Why Study Abroad?

On a yearly basis, there are over 4 million students enrolling to study overseas.

Numbers like these speak to the growth opportunity to grab in higher education abroad. And the growth rate continuing to trend upwards.

Europe is currently leading in enrollment rate, hosting around 48% of these students.

International students mainly come from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Slovak Republic, Turkey and USA. In the 21 European countries that are members of the OECD, there are 2.7 foreign students per European citizen enrolling abroad.

What entices so many young people to pursue an education away from home?

The European Unio (EU) stands out as both a source country and as a destination for overseas higher education. Top-notch academic standards and global career opportunities make this a booming area geographically for future international students.

While choosing to study abroad can seem fairly straightforward, selecting the right path can make all the difference. To help you figure out the right pathway for you, our Gradstar Global Education experts offer comprehensive support to co-design your study abroad journey.

The Top 10 Destinations to Study Abroad in 2025 are:

• The USA
• The UK
• Switzerland
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Australia
• Canada
• China
• France
• Japan

Globally, Germany is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for international students! With its world-class universities, diverse range of study programs, and strong commitment to research and innovation, Germany offers numerous advantages for those seeking a quality education. With 458,210 international students, it ranks in the top three countries in the world for international students.

One of the benefits of studying in Germany for international students is the opportunity to study in English, particularly at private universities. This feature is a considerable advantage for students from non-German-speaking countries, making the transition to studying abroad smoother and more accessible.

Not to be left behind, the UK checks in as #2 & #3 in global rankings, with the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford respectively. As of 2024, the UK sees 90 universities in the QS World Rankings. Australia is home to some of the best universities in the world, 38 of Australia’s 41 universities are among the global best according to QS World University Rankings 2024.

The USA boosts the largest number of world-ranking universities, clocking in at 198 universities. This includes the #1 university in the world, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Meanwhile, Canada is climbing up these global ranks yearly, placing 31 universities in the same list.

1. Academic reputation
2. Employer reputation
3. Employment Outcomes
4. International Student Ratio
5. Citations Per Faculty

Interested in a degree in forensic psychology? How about a prime business analytics program or a BSc in Agriculture? Looking at study abroad destinations can hugely diversify your options. While these programs may be available at home, a degree abroad gives you unparalleled opportunities to build a career out of them.

You can discover a degree to study anything from linguistics to filmmaking to neuroscience to biomedicine abroad. And with the right program at the right university, these degrees can accelerate your career opportunities in a field you are passionate about. You will access cutting-edge resources and facilities and learn under the leading experts in your field.

Alongside the exciting variety of programs abroad is their heavy industry focus. Faculties develop the study abroad programs available by looking at industry demands. This means you are not only developing in-demand knowledge and skills, but you’re graduating job-ready in the biggest economic and business epicenters of the world.