Indians account for 'second largest' international student group in Australia

Students from India reportedly form the second largest group of international students studying in Australia.

According to the most recent figures from Universities Australia, more than 30,000 international students are studying across the country, out of which, China, India, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam are the top five countries with largest student groups.

An increasing number of students from Pakistan, Colombia and the Philippines are also enrolling for different courses in the country.

The most recent data published by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship showed that, in the last six months of 2012, there was a 27 per cent growth in higher education student visas granted to offshore applicants, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Meanwhile, Sydney proved to the world's most popular destination for international students, beating more than 83 cities including London, Paris and New York to the desirable spot, according to a new global ranking.

Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore said the council's figures showed about 35,000 international students studied on campuses in Sydney and more than 10,000 lived in the local government area.

Moore said that the community of international students improves the city's prosperity and livability.

He added that being the world's most popular destination for international students helps build Sydney's cultural diversity and strengthen its regional and global connections.