Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions

• Germany has a high proportion of international students compared to other countries. In the winter semester 2023/24, the share was 16.4% of all students, according to the Federal Statistical Office. This makes Germany one of the most popular destinations for international students.
• Many foreign students remain in Germany after graduation. An OECD study shows that Germany ranks among the top countries in terms of attractiveness for international students. Around 60% of international students stay in Germany after completing their studies. 

The federal and state governments work together with other partners, particularly the German Rectors’ Conference and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), to support German universities in their internationalization efforts. This also includes enabling German students, researchers, and academics to gain experience abroad and giving people from other countries the opportunity to study and conduct research in Germany.

On June 14, 2024, the Conference of Ministers of Science adopted a new Strategy for the Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions in Germany in Saarbrücken, jointly supported by the federal and state governments. This strategy aims to strengthen and make the higher education sector more resilient in light of new technological and political developments and increasing global risks.

The strategy covers four key areas of action:

• Universities as drivers of international mobility
• Improving legal and structural framework conditions
• International cooperation in a global context
• Leveraging digital transformation

It applies to the period from 2024 to 2034. Implementation will be carried out by the federal and state governments within their respective responsibilities and will be accompanied by indicator-based reporting on progress.

An important element of the internationalization of higher education institutions is the current initiatives of the European Commission, which are closely supported by the states. This includes, in particular, the initiative to create European University Alliances. These are intended to serve as flagship projects and key elements on the path to a European Education Area..

Further information can be found on the websites of the European Commission and the German Academic Exchange Service, which is responsible for the national support program.

The Bologna Process is a comprehensive reform initiative aimed at harmonizing higher education systems in Europe and creating a comparable, compatible, and coherent European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It was launched in 1999 with the signing of the Bologna Declaration and has since fundamentally transformed the European higher education landscape. The EHEA now includes 49 countries.