UNITECH International

Key Info

Basic Information

Target Group:
Students
Direction / Place:
Incomings
Outgoings

Contact

Name

Benjamin Pietsch

Local Office Coordinator

Phone

work
+49 241 80 90686

Email

E-Mail

Contact

Name

Ulrike Geurtz

Local Office Coordinator

Phone

work
+49 241 80 90687

Email

E-Mail
 

UNITECH International 2023/24

Application deadline:
November 30, 2023

 

What is UNITECH International?

UNITECH International is a partnership between eight leading European universities and outstanding industry partners.

Besides RWTH, the following universities are part of the network:

  • Chalmers University of Technology
  • ETH Zürich
  • INSA Lyon
  • Loughborough University
  • Politecnico di Milano
  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

The company partnerships are constantly being expanded. An up-to-date overview and also more detailed information on the cooperating companies can be found on the UNITECH International website.

For students, their degree program itself sometimes does not offer enough variety of experience and industry partners also want skills that go beyond the conventional degree content.

UNITECH International recognized the desire for the international networking of various players, more practical relevance, and the training of soft skills very early on and oriented its programs accordingly. This has resulted in a unique combination of

  • an exchange semester at an outstanding university in Europe,
  • an internship with a good balance of own responsibility and qualified guidance,
  • coaching and workshops targeted to train the important soft skills for later challenges on the job market, and
  • interdisciplinary discussions on current topics.

Since it was founded in 2000, the network has served as a bridge between universities and industry and, as a result, now has more than 1,400 active alumni members. It is also through this large community that students are supported during their education. More information on alumni activities and events can be found on the UNITECH International Alumni Association website.

UNITECH is a mobility program. Participation in the program is free once the student is selected. Part of the travel expenses, currently around 1,000 euros, will be covered by the program.

What is the program structure?

The program lasts one year. It kicks off with a start-up week in August, which is hosted by a different university every year and is organized as a coaching event. Students then go to their respective host university to spend a semester abroad and to work on a project with an industry partner. Midterm week in January is the transition point between the study abroad and internship. It is also held as a coaching event at one of the eight European universities. After the internship semester, the program concludes with an end-of-year event. This consists of a graduation ceremony where UNITECH participants, who have completed their degree at their home university, celebrate their graduation and receive their UNITECH diploma.

Who is the program for?

The program is targeted at RWTH students in engineering (also industrial engineering), computer science, physics, and biotechnology with an outstanding academic performance and important soft skills who are Master's students or at the end of their Bachelor's degree (5th / 6th semester).

 

How can I apply?

Please apply online and upload the following documents in addition to the question you are asked to download:

  • Resume, 2 pages maximum
  • Transcript of records, 2 MB maximum
  • Optional: other documentation (job references, language certificates, volunteering work), 2 MB maximum

Deadline for applications

The application portal will open in fall 2023. The application deadline for the 2023/24 academic year is November 30, 2023.

Applicants who pass the pre-selection round will be invited to a virtual assessment center. The exact date will be announced on this page.

Students will be assigned to the universities after the assessment center based on their submitted preferences. However, all students applying to participate in the program should be prepared to spend time abroad at each of the partner universities.

Personal contact with industry partners can be established early in the program and subsequently intensified. You yourself will then decide which company you will apply to for the research internship.

Where can I find more information?

  • In the UNITECH International Handbook, which is also linked on the right side of this page, as well as on the official website, you will find a lot of helpful and detailed information. If you have any questions, the Local Office Coordinators of RWTH will be happy for you to or call them.
  • Some of our former UNITECH participants (our Local Chapter Coordinators for Aachen, LOC for short) volunteer and support the UNITECH International network by sharing their own experiences with interested students. Through personal interactions, students can gain the best insights into the program and learn exciting insider knowledge in advance. They can be contacted by . However, the LOC at RWTH Aachen University will also be happy to set up contact.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the UNITECH Program

How many students can participate?

Each year RWTH Aachen selects a maximum of ten students during the Assessment Center.

What language skills do I need to have?

All participants should have good English skills. Most of the participating universities offer courses in English.

How long is the internship?

The internship should last at least 12 weeks. It can be extended to a maximum of a year in agreement with the company.

Do I have to speak another language for the internship?

English skills are sufficient for most of the participating companies, even if the national language is not English.

Is there compensation for the internship?

Yes, the respective company compensates you for the internship to cover the cost of living.

Are the travel costs covered?

Participants receive about 1000 euros to cover the travel costs between the individual event locations. Accommodations and food will be provided during the events.

What happens after finishing studies?

It is possible to participate in the UNITECH International Society after completing studies. It is also possible to join the Alumni Association, an international network with many partners in industry and business.