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First register, then study
Notepad: Pay Attention!
Make sure you get a place in your courses! After registering, you are entitled to commence your studies at the university. You should also register at your department (for example, the History Department). This registration is often a prerequisite for using the departmental library and for sitting examinations. Please go to the departmental Secretary's Office (Sekretariat) to ask when the registration dates are.
It is also advisable to register for courses for which there is great demand. Some courses have many more applicants than places (for example, language courses at the language centre). Make sure you secure your place by entering your name early into the list of participants.
Tomás now has his Acceptance Letter (Zulassungsbescheid). So he can be sure of a place in the Bachelor's programme in International Business Management in the coming Winter Semester (Wintersemester). Our scout is delighted: "My wish to study in Germany is finally coming true."
Fixed dates: Tomás would prefer to start his studies in the summer. But he didn't get a place for the Summer Semester (Sommersemester). Tomás has learnt that "unfortunately, it's not possible to just start earlier. Admission is always bound to a fixed date." Tomás's scout friend Mai didn't have an option either of whether to begin in the summer or winter semester. Her international Master's programme in Chemistry only starts in the winter semester. However, most degree programmes in Germany do allow students to start their studies in both semesters.
Student status only after registration: Tomás has his acceptance letter. But that doesn't make him a student. So he can't just go to the university and study. He first has to register (matriculate) at the university specified in his acceptance letter. The acceptance letter also specifies the registration date.
Personal registration often required: Tomás asked at his future university's International Office which papers he had to submit. "Translated copies of certificates, proof of his German language skills and proof of Health Insurance Cover (Krankenversicherungsschutz): There's a lot of bureaucracy and formalities to complete. In fact, I had already submitted many of these papers for admission," groans Tomás. At least he can register at his university in writing. It wasn't so easy for Mai. She had to go in person to the Registrar's Office (Studierendensekrekatriat) to register. "I came to Germany two weeks earlier than necessary especially to do this and to ensure that I didn't have any stress with it," remembers Mai.
At least she was able to arrange her insurance cover from Vietnam. She simply logged onto the Internet and booked her Service Set for Foreign Students (Servicepaket für ausländische Studierende) before leaving for Germany. Some of the Student Services (Studentenwerke) offer these s.t. for foreign students to help them start their studies and their stay in Germany. Besides health insurance, the set includes a room in a student hall of residence.
Additional benefits: After completing their registration, Tomás and Mai received various papers and documents: a Course Record Book (Studienbuch) in which they collect all their academic credits; a certain number of copies of the Registration or Enrolment Certificate (Studienbescheinigung) which confirm their student status; one copy has to be presented to the health insurance carrier; a student ID card (needed for borrowing books, Internet access in the computer centre, re-registration). Upon presentation of the student ID card, students can claim many discounted prices (for rail tickets, newspaper/magazine subscriptions, insurance).
Check-list: The papers and documents you need
The most important papers that you need for registration are
You need to present a number of papers and documents when you register. Exactly which ones you have to present depends on your university. We've listed the most important ones that are generally required when you register:
Every student (first-year students/undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates, doctoral students) has to submit the following:
- Application form for registration (available from the Registrar's Office; in some cases also downloadable from the Internet)
- Acceptance letter
- Higher education entrance qualification (the original or an officially certified copy with an officially certified translation in German) *
- Proof of adequate German language skills
- Proof of adequate foreign language skills (applies for international degree programmes taught mainly in English or French)
- Proof of having passed an aptitude test (Eignungstest). Please note that this requirement only applies to subjects requiring such a test, for example sport, art, music, architecture, design, or subjects with high demand for places)
- Proof of adequate Health Insurance Cover (Krankenversicherungsschutz )
- Proof that the Semester Fee (Semesterbeitrag) has been paid
- Valid ID card or passport (copy)
- Passport photos for the Student ID Card (Studierendenausweis) and the Course Record Book (Studienbuch)
- Tabular curriculum vitae
- Under certain circumstances, a (copy) Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsgenehmigung)
- A Police Clearance Certificate (Polizeiliches Führungszeugnis) – not required everywhere
Under certain circumstances, a certified copy of the marriage certificate with translation (for applicants whose name has changed as a result of marriage)
Additionally for students who are continuing their studies in Germany
- Proof * of having taken a university entrance exam in the country of origin
- Proof * of academic credits gained in the country of origin, including a list of subjects and grades
Additionally for graduates in Master's and postgraduate programmes
- Proof * of a foreign academic degree
- Proof * of the equivalency of the academic credits gained in the country of origin (equivalency decision)
Additionally for doctoral students
- Proof * of a foreign academic degree
- Proof * of the equivalency of the academic degree gained in the country of origin
- A letter from the Dean confirming that the Faculty has officially accepted the applicant as a doctoral student
* This proof is only accepted in the form of officially or publicly certified copies with an officially certified translation in German. The translation must be produced by a sworn (court appointed) translator. Official certifications can by made by various German authorities (consulate, embassy, town/city hall), a Sparkasse (public savings bank), a Pfarramt (priest's office/rectory/vicarage), or by a Notar (notary public).
Check-list: How to register properly
Our Scout Mai tells you how to register properly:
- Firstly, obtain an registration application form (from the Registrar's Office; in some cases also downloadable from the Internet)
- Secondly, ask the Registrar's Office which papers and documents you have to submit for registration. Please make sure that you find out how you have to submit the papers and documents (in person, in writing, by post, online).
- Thirdly, transfer the semester fee (Semesterbeitrag or Sozialgebühr) to the university account specified on the application form. Depending on the university, you will have to pay between 50 and 250 euros per semester. At some universities, this payment includes a semester ticket with which you can use local public transport without having to make any additional payments.
- Fourthly, fill in the registration application form in full.
- Finally, submit all the papers and documents to the Registrar's Office by the prescribed registration deadline.
Notepad: Pay Attention!
Registration and re-registration
The dates on which you can register are fixed. Please keep to these dates. If you're late registering, you will lose your admission. And please note that your registration is only valid for one semester. You have to re-register for each additional semester of studies. Fixed dates apply here, too. If you are too late re-registering, you may be automatically de-registered, meaning that your name will be removed from the register of students. Make sure you inquire exactly what dates apply to you by contacting the Registrar's Office at your university.
All about: The summer and winter semester
Summer and Winter Semester
Studies at German universities are generally divided into semesters (6 months). Studies begin in the winter semester and/or the summer semester. The exact dates might vary slightly from one university to the next. Please contact the Registrar's Office to find out exactly what the dates are.
For Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen)
Summer Semester: generally March to August (courses start: 15 March)
Winter Semester: generally September to February (courses begin: 15 September)
For Universities (Universitäten)
Summer Semester: generally April to September (courses begin: 15 April)
Winter Semester: generally October to March (courses begin: 15 October)
Semester Vacation / Recess (vorlesungsfreie Zeit):
Summer: end of July to September
Winter: end of February to mid-April
© 2012 Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst e.V. (DAAD), Kennedyallee 50, D-53175 Bonn
Source: http://www.daad.de/deutschland/wege-durchs-studium/immatrikulation/06097.en.html
Date: 2012-02-08