Research and policy analysis on international students and talent in Germany

The DEGIS Policy Lab research the policies and institutional conditions that shape the experience of international students and talent in Germany, producing evidence and recommendations for those working to strengthen the country’s internationalisation.

Stay informed about our activities

Get updates on our latest publications, research and events. You can unsubscribe at any time.

FEATURED PUBLICATION

Between Graduation and Career Entry

How university-pathway immigration can strengthen the transition of international STEM specialists into Germany’s labour market, supporting both successful career entry and long-term retention.

Published by Stifterverband and DEGIS as part of Zukunftsmission Bildung.

Download (PDF): English / German 

more likely to find employment, integrate more easily, and intend to stay*
0 x

*International students who studied in Germany compared with those who came directly to seek work

more likely to stay permanently – even when that was not their original plan*
0 x

*International immigrants who came through higher education

publications

Between Graduation and Career Entry
How university-pathway immigration strengthens the labour-market entry and retention of international STEM specialists.

Published by Stifterverband and DEGIS as part of Zukunftsmission Bildung – May 2026

Download (PDF): English / German
Zwischen Willkommen und Wirklichkeit
Drawing on a survey of 7,291 international students from 122 countries, the paper identifies the language, bureaucratic and financial barriers that keep international STEM talent from staying in Germany, and what universities, policymakers and employers can do about them.

Published by Stifterverband, in cooperation with Fintiba – Apr 2024

Download (PDF): German
Integration of Internationals in Germany
A survey of 9,106 international students and expats from 129 countries examines how integrated they feel in Germany, which barriers they encounter, and how strongly integration shapes their intention to build a career in the country.

Published by Fintiba – May 2023

Download (PDF): English
Ausgebremst statt durchgestartet
An analysis of some 900 arrival journeys shows how admission, visa issuance, bank account opening and blocked-account requirements delay international students so severely that 38 percent only reach Germany after the semester has started – driving up drop-out rates.

Published by Stifterverband, in cooperation with Fintiba – Sep 2019

Download (PDF): German

Work with us

Our purpose is to improve systems that shape international students and talent success across Germany. DEGIS translates lived experiences into structured insights for institutions shaping policy, education, and integration.

Policy and Research

We generate evidence-based understanding of international students and talent realities.

- Policy papers and white papers
- Data-driven insights from the international students community
- Qualitative research
- Expert roundtables and dialogue formats

University Advisory

We help universities improve international attractiveness and student outcomes.

- International positioning strategy
- Study programme design (employability and integration focus)
- Student needs, barriers, and expectation insights
- Benchmarking

Political and Institutional Advisory

We support public institutions in improving integration systems.

- Advisory for ministries and public institutions
- Input on visa, integration, and employability frameworks
- Structured feedback loops from international talent
- System-level recommendations based on lived experience

About us

DEGIS – Deutsche Gesellschaft internationaler Studierender – is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the success of international students and talent in Germany.

Since 2019, DEGIS has built a nationwide, volunteer-led community across 47 cities, with around 1,000 volunteers through local city chapters, events, and buddy and mentoring programmes.

The organisation turns the lived experience of this community into unique insights and, through its Policy Lab, translates them into evidence-based recommendations for universities, employers, and policymakers. In this way DEGIS combines grassroots community work with research and acts as the “Voice of Internationals in Germany.”

Get in touch

For questions, collaborations, or general enquiries, please email us at policylab@degis.info.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with our latest research and activities.

For press enquiries, interview requests, or questions related to our work, please contact press@degis.info.