After years of vying for top universities across the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, Indian students are now choosing Europe to pursue higher education and work opportunities.
Countries like Germany, Italy, France, Finland, and Ireland are witnessing a record number of students from India.
The interest in Europe is further highlighted by the fact that 146 Indian students received the Erasmus scholarship this year, making the cohort the largest beneficiary of the program – with over 2,000 students receiving the scholarship since 2004.
France, which is the biggest recipient of Erasmus students from India with 31 this year, has already set a broader target of attracting 30,000 Indian students by 2030.
The ambitious plan, promoted by French President Emmanuel Macron, aims to develop a network of Alliance Francaises across India to promote French, launching Classes Internationales for Indian students to learn French for a year before pursuing their degree, and easing the visa process for students who studied in France.
“I think that France has a lot to offer to Indian students, and they would benefit a lot from looking at options as early as during their Bachelors. We offer excellence in many domains at a very affordable cost, and have over 1,700 programs not requiring French, which would allow a student to be trained well while eventually learning French on the side,” said Maud Le Bars, South Asia area manager, Omnes Education.
Omnes Education, one of the largest private higher education institutions in France, is already taking measures to attract more Indian students.
“We ensured that our campuses were English-speaking ready by developing a network of referents to provide customised service to our Indian students and their peers,” Maud told The PIE News.
Maud Le Bars from Omnes Education highlighted France’s appeal, emphasizing the country’s affordable education, a wide range of English-taught programs, and strong career support for Indian students.
Germany is also a key destination, with over 43,000 Indian students enrolled in 2024, a 100% increase over five years. The DAAD is actively promoting academic exchange, though challenges like visa delays persist. Germany’s focus on integrating international students into its labor market, especially amidst a labor shortage, makes it an attractive option.
Italy, with over 10,000 Indian students, is also seeing rapid growth. Programs focused on creative industries, along with improved visa processing and increasing collaborations between Indian and Italian institutions, are key drivers. Joel Alphonso from Domus Academy Milano pointed out that Italy’s academic-industry interface is a major draw for Indian students.
Ireland is another rising star, now home to over 8,000 Indian students. Wendy Dsouza from Enterprise Ireland noted the country’s high global rankings, affordable education, and strong post-study work opportunities as major attractions.
These countries are not only offering quality education but also tailoring their programs and support systems to better serve Indian students, making Europe an increasingly popular destination for higher education.
