Outstanding results in study on internationality

For more than 60 percent of the international students surveyed, the University of Stuttgart is their first choice. The range of study programs - especially the English-taught ones - as well as the university’s strong reputation and ranking results are the most convincing factors. Stuttgart as a university location is considered highly attractive, as are the application process and support services, including the Buddy Program and the Intercultural Mentoring Program.

Almost three-fifths of international students want to live and work in Germany in the long term. They value Germany as a leading technology hub and the attractive career opportunities available after graduation. Many of them work during their studies to finance their education, significantly more than German students. Eighty-six percent of this group want to stay in Baden-Württemberg, and over 53 percent in Stuttgart and the surrounding region - results that place the University of Stuttgart at the very top of its comparison group. To support a successful completion of studies and facilitate the transition into the labor market, the University of Stuttgart offers assistance through its numerous integration, language, and career programs within the framework of the FIT project. Fortunately, such programs - as well as the courses offered by the Language Center - are well received: 60 percent of the international students surveyed attended a language course, as it became apparent that they were not managing as well as hoped with the German language and wanted more interaction with German students. 

The semester abroad remains the most popular form of international experience during studies, and Stuttgart students plan more semesters abroad than students at universities in the comparison group. Most frequently, they go to the regions of Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America - and can choose from a wide network of international partner universities. This particularly motivates them to grow personally, enhance their language skills, and gain firsthand cultural experiences. For most students, an entirely online study abroad experience is hard to imagine, though it may be acceptable if paired with a short on-site stay. Financial or personal obstacles sometimes prevent students from taking the step to study abroad. The question of whether credits earned abroad can be recognized also plays a role. This is where the University of Stuttgart’s internationalization strategy comes into play, aiming to further improve the credit recognition process.

26.4 percent of the surveyed domestic students – that is, students who obtained their university entrance qualification in Germany or at a German school abroad – have a migration background. This positions the University of Stuttgart noticeably ahead of its peer institutions. 36.9 percent of the surveyed domestic students are “first-generation students,” meaning they come from non-academic families. Projects such as “POWERst – emPOWERing First Generation Students” support first-generation students by facilitating their access to higher education.

Overall, students are satisfied with their studies and with the University of Stuttgart. They feel welcome at the University of Stuttgart.  International students experience the campus as an open and respectful environment and adapt well to everyday life in Germany. They are also satisfied with their living situation in Germany.  Instances in which students feel “foreign” or “not German,” or fear for their safety, occur significantly less frequently at the University of Stuttgart than at comparable universities. This applies both in interactions with the university administration and teaching staff, as well as outside the university context, such as in the housing and job markets.

"The results of the BintHO study show that the University of Stuttgart creates an inclusive and respectful environment for students and university members. We will build on these positive findings to ensure that students continue to feel welcome at our university and find the best possible conditions for their studies," emphasizes Prof. Alexander Brem, Vice Rector for Science Transfer and International Affairs. 

The Benchmark International University (BintHO) study is the largest German survey on international student mobility. Nationwide, more than 115,000 students from 132 universities across all federal states and various types of higher education institutions participated in the winter semester 2023/24. It enables the University of Stuttgart to make detailed comparisons with 56 universities of comparable size, seven TU9 universities, and additional technical universities. The survey was conducted in the winter semester 2023/2024, and the University of Stuttgart achieved the highest participation rate of all surveyed universities, with over 25%. The next DAAD survey is scheduled for autumn 2026.