Hindustan Times ·
From Classroom to Industry: Are alternative study hubs replacing traditional destinations?
Germany, other emerging destinations are gaining traction among Indian students as families weigh tuition costs, visas, employment prospects and RTI.
The picture that emerged with regard to the overseas map was quite consistent over time – namely that the US, the UK, Canada and Australia ruled the roost when students began talking about studying abroad. However, this consistency is gradually giving way. Indian parents are beginning to take into account issues such as costs, employment, visas, work experience and eventual returns on investment. It is particularly important that this change takes place when students come from an educational system that is very grades-focused.
One example would be Germany. According to DAAD, there have been 402,000 international students and doctoral candidates in German universities for the 2024/25 academic year, an increase of six percent annually. Indian students constitute a large portion of the foreign students, with a count of 59,000, which is 20% more than the number from last year. According to DAAD, Germany's total international students' population is believed to reach 420,000 in 2025/26.
