International Students - The Skilled Workers of Tomorrow

Around 3,200 international students are enrolled at TU Braunschweig, 90 per cent of them in STEM degree programmes. As future specialists, they can make a decisive contribution to counteracting the shortage of skilled labour in the region.

According to the German government, there will be a shortage of around 240,000 skilled workers in Germany by 2026, which is why international students are becoming even more important as potential employees than before. Every year, around 25,000 international graduates from German universities are already starting their careers on the German labour market. A promising prospect for overcoming the shortage of skilled labour.

Stronger together

The International Career Service tackles this very issue, aiming to better prepare international students at TU Braunschweig for their entry into the German labour market. Our focus is squarely on the south-eastern region of Lower Saxony – as a university rooted here, we want to contribute to its economic strength and future viability.

Together with the Braunschweig Regional Employers’ Association (AGV), the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Association of German Engineers (VDI) Braunschweig and Allianz für die Region, TU Braunschweig is currently developing a programme that will optimally equip international students for the German labour market and support regional companies in recruiting and integrating highly qualified international talent. The project is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with around 1.2 million Euros and will run until 2028.

Did you know?

A new study by the "Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW)" shows that 45 per cent of international students enter the German labour market as academically qualified professionals after graduating. Three-quarters of them even remain in employment until retirement.

Read the study

Three international students are sitting on a pallet bench. Another student is standing next to them. They are all chatting. The old TU Braunschweig building can be seen in the background.

With our International Career Service, we aim to:

View from the old town hall of the city of Braunschweig. — Braunschweig should be more than just a stopover for international students.

Take an early, holistic approach: While they’re still studying, we want to better prepare international students for the German labour market. Alongside advice, workshops and information sessions, this includes pre-employment and subject-specific German courses.
Create prospects for staying: By highlighting career opportunities in the region and connecting international students with alumni and local employers, we aim to foster early and lasting roots here. Crucially, we also showcase the appeal and diversity of small and medium-sized enterprises—employers that many internationals don’t yet know.
Support targeted recruitment: We position international students as a distinct talent pool in recruiting processes and link them early on with suitable companies, for example via dedicated networking events.

Watch this video to gain an insight into previous collaborations between companies and our students, and hear what our corporate partners have to say about working with us!

Thumbnail of the International Career Service's Career Compact Course

Do you have specific needs or requests, or would you like to contribute your own events to our programme? Get in touch – we look forward to collaborating with companies keen to support international talents!