Digital platform for enhancing study orientation and preparation for international students

My GUIDE Campus (working title) is a comprehensive digital platform designed to offer tailored information and guidance for international students interested in studying in Germany. It helps users identify the right study programs at suitable German universities. Throughout the project, language and interdisciplinary learning opportunities, as well as online self-assessment tools, will be digitally integrated on the platform to support academic preparedness.

German universities will benefit from receiving more qualified and better-prepared applicants, thanks to the platform's services. Furthermore, universities will have greater involvement through self-service options, including a dynamic contact tool designed to reduce advisory workloads. The platform also enhances the visibility of German universities and their programs for international students, fostering increased engagement and support for prospective students on their academic journeys in Germany.

 

Project goals

My GUIDE Campus has four main goals:

• To consolidate existing digital information, orientation, and support services for international prospective and current students on the central platform, My GUIDE Campus.
   
• To bring together relevant study programs and preparatory elements for the diverse target group of international students.
   
•  To attract better prepared and qualified students, ensuring their long-term academic success.
   
• To increase visibility and enable the participation of German universities through their own access and self-service options.
   

In the future, My GUIDE Campus will contribute to the internationalisation of Germany and enhance its attractiveness as a study destination worldwide.

 

Project progression

The digital platform My GUIDE Campus combines the different outcomes of two DAAD projects: Digital Campus and My GUIDE.

The former Digital Campus project was launched in 2020 with the goal of integrating existing digital services for information, recruitment, and preparation courses in language and (inter)disciplinary studies for international prospective students on a single platform. During the first phase of the Digital Campus project (2020-2021), foundational technical and content structures were developed, laying the groundwork for the platform’s product vision (proof of feasibility). The second phase (2021–April 2024) focused on preparing the implementation of the platform’s prototype elements, further developing them based on the established framework conditions. As outlined in the project description, this phase was explicitly a research and development phase aimed at creating a technical prototype, and a live launch was not planned. 

The My GUIDE platform, also launched in 2020, provides services and information for international students considering Germany as a study destination. By creating a user profile, prospective students receive personalized study orientation and tailored offers through an interactive, user-focused experience. My GUIDE already has an established digital infrastructure, a strong user base, and relevant features.

The My GUIDE Campus project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) aims to pool resources, leverage synergies, and enhance value. The content on learning opportunities developed through the Digital Campus project will complement the information and guidance already offered by My GUIDE by adding a component of pre-qualification for studying in Germany. My GUIDE Campus combines the approach of a multi-sided platform that connects international prospective students, current students, and German universities—allowing for meaningful interaction between these diverse groups.