Germany’s foreign enrolments continued to grow in the 2025/26 academic year

German universities’ international enrolments continue to grow. In 2025/26, about 420,000 foreign students were enrolled, a +4% year-over-year increase. The number of first-time foreign students also grew to 99,000, a +9% increase, with new enrolments in master’s programmes especially strong. That pattern of growth is now over a decade long.

The data comes from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and is based on a survey of 212 universities reporting their winter enrolments for 2025/26.

More demand from the US

The survey also revealed the appeal of German institutions’ advanced degrees and research opportunities – particularly from students in the US. Over two-thirds of universities reported more enquiries from students, researchers, and professors in the US. There was no indication of how much of this demand was from American students versus foreign students and researchers living in the country.

DAAD President Dr Joybrato Mukherjee said, “Germany and its universities … are able to attract talented individuals, particularly in the highly sought-after STEM subjects, and offer them excellent study and research conditions.

“We are observing that the environment for students and scientists in the USA has changed, and many of our member universities are reporting increased interest in Germany as a place to study and conduct research from the United States.”

As we reported recently, Germany is among many countries that have reacted to the difficult research environment in the US under President Trump by investing significantly in attracting top American scholars as well as international students impacted by Trump's policies.

English-taught programmes are a major draw

A key reason for German universities’ draw is the expanding number of English-taught degree programmes (ETPs) they offer. With over 2,400 ETPs, Germany is the second largest provider of these programmes in Europe after Ireland. The DAAD survey found that most institutions intend to develop even more ETPs.

Along with France, Germany is now a top European study destination. Its top markets are:

• India
• China
• Türkiye
• Iran
• Austria
• Pakistan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Russia
• Italy

DAAD did not publish public information on growth trends for those markets.

Rising in the ranks of preferred destinations

In 2025, DAAD conducted another survey (called the "BintHo" survey) of 115,000 international students enrolled in over 130 universities, and it revealed that 75% of participants had chosen Germany as their number one destination. The major motivating factors for those students were the “availability of English-language degree programmes, attractive career prospects, and low tuition and living costs.”

The survey found that international students generally feel welcome and satisfied on German university campuses. However, about half of surveyed students said they have experienced occasional events of discrimination off campus, with African, Middle Eastern, and Asian students more likely to report these incidents.

DAAD’s Dr Joybrato Mukherjee cautioned: “Reports of discrimination must serve as a warning to us. Cosmopolitanism and tolerance are essential prerequisites if we want to convince outstanding young people to work for us as doctors, engineers, or AI experts. We are all called upon to stand up against xenophobia and discrimination.”

Other than this finding, however, the survey revealed substantial interest among international students in staying in Germany after their studies. Two-thirds intended to stay, and about half said they intended to seek long-term employment.

For additional background, please see:

• “Foreign recruitment of American students and researchers is intensifying”
• “Many foreign students want to stay in Germany but need more help with the transition to life after study”