Where Indian students prefer to study AI, MSc Management, and Machine Learning in 2025
Indian students are zeroing in on programmes linked to AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning - and the pace is accelerating. Over the past two years, interest from Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities has grown 4.5× since 2023. Germany and Ireland lead the list of preferred destinations, with the UAE and New Zealand gaining fast. Smaller cities are contributing more than before, widening the pipeline of globally minded applicants.
The demand spike: what the data shows
Courses tied to AI, Data Science, and Analytics have grown 5× since 2021 and doubled in the last year. MSc Management has delivered 2× year-on-year growth, reflecting demand for technical skills paired with business fluency. Undergraduate interest is up 1.5× year-on-year, and PhD interest has doubled compared with 2024. These trends come from Leap's verified student interactions and admissions activity across the last two years.
Top destinations to watch
- Germany: A frontrunner for AI, Data Science, and MSc Management thanks to strong research ecosystems and industry connections. For practical details on study options and pathways, see DAAD.
- Ireland: Visa approvals have tripled over two years (student-reported and partner-verified), helped by a concentrated tech sector and well-structured master's programmes. Explore official guidance via Education in Ireland.
- UAE: Interest rose 3× between Q1 and Q2 2025, signalling growing confidence in regional hubs and proximity advantages for Indian students.
- New Zealand: Also saw a 3× rise in the same period, supported by clear routes for high-quality STEM programmes.
Regional shift inside India
This wave is no longer concentrated in metros. The eastern region now contributes 7% of total student interest - the highest recorded so far - indicating meaningful participation from smaller cities. Expect more first-generation study-abroad applicants and wider variance in counselling needs.
Course preferences in one view
- AI & Machine Learning: 5× since 2021; doubled in the past year - key destinations: Germany, Ireland, UAE, New Zealand.
- MSc Management: 2× year-on-year - key destinations: Germany, Ireland.
- PhD programmes: 2× vs 2024 - key destinations: Germany, EU.
- Undergraduate: 1.5× in the past year - key destinations: Germany, UAE, New Zealand.
What students are asking for
Across more than one million verified interactions on Leap (Jan 2023-Sep 2025), students consistently ask how to match courses with job outcomes. AI-enabled guidance is helping create clearer pathways: right programme, right destination, right timing. The signal is simple - students want proof their degree maps to employability.
Implications for educators and advisors
- Set clear country playbooks for Germany, Ireland, UAE, and New Zealand - intakes, testing, timelines, costs, internships, and post-study work options.
- Screen for prerequisites early (math, programming, statistics) for AI/ML-intensive tracks; direct others to data or management-focused routes.
- Build faculty and employer touchpoints that translate coursework into internships, applied projects, and research roles.
- Offer pre-arrival upskilling paths in Python, ML basics, applied analytics, and prompt-driven workflows. A curated starting point: Latest AI courses.
Q3 2025 destination highlights
Germany and Ireland are the fastest-growing choices for AI, MSc, and ML programmes. The UAE and New Zealand posted a 3× rise in demand between Q1 and Q2 2025, underscoring broader openness to newer study hubs. Ireland's visa momentum (tripled approvals over two years) strengthens its position among European options.
Action checklist for the next intake
- Prioritize outreach and seat planning with German and Irish institutions for AI/ML and MSc Management.
- Run targeted info sessions on course pathways: AI/ML, Data Science, Analytics, and management for tech.
- Prepare funding briefs that compare total cost of attendance, assistantships, and PSW options across the four leading destinations.
- Standardize student checklists for documentation, timelines, and skill prep; keep FAQs focused on employability outcomes.
- Provide a short, practical upskilling guide students can start today - consider pointing them to courses by skill.
Further reading
The takeaway: demand for AI, Data Science, and MSc Management is surging, and students want a straight line from degree to job. Germany and Ireland lead, with the UAE and New Zealand rising fast - and interest from smaller Indian cities is reshaping the applicant pool.
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