​Why FIT?

The Faculty of Engineering at UDE, with around 8,000 students, is dedicated to closing the skills gap in the engineering sector and strengthening Germany’s innovation capacity and global competitiveness. Through the DAAD project „Engineering Talents for Germany“, the faculty focuses on supporting and integrating skilled international students and graduates into the German job market, helping to address the declining interest in STEM subjects within Germany.

How FIT?

The accompanying courses and workshops complement the academic programs of international students and prepare them specifically for entering the German job market. This includes:

• Language & Orientation Courses 
  German language courses (B2 and C1), orientation at UDE, and campus life 
• Intercultural Competence Training 
  Workshops on cultural differences and intercultural communication 
• Career Preparation 
  Job search support, application training, individual job coaching, and practical insights into the everyday work life of German companies in the region

The information and course dates are regularly updated.

German language course B2

General Course Objectives:
The course aims to develop independent language proficiency, particularly in the areas of study, work, and professional life.

Course Content:
In this course, students acquire German language skills that enable them to express themselves appropriately in an academic environment. Specific communication situations related to practical language use (academic setting, subject-related contexts, professional contexts) are practiced. The content is based on the descriptors of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at level B2 and is further tailored to the specific requirements of everyday academic life.

The main content areas focus on:

• Consolidation of grammatical knowledge
• Systematic development and expansion of relevant vocabulary
• Deepening reading comprehension
• Intercultural communication
• Expanding oral expression skills in various communication situations
• Teaching techniques for independent language acquisition

Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Speak spontaneously and fluently with native speakers and justify their viewpoints appropriately in discussions
• Deliver clear, differentiated, and structured presentations on various topics
• Understand complex texts (articles, reports, academic texts, etc.) and follow their arguments
• Write detailed texts and present arguments supporting a particular position
• Follow longer spoken contributions without great difficulty
• Express opinions and attitudes in a nuanced manner and resolve problems or agree on joint projects with communication partners

ICC 2: „Intercultural competence in everyday university life in Germany"

Topics:

• Intercultural competence and theoretical foundations
• Culture shock and adaptation strategies
• Self-reflection on one's own university experience
• The university system and student life in Germany
• Academic culture: Communication, practices, and behavioural norms
• Expectations of students and academic requirements
• Dealing with cultural differences in university life
• Recognising, avoiding, and resolving intercultural misunderstandings and critical situations
• Consequences of violating rules, and dealing with decisions/rejections
• Practical recommendations for integration into German student life

Dates 2025:

• 28. & 29.11.2025 (16-20 h) Room BC 103
• 05. & 06.12.2025 (10-14:30 h) Room BC 103

Get Ready@UDE

The „Get Ready@UDE” course was specifically developed to optimally prepare international first-semester students of the Faculty of Engineering, as well as double-degree students in their first semester at the UDE, for their studies. The main objective of the course is to promote academic success at UDE and in Germany overall through comprehensive support and targeted information, while also easing the transition into life in the cities of Duisburg and Essen.

The course covers a wide range of essential topics that are important for a successful start and progression in academic studies:

• Start of the semester and organization: Guidance on fundamental organizational skills to help students structure their studies effectively from the beginning.

• Overview of UDE services: Introduction to the university's diverse facilities and support services that enrich the student experience.

• Academic progress and study planning: Strategies for planning and monitoring one’s academic journey in a structured way.

• Scholarship information: Insight into funding opportunities to support students financially during their studies.

• Social integration and German language competence: Promotion of intercultural communication and language skills to facilitate integration into academic and social life.

• Motivation techniques and self-management: Development of skills for self-motivation and independent study organization.

• Effective learning methods: Instruction in proven learning techniques for efficient knowledge acquisition and retention.

• Stress management and relaxation strategies: Introduction to methods that build resilience and help deal with stress.

• Exam preparation and strategies for successful test-taking: Practical tips for effective exam preparation and performance.

• Opportunities for student employment (SHK/WHK and working student positions): Overview of job options that provide valuable work experience alongside studies.

• Planning and undertaking study abroad programs (EU): Support with organizing and completing international academic experiences.

• Preparation and selection of bachelor’s thesis topics: Guidance in identifying and developing relevant scientific topics for final theses.

This course is designed to provide students with holistic support, preparing them for their academic careers and helping them adapt to the culture of a German university.

Please register via Moodle:

https://lehre.moodle.uni-due.de/course/view.php?id=5253

Password: FIT_UDE_GetReady

The information and course dates are regularly updated.

ICC 3: „Intercultural communication - Navigating German Bureaucracy and Authorities"

• Health insurance system
  • Statutory vs. private health insurance
  • Notification of illness: Deadlines, procedures, special features of electronic sick notes.
• Social security system
  • Unemployment insurance
  • Long-term care insurance
• Basics of pension insurance
  • Pension insurance
  • Pension account clarification
  • Reimbursement of paid-in pension contributions
  • Pension provision
• Understanding employment contracts (rights and obligations of the employer and employee)
  • Typical contractual clauses
  • Time limits
  • Right to an employer's reference
  • Educational leave
• Tax system
  • Tax classes
  • Tax identification number
  • Deductions from gross salary
• Tax return
  • Deductible costs
  • Filing the tax return
• Protection against discrimination
  • Rights in the workplace
  • Discrimination in everyday life​

Orientation Course: „Living in Germany"

Orientation Course: „Living in Germany: A guide to law, culture and society for international students"

An orientation course on integration into German society is designed to enable international students to arrive in Germany easily and concentrate on their studies.

This course is particularly interesting and important because it helps international students to navigate confidently and well-informed in a new, often complex environment. It not only provides basic knowledge of the German legal system and political structures, but also a deep understanding of the country's cultural and social characteristics. This enables participants not only to meet formal requirements, but also to operate successfully in social and academic life. The course thus lays the foundation for smooth integration and at the same time offers preparation for the naturalization test, which for many is a decisive step towards a permanent life in Germany.

• Module I: Politics in democracy
  Gain a sound understanding of the political system in Germany, from the foundations of democracy to current political developments.

• Module II: History and responsibility
  Immerse yourself in German history and learn how historical events shape today's society.

• Module III: People and society
  Get to know social structures and cultural characteristics in order to feel safe and integrated in your new environment

Important information: After completing the course, you will be optimally prepared to successfully pass the naturalization test “Living in Germany” - an important prerequisite for acquiring German citizenship.

Credit Points: 2 ECTS

Course language: German

Number of participants: max. 30

Information session on scholarships

(In cooperation with the Academic Advisory Center – ABZ)

Once per semester, we inform our international students about the opportunities to apply for a scholarship.

Topics of the event:

Who can apply?
– Students in up to the 3rd semester of their bachelor’s degree: Apply for a scholarship to support the remainder of your bachelor’s studies
– Students from the 4th bachelor’s semester onward: Apply for a scholarship to support your future master’s studies

Key information on:
– Application deadlines
– Selection criteria
– Tips for a strong and convincing application

The event will conclude with an open Q&A session to address individual questions.

German language course C1

Further information will follow. The German C1 language course is expected to take place in the winter semester 2026/27.

The information and course dates are regularly updated.

Mastering the German Job Markt for Future International Graduates

The course specifically prepares international university graduates for starting their careers in Germany and is complemented by individual application coaching.

Mastering Your First Job in Germany - the First 100 Days

This course is aimed at international university graduates who are entering the German job market for the first time. The goal is to ease their career entry and familiarize them with the cultural, communicative, and organizational expectations in German companies.

LinkedIn: More than just a digital CV

In this practical info session, students will learn how to use LinkedIn strategically to increase their professional visibility and build a strong network. The session highlights the importance of LinkedIn in today’s professional world and demonstrates how to create a compelling profile. Participants will also learn how to expand their reach through targeted networking strategies and active engagement on the platform. Additionally, the use of AI-powered tools and digital assistants will be introduced to help streamline daily LinkedIn activities and optimize one’s presence on the platform.

Our supplementary course offerings support international students from the above-mentioned target groups throughout their entire academic journey and include

• Courses at the beginning of studies
• Courses throughout the study program and
• Courses for entering the German job market.

To register for courses and workshops, please click the button below.