Overwhelmingly, a significant number of international students hail from India. - The majority of international students originate from India
**Foreign Students in Saxony-Anhalt: A Growing Trend**
In June, a significant debate took place in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, focusing on the influx of foreign students in the region. The discussion revolved around the current status of non-EU students, who make up the majority of international students in the state, studying free of charge and without any obligation to stay in the country after graduation or to compensate for the costs of education.
According to the statistics from the summer semester of 2025, a total of 3205 students from India were enrolled at the universities in Saxony-Anhalt, followed by 711 students from Pakistan and 599 from Iran. These numbers highlight the growing interest in German universities among students from non-EU countries, particularly India.
The appeal of German universities lies in their high-quality education, English-taught programs, strong research opportunities, a relatively low cost of living compared to other European countries, and an attractive cultural and educational environment. The emphasis on internationalization makes Germany an appealing destination for international students.
Public universities in Saxony-Anhalt, like those across Germany, generally do not charge tuition fees for both EU and non-EU students for many programs. However, a small semester fee may apply. Some master's programs, especially those taught in English, might charge tuition fees, and private universities usually do so regardless of the student's nationality.
International students can extend their residence permit to stay in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to look for employment or start their own business. This is part of the German efforts to attract and retain skilled workers. There is no obligation for students to leave Germany immediately after graduation.
One example of a university in Saxony-Anhalt that attracts a significant number of international students is the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. With about 35% of its student body being international, it offers programs in various fields, including Information Engineering and Conservation Management, which are popular among international students due to their focus on practical skills and applied sciences.
Although the debate in the state parliament provided insights into the current status of non-EU students in Saxony-Anhalt, no information was provided about any changes in the tuition fees for non-EU students following the debate, the potential impact on the number of Indian students in future semesters, or the specific reasons for the debate about foreign students in Saxony-Anhalt.
- The community policy under discussion in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament pertains to the increasing number of non-EU students, with a significant portion from India, who study free of charge and without post-graduation employment obligations or compensation for education costs.
- The education-and-self-development sector, particularly general-news, has highlighted the attraction of German universities for students from non-EU countries, especially India, owing to factors like high-quality education, English-taught programs, favourable cost of living, research opportunities, and internationalization.
