In a departure from traditional trends, Indian students are reshaping their global education choices with declining study abroad applications from the US and Canada and an increasing trend for Germany. A report from upGrad titled Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25, reveals a shift in how young Indians approach international degrees.
Germany Surges, US Slips
The United States, long considered the default destination for Indian students, is witnessing a decline. Applications to US universities dropped by 13 per cent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, Germany has emerged as the top choice, with student share rising from 13.2 per cent in 2022 to a staggering 32.6 per cent in 2024–25. Canada, too, saw a sharp fall — from 17.85 per cent to 9.3 per cent.
According to upGrad’s 2024–25 report, European countries are witnessing a surge in interest from Indian students, with Germany leading at 32.6%, followed by Ireland (3.9%), France (3.3%), and a collective 9 per cent opting for other European destinations.
The UAE is another rising star, now hosting 42 per cent of its international student population from India.
Career Over Citizenship & Funding
The report underscores a clear shift in priorities. Only 19.9 per cent of respondents said they chose permanent residency (PR) as a goal, while 45.7 per cent are focused on tangible career outcomes. The report takes into account one lakh respondents for the survey.
With diversity in choices, funding remains a critical factor, with 33 per cent of students relying on education loans and 28 per cent depending on scholarships.
Top Course Choices
Master’s degrees remain the dominant choice, with 86.5 per cent of respondents opting for postgraduate programmes.
Management and MBA programmes have doubled in popularity—from 30 per cent to 55.6 per cent in just three years. STEM fields also continue to rise, now accounting for nearly 38.9 per cent of preferences.
Commenting on the findings, Praneet Singh, associate vice president – University Partnerships, upGrad Study Abroad, said: “Indian students today are far more intentional about their education choices – driven by geopolitical awareness, cost consciousness, and the realities of stricter visa regimes and uncertain post-study pathways. The traditional ‘Big Four’ destinations are no longer the default; instead, Europe, the Middle East, and APAC are emerging as smarter, future-ready alternatives. Our study abroad report sets a clear call for universities, platforms, and policymakers to meet the next generation of Indian students at the intersection of ambition and affordability.”
