Germany has overtaken Canada as the top study abroad destination among Indian students, according to a report by an online higher education company. The report indicates a significant shift in preferences, with Germany becoming increasingly favored for its high-quality education system, affordable or no tuition fees, and strong post-graduation employment prospects.
In contrast, Canada’s popularity has seen a notable decline, with only 9.3% of respondents now considering it their dream destination. This drop could be attributed to several factors, including rising tuition costs, changes in immigration policies, or increased competition from other countries like Germany, which offer similar or even better opportunities for international students.
The latest report by an online higher education company reveals significant shifts in the preferences of Indian students seeking to study abroad in 2024. Contrary to expectations, European Union (EU) countries have seen the highest demand, with 48.8% of respondents choosing EU destinations, followed by the USA (27.6%) and the UK (9.5%). The demand for the UK has notably decreased by 11.34% since the last survey, a trend that could be linked to the UK’s recent changes to its dependent visa policy.
Change in Preferences Within the EU, Germany leads the pack, attracting 32.6% of Indian students, followed by Ireland (3.9%), France (3.3%), and other European nations (9%). This growing preference for European destinations over traditional favorites like Canada underscores a shift in aspirations, with Indian students increasingly seeking affordable, high-quality education coupled with Europe’s strong industrial base.
The report, which analyzed data from over 25,000 aspirants across tier-I/metropolitan cities (42.8%) and tier-II and tier-III cities (57.2%), provides a comprehensive look at the evolving trends in Indian students’ study abroad choices.
Key Findings
Educational Background: The majority of study abroad aspirants have an Engineering background, with 44% being BTech graduates, followed by BCom (19%), BSc (15%), and BA (10%) graduates.
Most Sought-After Programs Management degrees are the most popular choice, with 55.6% of respondents aiming for leadership roles and C-suite positions. Computer Science and IT programs also saw strong interest from 28.7% of respondents, reflecting a growing demand for tech-related skills. Traditional Engineering and Medical Science degrees remain popular as well.
Financial Considerations A significant portion of the aspirants, 41.1%, come from middle-class families with an overseas education budget ranging from 16 to 25 lakhs. The second-largest group (40.4%) has a budget between 26-50 lakhs. To finance their education abroad, 66.5% of respondents plan to seek education loans, while 33.5% rely on self-funding.
These insights highlight the evolving landscape of higher education preferences among Indian students, with Europe emerging as a key destination due to its affordability, quality of education, and robust job opportunities post-graduation.
