The number of international students in Germany has again risen significantly in the current winter semester. According to a snapshot survey by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), over 400,000 international students are currently enrolled at German universities.
This data has been released on the basis of data provided by 200 universities from all over Germany.
According to the DAAD’s extrapolation, around 90 per cent of universities report a stable or rising number of newly enrolled international students. Over half of the universities surveyed reported rising numbers, with a third reporting a sharp increase (ten per cent or more). A further third reported no change, while ten per cent of universities reported a decline.
Based on the responses, the DAAD is forecasting almost 405,000 international students for the current winter semester 2024/25, compared to around 380,000 in the previous winter semester. This would represent growth of around seven per cent for the current winter semester.
In addition to this, the data also showed that number of international first-semester students has also risen to 88,000 this winter semester, compared to around 82,000 last year. Similar to 2023, this growth is due to the development of regular international students (intending to graduate). This is particularly true for Master’s students: More than half of the universities surveyed (56 per cent) reported significantly rising numbers here, while less than a fifth (16 per cent) reported a decline.
“German universities are demonstrably very attractive for international students. In times of an increasingly noticeable shortage of skilled workers, we should do more in science, business and society to open up career prospects in Germany for young people who come here from all over the world to study,” said DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee. The DAAD is already doing this as part of its ‘Skilled Labour Initiative’.
While the number of international students is increasing, the German government has also acknowledged few concerns raised by the universities such as difficulties with entry policies or the visa allocation process (83 per cent), the availability of affordable housing (75 per cent) and the cost of studying and living (69 per cent). “In Germany, for example, we urgently need more affordable accommodation for students from Germany and for international students. This is also essential for the continued success of Germany as a centre of business and innovation,” DAAD President added.
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