LeapScholar, a Bengaluru-headquartered, AI-powered study-abroad ecosystem, has released insights based on anonymised counselling and application data covering more than 1,27,000 Indian aspirants over a one-year period, highlighting the growing interest in Germany as a study destination and the importance of career planning, language proficiency and practical exposure.
The findings suggest that Indian students are increasingly looking beyond university admission to consider where their degrees could take them professionally. Interest in MSc Artificial Intelligence programmes rose 600% year-on-year, while interest in computer science programmes grew 273%, according to LeapScholar’s data. The surge in demand for technology-related courses also raises an important question for students and families: how can a specialised degree translate into a promising career?
Postgraduate programmes account for 82% of applications to Germany in LeapScholar’s data. For students making this significant investment, understanding the curriculum, opportunities for practical experience and potential career pathways can help bring greater clarity to their university choices.
“The focus needs to be on the career, not only on the degree. Students should think about what they want to do after graduation and then look at the programme, university, language skills and industry connections that can help them get there,” said Prof. Dr. Tomas Benz, Director of International Relations, IT Faculty, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences.
For students comparing programmes, this means examining course modules, internship opportunities, industry projects and university-employer partnerships. The location of the university also matters. Understanding the industries and employers in the surrounding region can help students identify opportunities to gain relevant professional experience while pursuing their degrees.
Arnav Kumar, Co-founder, Leap, said, “For an Indian family, studying abroad is a major decision, and the questions go well beyond getting an admission offer. What will the student learn? Where can they gain work experience? How much will it cost to live there? Students considering Germany should think about these questions early and begin learning German alongside their application preparation. A clear plan can help them make better choices and get more from their time at university.”
The experience of Mriganka Das, a mechanical engineering graduate who has been working in Germany since 2019, illustrates how students can build professional experience during their studies. He took up working-student positions and completed his master’s thesis within an industrial company, gaining practical engineering experience while developing professional connections in Germany.
For students, this underlines the importance of taking an active approach from the outset: interacting with professors, seeking guidance, participating in projects and exploring opportunities aligned with their areas of specialisation. Being prepared to work independently and take initiative is an important aspect of adapting to the German university environment.
Language proficiency is another critical component of this preparation. While an English-taught programme may meet a student’s academic requirements, knowledge of German can make everyday interactions easier and help students build professional and social connections beyond the classroom. Beginning language preparation early can give them more time to develop confidence.
“Students should not prepare only for what is formally required. They should prepare for what they will actually need once they are in Germany. That includes the language, the culture and the level of independence expected from them in the classroom and outside it,” said Dr. Paul Heeren, Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi.
For parents, the choice of university city also has significant financial implications. Indicative monthly living expenses range from €1,100–€1,450 in Munich and Frankfurt to €700–€900 in cities such as Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz. Over the duration of a postgraduate degree, these differences can substantially affect the overall cost of education and should therefore be factored into the university shortlist.
Assessing living expenses alongside programme content, industry exposure and career opportunities gives families a more comprehensive understanding of their options. It also enables students to plan their finances and explore ways of supporting themselves while studying and gaining practical experience.
The growing interest in Germany’s technology programmes offers Indian students considerable opportunities. However, making the most of them requires more than securing admission. A well-considered study-abroad plan must bring together the right academic programme, a realistic budget, language preparation and opportunities to translate classroom learning into professional experience.
