In December 2024, the Canadian government announced significant changes to its Express Entry system, set to take effect in spring 2025. Notably, candidates will no longer receive additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for having a job offer. This policy shift aims to reduce fraudulent practices, such as the buying and selling of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), and to ensure a fairer immigration process.

Canada Express Entry system overhaul

Canada’s decision to eliminate extra points for job offers under Express Entry from Spring 2025 will increase competition for permanent residency. Professionals, especially those in their 30s and 40s, worry about prolonged wait times as points from job offers are removed, emphasizing education, language skills, and local experience.

Canada is likely to stop awarding points for job-offers under Express Entry Route

Europe has become an increasingly popular destination for Indian students seeking higher education, with countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Russia offering attractive academic programs and cultural experiences.

Authored article- University Living highlights Europe’s rise as a study-abroad hotspot

Europe has become one of the top choices for international students, thanks to its cultural richness, diverse academic programs, and a growing number of world-class universities

The education sector in 2024 has witnessed a year of transformation across various segments, including assessments, higher education, student mobility, skill development, and technological integration. Leaders from the education industry reflect on these developments and share insights on the evolving trends and opportunities for 2025.

Navigating a Transformative Era: How 2024 Redefined Global Education and What Lies Ahead

The evolving landscape, driven by technological advancements, policy changes, and shifting student priorities, is paving the way for a dynamic and interconnected world of education in 2025 and beyond.

Top Trends Of 2024: How Indian Students Are Adapting To Global Education Shifts

The year saw continued implementation of NEP 2020, deeper integration of technology, and a shift towards skill-based learning. The growing popularity of unconventional disciplines and rise of EdTech-driven upskilling was also witnessed. As we step into 2025, the focus remains on enhancing accessibility, fostering industry-academia partnerships, and preparing students for global challenges through competency-based learning

YEAR-END SPECIAL: Education sector had several watershed moments in 2024, here’s what to expect in 2025

Home to a quarter of the world’s population, South Asia has become a major source of outbound migration, contributing a significant number of international students.

South Asia: student mobility trends and 2025 expectations

The U.S. continues to be the top destination for Indian students in 2024, with a 21% increase in enrolments, reaching a record 331,602 students. This growth, especially in graduate programmes, is driven by the U.S.'s academic excellence, flexible education options, and valuable work experience opportunities like Optional Practical Training (OPT). Despite challenges like visa uncertainties, Indian students contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, highlighting the mutual benefits of this growing educational exchange.

Why US remained the top study abroad choice for Indian students

Amid tightening visa policies in traditional study destinations such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, Indian students are increasingly turning to European countries like Germany, France, and Ireland for higher education. Educational consultancies in Hyderabad report a 40% decline in interest in these conventional destinations, citing easier visa processes, affordable education, and lower living costs in Europe as key reasons for the shift.

Student shift focus to Europe

The cancellation of the Student Direct Stream program is a positive step towards streamlining the student visa process.

Canada’s decision to end the SDS program

New Zealand’s international education sector grew 24% in 2024, enrolling 73,535 students by August. Key draws include affordability, post-study work visas, practical learning, and top-ranked universities, attracting global talent, especially from India.

NZ Welcomes 73,535 International Students In First Eight Months Of 2024

Amid strict post-study work visa norms in Canada and Australia, New Zealand has announced major relaxations to its Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) policies, aiming to attract international students. The changes address key challenges faced by postgraduate students, particularly those transitioning...

New Zealand’s commitment to international students as it eases post-study guidelines.

New Zealand has made it easier for international students to work after graduation. Students with a 30-week postgraduate diploma can now get a post-study work visa. This applies even if they move to a master's degree without completing another 30 weeks. Education providers and industry experts support the changes.

New Zealand Post study work visa

The move comes as Spain seeks to address its labour shortage, requiring around 250,000 workers to sustain its economy

European Report: why Spain is an appealing study destination

Indian student enrolment in Germany is projected to grow by 298% by 2030, driven by affordable education, robust scholarship programmes, and post-study job opportunities. This surge highlights Germany's increasing appeal among international students,

Germany is one of the preferred choices for Indian students

The number of new international students enrolling at a U.S. college or university reached an all-time high.

Studying in America: India surpasses China in sending more international students to US

Affordable tuition fees, scholarships, over 600 programmes in English: Why Italy is a big hit for Indian students
From 1,156 Indian students in Italy in 2014, number went up to 6,148 in 2023: Report

Affordable tuition fees, scholarships, over 600 programmes in English: Why Italy is a big hit for Indian students

Canada has suspended its popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme, which expedited study permit processing for international students, especially from India. The move, effective from November 8, 2024, comes amid growing concerns about housing and resource strains. With the introduction of stricter study permit caps and new eligibility requirements, Indian students now face longer processing times and more hurdles. Experts suggest students plan well ahead and consider alternative study destinations.

Canada’s recent decision to end the SDS program

Europe’s academic appeal has surged, making it a top destination for international students due to its quality education, affordable fees, and extensive career opportunities. Hosting around 1.66 million students, European universities are known for their cultural diversity, research innovations, and welcoming policies, particularly in countries like Germany and France. Government-backed incentives and supportive infrastructure have boosted the region’s student housing market, addressing rising accommodation demands as Europe solidifies its position as a global academic hub.

Europe rise an Academic hub

Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Malta are predicted to outpace the US, UK, Canada and Australia as top study destinations for Indian students by 2030. Increased English-taught courses, affordability and better awareness are factors driving this trend. European countries offer high-quality education and various study options for Indian students.

the launch of University Living's report, "European Student Landscape: Beyond Beds and Benches

Australia to now provide new work and holiday visa to young Indian citizens; Check details
Approximately 40,000 individuals have already registered, reflecting significant interest in this new category of visas

Australian government to provide New work and holiday visa to the young Indian citizens

Diplomatic strains between India and Canada may cause a 15-20% drop in student interest in Canadian universities, with shifts towards Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the US. Agencies emphasize diplomatic actions to prioritize student welfare as alternative countries gain traction.

Trudeau's rant against India could see 20% dip in student interest in Canada, say industry experts

With an abundance of art, architecture, food, and fashion, France is one of the renowned and oldest countries on earth. As a student who is considering the country for further study, what are the challenges one should expect? What are the pros and cons? Here are the details

Studying in France: Experts weigh in on top universities, learning French, culture and food

In this episode of Young Turks, CNBC-TV18 brings you the story of Noida based startup University Living.

Founded in 2015 by Saurabh Arora and Mayank Maheshwari, University Living today offers 1 million beds across 12,000 properties in UK, Australia, Europe and Singapore.

Young Turks: University Living, a startup that provides student accommodation with campus like facilities

RealtyNXT decodes the success behind University Living with Founder and CEO Saurabh Arora as he shares the company’s journey towards becoming quality student accommodation provider
Started in the year 2015, University Living has established itself as an acclaimed player in the student housing segment. The company is building a dedicated, end-to-end ecosystem that caters to every need of students pursuing higher education at top global institutes. It currently offers 1 million beds in 12,000 verified properties, with a global presence in more than 180 international cities across markets such as the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Singapore, among others.

University Living Redefines Student Housing Landscape

Close on the heels of prime minister Theresa May’s exit, the UK is bidding farewell to her post-study work rule for international students.

As home secretary, in 2012, May had slashed the time foreign students got to find a job, from two years after graduating, to just four months. This week, her successor Boris Johnson said he plans to reverse the restrictive immigration policy, which had hit Britain’s popularity as a global education destination.

The UK has good news for Indian students—and, perhaps, bad news for the US

There are a million things to consider when making a critical decision. Leaving your home to attend a university in a foreign country would rank pretty highly on the list of critical decisions you are likely to make in your life. Everybody wants their study abroad experience to have all the cinematic flourish there is, minus the weight of unnecessary and meandering conflicts.

However, reality has a way of spicing things up with blatant disregard for the individual involved. After all, truth is—as the adage goes—stranger than fiction. How, then, to ensure having a secure and hassle-free educational trip abroad which also happens to be unforgettable for all the right reasons?

Needless to say, you will need to take care of several important things ranging from researching the admission procedure and accommodation facilities on or around campus to fulfilling legal formalities, packing critical documents, and so on. Planning well in advance is key to having a seamless transition into your new life. Here, then, are some of the things that you must add to your travel checklist before taking off!

Planning to study abroad? Keep these points in mind for the perfect take-off

When planning to attend a foreign university, it falls upon oneself to take care of this, think about that, make the necessary arrangements in advance, and all that jazz. Between the tussle of making time for family and friends, and preparing for the impending takeoff, the list of things that need sorting seem never-ending.

Fret not! This compiled list covers a wide range of potential concerns. So, before you leave your home for the airport, make sure that you have taken care of:

1. Finding secure and comfortable housing in your host city

It is advisable to find a place to stay which is not just close to the university campus but also located at the most convenient distance from the city centre and major landmarks such as hospitals, supermarkets, banks, public transport depot, etc. Given that comfort and security are key considerations, you will want to opt for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Such housing options are exclusively designed for students and are, therefore, at once reliable and safe with endless opportunities to make new friends. 

2. Managing your finances

One of the smartest steps that you can take to have a pleasant overseas education experience is setting up a student bank account in your host country. This will help you save on unnecessary transactional charges and you may also stand to avail other benefits on offer. Secondly, arranging for forex support and being aware of the currency exchange rate is essential for carrying out secure payments. Further, make sure to familiarize yourself with the local denominations beforehand so that you do not fumble with currency-related challenges later on while shopping. 

It is also advisable to keep some cash on you at all times. However, be sure to look up the immigration rules to confirm how much cash you are legally allowed to carry into the country so as not to incur any fines. 



Moving Abroad For Studies? Alleviate Your Concerns With These 10 Crucial Points


Thanks to its top-notch universities, friendly immigration rules, and open work permit, Canada is attracting a large volume of students from around the world. This holds especially true for India, which has contributed to a 300 per cent increase in students moving to Canada from 2015 to 2018.

This is fuelling the demand for high-quality student accommodation in the country. However, the rental accommodation sector in Canada is not as well-developed as that in other education hubs. Thus, after successfully completing the long-winding admission and visa processes, students may find themselves in a tough spot while looking for a place to stay.  This makes it necessary for students to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. There are a few things that one should keep in mind when looking for a place to live in Canada.

Steer clear of accommodation woes

According to a recent report by Ministry of External Affairs and Economic Diplomacy and States Division, India is currently the world’s sixth largest economy at $2.6 trillion. India is half way already towards the government's target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2025. The robust ecosystem of start-ups have a huge role in ensuring that India reaches this ambitious mark of $5 trillion-dollar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the convocation of IIT-Madras recently announced that India is on the third spot in the top start-up nations of the world, with more than 7,000 startups in the ecosystem.

However, much distance still remains to be covered and industry experts should explore the ways in which start-ups can contribute to the target of a $5 trillion economy. 

Can Start-ups Help India Achieve the $5 Trillion Goal by 2025?


It is natural for parents to worry about their children when they are leaving home to pursue their education overseas. From their end, however, parents can indeed do much more than simply submit to worrying. One of the most effective steps they can take is to access the services of leading managed marketplaces to ensure that their children are happily 

accommodated in their study abroad destination.

How new-age managed marketplaces are resolving key concerns for parents who send their children to study abroad

Once the admission process in a foreign university is done, managing accommodation abroad in a cost-effective manner becomes a major area of concern for students and their families.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity and common aspiration among millions of students, especially in India. While getting into a foreign university is a matter of great pride and relief, but once the admission process is done, managing accommodation in a cost-effective manner becomes a major area of concern for students and their families.
Traditionally, students either used to opt for dorms within the university campus or look for shared and independent apartments. Many students would start looking for accommodation only after moving to their new destinations. However, several challenges make this approach unsuitable. Firstly, there are a limited number of on-campus accommodation facilities. As such, only one in six international students is accommodated in university dorms.

Studying abroad? Here is how to find a cost-effective, student-friendly accommodation there

Research shows that in 2008, a mere $20 Mn was invested in prop-tech startups

According to Cushman and Wakefield report, there were 37.39 Mn student enrolments in India in 2018-19

The growing demand for convenient and hassle-free accommodations has left real estate companies scramming

The Hottest Trend In The Prop-Tech Industry: Student Housing

“Summoning up the courage to take action is always the same regardless of how seemingly big or small the challenge. What may look like a small act of courage is courage nonetheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward.”

– Nichiren Daishonin

The recent outbreak has inconvenienced the entire world, rapidly changing how people work, communicate, and interact. From the UK to the US, a number of multinational companies and businesses – from Amazon to Google – implemented work from home policies to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

There were too many variables that made my co-founder (and friend), Mayank and I hesitant – how would the teams co-ordinate, how would the tasks be assigned, what criteria should be set for the number of tasks to be completed in a day, and so on.

A founder’s guide to successfully working from home

While the global health crisis has left a huge impact these past few months, the economy is slowly but surely picking up pace trying to resume operations. Most businesses have adapted to the post-pandemic era by adjusting to the changing needs of their customers and opting for a new sustainable model of operation. All of this while trying to figure out ways to navigate the financial and functional challenges that come with the territory. Impact on universities When talking about the higher education sector, the impact can be felt across all verticals — the universities and colleges, the students, and the student housing operators. A lot of universities are showing considerable flexibility in their admission process and offering concessions in terms of fee-waivers in hopes of increasing the enrolment for the upcoming academic year. Now the great news for students is that most universities are gearing up to reopen for the upcoming intake. This time with a focus on a more blended learning method, paving the way to a new educational paradigm.

Read more at: https://yourstory.com/mystory/post-covid-19-student-housing-industry-look-like?utm_pageloadtype=scroll

Post-Covid-19, here’s what the student housing industry will look like

Global student housing marketplace University Living has launched service-based platform software globally for accommodation partners and students in a bid to help them streamline management of accommodation properties.

University Living unveils SaaS platform

University Living, an intelligent software-retrieval global Student housing marketplace, has clocked in over $300 million in gross bookings Incepted in 2015 and launched in 2016, University Living has seen tremendous growth in these past 6 years.

Global Student Housing Platform – University Living, Surpasses USD 300 Million in Gross Booking Value, Defying the Pandemic

On this National Technology day 2022, let's take a peek at a few innovative startups & their founders who are disrupting their respective industries.

National Technology Day 2022- Tech giants revolutionizing their respective sectors with technical innovation

On this National Technology day 2022, let’s take a peak at a few innovative startups & their founders who are disrupting their respective industries.

National Technology Day- Through technical innovation, these tech giants are revolutionizing their respective sectors.

Ukraine crisis, what was the advisory and how students reacted

University Living has surpassed $300 Million in Gross booking value with $100 Mn just in the last financial year from over 93 countries worldwide.

University Living, surpasses USD 300 million in gross booking value

University Living, a global student housing platform, has launched a new social impact scholarship in partnership with Nottingham Trent University in the UK.

University Living and NTU launch social impact scholarship

Once schooling is done, the transition to college is one of the most exciting and awaited moments in a student’s life. While prestigious institutions are sought-after within the country, studying abroad is a dream for many.

Studying abroad? Here are some dos and don’ts for finding your accommodation

Scholarships are a way for a student to get some aid to ease their tuition, accommodation or even other expenses. While most scholarships are offered internally through the University partnerships with donors, others can be secured externally. 

Types of scholarships for overseas education

The UK government has come up with a new High Potential Individual (HPI) visa under which international graduates from the top 50 universities around the world will be able to work in Britain without the need for a job offer. 

How UK’s High Potential Individual visa will impact Indians

Germany has continued to see an influx of Indian students with many higher education institutes reporting an increase in newly enrolled students from India.

Study Abroad: Germany Attracts Indian Students With Free Education, Student-Friendly Policies

Pandemic fuelled job cuts and salary slashes which led to increasing demand for education loans.

Manifold increase in loan application for overseas education

Easier norms support upsurge; US remains top destination for STEM students.