fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
9th Jan 2025

Germany projected to exceed 400,000 international students in 2024/25

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • Germany is reporting strong foreign enrolment growth this year, with student numbers in the 2024/25 winter semester projected to be up by nearly 10% year-over-year
  • Growth in commencements is correspondingly strong this year, with notable increases in the number of new graduate students in particular

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has released the findings of a December 2024 snapshot survey of 200 German universities. Based on those survey responses, DAAD projects that foreign enrolment in German higher education will reach 405,000 in the 2024/25 winter semester. That represents a nearly 10% increase year-over-year, and the greatest annual growth of the past decade.

The responding universities collectively account for 70% of Germany's international enrolment, and DAAD summarises the survey data as follows: "Around 90% of universities report a stable or rising number of newly enrolled international students. Over half of the universities surveyed reported rising numbers, with a third reporting a sharp increase (10% or more). A further third reported no change, while a good 10% of universities reported a decline."

The German agency notes that commencements were also up this year, by 7% overall and with notable gains in graduate student numbers in particular.

When asked to name the most important hurdles for foreign students in Germany, survey respondents said that visa policy and visa processing was the number one issue (83% of responding universities). This was closely followed by the availability of affordable housing (75%) and costs of study/costs of living in Germany (69%). "We urgently need more affordable accommodation for students from Germany and for international students," said DAAD President Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. "This is also essential for the continued success of Germany as a centre of business and innovation."

The need for expanded career supports and work opportunities for international students also came through in the survey results. As Dr Mukherjee explains: "German universities are demonstrably very attractive for international students. In times of an increasingly noticeable shortage of skilled workers, we should do more in science, business, and society to open up career prospects in Germany for young people who come here from all over the world to study."

Even so, the German government, in collaboration with higher education institutions around the country, has introduced new labour force transition supports for foreign students within the past year. Those initiatives include a funding commitment of up to €120 million through 2028 in order to smooth the transition to work for foreign graduates.

Most recently, the government has also moved to double the number of hours per week that foreign students are allowed to work during their studies.

DAAD will report in more detail on the final 2024/25 foreign enrolment data for Germany later this year.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Global survey underscores demand shift from “Big Four” to “Big Ten” Read More
  • Foreign enrolment in Japan reached record levels in 2024 Read More
  • US: Immigration authorities set out the legal basis for revoking student visa status Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Global survey underscores demand shift from “Big Four” to “Big Ten” A new global survey makes it clear that the more restrictive visa policies that have been introduced in...
Read more
Foreign enrolment in Japan reached record levels in 2024 Japan has an ambitious plan to expand its international student enrolment. In 2022, the government said it was...
Read more
US: Immigration authorities set out the legal basis for revoking student visa status As we reported recently, widespread reports emerged in April that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had...
Read more
Canada’s new government strikes a more conservative note on immigration Canada held a federal election on 28 April 2025, through which the Liberal Party was returned to a...
Read more
Global survey says graduate outcomes the most important factor in students’ choice of institution abroad The latest edition of IDP’s Emerging Futures student survey has just been released. Based on responses from more...
Read more
ICEF Podcast: Is the domestic enrolment cliff a global phenomenon? Listen in as ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen recap some recent industry developments, including a...
Read more
US administration reverses course; moves to restore cancelled student visas Earlier this month, widespread reports emerged that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been terminating the visa...
Read more
Australia’s Labor Party signals an increase in student visa fees Australians will vote in a federal election on 3 May 2025. The two main political parties contesting the...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links