For Students
Welcome to the Science and Technology Academy (STA), a program within the Faculty of Engineering at Kiel University. Currently, we're working with two international master’s degree programs:
- Material Sciences and Engineering (KielMAT)
- Electrical and Information Engineering (E&IE)
If you're enrolled in one of these programs, we're here to help you find financial support while you pursue your studies.
Do any of these apply to you?
- Need extra income to cover living expenses?
- Eager to dive into the German job market?
- Want early career work experience?
- Aspire to enhance your German language skills in a professional setting?
- Seeking to expand your professional network?
- Require guaranteed funds for a German student visa application?
If so, the STA is the perfect fit for you!
Through the STA, we connect our international master’s students with companies in the region. With a paid, up-to-half-time, working student contract, you'll gain valuable professional experience in your field during lecture-free periods and other agreed-upon times. This setup benefits both you and the companies—it's a win-win situation.
Keen to learn more? Don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Still not convinced? Here are more reasons to consider STA:
- Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience in a German professional setting, enhancing your skills and confidence.
- Cultural Immersion and Language Skills: Immerse yourself in a new culture, improving your German proficiency and cross-cultural communication.
- Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network, potentially leading to future career opportunities.
- Global Perspective and Adaptability: Broaden your perspective and adaptability in diverse settings.
- Resume Building and Career Growth: Boost your career prospects with international exposure.
- Personal Growth and Confidence: Step out of your comfort zone and grow personally.
- Potential Employment Opportunities: Your experience as a working student could lead to future job opportunities.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Explore innovative practices and entrepreneurial environments that can inspire your own innovative projects or entrepreneurial endeavours.
- Personal Connections and Lifelong Memories: Build friendships and create lasting memories beyond academics.
Embrace the opportunity to experience German work culture, earn while you learn, and grow in various aspects of your life. Your journey will be unique, shaped by your goals, interests, and the specific opportunities provided by the program.
Requirements
The STA is open to all students that have been accepted in the participating international master’s programmes of the Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel:
- Material Sciences and Engineering (KielMAT)
- Information and Electrical Engineering (I&IE)
You will have the chance to express your interest to participate in the program after you have received your acceptance letter from the admissions office.
If you were accepted before February, 2024 and are already pursuing your studies at the CAU, just get in touch to let us know that you want to participate.
How Does It Work?
Through some simple steps, you can go from being accepted into your master’s programme to getting a job at a company that matches your profile:
- Once you're accepted into your master’s program, let us know you're interested in joining the STA.
- We match your profile with the participating companies and send you a list of potential employers.
- You prepare your job application documents: CV, and cover letter.
- If your job application is successful, we will send you a letter of acceptance that you can use for your visa application.
- Begin working at the company during lecture-free periods or other agreed-upon times, receiving your salary directly from them.
Detailed Conditions
The Science and Technology Academy (STA) boasts a distinctive feature: its remarkable flexibility. Each working student contract is tailored individually, ensuring the best fit for all parties involved. While negotiations vary case by case, here are the general requirements we expect from participating companies:
- Part-time, Working Student Contract
- Ideally lasting for the entire duration of the studies, but a minimum of one year commitment is required.
- Work Hours
- Up to 20 hours per week during class periods.
- Up to 40 hours per week during holidays and lecture-free periods, capped at 26 weeks per year.
- Minimum Guaranteed Salary
- 934 € per month (11.208 € per year).
Here's an illustrative breakdown of working hours over a year based on a 15 € hourly wage:
- 10 hours per week during class periods.
- 25 hours per week during holidays and lecture-free periods.
Here are a few additional points you should keep in mind:
- The minimum wage in Germany stands at 12.41 € (as of January 2024) per hour.
- If a contract doesn't cover the entirety of your studies, we'll assist in connecting you with another company to secure a new one.
- If you're receiving BAföG support, please be aware of the maximum income limit from work contracts. Verify the conditions accordingly!
At STA, we ensure that your employment arrangements align with your academic pursuits, providing a platform for a seamless integration of work and study.
