As we started writing this article, we came across an article from Clean Energy Wire about what Germany’s new government calls the “biggest energy policy reform in decades”. In that article, the German government shares its goal to become climate-neutral by 2045. To do so, Germany will reduce its dependence on fossil fuel and instead, switch to renewable energy sources.
Germany has always been environmentally-friendly but with the renewed commitment from the government, we think that there are opportunities for you as a student to study in Germany and pursue your career in renewable energy or environmental engineering there. Not only is Germany a top study destination, you can study tuition-free even at top German universities, intern or work part-time at companies which are industry leaders, and get a headstart to start your career.
While Germany is known for its fast cars and prowess in automotive engineering, it is also home to world-leaders in green technology. Here are some examples:
BASF. The largest chemical producer in the world. Aims for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Siemens. The largest manufacturing company in Europe and is responsible for more than one-sixth of global electricity generation.
Nordex. Started in Denmark and has its headquarters in Germany. Nordex is one of the largest wind turbine companies in the world.
RWE. World’s second-largest offshore wind power generation and Europe’s third-largest company in renewable energy.
BayWa. Its green energy division supplies solar technology to over 30 countries.
Imagine working at one of the above companies and be part of the change in making the world a cleaner place to live in? Wouldn’t that be amazing?
German companies, including those we shared above, collaborate closely with universities. This means that the syllabus and projects at universities are up-to-date and students will be exposed to the latest technology. You can work on meaningful projects to help solve current issues and challenges.
In addition, many German universities have an emphasis on practical training. Instead of only attending lectures, you will also be learning hands-on via projects, lab work and competitions where you will get to apply what you have learnt.
You are likely to intern with a German company for one semester (5 to 6 months) as part of your studies. As you will need to apply on your own, that also means you will have an opportunity to gain working experience from your dream company. You get to learn from the best and earn a decent allowance at the same time to cover your living expenses.
In Germany, many students will work part-time in a position which is relevant to what they are studying. Instead of working as a barista for example, you can already be in the industry while studying and earn at least €12 an hour! You could use your allowance to travel around Europe during your summer holidays.
Depending on the countries, there might not be as many work options for renewable energy and environmental engineering. Graduating from Germany means that you can stay on and have enough opportunities to actually work in the right field instead of choosing the “next-best” option. What’s more, if you don’t have a job offer by the time you graduate, you can apply for a visa to stay on for up to 18 months to search for a job. That’s plenty of time. (We do hope that you will find a job sooner than later though 🤞🏼🍀)
We did a quick search for renewable energy courses offered in Germany and found that there are 256 options available. A similar search for environmental engineering yields 415 options. There are enough options to choose from. (Don’t worry if you don’t know which university to choose, you will receive relevant workshops when you join one of our university preparation programmes)
Take advantage of tuition-free courses in Germany, and pay only for your living expenses. Fill up the form below to learn how our University Preparation Programme can help you.
Reference: www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-boosts-renewables-biggest-energy-policy-reform-decades