Indian edtech company upGrad is shifting its strategic focus toward Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as interest in studying in the U.S. and UK wanes. Stricter visa rules and rising costs have made Western universities less appealing to students from India and other countries, pushing upGrad to pursue more partnerships in regions like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East.
Founded by Ronnie Screwvala and backed by Temasek Singapore, upGrad is already working with roughly 80 universities across 10 nations, offering online MBAs and executive education programs. Its business model includes enrolling students in online coursework and facilitating their continuation at overseas campuses when feasible.
A senior upGrad executive, Praneet Singh, noted that many top U.S. and UK institutions are now opening branches in Dubai, Malaysia, and Singapore—regions where upGrad is seeking ties. The decline in applications from Indian students to U.S. universities reflects this shifting landscape: the share of Indian students going to the U.S. dropped from about 60% to 47% over a recent year. upGrad sees this as an opportunity to deepen alliances with universities in more affordable and accessible locations. 
