Indian Students Shift Study Abroad Focus from Canada to Europe

An important trend is that Indian students are increasingly searching outside of Canada for higher education overseas, with Europe being a popular choice. This change is mostly the result of Canadian immigration policy changes and diplomatic turmoil, which have left overseas students feeling apprehensive.

Recent data indicates that Indian students have significantly increased their enrollment in Europe, with nations like Germany, Ireland, Italy, and France emerging as top destinations. Indian students have been steadily increasing in Germany, with about 51,600 choosing German universities in 2024, up from 43,000 in 2023 and 34,000 in 2022.

The number of Indian students studying in Ireland has also increased significantly, rising from 7,000 in 2022 to 12,000 in 2024.”Europe offers tuition-free and cost-effective education for international students, including Indians,” said a source. “Additionally, there are numerous scholarship opportunities available, such as the Erasmus Mundus Scholarships and Germany’s DAAD Scholarships.”

Europe is home to numerous internationally recognized academic institutions, including KU Leuven in Belgium, Heidelberg University in Germany, and Sorbonne University in France. International academic standards, innovation, and research-oriented educational approaches are provided by these institutions.
Additionally, the majority of European nations provide substantial post-study work permits, which facilitate students’ seamless transition from school to the workplace. Germany grants work permits for 18 months, although France and Denmark grant them for up to two years. It can be difficult to navigate the complicated European higher education system, though. Europe is set to become a more alluring destination as Indian students continue to look at higher education options outside. Europe is a strong option to more conventional travel places like Canada because of its world-class universities, scholarship opportunities, and reasonably priced schooling.