German university and business leaders have exhorted politicians, institutions and employers to “intensify their efforts” to attract and retain international students, calling for improved visa procedures and a greater commitment to multilingualism, among other measures.

In a position paper released by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) and the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the umbrella groups state: “International students and graduates of German universities are welcome in Germany and should feel welcome”.

“Germany’s economy needs highly qualified specialists in order to remain competitive in innovation and development,” a spokesperson for the HRK told ̽����Ƶ, noting the country’s ageing population and relatively low birth rate. “The recommendations will hopefully encourage stakeholders in government, enterprises and universities to intensify their efforts to improve the integration of international students.”

Graduates from German universities, the umbrella bodies state, “are excellently trained for the German job market because they have a recognised university degree, at least basic knowledge of German and are familiar with our culture and values”.

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The number of international students in Germany reached a record high in the 2024-25 winter term, according to a German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) survey released this month, rising from 380,000 last year to 405,000. Among the most significant countries of origin, the survey found, were India, China, Syria, Austria and Turkey.

Among the steps suggested to “increase the attractiveness of [Germany] as a place to study, live and work and reduce bureaucratic hurdles” is the expansion of digital visa application processes to international students, as well as improved immigration services to ensure that post-graduate employment “is not delayed by long waiting times”.

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To improve international graduates’ transition into the German job market, universities and industry should develop deeper cooperation, with career advice “intensified throughout the course of study” and more training programmes offered before and after graduation. “Internships in companies during studies can help students to familiarise themselves with the German working environment and technical language,” the HRK spokesperson noted.

Because Germany “is competing with countries where English is spoken”, universities should “embed multilingualism more firmly” in their programmes, the umbrella bodies state, while acknowledging that “adequate German language skills” are necessary to move into the labour market. “Language courses are a necessity, as well as the expansion of multi-language study programmes,” the HRK spokesperson said.

The HRK, BDA and BDI also call for universities to receive long-term resources to fund “reliable and sustainable support services for high-quality, continuous supervision and support”. More student housing is required, the groups say – in particular, housing “that promotes integration by accommodating different student groups”.

“As highly qualified specialists, international students can make essential contributions to our science and economy and enrich our society with new ideas and perspectives,” said HRK vice-president Ulrich Bartosch.

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“To attract young people to study in Germany and then keep them there, we need a culture of openness and appreciation in administration, business and society.

“We must also ensure that international students are successful in their studies and that they have an easy transition into the job market, and actively integrate them into our society.”

emily.dixon@timeshighereducation.com