A fresh wave of preference shifts is reshaping where Indian students choose to study abroad. The upGrad Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25 — based on a survey of 100,000 respondents — shows a marked decline in applications to traditional favourites such as the United States and Canada, and a dramatic rise in interest for Germany and other European destinations.
The findings point to a new generation of students prioritising immediate career outcomes and affordability over migration dreams.
The headline numbers
- Germany: student share rose from 13.2% (2022) to 32.6% (2024–25) — the largest single-country gain.
- United States: applications fell 13% year-on-year.
- Canada: share dropped sharply from 17.85% to 9.3%.
- Other Europe: Ireland (3.9%), France (3.3%), and a combined 9% for other European countries.
- UAE: notable rise — 42% of the UAE’s international student population now comes from India (report finding).
- Student priorities: only 19.9% pick permanent residency (PR) as a primary goal, while 45.7% focus on tangible career outcomes (jobs, internships, skills).
Why students are re-routing their ambitions
The report and analysts point to a cluster of reasons behind the shift:
- Affordability and tuition models — Germany’s low or zero tuition fees for many public universities make it highly cost-competitive versus high-fee US/Canadian programmes.
- Career-first mindset — nearly half of respondents now prioritise immediate employability, industry linkages, internships and faster return-on-investment from degrees.
- Better perceived ROI — tuition + living costs vs expected starting salary is becoming central to decision-making.
- Alternative hubs rising — countries such as Germany and the UAE are improving visa pathways, university-industry ties, and English-taught programmes, making them more attractive.
- Visa, immigration and living-cost considerations — uncertainty over long-term migration, higher living costs in some US/Canadian cities, and competition for jobs are nudging applicants toward Europe and regional alternatives.
What it costs to live and study in Germany (summary from the report)
- Average monthly budget: ≈ €1,120 (essentials: rent, utilities, groceries, transport, health insurance, phone/internet, study materials, misc..).
- Student housing: on-campus halls typically €250–€500/month; shared off-campus flats €300–€600/month depending on city/neighbourhood.
- Private one-bedroom rent: about €700–€1,200/monthNote: cost of living varies widely — cities such as Munich and Hamburg are pricier than Leipzig or smaller university towns.
Practical considerations for Indian applicants
Students weighing Germany (or any new destination) should factor in:
- Language: many master’s and bachelor’s programmes are available in English, but German fluency boosts job prospects and daily life.
- Post-study work: check the country’s post-study work/visa options and how easily students convert study visas into employment permits.
- Course fit & employability: favour universities with strong industry partnerships, internships, co-op programmes and campus placement records.
- Scholarships & funding: explore university, state and external scholarships; many public universities have low tuition but still offer living-cost support.
- City choice: rent, part-time work opportunities, and transport differ sharply between cities.
What this means for destination markets
- US and Canada may need to reassess pricing, scholarship offers and graduate employability messaging if they want to regain market share among cost-sensitive, career-driven Indian students.
- Europe and the UAE are capitalising on competitive costs, English-medium offerings, and growing corporate ties to attract talent. The
- Indian higher-ed ecosystem could respond by strengthening domestic programmes, international tie-ups, and career services to retain or attract returning students.
The upGrad TNE Report 2024–25 captures a clear pivot: Indian students are increasingly pragmatic — seeking affordable education that delivers job outcomes rather than primarily chasing PR. Germany’s rapid rise signals that when affordability, quality and employability align, student flows can change fast.
For policymakers and universities worldwide, the message is simple: adapt or risk losing talent to more career-focused, cost-efficient alternatives.
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