2 months ago
Indian Students Opt for Europe Over US
Many Indian students are choosing to study in Europe instead of the United States.
This is because the US has made it harder to get student visas and studying in Europe is much cheaper.
The European Union (EU) and India have also made a trade deal that makes it easier for Indian students to study and work in Europe.
Students are picking different European countries for different reasons, like Germany for engineering and France for management.
More Indian students are going to Europe, but there are still some challenges like language barriers and finding places to live.
Indian students are increasingly choosing Europe over the US for higher education due to stricter US visa policies and lower costs.
The EU-India trade deal facilitates easier visa pathways and post-study work opportunities for Indian students.
European tuition fees are 50% to 80% less than those in the US, with lower living costs also reducing the overall expense.
Indian student enrollment in the Netherlands has risen to about 3,700 in 2025/26 from 2,630 in 2018/19.
Challenges include language barriers, housing shortages, and concerns about far-right political parties in Europe.
- Who
- Indian students
- What
- Shifting from US to Europe for higher education
- Where
- Europe
- When
- 2025
- Why
- Tighter US visa rules, lower costs, and EU-India trade deal
Key facts
- Primary Category
- EDUCATION
- Secondary Category
- Study Abroad
- Tertiary Category
- Indian Students
- Quaternary Category
- Europe
- Indian Students in EU (2025)
- 121,000
- Indian Students in US (2025)
- 242,000
- Indian Students in US (2023)
- 908,000
- Indian Students in EU (2025/26)
- 3,700
- Indian Students in EU (2018/19)
- 2,630
- Indian Students in Leiden University (2025)
- 120
- Indian Students in Leiden University (2021)
- 70
Quotes
A. Shrinikheathan
A 22-year-old engineering graduate from Chennai
“If somebody says you will get a job in this country, don't blindly believe it. Just because you studied in that country, it does not entitle you to get a job. You study, and you develop a skill-set; your doors are open.”
telegraphindia.com
“Indian students have been growing in Europe without any overarching framework. Now, we have structured pathways from education to employment.”
telegraphindia.com
EU official
An official from the European Union
“The European Union has become a leading destination for Indian students.”
telegraphindia.com
“Indian students bring entrepreneurial spirit, cultural richness, and research excellence.”
telegraphindia.com









