LinkedIn survey - Higher Education in India

According to a global survey by LinkedIn, the business-oriented social networking website, Indian students seeking higher education have ‘exclusive and critical shortlists’. They are motivated by a desire to upskill and strive for precise content at each stage.

The survey on 856 students in the country-394 with a Masters’ degree and 462 aspiring for one, reveal that prospective shortlist for students is as small as having only 4 schools or institutions. 63 percent of them are ready with their list before reaching out to a school representative and 78 percent successfully make it to a school from their shortlist.

Among the many reasons to pursue higher education, the need to upskill drives the students the most. 60 percent of the students named it as the main motivating factor. Leadership development (43 percent), passion for learning (42 percent), higher salary (37 percent) and entrepreneurial opportunities (36 percent) are the other factors that influence the decision to undertake higher education.

Another factor that plays a crucial role in decision making is the professional network. More than 50 percent of the students find professional networks to be better and influential source of information than the personal ones which account for 21 percent. Also, according to the survey, students going for an MBA or a Masters’ degree are more likely to be active on LinkedIn.

Another important finding from the survey is that friends/peers also impact one’s decision to pursue higher learning. Though professional networks remain most influential, institutions’ websites and professional websites like GMAT Club or MBA.com play an equally crucial role.

For the students aspiring for a Masters’ degree, institution’s faculty and its reputation matter the most with 94 and 93 percent respectively. Other factors taken into consideration are- Program format (85 percent), university’s ranking (84 percent) and tech and entrepreneurial focus (83 percent). Tuition fees isn’t a big concern for students coming at 9^th position.