International Young Professionals Academy

Welcome to the IYPA!

At the IYPA, our focus is on providing support in everyday student life and in the transition to the world of work.

What is the IYPA?

The IYPA is an accompanying program initiated by the International Office and funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which shows our international degree-seeking students and graduates opportunities on the German job market - especially in the Rhine-Main region - and supports them in acquiring important skills for a successful career start. In short: we strengthen you during your studies and pave your way into professional life!

In order to provide you with the best possible support, we offer you a variety courses, events and advisory formats during your studies. Whether academic workshops or networking with professionals - we help you to build a strong professional profile.

How does the IYPA support you?

On your Academic Journey:

To master the challenges you face as an international student, we offer you an additional support structure in the following areas.

German Language Skills

Enhance your German language skills in a variety of courses - for example in “Job Application in German”, “Case Study - Project Work in German” or practical training courses on presenting and discussing. Courses are offered during the semester and during the semester break.

Scientific Writing, Presenting and Working

Improve your academic writing and presentation skills in German and learn important techniques for writing academic papers. This will help you to successfully complete your assignment, project work or final thesis.

Peer-to-Peer Program

Seize the opportunity to connect with fellow IYPA students across disciplines. Through various peer-to-peer offers, we give you the opportunity to exchange ideas, use your German language skills in a relaxed atmosphere, get to know the regional culture and make new friends. In short: network together, learn, feel at home, grow.

On your Professional Journey:

Career Advice and Job Application Support

Take the opportunity to attend our workshops in cooperation with the Mainz Employment Agency to gain insights into the job search and application process in Germany. Take part in an application training course that shows you how to search for jobs effectively, how to prepare your documents professionally and how job interviews work. For specific work-related interview situations, we will prepare you to approach company representatives confidently and competently. We will advise you on how to present your strengths and skills and use them appropriately for your career entry. And as a special offer, we provide a professional application photo shoot.

Network and Company Events

At the IYPA, we organize events in different formats to connect you with experienced graduates, companies and institutions in the Rhine-Main region. This enables you to find out which companies are a good fit for you and get to know potential employers for internships, student traineeships, final theses and eventually your career start.

Why Should You Get Involved?

Skills Enhancement: Continuously develop your German language skills, strengthen your ability to learn independently and use supporting formats for your studies.
Networks: Network with experts from companies and organizations - from your field of study and beyond, just in line with your personal interests.
Career Advice: Get valuable tips from professionals with experience - be it regarding opportunities on the German job market, the application process or possible characteristics of German work culture.
Learn Together, Grow Together: Exchange your ideas with like-minded people who are or were international students just like you and support each other. Become part of a diverse community and make contacts that go beyond your studies.

You can have your participation in the program credited with 5 to 10 ECTS in many degree programs and receive a certificate after completing it, which you can use to enhance and strengthen your profile for entry into the job market.

Participation requirements

You are a degree-seeking international student enrolled at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
You have at least two semesters ahead of you to study on-site in Mainz.
You are willing to be accompanied by the IYPA during your studies and are prepared to fulfill the participation requirements.
You are enthusiastic about making new contacts and are open to a diverse community.

Application Process

Admission to the IYPA takes place in the winter semester.

Application deadlinefor the winter semester 25/26: October 12, 2025

Formal Requirements:

Application Form: Fill out the application form, which you find on the right side of the page.
Motivation & Goals: SInstead of a classic letter of motivation, you answer specific questions about your goals, your motivation and your expectations of the Academy as part of the online application form. The answers should show what you would like to achieve as part of the Academy and how you expect to be supported by the program.
Transcript of Records: Please upload a current grade overview in the form.
Enrollment Certificate: Please upload your current enrollment certificate.

After the application deadline, we carefully review all applications received. Successful applicants will receive notification of their acceptance and further information on the next steps in a timely manner. The kick-off event, to which we invite all new participants, where we get to know each other and introduce the program in detail, will take place on October 30, 2025.

We look forward to you joining the Academy!