Studying Transport and Logistics

When you think of Starbucks, you might picture their frappes. But a lot goes into serving you those chilled drinks (or cookies!). The company needs to source the ingredients, send them to cafes on time and according to their requirement. When you think of the number of outlets they have and the sheer number of items on their menu, this ends up being a mind–bogglingly complex operation.

But this is essentially what Transport and Logistics is all about—sourcing raw materials (or ingredients), sending them to factories (or kitchens) for processing and delivering the finished goods to shops, distributors or customers, while working to budget, time and resource constraints.

Most courses require you to complete a semester-long internship or project. This is a great chance to gain relevant work experience and build a professional network in Germany.

Some of the most sought-after universities, colleges and institutes in Germany are:

• International University Of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef (IUBH)

Salary and Career Prospects

Transport and logistics professionals are hired by logistics and postal services companies (Deutsche Post, DHL), online retail companies (Amazon, eBay), retail and hospitality companies (Marriot, Aldi), factories and warehouses.

Some of the roles they take up are Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Purchasing Manager, Inventory, Junior Merchandiser and Logistics Coordinator.

Salaries vary based on experience, qualifications, skills and location. As a guide, transport and logistics professionals earn around €50,000 a year (40 lakhs INR).

Why study in Germany?

Germany is a popular study destination for international students. Some German universities are several centuries old and are held in high esteem across the world. The country is popular for its engineering and business courses.

German economy is among the largest in both Europe and the world. The economy is powered mainly by automobile and manufacturing sectors and the country is home to premium brands like Volkswagen, BMW and Audi. Frankfurt and Berlin are major business and commerce hubs that host a wide range of multinational companies, including technology companies (Apple, Siemens) and banks (Deutsche Bank, HSBC). With its breathtakingly beautiful scenery, iconic monuments and palaces, museum and arts and culture scene, Germany is also a popular tourist destination.

German is the national language, although people living in big cities can speak English to varying degrees of fluency.

International graduates are able to apply for a post-study work permit lasting up to 18 months.