Germany overtakes US and Canada as top study destination among Indian applicants: Report

According to the upGrad Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25, Germany has emerged as the most preferred study-abroad destination for Indian students, surpassing long-established destinations such as the United States and Canada. In 2024–25, Germany accounted for 32.6% of Indian applications, a significant increase from 13.2% in 2022.

By comparison, the United States saw a 13% year-on-year drop in applications, while Canada’s share plunged from 17.85% to 9.3%, signals of shifting preference in global education trends.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 100,000 Indian students, also highlights the UAE’s rising stature in the study-abroad landscape. Indians now represent 42% of international students in the UAE.

Other European destinations, such as Ireland (3.9%) and France (3.3%), collectively accounted for around 9% of Indian applicants.

A major factor driving this shift is a clear change in student priorities. While only 19.9% of respondents prioritized permanent residency, a much larger share — 45.7% — prioritized immediate career opportunities.

On the funding front, 33% of students relied on education loans, while 28% used scholarships to support their studies abroad.
The Indian Express

Regarding academic interests, 86.5% of respondents preferred pursuing a master’s degree. There was also a notable rise in interest in management and MBA programs, which climbed from 30% to 55.6% over three years. Meanwhile, STEM fields accounted for nearly 38.9% of overall preferences.