Career Service for Internationals

Are you studying an English-language degree programme and would like to improve your German language skills and other competencies in the context of university, work, and everyday life? 

Since September 2025, the Studienkolleg Sachsen has been offering a new programme in cooperation with the Career Service. On the project page for the courses “German for University, Work, and Everyday Life,” you will find all the information you need about the German courses offered for target levels B1 and B1+, the application requirements, and how the courses are conducted.

The Career Service combines the language training with:

• individual counseling and coaching, including an assessment of the current situation
• network building & exchange events with peers, company representatives, and alumni
• the knowledge format “Start Smart Basics” on topics such as the regional job market, job search, and employment contracts

 

Individual Consultations

Are you looking for a part-time job, an internship or a position after graduation? Feel free to contact us with any questions about job searches, applications and the legal framework. We will take the time to advise you individually: in person, via telephone or video call and in German and English.

• You can arrange an appointment via email
• or contact us via phone: +49-341-9730038/ 9730075

Mentoring "Inspiration - Qualification - Networking"

Our mentoring programme supports and accompanies students and graduates of Leipzig University on their way to starting a career and their personal development, especially in the Leipzig region. Our mentees are current students and graduates up to three years after graduation. Our mentors are mainly alumni of Leipzig university, but also other representatives of regional companies.

For a suitable match, the mentees indicate which industries they are interested in and which topics they would like support with. Such topics can be for example: insights into professional life, support with application processes, building professional networks, support with decision-making processes.

The programme takes place once a year and lasts around six to seven months.

Please visit our mentoring programme website for more information.

Module "German Language for Specific Purposes: Starting a Career" (C1 level)

Improve your language skills in this module with a focus on starting your career. The Studienkolleg Sachsen and the Career Service have jointly developed this module to improve the transition from university to work. The module is aimed at students with a German language level of C1. 

The module data

• Module number: 30-DIS-BERUF
• Language level: C1
• Credit points (ECTS/LP): 5
• Scope: 4 SWS

Objectives

Participants expand their ability to act in German as a foreign language and use it in a situation-appropriate and differentiated way for the transition between studies and work. Students deepen their knowledge of the regional labour market and develop job search strategies. They consolidate and expand their productive written vocabulary and develop their text type skills in order to prepare application documents. In order to be able to act appropriately in job interviews, they deepen their receptive and productive oral skills.

Dates Winter semester 2025/26

• Wednesdays, 1.15pm – 4.45pm, Lumumbastraße 4, room 2.25
• Thursdays, 1.15pm – 4.45pm, Lumumbastraße 4, room 2.25
• start 15 October 2025

Registration 

• Please send an email request to deutsch-im-studium(at)uni-leipzig.de.

• The same rules apply as for German students.

• Students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. More is allowed during the semester break.

• New since March 2024: If you hold a residence permit based on Section 16b of the Residence Act, you may work 140 full days or 280 half-days per year in addition to studying. Previously the allowed number of days were 120 full days or 240 half-days. The period of one year is based on one calendar year (January to December).

• It is advisable to note down exactly how many hours you work and on which days. This is important as proof for yourself, for a potential employer and for the Foreigners’ Authority.

• All working days in excess of the rule on 140 full days or 280 half-days must be approved in advance by your local Foreigners’ Authority.

Please also note:

• Voluntary internships are also subject to the rule on 140 full days or 280 half-days, even if they are unpaid.

• Mandatory internships are not subject to the rule on 140 full days or 280 half-days because they are part of your degree programme.

• Work performed as an undergraduate assistant (studentische Hilfskraft) does not count towards the 140 full days or 280 half-days if the work is for a university or an institution with a link to a university, provided that you do not work so much that it jeopardises your studies. In any case, please speak to the Foreigners’ Authority about any such job.

Please read your residence permit carefully. If you are unsure how many days you are (still) allowed to work, please contact your local Foreigners’ Authority.

• You benefit from what is known as freedom of movement for EU citizens.
• You do not require a work permit to work in Germany.

If you wish to stay in Germany after graduation, you must apply for an extension of your residence permit at the Foreigners’ Authority responsible for your place of residence.

Residence permit for seeking work (paragraph 20 AufenthG):

• As a graduate of a German university, you may apply for a jobseeking residence permit, which can be issued for a maximum of 18 months. From November 2023 the legal regulations have changed and the job offer no longer has to be related to your degree.
• A residence permit for jobseeking includes an unrestricted work permit, which means that you can also work in an unqualified job, for example as a temporary worker in a restaurant. The intention is that you can finance yourself while you look for a qualified job.
• The maximum validity period of 18 months begins on the date on which you are notified in writing that you have successfully completed your studies.
• Please note that in addition to your degree, you will need to present other documents to obtain a residence permit for seeking work, e.g. proof of sufficient living space, health insurance and a minimum income.
• It is recommended that you visit your local Foreigners’ Authority as soon as possible after the announcement of your examination results.

EU Blue Card under Section 18g of the German Residence Act:

In August 2012, the EU Blue Card was introduced in Germany to promote the immigration of skilled foreign workers throughout Europe. From November 2023, the salary threshold for the EU Blue Card was lowered in order to allow young professionals this work permit option as well. International graduates can apply for an EU Blue Card if they meet and can prove all of the following requirements:

• higher education qualification/ degree, not older than 3 years
• draft employment contract or specific job offer
• minimum gross income: 43,759.80 euros per year (2025), Please note that the salary limits are adjusted annually.

Benefits of the EU Blue Card:

• It is valid for a maximum of four years when first issued.
• A permanent settlement permit (unlimited work and residence permit) can already be issued after 21 months, subject to proof of German language skills at B1 level.
• Holders may leave Germany for up to twelve months without losing their status.
• Holders may move to another EU country after 18 months (except the UK, Ireland, Denmark) and can benefit from accelerated and simplified conditions when applying for a new national EU Blue Card.