With online education in India rapidly transforming, more and more women are taking advantage of it. Thanks to its rise women are being able to pursue their academic goals from home, overcoming travel, relocation and family challenges, Rohit Gupta, co-founder, College Vidya, told FE Education. “Online education offers access to top university qualifications without relocating, making it cost-effective. It suits those with family and other commitments, allowing them to balance education with responsibilities. Plus, it eliminates entrance exams and reduces financial burdens,” he said.
The top five courses which have gained popularity among female students on the College Vidya platform consist of an online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programme specialising in Human Resource (HR) and Marketing, Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelors of Computer Application (BCA), Masters of Computer Application (MCA) and Masters of Arts (MA) in Psychology. “The emerging pattern and growing inclination towards enrolling in specialised online courses indicate that students are recognising the significance of acquiring knowledge and skills deliberately through appropriate courses and virtual education,” Gupta said.
A notable observation is that this trend extends beyond major tier 1 cities and also encompasses tier 2 and 3 cities. While states such as Delhi exhibit a substantial enrollment rate of 22.19% and Maharashtra follows closely with 13.4% , states like Bihar account for 5.40% and Gujarat at 3.45%, respectively. Additionally, another trend underscored by the significant growth in women’s enrollments is evident in cities like Delhi, which boasts a six percent , Pune and Kolkata at 2.10% and Mumbai at 1.95%, according to the study conducted by College Vidya.
The significant increase in female enrollments in recent years can be attributed to several key drivers. Firstly, a growing number of women are choosing to enrol in courses to enhance their skills and expertise, with the aim of advancing their careers or making career changes. Secondly, there has been a noticeable increase in women’s participation in the workforce, leading to a greater need for them to acquire degrees and qualifications that enable them to make financial contributions to their families. “Finally, there is also a rising trend of couples enrolling in degree programmes, allowing wives to access the same opportunities as their husbands. All of these factors are contributing to the remarkable surge in female enrollments,” he explained.
The proportion of female enrollments increased from 27%-28% between May 2023 and July 2023, demonstrating an inclusive approach to higher education access. The trajectory of the past year tells a compelling narrative, as the enrollment rate for women has witnessed a remarkable surge of nearly 500%. It started with around 1,000 admissions in 2021, reached close to 2,000 in 2022, and is projected to reach 5,000 admissions for 2023, the study revealed.