Indian students flock to Europe as the Big Four falter

Countries like Germany, Italy, France, Finland and Ireland are seeing record numbers of students from India.

The interest in Europe is also evidenced by the fact that this year 146 students from India received Erasmus scholarships, making this group the largest beneficiary of the programme – since 2004, over 2,000 students have received scholarships.

France, the biggest beneficiary of the Erasmus programme from India – 31 students arrived 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, includes creating a network of Alliance Francaises across India to promote the French language, launching Classes Internationales for Indian students to study French for a year before starting university, and easing the visa process for students who have studied in France.

“I think France has a lot to offer Indian students and they would benefit greatly from considering the option at the undergraduate level. We offer excellence in many fields at a very affordable price and we have over 1,700 programmes that do not require French, which would allow a student to be well-trained while still learning French in their spare time,” said Maud Le Bars, South Asia Regional Manager at Omnes Education.

Omnes Education, one of the largest private higher education institutions in France, is already taking steps to attract more students from India.

“We have ensured that our campuses are ready for English-medium teaching by developing a network of referents who will provide our Indian students and their peers with a personalised service,” said Maud PIE News.

“In terms of career support, the school has an impressive network of 10,000 companies for 40,000 students. We organize over 100 career events (per year). We have also worked to tailor some of these activities to suit our Indian students and French corporate partners interested in India.”

Germany is not far behind – more than 43,000 Indian students were expected to enroll in German universities in 2024, an increase of 100% compared to the previous five years.

DAAD is initiating this development through its activities in major cities in India.

“DAAD promotes academic exchange mainly by providing scholarships to Indian students. We also conduct information sessions, webinars, fairs and seminars to provide information about studying in Germany. DAAD also supports cooperation between Indian and German universities for joint programmes and exchange opportunities,” said Dhanashree Deodhar, regional officer of DAAD.

However, requirements such as the Akademische Prüfstelle certificate have led to delays in visa granting and deferral of admissions for Indian students going to Germany, as previously reported by The PIE.

While the German Embassy has seen a faster increase in the number of APS applications being processed in recent months, DAAD India is working to resolve any delays.

“They have been in talks to find solutions to help reduce waiting times and streamline the application process for students. The efforts include increasing staff and improving administrative procedures to handle the high number of applications more efficiently,” Deodhar said.

Faced with a labour shortage in Germany, the country is also trying to make its job market more attractive to international students from India.

“Special programmes are being implemented to actively support students in learning German, in line with the requirements of companies. In addition, companies are strongly encouraged to conduct presentations to attract students for internships and projects,” said Dr Bala Ramani, a Hanover-based expert on India-Germany relations and skilled labour.

“Based on my own experience of almost 25 years since I came to Germany as a doctoral student, I see the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement as a significant step in the right direction and it can only get better. I sincerely hope that the upcoming Intergovernmental Consultations will prove to be a great success in further strengthening the partnership between Germany and India.”

According to Uni-Italia, the official Italian centre promoting higher education in Italy, more than 10,000 Indian students are currently studying in Italy, and the number of applications is growing by 10% year on year.

“Uni-Italia facilitates cooperation between Indian higher education institutions and Italian higher education institutions for long-term and short-term student mobility. There are around 250 existing (memorandums of understanding) between Indian and Italian higher education institutions, which facilitates direct, smoother mobility, with a sense of certainty for parents,” said Pooja Dodeja, Manager, Uni-Italia Mumbai.

“Uni-Italia is working to maximise this outcome by providing support on this journey and actively working to further expand the network, beyond first-tier cities, over the last few years,” Dodeja added.

The Italian vice consul in Mumbai, Luigi Cascone, said the student visa process in India has also improved. “Waiting times have been reduced by 40% since 2021.”

According to Dodeji, in recent years, economics and management have been the most popular majors among Indian students, followed by engineering, architecture, fine arts and design.

Italian institutions have also opened branches in India to establish their presence there, despite the dynamic economic growth.

“Last academic year, close to 90 students took up Masters programmes at Domus Academy Milano and in the academic year 2024/25 this number is likely to reach 100 from India and the subcontinent.

“India remains a key market for academies like Domus Academy when it comes to recruiting talented designers and creatives,” said Joel Alphonso, Regional Head of India, Subcontinent and Gulf at Domus Academy Milano.

Ireland has become a preferred study destination for international students, especially those from India

Wendy D’Souza, Enterprise Ireland

According to Alphonso, Italy’s growing attractiveness in India can be attributed to the country’s emphasis on academia-industry collaboration, especially in relation to creative industries and related study programmes.

As Alphonso pointed out, Italy has a lot to offer, with most institutions offering English-language programs, integrated academic internships, and post-graduation work opportunities lasting up to a year. However, some challenges remain.

“The misunderstanding about the necessity of knowing Italian and the lack of awareness that job opportunities are wider in Europe and that graduates can more easily explore new careers are some of the challenges,” Joel added.

Ireland once had just 700 students, but by 2024 it will be home to over 8,000 students from India.

The country, bordering one of the largest international education markets, is increasing its resources to become the first choice for foreign students and researchers.

“Ireland has become a preferred study destination for international students, especially those from India. Firstly, Irish institutions consistently perform well in global rankings, providing exceptional standards of education in various fields at affordable tuition fees. Secondly, graduates here can explore job opportunities in a wide range of sectors, which is a major attraction for young professionals,” said Wendy D’Souza, Senior Vice President, India and South Asia, Enterprise Ireland.

“Education in Ireland operates as the educational arm of the Irish government, dedicated to promoting study in Ireland. For over a decade, we have been organising an annual five-city educational tour and a virtual showcase for students. While we have had a successful presence in major cities across India, we are now expanding our reach to other cities across India,” added D’Souza.