Getting off to a flying start in Germany
University prepares international students for the German job market [28.04.25]
The University of Hohenheim's “BRICKS” service campaign promotes prospects of staying in Germany after completing a Master's degree / DAAD's FIT program provides support to the tune of approximately 1 million euros
Intensive German language training, the “Career Entry” boot camp, or company excursions and individual career coaching: The “BRICKS” service campaign offers international Master's students at the University of Hohenheim a tailor-made service program for a successful entry into the German job market. The German Academic Exchange Service supports German universities with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of its “FIT” initiative – promoting international talent for integration into studies and the job market. More information: bricks.uni-hohenheim.de
Every year, around 180 young people from all over the world successfully complete a Master’s degree at the University of Hohenheim. These are sought-after talents in agricultural sciences, food sciences, as well as business administration and economic sciences.
But it is not only the business community that is interested in young academics: “Young people are also increasingly interested in staying in Germany for their future careers,” observes Prof. Dr Andreas Pyka, Vice-President for Internationalization at the University of Hohenheim.
However, international students often do not get to grips with the requirements of the German labor market – in particular the necessary German language skills and job-related competencies – until it is too late. In addition, they often lack valuable contacts to relevant stakeholders in the region.
BRICKS – Building blocks for successful entry into the labor market
The University of Hohenheim is closing these gaps with its new labor market qualification program “BRICKS.” The special feature: International Master’s students can acquire specific key skills for the German job market in five modules. In addition to German language skills, this also includes seminars on interculturality, employability, future skills, and application techniques. Students can then have the skills they have acquired recognized in a project-specific certificate.
The modules are embedded in a comprehensive range of services and networks: The International Café offers students a regular point of contact for all questions and concerns. In addition, “fair walks” to regional careers fairs and established company fairs are organized on campus, with BRICKS adding an international forum. Career coaching tailored to the target group supports them on their career path.
BACKGROUND: BRICKS program at the University of Hohenheim
“BRICKS” stands in German for “Building Blocks for International Specialists: Career and Language” and addresses the new international Master's students who start an English-language degree course in Agricultural Sciences, Food Sciences, and Business Administration and Economic Sciences at the University of Hohenheim every year. From admission to graduation, BRICKS offers you all the building blocks for a successful entry into the German labor market in a coherent, holistic overall concept.
More information: https://bricks.uni-hohenheim.de
BACKGROUND: FIT program from the German Academic Exchange Service
“FIT” stands in German for “Promotion of International Talent for Integration into Studies and the Labor Market.” The program is intended to enable German universities to support international students throughout their entire qualification pathway with tailor-made offerings to lead them to academic success and subsequently to a career in Germany. Since the project selection process in March 2024, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has been funding a total of 89 projects at universities in Germany for the years 2024-2028.
More information: https://www.daad.de/de/infos-services-fuer-hochschulen/weiterfuehrende-infos-zu-daad-foerderprogrammen/fit/
Text: Janine Peters / Florian Klebs
Contact for press:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka, University of Hohenheim, Vice President for International Affairs
P +49 711 459 24480, E apyka@uni-hohenheim.de
Corinna Hucke, University of Hohenheim, Director of Student Counselling and Career Advising Services
P +49 711 459 23598, E corinna.hucke@uni-hohenheim.de
Ben Gehring, University of Hohenheim, Director of the International Office
P +49 711 459 22012, E benjamin.gehring@verwaltung.uni-hohenheim.de
Janine Peters, University of Hohenheim, Project Coordination BRICKS
P +49 711 459 22555, E janine.peters@verwaltung.uni-hohenheim.de
