among relevant stakeholders for the interests of international students. (expands)

We train those employees and tutors of the Studierendenwerke who advise and support international students on intercultural topics.

the development of the counselling and advisory service for international students.

During our specialist seminars we explore current topics on the situation of international students in Germany with the Studierendenwerke and international offices of German higher education institutions.

We publish flyers and brochures on intercultural topics and report on initiatives and projects designed to integrate international students. We are available to answer your queries.

Possible reasons for choosing to study in Germany are the high quality of living, the desire to work in Germany after your studies, the economic framework of Germany and the desire to get to know Germany better.

The following aspects are more important for international students than for German students when choosing where to study: Ranking of the subject; tradition and reputation of the higher education institution; international focus of the higher education institution; possibility to study part time; advice & support offers specific to the respective higher institution.

Only around 60% of international students feel (very) welcome in Germany; 80% feel (very) safe in Germany. 78% would recommend Germany as a place to study.

70% of the international students asked come from academically educated families (vs. 56% of German students).

50% already have a bachelor’s degree when they begin their studies in Germany. 24% do not have any experience with higher education studies. 12% already have a second degree (e.g. master’s). 10% have already started higher education studies in their country of origin. 9% attend a Studienkolleg (further education college for international applicants) in Germany.

For 75% of them, their foreign educational qualifications or study credits are fully recognised; for 15% of them, these are partly recognised. For 5% of them, earlier credits are not recognised.

Only 51% of international students have jobs or are working during their studies, possibly because they lost their part-time job due to the pandemic, because of residence requirements or because they tend to come more often from an academic family or are supported by grant programmes. On average, the students who have jobs work 15 hours per week.

Finding accommodation is often a problem for international students: 39% have applied for an apartment several times without success.

A shared apartment (flat share) is the most popular form of accommodation for international students with 38%; 31% live alone and 22% live with a (life) partner. International students make up a considerable proportion of those living in residence halls, at around 35%. However, only 61% are satisfied with their housing situation.

At 88.5%, international students have a high need for advice, especially regarding financial issues such as funding of studies, housing or health insurance. There is also a need for advice on how to combine studies with raising children, the lack of personal contacts, work organization and time management, learning problems/exam anxiety, managing studies and work at the same time and on depressive moods.

The student survey in Germany: 22nd social survey

Cosmopolitan academia – international students in Germany

Eurostudent – Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life in Europe

OECD – data on the international mobility of students