As per various reports, Germany will face a shortage of 3 million skilled employees within 2030, and a large vacancy pool is already there in the field of Chemical Engineering which needs to be filled real soon in the coming years.
So the earlier you come to Germany and grab the opportunities the better it is!
In this article, we have covered in detail about how you can Study Chemical Engineering in Germany (Jobs, specializations, salaries, and much more!).
Why study Chemical Engineering in Germany?
The first question that probably comes to your mind right now is why should you even consider studying Chemical Engineering from Germany?
Very valid question and here is your answer. First, Germany has the BEST Technical universities of the world. So you’d get nothing less than world class education (for FREE)!
Second, free education, Germany is the cheapest study abroad destination you can think of. Why? It’s because Germany has ZERO tuition fees in most of the public universities. And the only cost you can think of is only your living expenses.
Three, huge job opportunities.
In case of Chemical Engineering around 450,000 people were employed in recent years in various sectors of Chemical Engineering like process engineering, manufacturing, project management, and so on.
Plus the aging German population and the need for qualified engineers from outside Germany is at an all-time high right now!
Specializations you can target when you come to study Chemical Engineering in Germany
From Process Engineering, Plant Engineering, Petrochemical Engineering to Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Germany has everything to offer you in this space.
But choose a specialization which you think suits you and you are passionate about.
This is the most important thing.
Because choosing a subject you are passionate about will ensure that you do well during your studies in Germany and getting a job will become really easy for you after you finish your studies!
Here is an indicative list of specializations of Chemical Engineering courses which you can pursue in Germany.
- Process Engineering
- Plant Engineering
- Petrochemical Engineering
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Material Science
- Pharmaceutical Engineering
- Engineering and Management degrees
Chemical Engineering in Germany – Where can you work after studies?
We all know that studying and getting a degree is not enough. After spending some of your years in Germany and then spending your money for your education abroad, you must get a job!
Now, as Chemical engineers where can you work in Germany? As a Chemical Engineer, you need to take care of the technical and commercial applications and also the chemical know-how in the chemical industry. This mainly includes the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry, the food or paper industry, and majorly the petrochemical industry.
- Originally, the focus of chemical engineers was on process engineering for chemical material conversion, which is used to manufacture around half of the German industrial products. But numerical methods and algorithms have also expanded the work of chemical engineers. Simulations now also ensure greater efficiency in product development, material sciences, i.e. when it comes to specific product properties, even in small and very small quantities.
- The increased requirements of environmental protection in general and especially in connection with chemical substances as well as the challenges of engineering ethics and technology assessment result in a wealth of tasks for chemical engineers. In addition to work as process and project management engineers, in plant construction and in research and development departments, tasks in product management, sales and plant maintenance are possible. Chemical engineers can also fill positions in state investigation offices.
- When it comes to places to work, the large chemical and pharmaceutical companies such as Bayer, Fresenius, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Evonik and Lanxess have a great need for chemical engineers.
- The same applies to detergent and cleaning agent producers and cosmetics manufacturers such as Henkel, Beiersdorf and Unilever. The food industry, such as Dr. Oetker or Nestlé also need engineers with chemical and process engineering know-how.
In total, more than 3,000 companies are assigned to the chemical industry in Germany, the vast majority of which are micro, small and medium-sized companies. This can also be found out from the figures from the German Chemical Industry Association or Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI).
Salaries in Chemical Engineering in Germany
Germany is known for its employee-friendly work culture, a sufficient number of holidays, no overtimes whatsoever, but what about the salaries?
First, you should understand the salaries will depend on the location, the industry and also your skills.
Your ability to negotiate salaries will also play a key role!
Major trends in Chemical Engineering in Germany
Originally, the focus of chemical engineers was on process engineering for chemical material conversion, which is used to manufacture around half of the German industrial products. But numerical methods and algorithms have also expanded the work of chemical engineers. Simulations now also ensure greater efficiency in product development, material sciences, i.e. when it comes to specific product properties, even in small and very small quantities.
And that’s why, to stay relevant in your field, you should understand where your industry is going?
Process Engineering & Manufacturing
The main focus of chemical engineers is on process engineering for chemical material conversion, which is used to manufacture around half of the German industrial products. Almost 60% to 70% of the job vacancies in Germany for Chemical Engineering graduates will be in Process Engineering and related areas.
Project Management
This would involve the implementation and management of projects from start to end. Working together in interdisciplinary teams – from research and development, engineering and marketing, risk management as well as colleagues at the international production sites and also with external experts.
Digitalization and others..
With everything going digital, Chemical Engineering is not far behind, having basic IT skills and software knowledge is a must, especially when it comes to simulation engineering to increase the efficiency of a process. Along with this, things like Environmental sustainability is also becoming an integral part for Chemical Engineering professionals in Germany.
Want to know more about studying Chemical Engineering in Germany? Click below and download the FREE e-book!
Conclusion!
I hope by now, you have got an idea of what you should do to study Mechanical Engineering in Germany.
But this is just the starting point. This is where the game starts, you win the final boss fight when you get an admission letter from any one of the top universities!
And let me tell you the truth here.
Do you know for the top universities the intake ratio is less than 0.001? That means for every 1000 international students applying to the universities all over the world, only 1 student can get in!
So that’s why you need to completely focus on your CV (a German standard CV, not your traditional CV, neither a Europass CV, and nor the CV you have been casually using to apply for jobs).
Also, your SOP or Statement of purpose should be perfect! What we have seen multiple times is that students with average academics but with a brilliant SOP can easily get admission against someone who has brilliant academics but their CV or SOP was not good enough.
And one point students always miss is, you should be applying to the universities based on your background, grades and capabilities, that’s why shortlisting the universities based on your interests and background is of utmost importance rather than applying to them blindly!
Your SOP needs to be on point also, modified as per the universities.
So would you like to be a part of the top German universities or from any one of the 189+ German public universities without any hassles?
We also have a solution for this: Complete course for studying in Germany!
Click below to check out my online course on studying in Germany to know more!