Study Abroad Trend Set to Hit $10 Trillion by 2030 insight by Prodigy Finance

• The Long Shadow of the Pandemic and How It Sparked a New Wave of Global Students

• The global education economy is now one of the world’s most powerful forces. HolonIQ predict it will reach $10 trillion by 2030

• Competition for top universities is growing fast  and by 2026, early planning won’t just be smart, it’ll be essential say, Prodigy Finance

London, October 2025: From travel vlogs to real-life exploration, the post-pandemic world has entered a new age of discovery. Families who lost jobs or loved ones during lockdown know first-hand how fragile financial stability can be. While some people spent those months documenting their lives online, many others, especially the younger generation now graduating or preparing for their master’s degrees and careers  lived through that time with frustration, uncertainty and a sense of helplessness.

That experience changed their perspective. It reminded them how education can transform not just their own future, but their family’s stability too. They want to build stronger careers, start businesses, or work in healthcare so that the next crisis will never mean an empty kitchen or unpaid medical bill. This generation is determined to do better, and their appetite for opportunity is reshaping the global education sector.

The growing reach of NBFCs and education loan providers has helped many students finally turn their study-abroad dreams into reality. What was once possible only for a few is now within reach for thousands of young people.International students are doing far more than just earning degrees  they’re giving a huge boost to the world’s economy.international students already contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to the global economy each year through tuition, housing and everyday spending  and the figure keeps growing. According to Independent research from HolonIQ also predicts that the global education market will rise to nearly $10 trillion by 2030, driven by expanding access, mobility and innovation in education finance. with international students accounting for a growing share of that total.

The movement, which started to unlock talent to access a global classroom, has now become a necessity. As the demand for studying continues to increase, the question is whether students will have easy access or more competition. Similarly, at the center of this movement are organisations redefining how access to education works. At the heart of this change are organisations rethinking what access to education really means.

Companies like Prodigy Finance have made it possible for students without traditional collateral, a cosigner or even a scholarship to fund their studies  proving that talent, not bank balance, determines success. By removing those barriers, they’ve given thousands of students the chance to study at top universities and build global careers.

Our data shows a clear trend, says Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance. “Students are now choosing countries where they can build long-term stability, not just earn a degree. The demand for studying abroad keeps rising, and they will need to plan earlier  whether that’s securing a loan or deciding on the right university. This year alone, we’ve seen growing interest not only in STEM, but also in MBAs, Artificial Intelligence, Public Policy, Cybersecurity, Law, Business, Environmental Science and Public Health. Students today expect more from education, and as an industry, we need to keep evolving to meet that ambition.”

The global degree economy is no longer just about education, Sonal adds. “It’s about mobility, equality and transformation. Countries that understand this are investing in research, infrastructure and international partnerships. Education is becoming the new currency of diplomacy  building bridges where politics often builds walls. The future belongs to those who are educated, adaptable and connected. The race to educate the world isn’t about who has the oldest universities or the biggest campuses anymore, it’s about who can offer the most opportunity per student”.