How do international students in Germany see their professional future? The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) surveyed over 20,000 students at around 130 German universities. Two thirds plan to stay in Germany after their studies. The intention to stay is particularly high in the subjects of economics, engineering and computer science. Half of the students intending to stay are also interested in setting up a business.

"We have deliberately placed the perspective of international students at the centre of this study of skilled workers - and their answers are a strong signal," said DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee in Bonn. "Two thirds want to stay after graduation, and half are thinking about starting a business. That shows: Anyone studying in Germany today wants to help shape the future of our country. This is a great opportunity, especially in view of the shortage of skilled labour and demographic change. We should make the best possible use of it."

Career opportunities and English-language degree programmes are crucial

The respondents cited three main reasons for their decision to study in Germany: the affordability of the degree programme, the attractive career prospects and the wide range of English-language degree programmes. Master's students in particular value the opportunity to complete a full degree programme in English. At the same time, the study shows that these students are also interested in a long-term career in Germany.

From the DAAD's point of view, English-language study programmes therefore remain an important recruitment tool. It is crucial to provide international students with targeted support in learning German - ideally through integrated language courses during their studies. This is particularly crucial with a view to later integration into the labour market.

More support when starting a career

The study also shows that only a third of international students feel that they are well prepared for starting a career in Germany. Many would like more support, for example through career services, language courses or company contacts. "If we want to attract international students as future skilled workers, we need to prepare them better for the labour market," says Mukherjee. "This requires targeted programmes at universities and more staff who are permanently available to universities for this task. We at the DAAD are also active here as part of our skilled labour initiative with funding opportunities for universities." Such a commitment is a worthwhile investment: a recent study by the German Economic Institute shows that each cohort of international students, even with a retention rate of 40 per cent, brings in around 16 billion euros more in taxes and duties than the state spends on them.

DAAD Skilled Labour Initiative 

The DAAD is tackling precisely this issue with its "Campus Initiative International Experts" and has been supporting over 100 German universities since 2024 in expanding career support programmes for international students. The programme, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), will provide around 120 million euros until 2028 to strengthen career services, coaching offers, practical formats and the expansion of language and professional qualifications.

Background

The skilled labour study "Arrive, study, stay: How international students see their future in Germany" is a special evaluation of the DAAD project "Benchmark International University" (BintHo). Around 21,000 international students intending to graduate from 132 German universities in the winter semester 2023/24 were surveyed. The focus of this special evaluation is on study motives, employment, intentions to stay and preparation for starting a career.

The complete BintHo study will be published in late summer.