Indian students are reshaping global education trends, shifting away from the United States and Canada and increasingly choosing Germany as their preferred study destination, according to upGrad’s Transnational Education (TNE) Report 2024–25. The study, released this year, draws insights from over one lakh respondents and signals a profound change in how young Indians evaluate overseas education.
Germany Surges, US and Canada Lose Ground
The report highlights a sharp decline in applications to the United States, traditionally the top choice for Indian students. Applications to American universities fell 13% year-on-year. Canada, once a strong contender, saw its share plummet from 17.85% in 2022 to just 9.3% in 2024–25.
Germany, by contrast, has emerged as the biggest gainer. The share of Indian students applying to German universities jumped from 13.2% in 2022 to 32.6% in 2024–25, making it the single largest beneficiary of this shift. Other European destinations such as Ireland (3.9%) and France (3.3%) also reported growth, while collectively 9% of respondents opted for other countries across Europe.
The Middle East, too, is seeing momentum. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) now counts Indian nationals as 42% of its international student population, cementing its status as a rising hub.
From Permanent Residency to Career Outcomes
One of the most striking findings of the 2024–25 report is the changing motivation behind study-abroad decisions. Only 19.9% of students listed permanent residency as their primary goal, a significant departure from previous years. Instead, nearly 45.7% prioritised career-driven outcomes, emphasising return on investment, employability, and immediate professional gains.
Funding continues to play a central role. About 33% of students rely on education loans and 28% on scholarships, reflecting a strong focus on affordability.
Preferred Programs: Master’s Degrees Dominate
Master’s programmes remain the most popular option, with 86.5% of respondents choosing postgraduate study. Within this, management and MBA courses have more than doubled in popularity, rising from 30% in 2022 to 55.6% in 2025. STEM disciplines are also on the rise, now accounting for 38.9% of preferences.
The demographic profile of respondents underscores the broadening of this aspiration. Nearly half were aged between 20–24 years, and 57.2% of upGrad’s FY25 enrolled batch came from Tier-2 cities, pointing to a significant spread of global ambitions beyond India’s metropolitan centres.
Shifting Mindset of Indian Students
Explaining the findings, Praneet Singh, Associate Vice President – University Partnerships, upGrad Study Abroad, noted that Indian students are now more pragmatic and informed in their decisions.
“They are no longer defaulting to the traditional ‘Big Four’ destinations — the US, UK, Canada, and Australia,” Singh said. “Instead, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific are becoming smarter, future-ready alternatives. Students today factor in geopolitics, visa rules, costs, and career pathways before making choices.”
Singh added that upGrad’s blended learning model allows students to begin coursework in India and later transition abroad, giving them flexibility to change destinations in the first year. “The future of international education is not just about relocating overseas,” he said. “It is about moving ahead strategically and purposefully.”
A New Era for Global Education Choices
The findings from September 2025 reflect a decisive pivot in Indian students’ approach to studying abroad. Germany’s rapid ascent, combined with the UAE’s growing pull and Europe’s wider appeal, suggests that the landscape of global education is undergoing structural transformation. The traditional dominance of the US and Canada has weakened, replaced by a pragmatic, career-focused strategy that prioritises affordability, outcomes, and resilience in an uncertain global environment.
