Over 400,000 international students are anticipated to enroll in Germany’s universities this winter semester, setting a new record for the country. According to a snapshot study by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), this is a 7% rise over the same period previous year.
200 German institutions participated in the poll, which found that there are now 88,000 international first-semester students, up from 82,000 the previous year. Notably, 56% of universities indicate a significant increase in the number of postgraduate students, who are driving this expansion.
Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, president of the DAAD, said that Germany’s excellent educational system is what draws in foreign students. “In times of a noticeable shortage of skilled workers, we should do more to open up career prospects in Germany for young people who come here from all over the world to study,” he stated. Germany’s top ten source markets for international students were also highlighted in the survey. Russia, Syria, and Austria saw decreases, while Iran, India, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Turkey all saw notable increases. Approximately equal proportion of universities in China and Italy reported both gains and declines, indicating mixed results.
The survey did, however, also identify some of the major obstacles that foreign students in Germany must overcome, such as the expense of living and studying, admission regulations, and the procedures for granting visas. German universities are looking into measures including growing their English-language degree programs, raising their enrollment goals for international students, and investigating new target markets in order to address these issues. According to experts, the expansion of master’s programs in English has greatly increased the allure of German universities.
The DAAD is advocating for more reasonably priced student housing as Germany works to keep its standing as a hub for innovation and business. “We urgently need more affordable accommodation for both domestic and international students,” Mukherjee said. Germany is well-positioned to continue drawing record numbers of overseas students due to its reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research. It is evident that Germany continues to be a top choice for international students as the nation negotiates the difficulties of supporting this expansion.
