What makes us tick
Know-how is only half the battle – what about practical experience?
“Nothing is more important than believing in yourself and following your passion. I myself attended SAE, where I learned that I can be really good and successful at something I enjoy doing. The best thing about my job is being able to pass this experience on to future generations and help them turn their passion into a career. It’s always moving for me to meet graduates at events who talk about their own successes with shining eyes. I’m happy for everyone we’ve made this possible for.”
(CEO Chris Müller)
And SAE has seen quite a few ‘subsequent generations’ over the past four decades. Both in front of and behind the advice desk. Because we too were wild-haired, full-blooded rockers, tech geeks and Atari fans, and we fought our way through the early World Wide Web with modems and flannel shirts. But as different as our preferences were, we were all passionate about what we did. And we still are today. That’s what we want to convey to ourstudents every day: to pursue their own interests with fun and passion. And to have the will to see it through professionally.
Our campus managers are true all-rounders. They are the heart of the entire campus and ensure that everything runs smoothly inpractice. They are always available to answer individual questions and address personal issues. And, of course, they are also the ones who pay the bill after lively campus parties, barbecues and graduation celebrations.
But commitment and problem-solving skills are not only found in the management office, but everywhere on our campus. Especially among our students. Thanks to our high proportion of practical work, they can apply what they have learned directly and internalise it permanently. So they not only gain theoretical knowledge, but also a lot of practical experience.
Our Head Instructors, or HIs for short, provide you with professional insight, tips for your portfolio and a clear assessment of your academic performance. Of course, they don’t do this by pointing fingers or wielding sticks, but by focusing on the requirements of your future career. That’s why they rely on modern curricula with plenty of project work – ranging from simple, practical exercises to marketable individual and team projects.
Our lecturers also focus on current and, above all, industry-relevant teaching content. They have both feet firmly planted in the industry and know exactly what matters in practice. So they don’t just teach grey theory, but guide our students students through all stages of production.
Take ten SAE locations in Germany alone, multiply them by twelve departments across the entire media landscape, and what do you get? A whole lot of technology! This includes modern studios and workstations, spacious work and project rooms, and state-of-the-art professional equipment.
Whether for studio recordings or outdoor shoots, for team projects or just for yourself: our premises and all our equipment are exclusively available for SAE teaching purposes and can be used by our students students around the clock on campus.
On-site support is provided by our department assistants. This usually involves stimulating technical discussions covering a wide range of media topics. They certainly have plenty of opportunities to do so. After all, they supervise our students during practical exercises and projects, help them use equipment and software tools, and are there to save the day when technical problems arise. Or when the tripod won’t stay upright.
Mistakes happen and things don’t always run smoothly. Especially in a degree programme that focuses on practical experience. That’s why our students have plenty of time to try things out and improve step by step. They set their own pace, as they can book studios and workspaces individually and thus organise their practice time flexibly.
Our Academic Coordinators are mentors, strategists and academic masterminds all rolled into one. They keep a watchful eye on academic standards, trust in methodology and a culture of discussion, and often unlock talents in our students that they never knew they had. Realistic time management, for example.
Just as important as healthy time management are the questions our students. ask. After all, if you don’t ask questions, you usually don’t understand anything. This is especially true if you spend your entire degree sitting at the back of a crowded lecture hall. That’s why we place great value on small classes. This promotes exchange, creates closeness to lecturers and enables a relaxed learning atmosphere.
The strong SAE community is at the heart of our large SAE family. It provides a space for lively exchange, international networking, lifelong learning and interdisciplinary co-working. With our global network, we offer our current students, over 16,000 alumni, practical instructors and specialist lecturers, as well as anyone interested in media, a professional home, and from day one, we build on good cooperation to create even better collaboration.
‘Community to go’ – thanks to the networking of all SAE locations, we see ourselves as ONE large media campus and thus shape our togetherness far beyond the local campus. In the real world as well as in the digital world: in “SAE COSMOS,” you are at home everywhere at all times, and we live by the motto ’No matter where you come from – the main thing is that you are here.’
The market never sleeps, so it’s important to keep an eye on trends and current developments. The best way to do this is in a compact format and in good company. That’s why our SAE Convention offers not only specialist presentations, live streams and a trade fair with renowned exhibitors, but also plenty of opportunities to network. And stay in touch. With more than 12,000 SAE graduates in Europe alone, however, this is quite an ambitious programme.
But as exciting and varied as our convention is, just this event is not enough to stay at the cutting edge of the industry. That’s why we offer free workshops and masterclasses throughout the year and exclusive deals and discounts to our students and graduates in our in-house store. Because software and equipment also need to keep up with the times.
