Indian students have long made up one of the largest representations in international student cohorts at universities overseas. However, India is now emerging as a provider of online learning opportunities, enabling Indian students to stay in their home country and study both locally and remotely.

A 170% increase in enrolment for online education between 2021-2022 may be linked to the pandemic, but, interest has continued to grow, supported by expanding university provision and sustained student demand; outbound numbers are reportedly down 30% as fewer students leave India.

One such institution offering online education is the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore, at which Amarjeet Ghatak is a student of the online Master of Management Studies (MMS). Despite considering studying abroad, Amarjeet had a perfectly good reason for opting for online.

“Studying abroad is an exciting option because of the exposure, campus experience, and global learning environment. However, I didn’t want to take a long break from my career and shift my routine,” explains Amarjeet. “The MMS at IIM Indore offered me a brilliant opportunity to learn and grow without disconnecting me from my professional journey, all while simultaneously applying my learning in real time.”

In a world that’s moved on from lockdowns and social distancing, and fully embraced professional flexibility it’s important to have remote options available.

“As industries evolve under AI, automation, and globalization, the shelf life of skills is shrinking dramatically. Traditional education models cannot keep pace with this rate of change,” highlights Professor Himanshu Rai, Director at IIM Indore. “Online learning provides speed, scalability, and flexibility, enabling professionals to continuously reskill without pausing their careers.”

Outside of India, some schools have been offering online learning for decades. Durham University Business School in the UK launched its Distance Learning MBA way back in 1998 – one of the first globally to do so. Twenty-eight years later, Durham’s Online MBA is enabling individuals at the height of their careers to study without a career break. This includes clinical geneticist and entrepreneur Dr Hemlata Wadhwani Bhatia, who graduated from the Online MBA in 2025.

“Taking a long career break and relocating internationally would have involved significant professional and personal adjustments. The online MBA offered the best balance. For working professionals, it provides the opportunity to continue earning, gaining experience, and applying academic concepts directly in the workplace,” shares Dr Bhatia.

With Indian students constituting one of the largest cohorts of international students in the UK, it’s understandable that many may opt for online learning at UK institutions. This includes Vijayalakshmi Gopalakrishna, a graduate of Imperial Business School’s Global Online MBA. The hybrid model of this course was perfect for Vijayalakshmi’s needs; enabling her to continue working whilst experiencing the energy of a classroom.

She explains, “Imperial’s hybrid model gave me a structured online learning experience during the first year, combined with in-person modules in the second year, where I could actually sit in a room with my cohort, debate ideas, and experience what going back to school genuinely feels like. The programme’s hybrid structure meant I could have the classroom experience without dismantling everything I had built professionally.”

While some schools integrate online aspects into existing offerings, some are focusing on solely online from conception. OPIT – Open Institute of Technology is a fully-remote institution focused on the field of technology; even launching a remote Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

Based in Bhilai, Saunak Tarafdar, student of the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence at OPIT, shares how opting for online education enabled him to pursue his dream course, without needing to compromise; “When I decided to enrol for a course, I was working out of Bengaluru, where traffic and distance led to long commute times. I also wanted a formal degree from a foreign institute. Remote education gave me access to the specific course that I was looking for, along with exposure to a diverse cohort and professors from across the world.”

Despite the benefits, online learning can come with its challenges, which institutions need to acknowledge and address. This includes understanding that a quality education goes beyond merely providing access to materials and experts.

“Students have never learned only from official lectures or textbooks. They have always also relied on peers, shared notes, explanations, and informal support networks,” shares Riccardo Ocleppo, founder and CEO of Docsity, a collaborative learning and note-sharing platform. “Platforms like Docsity allow students to access study resources, exchange knowledge, and feel part of a wider learning community beyond their own institution or country. This is even more important for online students.”

Amarjeet from IIM Indore agrees on the importance of community in education; “In a physical classroom, the environment naturally keeps you engaged, but online learning requires much more self-discipline. IIM Indore offered various opportunities to connect with peers through several batch meets across the country, group assignments, and online collaboration activities. That helped me stay motivated and made the experience much more enriching.”

And don’t forget some of the most basic (but vital) aspects of online learning.

“Have a reliable internet connection and a distraction-free setup,” says Saunak. “Remote learning can be rigorous and screen fatigue is real, especially if you already have a computer-based job. Plan your time well and make the most of evenings, mornings, weekends, and days off.”

END OF ARTICLE