Rising Popularity of Germany and Ireland
Indian students are increasingly choosing Germany and Ireland as their preferred destinations for higher education. According to an exclusive interview with The Hindu, this trend has been observed over the past two years, shifting away from traditionally popular choices like the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Student Enrollment Numbers
Data from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), the world’s largest funding organization for international student exchange in Germany, indicates that 69,816 Indian students were enrolled in German universities during the winter semester of 2025–26. This represents a 17.5% year-on-year increase.
Approximately 9,175 Indian students were enrolled in Ireland in 2024–25, accounting for 20.6% of the country’s non-Irish-domiciled student cohort.
Key Factors Driving the Trend
Several factors contribute to this shift. The 18-month post-study work authorization offered in Germany is a significant advantage. Furthermore, Germany is recognized for its world-class engineering and technology programs. Students, particularly those from Bengaluru, are also drawn to these destinations due to their entrepreneurial aspirations.
Students are considering the Return on Investment (ROI) when making their decisions, as they often rely on loans or family investments for their education. Ireland is particularly appealing to students interested in healthcare and social sciences, offering similar benefits to Germany.
TOEFL Test Requirements
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT is widely accepted by institutions in both Germany and Ireland. It’s recognized by more than 13,500 institutions across 160 countries. The TOEFL iBT is the primary English proficiency test required for admission to many German universities.
TOEFL Test Changes
The TOEFL iBT has undergone changes in January 2026 to better suit a Gen-Z audience. The test duration has been reduced to 90 minutes, down from 180 minutes. The format has also been updated with four skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – and questions framed with a simpler, more adaptive approach, known as the Multi-Stage adaptive Test (MST).
Results are now available in 72 hours, a significant reduction from the previous 7-10 day turnaround. Students have access to 21 full-length mock tests and 3,000 practice questions at a nominal cost.
Important Considerations
University admission outcomes depend on factors beyond language assessments, including academic performance, program requirements, and institutional selection criteria. Students should seek guidance from trusted overseas education counselors and plan carefully to strengthen their applications.
Source: The Hindu. Featured image credit: The Hindu.
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