Number of Indian students in Germany doubles

The doubling of the number of Indian students heading to Germany within four years has been trumpeted by the Indian press, offering a sharp contrast with the dramatic fall in the numbers choosing the UK.

The coverage came as Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, visited Germany and met with Angela Merkel, the nation’s chancellor.

The Indian Express cited German government figures showing that 13,740 Indian students were studying at German universities in 2015-16, up from 5,998 in 2011-12.

Germany’s rise contrasts with the fortunes of UK universities, which have seen their numbers of Indian students halve since 2010, with the British government’s decision to abolish post-study work visas in 2012 seen as an aggravating factor.

In October 2015, when Ms Merkel visited India, she and Mr Modi agreed to work on ways to cement the trend for rising numbers of Indians to head to German universities. “That has borne fruit, and today, we have a very robust linkage, especially in the face of US and UK visa curbs,” an Indian diplomat in Berlin was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

While negative stories about the unwelcoming nature of the UK for Indian students are a feature of the Indian press, Germany was given glowing treatment by The Indian Express.

Stephan Lanzinger, head of the science section at the German embassy in New Delhi, said: “In Germany, there are virtually no tuition fees, yet the quality of higher education is excellent. The cost of living is relatively low and the standard of living is high.”

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com