…420,000 foreign students were enrolled recently, signalling a 4 percent rise
German universities enrolled about 420,000 foreign students during the 2025/26 academic year, mainly from countries such as India, China and Türkiye, signalling Germany as a growing international study destination for Nigerians.
Enrolments increased by 4 per cent from the previous year. First-time international enrolments rose by 9 percent to 99,000, driven largely by strong demand for master’s programmes. This marks more than a decade of sustained growth in international participation.
The figures were published by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) based on winter semester data from 212 universities, showing Germany’s appeal is broadening across major sending regions. More than two-thirds of universities reported increased enquiries from students, researchers and academics based in the United States (US), reflecting changing conditions in traditional destination markets and heightened global competition for research talent.
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A shifting global pull towards Germany
Joybrato Mukherjee, president of DAAD, said Germany’s universities are increasingly well-positioned to attract global talent, particularly in STEM fields, as students and researchers reassess where they can study and work under stable and supportive conditions.
“Germany and its universities are proven to be an attractive destination for students and doctoral candidates from all over the world. We are able to attract talented individuals, particularly in the highly sought-after STEM subjects, and offer them excellent study and research conditions,” Mukherjee said.
“International students and doctoral candidates enrich our universities, contribute to strengthening innovation and, after successfully completing their studies, make an important contribution to science, the economy and social systems. At the same time, we are observing that the environment for students and scientists in the USA has changed, and many of our member universities are reporting increased interest in Germany as a place to study and conduct research from the US,” Mukherjee continued.
This shift matters for Nigeria because it mirrors trends already visible among Nigerian students, who are increasingly priced out of the UK, Canada and parts of the US by rising tuition fees, tighter visa rules and limited post-study work options.
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English-taught programmes and affordability widen access
Germany’s expanding portfolio of English-taught degree programmes is central to this trend. With more than 2,400 English-language courses, Germany now ranks second in Europe after Ireland. Most universities surveyed plan to expand these offerings further.
For Nigerian applicants, this reduces two traditional barriers: language and cost. Low or no tuition fees at public universities, combined with English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes, make Germany particularly attractive to middle-income Nigerian households seeking internationally recognised qualifications.
Alongside France, Germany is now one of Europe’s leading study destinations. While the DAAD did not publish country-level growth figures, markets such as India, China and Türkiye continue to dominate. However, demographic pressure, rising youth unemployment and strong demand for overseas credentials suggest Nigeria is well positioned to join this group as a major source country.
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Student experience and retention signals
A separate 2025 DAAD survey of 115,000 international students across more than 130 universities found that 75 percent had chosen Germany as their first-choice destination. Key motivations included access to English-language degrees, strong employment prospects and comparatively low living and study costs.
Most international students reported positive campus experiences. However, around half said they had encountered occasional discrimination off campus, with African, Middle Eastern and Asian students more likely to report such incidents. Mukherjee cautioned that tolerance and openness remain essential if Germany is to sustain its global appeal.
Despite these concerns, post-study retention remains high. Two-thirds of international students said they intend to stay in Germany after graduation, and about half plan to seek long-term employment.
What to watch next
Three indicators will be critical. First, whether Germany introduces further policy measures to retain international graduates, especially in shortage occupations. Second, how effectively institutions address concerns around discrimination and integration, which will shape perceptions among African students. Third, whether Nigerian policymakers begin to treat student mobility to Germany as a strategic issue, linked to skills development, return migration and diaspora engagement.
Taken together, Germany’s enrolment growth does more than signal its own success. It points to an emerging realignment in global student mobility, one in which Nigeria may soon become a significant source country rather than a limited participant.
