Reported figures, check official sources
Germany
Indian enrolment rose from 28,905 in 2020 to 59,420 in 2024/25. DAAD figures, as reported by Collegedunia.
2026 report; periods shown with each figure
Collegedunia reportDestinations, rankings and study choices
Universities & Courses
Last updated 25 October 2026
Where Indian students are heading, and what they study. Rankings and trends are information, not a recommendation. A famous name does not make a loan affordable. Check the cost first.
Try the calculatorWhere students are going
Reported figures, check official sources
Across the world
India's Ministry of External Affairs counted 18.8 lakh Indian students abroad across 153 countries on 1 January 2025, a 5.7 percent drop from 2024, as reported by Collegedunia.
2026 report; periods shown with each figure
Collegedunia reportProjections
The outlook to 2030
QS Global Student Flows projects more destinations for Indian students by 2030: the UK becoming the top destination, Germany nearly doubling its Indian enrolment, and the US and Canada falling but remaining large. These are projections, not observed results.
September 2026; projections to 2030
ICEF Monitor, summarising QS Global Student FlowsReported figures, check official sources
Canada
Study permits for Indians reported at 9,955 for January to August 2025, down 93 percent from 149,875 in 2023. The periods differ, so this is not a like-for-like full-year comparison.
2026 report; periods shown with each figure
Collegedunia reportReported figures, check official sources
USA
F-1 visa issuances to Indians reported down 44 percent in the first half of 2025, according to Collegedunia.
2026 report; periods shown with each figure
Collegedunia reportReported figures, check official sources
UK
98,015 Indian visa grants reported up to June 2025, according to Collegedunia.
2026 report; periods shown with each figure
Collegedunia reportTop universities by country
QS World University Rankings 2027 · Published June 2026
UniversityCountryRank
MITUSA1
StanfordUSA2tied
Imperial College LondonUK2tied
University of OxfordUK4
University of CambridgeUK6
UCLUK8tied
University of EdinburghUK35
King's College LondonUK37
University of ManchesterUK40
McGill UniversityCanada30
University of TorontoCanada32
University of British ColumbiaCanada45
University of AlbertaCanada96
University of WaterlooCanada113tied
Technical University of MunichGermany25
Politecnico di MilanoItaly87
Universite PSLFrance34
ETH ZurichSwitzerland8tied
National University of SingaporeSingapore10
Rank is one measure. It says nothing about fees, scholarships, visa rules or job outcomes. Confirm the current ranking on the QS website.
Courses students are choosing
Collegedunia's 2026 list. Course choices, not promises of jobs or permanent residency.
Computer Science and AI
Study software, computing and artificial intelligence. Compare the actual subjects and entry requirements, not just the course name.
Loan reality check:Test a lower first salary and a longer job search before deciding what to borrow.
Data Science and Business Analytics
Use data to answer technical or business questions. Check how much statistics, programming and practical work the course includes.
Loan reality check:Compare the full course period and the job-search months in all three scenarios.
MBA and Business Management
Study how organisations are run and decisions are made. Check the course content and whether it suits your experience.
Loan reality check:For an MBA or one-year programme, enter the shorter course period and check the grace period and first-job delay.
Engineering
Compare the specialisation, facilities and practical work. Germany is often highlighted in the Collegedunia list.
Loan reality check:Keep living expenses separate from fees, even when tuition appears low.
Cybersecurity
Study how systems and information are protected. Check the technical skills expected before joining.
Loan reality check:Try a cautious take-home salary rather than assuming a specialist title means high pay.
Healthcare and Nursing
Check professional recognition, licensing and placement requirements for the place where you hope to work.
Loan reality check:Allow for time between finishing the course and being able to start the intended work.
Finance and FinTech
Compare courses focused on finance with those that also teach technology. Read the subject list closely.
Loan reality check:Test whether the EMI fits a lower salary as well as your preferred estimate.
Renewable Energy Engineering
Study engineering related to cleaner energy systems. Check the course's technical focus and practical work.
Loan reality check:Programmes with paid work routes still need a plan for the job-search months.
Courses the same source advises thinking twice about: mid-tier US MBA, MA in arts and humanities, hospitality and tourism management, media and journalism, generic non-MBA management. This is one source's opinion, not a recommendation from StudyLoanReality.
Collegedunia, top courses for Indian students to study abroad · 2026 listTrends are taken from the reports linked above and change often. Last reviewed 25 October 2026.
Read the Methodology