Amid diplomatic unrest and sudden changes in immigration policy, higher education in Canada is becoming increasingly confusing for Indian students. This setback is made all the more significant by the fact that until last year, Canadian universities were admitting international students, the majority of them from India, at record high levels. Many students who have been forced to find a path outside of Canada have indicated an orientation toward regions such as Singapore and Australia.
Another region that has clearly emerged as an education hotspot in recent times is Europe, with countries across the continent such as Germany, Ireland, Italy and France recording huge enrollment numbers across a variety of streams and universities. I am.
However, it is important to emphasize at this point that Europe is not the “new preferred destination for Indian students”. On the contrary, educational institutions in European countries have long remained popular among Indian students and parents, even though enrollment numbers have been consistently increasing year after year.
For example, Germany has shown a uniform surge over the past few years. According to our internal report, nearly 51,600 students chose Germany as their higher education destination in 2024, compared to 43,000 enrollments recorded in 2023 and more than 34,000 enrollments in 2022. It wasn’t much better than that.
Similarly, Ireland is showing promise, with enrollments expected to reach 7,000 in 2022, nearly 10,000 in 2023, and over 12,000 in 2024.
Affordable education and scholarships in Europe
One of the factors that makes Europe a popular educational destination is that it offers tuition-free and cost-effective education to foreign students, including Indians. This provision is mainly offered by public universities in countries including Germany, France, Latvia, Poland, and Finland. Of course, there are also many opportunities to win scholarships, essentially based on merit and suitability. For example, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship enables a fully-funded education that covers tuition fees, travel costs and other living expenses, while the German DAAD Scholarship guarantees financial aid to students pursuing master’s degrees or research programs .
Furthermore, Europe is home to a number of world-renowned educational institutions, such as Germany’s Heidelberg University, France’s Sorbonne University, and Belgium’s University of Leuven, which are synonymous with research-oriented educational models, innovation, and international academic standards. Masu.
Europe is also a smart idea for those looking to make a seamless transition from academia to professional fields after completing their education. This is because most countries in the region generously offer post-study work permits. France and Denmark grant work permits for up to two years, while Denmark allows three years and Germany allows up to 18 months.
Having said that, there is no denying the fact that getting into the right university or educational institution in Europe can be a complicated matter, simply because the continent is so vast. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek help from an institution familiar with the nuances of European higher education. While there is no shortage of education agents across the country, there are only a handful of consulting firms leading the entire ecosystem, and it is important that all stakeholders, including students and parents, understand the boundaries.
Anyone looking to explore a path to higher education in Europe, whether it’s choosing the right curriculum with our technology-enabled course finder or securing a legal visa to enter the country of their choice, You need to rely on a partner to support you through the process.
In addition to a national and pan-European network of educational partners and universities, the organization must have at least 10 years of experience in promoting the education of Indian students across reputed universities in Europe. While this in itself may not be new, Europe is certainly one of the most promising destinations for Indian students seeking higher education.
