Germany is becoming a study abroad hotspot - here's why
More students are heading to Germany - but why? Source: Shutterstock

Germany is emerging as the destination of choice for foreign students around the world, currently ranking fifth-most popular, behind the US, Britain, Australia and France.

According to The Local, the number of foreigners entering the country has continued to increase by 7 to 8 percent over the past eight years. This has allowed it to meet its target of 350,000 international student enrollments by 2020 three years ahead of schedule.

But why?

Germany’s tuition-free higher education appears to be the main reason students are choosing the country as their study abroad destination, with 35 percent selecting this as their top motivation, according to a Studying in Germany report.

Twenty-nine percent said the quality of academic staff in German institutions was their main reason for studying in Germany – and with Germany being ranked in the top 10 places to study abroad by Top Universities, students get the best of both academic and student life.

Business administration is the most popular degree among students from overseas with 4,187 students opting for the subject.  

With 75 percent of business students in employment within six months of graduation, according to a report by Fresh Student Living, these graduates could be a good asset to the German economy.

Electronics and engineering followed closely behind with 2,728 and 2,560 students following these programmes respectively.

Eighty-five percent of engineering graduates are in employment within six months, meaning they could also add to Germany’s skilled labour force if they stay in the country.

The report revealed almost 70 percent of international students planned to work in the country after graduation, and with nearly half of the degrees obtained by international students being Master’s degrees according to The Local.

Germany’s positive environment for international students is further demonstrated through the findings that Germany tops the tables as the best place to study in Europe, according to the Study.Edu annual report.

Taking into account education, cost and life and career, Germany comes out top of the rankings for the second year in a row, again showing promising opportunities for students looking to complete their degrees abroad.

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