Germany has emerged as the most preferred study abroad destination for Indian students, overtaking the United States and Canada, according to the upGrad Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25. Applications to Germany surged from 13.2% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024–25, marking a dramatic shift in student choices.
Decline in US and Canada
The United States, once the default choice, saw a 13% year-on-year decline in applications. Canada experienced a sharper drop, with its share falling from 17.85% to 9.3%. Stricter visa regimes, rising costs, and uncertain post-study pathways are cited as reasons behind the waning appeal of these traditional destinations.
Other Rising Destinations
The UAE has also become a strong contender, with 42% of its international student population coming from India. European countries like Ireland (3.9%), France (3.3%), and others collectively attracting 9% of Indian students are also seeing steady growth. This highlights the diversification of global education choices among Indian aspirants.
Changing Priorities of Students
The report, based on responses from one lakh students, reveals shifting motivations. Only 19.9% of respondents prioritised permanent residency, while 45.7% emphasised career outcomes. This indicates that students are increasingly choosing destinations aligned with job opportunities rather than citizenship prospects.
Funding remains a crucial concern, with 33% of students depending on education loans and 28% on scholarships to pursue their studies.
Course Preferences and Global Opportunities
Postgraduate programs dominate the choices, with 86.5% opting for master’s degrees. Management and MBA courses have seen a significant surge, growing from 30% to 55.6% in three years. Meanwhile, STEM fields continue to hold a robust 38.9% share, showing that technology and science remain high-priority areas for Indian students.
A Redefined Global Map
Over 7.6 lakh Indians pursued higher education abroad in 2024, underlining the growing trend of outbound mobility. Commenting on the findings, Praneet Singh of upGrad Study Abroad noted that students are now driven by “geopolitical awareness, cost consciousness, and career alignment” rather than defaulting to traditional Western destinations.
