Germany is known for its long tradition of offering quality and affordable education and various opportunities for professional and personal development. Well, if you are an international student from Singapore, apart from exploring the culture and getting used to the chilly weather in Germany, it’s time to consider how to earn some extra cash on the side with a part-time job.
The job market in Germany is robust, even for international students, so you have plenty of options in industries like hospitality and teaching to choose from.
If you’re looking for part-time work opportunities during your studies in Germany, then read on. We’ve compiled a list of the top part-time jobs for Singaporean students studying in Germany to give you some ideas and get you started on your job hunt.
Can I Get a Part-Time Job in Germany as a Singaporean Student?
Yes. As an international student studying in Germany, you can take up part-time work and your studies to gain valuable experience and supplement your living expenses. However, there are certain restrictions you must be aware of like the job being related to your field of study and working a certain number of hours per week.
While the restrictions may seem daunting, many international students in Germany can find suitable part-time work that complements their education. From working in hotels and tutoring to participating in research activities, there are various options to pursue your part-time job.
Do I Need a Work Permit to Find Work Off-Campus in Germany as a Singaporean Student?
To legally work in Germany as a foreign student, you’ll need to obtain a work permit, also known as an employment authorization or work visa. As a student from Singapore studying in Germany, you are allowed to take on part-time work, but there are a few requirements you’ll need to know about.
- You must be enrolled in a German university or college full-time. Part-time study programs do not qualify.
- You can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days yearly. This translates to roughly 20 hours per week during the semester and up to 40 hours per week during breaks and holidays.
- You must find employment that corresponds to your field of study. The work should provide career-related experience.
Part-Time Jobs for Singaporean Students in Germany
Here are some of the top part-time jobs for Singaporean students in Germany. These jobs are flexible, pay decently, and some even have the added benefit of improving your German skills.
1. Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- Approximate hours a week: 20 hours
- Average salary per hour: €12 – €30
- Required skills: Fluent in the English language, excellent verbal communication skills, ability to design courses and teach.
Teaching English is a great part-time job option for Singaporean students in Germany since English is one of the official languages in Singapore. German cities like Hamburg and Cologne offer good rates for this kind of job.
As an English language teacher, you can make between 12 to 30 euros per hour helping Germans improve their English conversation and grammar skills. The pay depends on your qualifications and experience, but being a fluent English speaker is a huge advantage. Singaporean bi-lingual (English and Malay) education system makes Singaporean students excellent English speakers.
Many language schools, tutoring centers, and private students hire part-time English teachers. You could also check out your university job board for part-time opportunities or internships.
2. Working in the Hospitality industry
- Approximate hours a week: 20 hours
- Average salary per hour: €9 – €15
- Required skills: Verbal communication, customer service, multi-tasking, cultural awareness, attention to detail, and adaptability.
The hospitality industry in Germany employs many international students in part-time jobs. First, you can work as a waiter or bartender. You get to interact with customers, practice German, and may even get tips. Look for jobs at casual dining establishments, bars, or nightclubs near your university. With some experience, you can make €10 – €15 an hour.
Alternatively, you could help out at a hotel. Hotels often need extra help, mainly seasonal work over the summer and holidays. You could work at the front desk to greet guests and handle check-ins/check-outs, in housekeeping cleaning rooms, or assist guests. Typical pay is €9 – €12 per hour.
Lastly, you could also look for catering and events jobs. Catering companies and event venues employ students to help set up, serve, and clean up at special events. The work can be sporadic, on nights and weekends, but pays reasonably well at €10 – €14 an hour. You’ll gain useful experience helping organize and work large-scale events.
If you are interested in building a successful career in the hospitality industry, you could boost your prospects by pursuing courses like hotel and catering management, event management and marketing, food and beverage programs, housekeeping and accommodation management, among others.
3. Courier jobs
- Approximate hours a week: 20 hours
- Average salary per hour: €10 – €12
- Required skills: Punctuality, Good customer service, trustworthiness, physical fitness, communication skills, and adherence to safety and driving rules.
As a Singaporean student in Germany, one of the most flexible part-time jobs you can take on is being a courier. With the rise in home delivery services for food, medicine, office supplies, and other on-demand delivery items, this is a job you would most certainly do daily.
To succeed in this role, you need to be physically fit as most deliveries are done using a bike. You also need to have some level of conversational German depending on what you will be delivering. Couriers generally get 10 to 12 euros per hour, depending on the company. Additionally, you could also get tips from some customers, hence boosting your earnings.
Busy and big cities like Munich would be ideal for such jobs.
4. Participating in Market Research Studies
- Approximate hours a week: 20 hours
- Average salary per hour: €15 – €25
- Required skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, business awareness skills, excellent numerical and analytical skills, and IT knowledge.
Market research is a great part-time job option if you have strong analytical and communication skills. Many companies hire students to conduct surveys, focus groups, and interviews to gather insights into their target audience and industry. This could be a great option for Singaporean students in Germany who have sufficient skills in the German language.
For example, Singaporean students could work with organizations such as the Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce to offer reliable information about the Singaporean business environment for German companies interested in doing business in Singapore. As a market researcher, you may conduct phone surveys, online surveys, in-person interviews, and focus groups. These part-time jobs typically pay 15-25 Euros per hour.
Gaining experience in market research as a student is valuable in many ways. You will develop important soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and data analysis that are useful for your studies and career. You can also network and possibly find a job with the same company after you graduate.
5. Tutor or Private Teacher
- Approximate hours a week: 20 hours
- Average salary per hour: €20 – €25
- Required skills: Excellent oral communication skills, planning and organizational skills, understanding of exams and revision techniques, interpersonal skills, and IT knowledge.
Becoming a private tutor is an excellent way for Singaporean students to earn some extra money on a flexible schedule. Tutoring jobs are great, especially for Singaporean students pursuing teacher training courses.
As an international student in Germany, you have much to offer in this area. What are you good at? Math, English, sciences? Whatever your strong subjects are, consider offering tutoring services. You could even tutor students interested in learning Malay, the national language of Singapore.
You can do one-on-one tutoring or work with small groups. Set your hours and rates, starting around €20-25 per hour for most subjects. The key is matching your expertise to students’ needs.
The above are some of the best part-time jobs for Singaporean students in Germany that fit a busy student schedule as well as those with limited German language skills. Before you embark on any job, ensure that it aligns with your interests, and skills, and offers opportunities for personal and professional development. Any of these options can provide you with some extra cash to fund your studies and adventures, gain valuable work experience, and improve your German in an authentic setting.
We hope this article will help in your search for a part-time job in Germany. Head on over to our Study in Germany and Available Programs for more details about studying in this European country – from the different universities to the numerous scholarship opportunities!
