80% of German universities record stable, rising number of international students

NEW DELHI: Around 80 percent of higher education institutions in Germany have reported a steady increase in the number of newly enrolled international students, according to a snapshot survey by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Currently, between 380,000 and 390,000 international students have taken admission.

As per the survey, the newly enrolled international students has also risen to 85,000 to 92,000; an increase of six to 15%.

Fifty percent of the institutes saw 5% or more growth in international students and a third reported stable figures. Nearly 170 universities from all over Germany took part in the survey.

The DAAD predicts between 380,000 and 390,000 international students for the current winter semester. Last winter semester, 370,000 were enrolled. As per the data, the institutes saw 4-6% for the current semester and 5% in the previous year.

The survey shows that the gap caused by the pandemic-related travel restrictions in the number of preparatory colleges and other institutions for international students in Germany has been closed.

With this, Germany retains its third place as one of the most popular study abroad countries, ahead of Australia, it said.

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Introduction of tuition fees

In accordance with the new Bavarian Higher Education Actin Bavaria, the survey asked institutions about Bavaria whether there are plans to introduce tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries.

Out of the total 56 state-recognised HEIs, 20 responded. Of which, three institutes informed that they have already decided to introduce tuition fees for international students and six institutions have not yet decided. Eleven colleges have decided against tuition fees.

DAAD snapshot survey

Around 290 state-recognised German higher education institutions were surveyed from the beginning to the middle of December and received 170 responses. The assessment was published based on the survey of sixty-seven percent international students in Germany.

DAAD president Joybrato Mukherjee said: "Since last winter semester, Germany has joined the ranks of the top three most sought-after study countries in the world. Only the higher education institutions and research centres in the USA and the United Kingdom attract more international doctoral candidates and students. This is a remarkable success for our publicly funded higher education system.”