(GERMANY) Indian students are shifting their study plans for the 2024–25 academic year, choosing Germany and the United Arab Emirates over long-favored destinations like the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦. Applications to American universities fell 13% year-on-year, and Canada’s share dropped from 17.85% to 9.3%, according to the latest upGrad Report—its Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25.
At the same time, Germany’s appeal has surged: the share of Indian students considering Germany jumped from 13.2% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024–25. Indian enrollment in Germany is now around 60,000, a 20% year-on-year rise, as noted by the German Ambassador. The upGrad findings are drawn from inputs by more than 100,000 respondents, collected between January 2024 and May 2025, with the report released in September 2025.
Why students are changing destinations
The shift reflects a clear change in priorities. Students and families are weighing costs, stable visa rules, and direct career outcomes over old patterns and destination prestige. The TNE analysis says Indian learners are asking not just where to study, but what the study choice will do for their careers right after graduation.
Germany’s mix of low or no tuition at public universities, clear post-study work options, and strong industry links is pulling in students who want predictable rules and a quicker path to jobs. The UAE’s growth is tied to satellite campuses of well-known universities that grant the same degrees as their main campuses while offering regional access and lower overall costs.
upGrad’s data shows the decline in interest toward the “Big 4” study destinations, with the steepest year-on-year change tied to the United States. Canada’s drop is also notable and, according to the Transnational Education analysis, tracks with tougher student visa settings and rising expenses. Germany’s rise—along with the UAE’s—signals a map redraw in Indian student mobility.
VisaVerge.com reports that families are becoming more cautious about long timelines, unclear work options after studies, and frequent policy shifts, and are seeking destinations with simpler rules and better value.
Why Germany is standing out
Germany’s growth stands out for three reasons highlighted in the upGrad Report:
- Affordability: Public universities in Germany typically charge low or no tuition fees, a decisive factor for many middle-income families.
- Policy clarity: Students see Germany’s post-study rules as easier to follow and more stable than in other destinations.
- Career focus: The report finds a growing number of Indian students picking programs based on job outcomes rather than a country’s prestige alone.
While STEM remains strong, management and MBA tracks are gaining, reflecting a sharper focus on return on investment.
Why the UAE is growing
The UAE is building momentum through its education hubs, where satellite campuses from Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, RIT, Carnegie Mellon, and Weill Cornell operate, including in Dubai and Qatar’s Education City.
- The TNE Report notes 42% of the UAE’s international student body are Indian, showing strong community presence and networks on the ground.
- These hubs market shorter commutes from India, more predictable costs, and degrees that carry global weight.
- For many families, this combination reduces risk during a time of higher living costs and tighter visa rules elsewhere.
Survey demographics and funding patterns
The TNE survey provides useful demographic context:
- More than 100,000 respondents.
- 47% were aged 20–24.
- 27.3% were aged 25–29.
- 57.2% of FY25 enrolled learners come from Tier 2 Indian cities, widening the applicant base.
Funding patterns:
- 33% use loans.
- 28% rely on scholarships.
- Many students mix funding sources to keep costs under control.
Practical effects for students and institutions
Application and program choices are shifting in tangible ways:
- Application strategy
- Students apply to a wider mix of countries, often building a “cost and career” portfolio with Germany at the center and the UAE as a close alternative.
- Program selection
- Rising interest in management, analytics, and applied tech courses that link directly to jobs.
- STEM remains important but is judged more by internship access and employer links.
- Funding plans
- With 33% using loans and 28% scholarships, students time currency transfers, compare bank products, and seek fee waivers and assistantships earlier.
- Transfer pathways
- Growth in hybrid starts—beginning year one at home, then moving abroad—lowers upfront costs and preserves flexibility.
Institutional and policy implications
The shift has broader consequences:
- Universities in Germany must scale services rapidly: housing support, language help, mental health care, and job counseling.
- Employers gain a larger skilled pipeline but face pressure to provide fair internships and entry-level roles.
- UAE institutions must ensure satellite campuses match main-campus standards while building ties with local employers.
- Policymakers in the US and Canada face a message: if they want to regain share, they should offer predictable student visas, reliable post-study work routes, and measures to control living costs.
VisaVerge.com notes families now plan for policy risk the same way they plan finances, changing targets quickly if rules shift.
Advice and practical steps for students
- Book housing early in major German cities and arrange temporary stays in advance.
- Contact university international offices for local housing leads and confirm arrival windows matching visa timelines.
- Compare total cost of study (tuition + living) with expected early-career salaries to assess return on investment.
- For Germany, review official visa guidance from the Federal Foreign Office: German Federal Foreign Office – Student visas.
Universities that provide clear, step-by-step checklists covering admissions letters, financial proofs, insurance, and residence registration make a real difference—especially for applicants from Tier 2 cities and first-generation families.
Changing expectations from parents and programs
Parents are asking for:
- Placement records
- Industry tie-ups
- Concrete internship offers rather than just rankings
Programs are responding by publishing:
- Graduate salary ranges
- Recruiter lists
- Internship conversion rates
Applied universities and technical programs in Germany that partner directly with local firms are particularly attractive to Indian applicants focused on quick job readiness.
Final takeaway
As the 2024–25 intake unfolds, the Transnational Education report’s numbers suggest the recalibration is more than a blip. With Germany advancing on affordability and policy clarity, and the UAE offering recognized degrees with regional reach, Indian students are choosing based on concrete factors: costs they can plan for, visa steps they can follow, and jobs they can see at the finish line.
This Article in a Nutshell
The upGrad Transnational Education Report 2024–25 shows a marked shift in Indian student preferences: Germany and the UAE are rising as top destinations while interest in the US and Canada declines. US applications fell 13% year-on-year and Canada’s share dropped sharply. Germany’s share of consideration jumped from 13.2% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024–25, supported by roughly 60,000 Indian students and 20% enrollment growth. Drivers include affordability (low or no tuition at German public universities), clearer post-study rules, and stronger employer links. The UAE’s appeal comes from satellite campuses of prestigious universities and a large Indian student presence. Surveyed students prioritize cost, stable visa rules, and direct career outcomes, prompting shifts in application strategies, program selection (management, analytics, applied tech), funding patterns (33% loans, 28% scholarships), and hybrid pathways. Institutions must expand housing, language support, and career services, while US and Canadian policymakers may need visa and cost reforms. Practical student advice includes early housing booking, checking official visa guidance, and comparing total costs against early-career salaries.
