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Germany is becoming a very popular study destination for ambitious international students, standing alongside major study-abroad destinations like the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. As a result, Germany has reached its goal of welcoming 350,000 international students in 2017, which is three years earlier than planned.听
Germany’s total student population is 2.8 million, out of which 458,210 are international students as of 2022/2023, according to the newest edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen.
Read the sections below for more information on international student statistics in Germany.听
Main Reasons Why International Students Choose Germany
- Free/affordable education. Nearly all public universities in Germany introduced tuition-free education in 2014 and only charge a small administrative fee (鈧150-鈧250/semester).
- Affordable cost of living. The cost of living in Germany is affordable, where an international student only needs approximately 鈧992 per month to live comfortably.听
- Excellent higher education system. Germany is at the forefront of innovation, science, and research. Its higher education sector is valued and recognized worldwide.
- Opportunities to work during/after studies. International students can work part-time during their studies to earn an extra income and have the opportunity to stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation (through an extended residence permit) to find employment.听
- Diverse student population. The student population in Germany comprises international students from all corners of the world, including China, Italy, France, and India, among others.
- Numerous scholarship opportunities. Scholarships like the DAAD Scholarship Programme, Heinrich B枚ll Foundation Scholarships, or DeutschlandStipendium National Scholarship (among others) are all available for international students in Germany.
Top Reasons According to 黄瓜视频直播 Survey
- Low Tuition Fees: 35.3%.
- Educational Quality and Qualified Academia: 29.3%.
- English Language Programmes and Student Diversity: 20.4%.
- Attractive Country: 15.1%.
International Student Growth in Germany Over the Years
In Germany, international students are categorized into two groups: Bildungsauslaender (international students) and Bildungsinlaender (resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2022/2023: A total of 458,210 international students in Germany (367,578 international students and 90,632 resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2021/2022: A total of 440,564 international students in Germany (349,438 international students and 91,126 resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2020/2021: A total of 416,437 international students in Germany (324,729 international students and 91,708 resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2019/2020: A total of 411,601 international students in Germany (319,902 international students and 91,699 resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2018/2019: A total of 394,665 international students in Germany (302,157 international students and 92,508 resident international students).
- Winter Semester 2017/2018: A total of 374,583 international students in Germany.听
- Winter Semester 2016/2017: A total of 358,895 international students in Germany.
- Winter Semester 2015/2016: A total of 340,305 international students in Germany.
- Winter Semester 2014/2015: A total of 321,569 international students in Germany.
- Winter Semester 2013/2014: A total of 301,350 international students in Germany.
Brief Description of International Student Growth in Germany in Past Years
- From 2020/21 to 2022/23, international student numbers in Germany experienced an increase of 10%.
- International student numbers in Germany have increased by 52% in nearly a decade, from 2013/14 to 2023.
- In a matter of 1 year, from 2022 to 2023, international student numbers experienced a 4% increase.
- Ever since the Government approved tuition-free education in Germany in 2014, international student numbers have spiked from 301,350 to 458,210.
- International student numbers in Germany have been showing steady growth throughout the years.听
- Germany鈥檚 international student statistics estimated reaching a total of 350,000 international students by the year 2020, a number which was reached in the year 2017, three years prior to the estimation date.
Types of Higher Education Institutions International Students Choose
- International students in Germany are more likely to choose a University (Universit盲t) over a University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule).
- The gap between international students enrolled in 鈥淯niversity鈥 (242,310) and international students enrolled in Universities of Applied Sciences (107,128) remains large.
International Student Numbers by Type of Higher Education Institution
| Academic Year | 鲍苍颈惫别谤蝉颈迟测听 | University of Applied Sciences |
| 2021/22 | 242,310 | 107,128 |
| 2020/21 | 228,292听 | 96,437 |
| 2019/20 | 229,763 | 90,139 |
| 2018/19 | 207,528 | 74,430 |
| 2017/18 | 197,520 | 67,964 |
| 2016/17 | 188,101 | 107,888 |
International Students in Germany by Country of Origin
*Visualisation refers to previous year data. Please read below for current data.
- Most international students at German universities are from the following countries: India, China, Syria, Austria, and Turkey.
- Until recently, China was the leading source of international students at German universities. However, India has now surpassed China in this regard.
- The number of Indian students at German universities is currently 42,578 international students, making India the leading source of international students in Germany
- In 2016, there were 13,537 Indian students in Germany, marking a 214.5% rise over a span of seven years.
- The number of Chinese students in Germany is currently 39,137 international students.
Here are the top countries of origin of international students in Germany:
| Country | International Students in Germany (2022/23) |
| 滨苍诲颈补听 | 42,578 international students |
| 颁丑颈苍补听 | 39,137 international students |
| Syria | 15,563 international students |
| Austria | 14,762 international students |
| Turkey | 14,732 international students |
| Iran | 13,279 international students |
| Russia | 10,490 international students |
| Italy | 10,247 international students |
| Ukraine | 9,069 international students |
| Pakistan | 8,208 international students |
| Egypt | 7,777 international students |
| Cameroon | 7,345 international students |
| 惭辞谤辞肠肠辞听 | 7,045 international students |
| France | 6,997 international students |
| Spain | 6,876 international students |
Wissenschaft weltoffen.
International Students in Germany by Study Field
- Most international students study Engineering at German universities, a total of 145,707 students.
- In 2020/21, 136,579听 international students studied Engineering in Germany.
- The second most preferred study fields for international students are Law, Economics, and Social Sciences, with 87,350 students.
- With only 7,636 international students enrolled in 2021/22, Agricultural, Forestry, and Food Sciences courses are the least preferred study options for international students in Germany.
International Students in Germany by Course Level
- As of 2021/22, 130,478 or 37.3% of international students in Germany were attending a Bachelor鈥檚 degree course, 148,901 or 42.6% a Master鈥檚 degree, 28,745 or 8.2% PhD programs, 19,960 or 5.7% other degrees, and 21,354 or 6.1% non-degree courses.
- The majority of international students are enrolled in undergraduate degree courses.
- In 2020/21, 127,241 international students were studying at the undergraduate level, and 137,261 international students were enrolled in postgraduate studies.
Future Plans of International Students in Germany
- According to a survey by studying-in-germany.org, 69.2% of international students say they prefer to stay in Germany after graduation to find employment.
- 16.5% of international students plan on returning home after graduation.
- 14.3% of international students would like to stay around and travel to interesting places.
Funding Options for International Students in Germany
- 37.5% of students plan to fund their education through part-time work.
- 29% of students plan to remain on their savings and family incomes.
- 24.3% plan to rely on scholarships.
- 9.2% plan to get a student loan.
Further Information
Statistics for analysis generated by:听
>> Wissenschaft Weltoffen.
>> 黄瓜视频直播 survey.
>> Analysis by Studying-in-Germany.org.
