Why Is AMU Getting Fewer Foreign Students Now? From 616 To 170, It's A Sharp Fall In 6 Years

Aligarh Muslim University witnesses a significant decline in international student admissions — from 616 in 2019-20 to 170 in 2024-25. There are several factors contributing to this trend.

AMU once thrived as a global educational hub, attracting students from more than 30 countries.

Source : ABP News

AMU Admissions: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a prestigious institution renowned for its academic excellence and cultural diversity, is facing a significant drop in the number of international students seeking admission. Once a hub for students from over 30 countries seeking quality education, AMU appears to be losing its appeal among foreign learners. 

From a total of 616 international students — 462 male and 154 female — enrolling in the academic year 2019-2020, the number is down to just 170 in the current session.  

This shift has sparked conversations about the factors contributing to this trend and the measures needed to restore its global reputation.

According to students, one major reason is the lack of dedicated hostel facilities for foreign students. Many international students prefer to live separately from the general student population, but the absence of specific accommodations discourages them from choosing AMU as their study destination.

The AMU administration said they are making efforts to support international students to draw more pupils in the coming future.

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AMU International Admissions In Last 5 Years

2020-21: 337
2021-22: 253
2022-23: 212
2023-24: 178
2024-25: 170

Challenges Faced By International Students

AMU once thrived as a global educational hub, attracting students from more than 30 countries. Today, the majority of international students come from Yemen, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. In its heyday, the campus was a vibrant tapestry of cultures, where students from diverse nations exchanged ideas, explored each other’s cuisines, languages, and traditions, and created an atmosphere of cultural enrichment and camaraderie. This lively exchange not only enhanced the learning environment but also fostered a unique sense of global community on campus.

The current lot of 170 students is from 26 countries, including Yemen, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, the United States, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Palestine, Nigeria, Sudan, and Thailand, among others. 

International students at AMU highlighted a few issues that discourage them from pursuing education at the university. Not wishing to be identified, they said lack of proper accommodations tailored to the needs of international students makes it challenging for them to adjust to campus life. They believe there should be exclusive hostel facilities for international students so they can live in comfort and are able to maintain their lifestyle.

Ajju Ishaq, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party and an alumnus of AMU, attributed the decline in foreign student admissions to broader political and policy changes since 2014. He pointed out that over 10 lakh people have left India in search of better opportunities, and many students now prefer to study abroad due to reduced government support for education.

"Before 2014, AMU attracted students from numerous countries, thanks to government grants and support for international education. However, these initiatives have been discontinued by the current central government,” Ishaq stated.

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Measures Being Taken To Support Foreign Students: AMU 

AMU administration, however, denies any changes in policies that could hinder the admission or convenience of international students. According to officials, no new regulations have been introduced for international students.

Prof. Syed Ali Naveed, Advisor to AMU's International Students' Office, identified multiple reasons behind the decline in international student enrollment These include challenges in the visa process, shifts in the global education landscape, and various socio-economic factors.

He emphasised that AMU is actively working to address these issues and has introduced several initiatives aimed at attracting more international students. These measures include enhanced outreach and promotional efforts, support for streamlining visa procedures, and improving facilities to create a more welcoming environment for international students.