite preference for studying in Canada, around 18% of the students surveyed globally ranked Australia as the top study abroad destination. Ranked just below it is Canada with 17% of votes, the United Kingdom with 16%, followed by the United States and Germany at 9% and 6%, respectively.
The results show a more widespread global tendency towards flexibility in study abroad options. According to survey respondents across countries, 42% of IELTS candidates for academic purposes said they contemplate more than one study destination. More and more students now explore various educational choices due to ever-changing study, work, and migration policies in the major host countries.
Focus on Longer Stays Abroad
The findings also revealed plans and the length of stay of future students. According to candidates from India, there is a more significant commitment to remaining abroad than among candidates from other regions.
For instance, among Indian IELTS candidates who appear for the language test for academic purposes, 41% plan to stay back in their chosen countries for three to five years after completing their post-graduation program. Similarly, around 26% of Chinese candidates have a similar plan, demonstrating the difference in career expectations between Indian students and Chinese students.
Although most of the candidates took the test for academic purposes (63% of participants), it was revealed that there are other reasons for taking it—including migration (15% of respondents), finding a job (13%), and professional licensing requirements (7%).
Test-Takers Prioritise Recognition and Quality
The IELTS survey 2026 also provided insights into the fact that the most important aspect for candidates was global acceptance. As many as 82% of respondents said they would prefer taking a test that would be recognised by numerous educational establishments and immigration authorities worldwide. Moreover, the candidates prefer having a choice rather than necessity in terms of their testing. For example, more respondents would opt to take a test from the list of government-approved tests (43%) than be compelled to take a single mandated test (20%).
The financial aspects highlight the emphasis on quality and success. Roughly 90% of the respondents stated that achieving the desired results is as important as using the cheapest testing option. Also, almost half of the exam-takers (41%) said that they would prefer to take the assessment that would give them the highest chance of success, even if it was expensive. Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer at IDP Education, stated that the findings demonstrate the readiness of the candidates to adapt to the highly competitive global educational environment.
Language Preparation and Confidence Building
The survey also assessed the influence of exam preparedness on student confidence and overall capabilities. A considerable proportion (67%) of test-takers confirmed that preparing for the IELTS test was directly beneficial in driving improvements in speaking confidence, academic writing skills, or business-related communication abilities.
Francesca Woodward, Global Managing Director for English at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, noted that structured exam preparation plays a significant role in preparing candidates for academic and professional success. As the first study in the series of research, IELTS Voices aims to observe how global trends are changing in the field of mobility and education.
Looking Ahead
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