High number of international students in Germany again – dropout rates lower than previously assumed

Germany’s universities remain highly attractive to students from all over the world: in the 2024/25 winter semester, around 402,000 international students and doctoral candidates were enrolled at German universities – around six per cent more than in the previous year. This continues the upward trend of recent years, with more than half of international students enrolled in engineering and natural sciences. At the same time, dropout rates among international students are lower than previously assumed: their dropout rates are relatively close to those of German students. This is shown in the new edition of Wissenschaft weltoffen (Science Open to the World), published today by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in collaboration with the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW).

“More than 400,000 international students and doctoral candidates confirm Germany’s position as the most important non-English-speaking host country. Universities have once again proven their attractiveness to talented individuals from all over the world,” said DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee. “The new, lower dropout rates among international students are also a positive sign. Their academic success and successful entry into professional life are crucial for Germany as a centre of science and innovation in view of the shortage of skilled workers and demographic change.”

“It is not only the growing numbers of international students and researchers that show that the internationalisation of Germany as a centre of science is continuing to progress,” added Dr Marcus Beiner, Scientific Director of the DZHW. “This development is also evident in the structures that support internationalisation processes at . For example, the number of international employees in university administration has risen sharply in recent years. The vast majority of higher education institutions in Germany now have an International Office. Almost all higher education institutions offer at least one English-language degree programme. The number of international higher education partnerships is also continuing to grow.”

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