Dreaming of German degrees? These skills matter more than grades in the AI era

A German degree can open doors, but AI is changing what happens after graduation. For Indian students, technical skills, German and independent thinking could make the difference, along with research, AI literacy and teamwork. Here are the skills that Indian students must build before graduation that could shape what comes after it.A German degree can open doors, but AI is changing what happens after graduation. (AI-generated image)Imagine this: you have your German university admission letter, your visa is sorted, and you have spent months preparing for the move. You arrive expecting the hardest part to be keeping up with lectures.Then you realise that nobody is telling you exactly what to study.You are expected to research on your own, work with digital tools, communicate with people from different backgrounds and, increasingly, understand how artificial intelligence fits into your field.That is the bigger shift Indian students planning to study in Germany need to prepare for. A degree still matters, but the way students learn, work and eventually find jobs is changing around it. Germany is an attractive destination for international students because most state-funded public universities generally do not charge tuition fees for Bachelor’s programmes, helping keep the overall cost of higher education relatively low.As per the latest data by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany is becoming increasingly popular among Indian students, with 69,816 Indian students enrolled at German universities in the Winter Semester 2025/26. This marks a 17.5% rise compared with the previous year, with nearly 10,400 more Indian students joining German universities over the 12-month period, making India the largest source of international students in Germany. Dr Latika Chaudhary, CEO-Sales and Marketing, YES Germany, says students should start preparing for this change while they are still in India.“Indian students need to enhance their knowledge of the subjects, research skills, digital skills, and communication skills,” she says.The point is not to arrive in Germany knowing everything. It is to arrive knowing how to learn, research and use the right tools independently. You got into a German university. But are you ready to study there? YOUR DEGREE NEEDS A SKILL SETOne of the biggest adjustments for Indian students might be the amount of independent learning expected at German universities.Chaudhary says “independence in learning is very essential” because students are expected to become independent learners.That makes research skills particularly important. A student who is used to depending heavily on classroom teaching may need to become comfortable finding information, evaluating sources and building their own understanding of a topic.Digital skills come next. But students do not necessarily need to become programmers.The useful skills will depend on the course. Chaudhary recommends familiarity with Excel, Python, SQL or other course-specific software.DON'T JUST LEARN AI. QUESTION ITStudents today can ask an AI tool to explain a difficult concept, summarise research or generate ideas within seconds. That can make studying easier. But if students allow AI to do the thinking, they may also weaken the very skills universities and employers continue to value.Chaudhary's advice is straightforward: use AI as an assistant, not as a replacement.Students should first understand the problem, research it and try to find their own solution. Only then should they use AI to "arrange their information, create ideas and try different methods or increase their efficiency."And there is one-step students cannot outsource.“It is still the responsibility of students to validate the information and ask themselves if the information provided by AI is valid,” she says. That ability to question, verify and improve an answer is becoming part of being AI-literate. Your skills can open many doors for you in Germany THE CLASSROOM IS CHANGING, TOOSo, should students simply choose a course with “AI” in its name?Not necessarily.German universities are adapting to AI, but not all at the same speed. Chaudhary says the pace of change "is varying from university to university and from one discipline to another."That is why she advises students not to make their decision based only on rankings.“Check the curriculum” before choosing a course, she says.Students should look for programmes that offer exposure to areas such as AI, data analysis, digitalisation and technology, particularly where these connect naturally with their chosen discipline.For example, a business student may benefit from data and digital skills, while an engineering student may need stronger programming or AI knowledge. The important question is not simply: Does this university rank well? But what will I actually learn here? Major skills are required for jobs in Germany THE SKILLS THAT FOLLOW YOU OUT OF CLASSThere is another reason this matters.OECD research shows that Germany faces an AI skills bottleneck, with shortages particularly evident in ICT occupations. At the same time, most workers are unlikely to need advanced AI development skills. Instead, digital competence, data-related abilities and problem-solving skills are becoming increasingly important.The skills students develop at university increasingly travel with them into the workplace. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 lists AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity and technological literacy among the fastest-growing skills, while analytical thinking remains a leading core skill.But Chaudhary does not see technical ability as enough.“Critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, flexibility, and so forth are still some of the qualities that are highly sought after by employers,” she says.She describes the combination employers want as people who bring both “skillfulness” and "wisdom."That is particularly relevant for international students. A student may have the technical knowledge but still struggle to explain an idea, work in a team or adapt to a different workplace culture. German language and networking would also help Indian students to get ahead in the race DON'T LEAVE GERMAN AND NETWORKING FOR LATERPerhaps the most easily overlooked part of preparation is also one of the most practical.“German language, networking and the culture of the working environment are generally underrated by Indian students,” Chaudhary says.Students do not necessarily need fluent German before arriving, but basic knowledge can make everyday communication easier and can help with internships, networking and employment.The same applies to networking. It should not begin when a student starts looking for a job. “It is of the utmost importance to network from the first day at work,” Chaudhary says.Punctuality, responsibility and teamwork also matter. So does knowing how to organise research and write academically. For an Indian student planning for Germany, therefore, preparation is no longer just about securing admission.Here is what students can start building before they leave India:SkillWhy it matters in GermanyResearch skillsHelps students handle independent academic work and projectsAI literacyHelps them understand and use AI without blindly depending on itData skillsUseful across technical, business and research-oriented coursesDigital toolsMakes coursework and professional work easierCommunicationImportant for presentations, networking and teamworkGerman languageHelps with everyday life, internships and employmentCritical thinkingHelps students question information, including AI-generated answersAdaptabilityUseful when moving to a new academic and workplace cultureTeamworkImportant for university projects and professional settingsThe better question to ask before leaving India may be: Can I learn independently, use technology intelligently, communicate clearly and adapt when the classroom — and eventually the workplace — changes?Because the degree may open the door. The skills you build around it could decide how far you go.- EndsPublished By: Princy ShuklaPublished On: Sep 2, 2026 18:49 IST