World · South & Central Asia · 33 mins ago
Germany and Ireland gain appeal among Indian students
Germany and Ireland are attracting more Indian students seeking higher education abroad, according to a TOEFL executive.
Indian enrolment in German universities reached 69,816 in the 2025–26 winter semester, up 17.5% from a year earlier.
Ireland enrolled about 9,175 Indian students in 2024–25, who made up 20.6% of its international student group.
The executive said students are weighing the return on their investment, including the cost of borrowing or family support.
Both countries offer 18 months of post-study work opportunity, according to the executive.
Germany is drawing students interested in engineering and technology, while Ireland is a choice for some seeking healthcare or social sciences.
TOEFL is accepted by institutions in both countries and is recognised by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries, giving students options when applying.
Germany and Ireland are gaining appeal among Indian students seeking higher education, according to TOEFL executive Karan Lalit.
Indian enrolment at German universities reached 69,816 in the winter semester of 2025–26, up 17.5% year on year.
Ireland recorded about 9,175 Indian student enrolments in 2024–25.
Lalit cited return on investment, study options and post-study work opportunities as factors influencing destination choices.
He said TOEFL iBT is accepted by institutions in both countries and recognised by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries.
- Who
- Indian students considering overseas higher education, including students from Karnataka.
- What
- Germany and Ireland are gaining prominence as study destinations, according to a TOEFL executive.
- When
- The article was published on November 10, 2026. Enrolment figures cited cover 2025–26 in Germany and 2024–25 in Ireland.
- Where
- Germany and Ireland; the article also discusses students from Karnataka.
- Why
- The article cites return on investment, study and work opportunities, and limited US student visa availability as factors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ireland recorded approximately 9,175 Indian student enrolments, 20.6% of its non-Irish-domiciled student cohort.
Indian student enrolment in German universities reached 69,816, a 17.5% year-on-year increase.
TOEFL iBT changed its format and reduced its duration from 180 minutes to 90 minutes, according to Lalit.
The Hindu published its report on Germany and Ireland gaining appeal among Indian students.
- Germany enrolment
- 69,816 Indian students in winter semester 2025–26
- Germany year-on-year increase
- 17.5%
- Ireland enrolment
- Approximately 9,175 Indian students in 2024–25
- Ireland’s non-Irish-domiciled student cohort
- Indian students accounted for 20.6%
- Karnataka students in Germany
- 12,000, or 20% of more than 60,000 students
- TOEFL iBT recognition
- More than 13,500 institutions across over 160 countries
1 source
What people are saying
Most Indian students aspiring to study abroad have been opting for Germany and Ireland institutions in the past two years rather than the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia, that were traditionally chosen by many. This is what the data reveals.
Out of more than 60,000 students who are going to Germany, 12,000 students – which is 20% – are from Karnataka.
These include academic performance, programme requirements and institutional selection criteria.