Your exchange programme at Ostfalia
Ostfalia maintains partnerships (external link, opens in a new window) with a large number of universities and educational institutions around the world.
Some serve the purpose of joint research, others the exchange of teaching staff. However, the majority of these partnerships are aimed at student exchanges for one or two semesters. There are also co-operation agreements with partner universities that allow students from both institutions to obtain a double degree.
Plan your stay at Ostfalia
If you are a student at one of our partner universities and would like to spend part of your studies at Ostfalia, all you need is to be nominated for the exchange by your home university.
The deadlines for this are
15 May for the following winter semester (start September) and
15 November for the following summer semester (start in March).
After your nomination, we will contact you directly and explain the application process and the necessary documents and guide you.
Facts for our partner universities can be found here [link].
Your semester at Ostfalia
Winter term
Winter term
Arrival
Beginning of September
Orientation events
in the 2nd week of September
Start of semester
approx. 20 September
End of lectures
approx. 23 December
Examination period
approx. 03 January to approx. 31 January
Announcement of the results
End of January - February
Lecture-free period
February
Summer term
Summer term
Arrival
End of February
Start of semester
approx. 1 March
End of lectures
Mid-June
Examination period
Mid-June to mid-July
Announcement of results
Mid-July
Lecture-free period
approx. mid-July to end of August
Your course choice - our range of courses
Study programmes in German
Study programmes in German
Ostfalia offers its students a wide range of programmes, from engineering in STEM subjects to law, economics and social sciences.
Here [LINK] you can find the entire range of degree programmes
Study programmes in English and German
Study programmes in English and German
There are also study programmes at Ostfalia that are mainly taught in English.
Automotive Service Technology and Processes, ASTP - Faculty of Automotive Engineering [LINK]
Digital Technologies, DigiTec - Faculty of Computer Science (BSc and MSc) [LINK]
System Stability and Risk Management - Faculty of Law [LINK]
Special English-language programmes for exchange students
Special English-language programmes for exchange students
Our faculties always try to offer English-language courses to exchange students from their partner universities. These are not complete study programmes in English, but individual courses that are offered in English in a short programme depending on the semester.
International Academic Year - Faculty of Business [LINK]
Lectures in English - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering [LINK]
International Business Law Semester - Faculty of Law, BELS [LINK]
All other faculties offer supervision of project work in English for their exchange students on request.
Exchange students also have the option of replacing a final examination with a term paper in English by individual arrangement.
Your visa for Germany
International students require a visa as authorisation to enter Germany. It is usually valid for 3 months. After the visa expires, you can apply for a residence permit (residence permit in accordance with § 16b of the Residence Act - AufenthG) from the relevant immigration authority at your place of residence in Germany. The purpose of residence for studying also includes preparatory study measures (preparatory language courses, attendance at a preparatory college or a comparable institution), as well as doctoral studies (PhD).
You can also apply for a visa to look for a training place or to apply for a degree programme. Information on the requirements can be obtained from the German embassy in your country of origin.
Under no circumstances should you enter Germany with a Schengen visa, as this cannot be converted into a national visa/student visa or extended! After the Schengen visa expires, you must leave Germany!
Citizens of certain countries can initially enter Germany without a visa for short stays (less than 3 months) as long as no gainful employment is intended.
- Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and USA
- Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino
Citizens of EU and EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland do not require a residence permit (visa or residence authorisation) to study in Germany.
Current entry requirements and application forms can be found on the homepage of the Federal Foreign Office (external link, opens in a new window).
Financial requirements
According to German law, non-EU citizens must provide proof of financial resources in the amount of the currently applicable BAföG maximum rate (external link, opens in a new window) for the number of months they plan to spend in Germany.
Please enquire at the German embassy in your home country about the form in which you can provide this proof. The proof must also be presented during your studies each time your residence permit is extended.
Living in Germany
Ostfalia University does not maintain any accommodation itself and is therefore unable to allocate rooms to international students.
However, there are student halls of residence at the Ostfalia campuses in Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg and Suderburg, which are managed by the Studierendenwerk Ostniedersachsen.
Information on the respective halls of residence, their facilities and costs can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerk Ostniedersachsen (external link, opens in a new window). First select your place of study (Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg or Suderburg).
You can apply for a room in a hall of residence using the application form (external link, opens in a new window).
Please note:
1) It is only possible to edit the application form after you have confirmed that you have taken note of the instructions (tick the box and click on "Send").
2) You can enter a maximum monthly rent in the application. However, if you choose an unrealistically low amount here, you will not be offered a room.
3) You can choose different room options in the application. From single apartment to shared flat. Do not choose just one option, otherwise you will not receive an offer if this option is not available.
4) If your application matches one of the available rooms, StwON will send you a room offer. You then only have 2 days to accept it and return the signed documents. After that, the offer expires for you. So check your emails regularly after sending your application.
Your costs
The cost of living is the monthly cost of meeting basic needs such as housing, food and living. Even with a frugal lifestyle, there are items that are equally important for everyone. In certain areas, of course, there is a kind of "special rate" for students - for example, the German Studierendenwerke are very active when it comes to housing and food. A room in a student hall of residence and lunch in the canteen are a good tip for anyone who needs to save money.
Here are the monthly costs for your studies in Germany:
- 420 EUR: Rent (with utilities)
There are various rooms of different sizes and numbers of flatmates in the student residences of the Studierendenwerk Ostniedersachsen. Some cheaper, some more expensive. Of course, you can also look for a room in a shared flat independently. - 73.84 EUR: Semester fee 443€/6 (this already includes the Germany semester ticket)
- 120 EUR: Health insurance
- 198 EUR: Catering
Students spend 198 euros a month on food. That's about 46 euros a week and 6-7 euros a day. - 10 EUR: Learning materials (specialised literature and stationery)
Despite digitalisation, you still need books, paper and pens. However, the amount of these expenses varies from subject to subject. - 31 EUR: Telephone, internet, radio and television licence fees
Even if the computer room is available at the university, it is almost impossible to save on these costs. Telephone, internet and radio and television licence fees currently amount to just under EUR 19 per month. - 46 EUR: Clothing
A new pair of jeans, T-shirts and underwear. German students spend around 46 euros a month on clothing. 65 EUR: Leisure/culture/sport
The sports programme offered by Ostfalia University Sports is a great way to save money.You will therefore need at least €983.00 per month for your studies
This does not include extras such as holidays, electrical appliances and consumables.
Your to dos
Before your journey
If you are studying at one of Ostfalia's partner universities, we would be delighted to welcome you to Ostfalia for one or two semesters as a temporarily enrolled exchange student.
But first, please contact the International Office at your home university to find out what the internal procedure is for nominating for an exchange place.
Application
Your home university must first nominate you for your stay at Ostfalia.
Our International Student Office will then contact you directly and guide you through the application process and enrolment at Ostfalia.
Documents you will need for this:
1) a scan of your passport or ID
2) an overview of your academic achievements to date at your home university (transcript)
3) a short curriculum vitae in tabular form
4) a scan of your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - if you are European. If you do not have an EHIC, you must obtain membership of a German health insurance scheme before enrolling at Ostfalia.
5) Your Learning Agreement (either as a digital Online Learning Agreement - OLA or as a pdf) if you are coming to us as an ERASMUS+ exchange student.
VISUM
If you are a European citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa for the Federal Republic of Germany. However, if you are a citizen of another country, you must apply for a visa. Don't worry, our International Student Office will tell you exactly how to proceed. However, please inform yourself in advance at the German Embassy about the necessary documents and the deadlines for the application.
Rooms
Ostfalia does not have its own halls of residence at its 4 campuses where you can reserve a room. However, there are the halls of residence of the Studierendenwerk Ostniedersachsen StwON (external link, opens in a new window). As soon as you have been nominated and our International Student Office contacts you, you will also receive detailed information on how to apply for a room at StwON. We will provide you with advice and support when you apply for a room in a hall of residence.
After your arrival
After your arrival
The International Student Office at Ostfalia is also there to help you as soon as you arrive.
During a welcome phase before the start of each semester's courses, we will give you a detailed introduction to the Ostfalia infrastructure. We will also advise and support you with all official registrations and show you the important facilities on your campus.
Arrival and access to your dormitory room
It is important that you let Studierendenwerk Ostniedersachsen know the details of your journey early enough. Only if the StwON staff know exactly when you will be arriving can they leave your room key in a key-safe if necessary. This way, you will have access to your rented room even if there is no member of staff in the hall of residence.
Receiving your access data for the Ostfalia infrastructure and your Deutschland-Semesterticket
You will receive your access data at the Service Desk of our computer centre. We will be happy to assist you. Please note that you will need to identify yourself when you collect your login details, so please take your passport or ID with you.
Registration at the residents' registration office in your place of residence
Students who are staying in Germany for longer than 3 months must register at the relevant residents' registration office. The International Student Office at Ostfalia will help you with this.
Applying for a residence permit
Often the visa is not valid for the entire period of your stay. It is therefore necessary to apply for a subsequent title (residence permit). It is difficult to get an appointment at the responsible local immigration office; there are long waiting times. The International Student Office at Ostfalia will be happy to help you here too.
Initial meeting with your supervising professor - planning your lectures
The International Student Office at Ostfalia will arrange an appointment with your supervising professor. You can then discuss your choice of course or project content and your timetable with him/her.
You can also contact us at any time during your stay at Ostfalia.
Your return
Your return
At the end of their stay, most of our exchange students are amazed at how quickly the time has passed.
The examination phase at the end of the semester demands all your attention once again.
Before you leave, please contact the International Student Office and let us know exactly when you will be travelling back home.
De-registration
Whether you have to actively apply for de-registration at a certain point in time depends on whether you want to de-register with an authority or your health insurance company on the exact day, e.g. to save costs.
In general, if you are enrolled for a limited period of time, your student status will end with the current semester anyway. However, if you need an official document to terminate your enrolment at Ostfalia before the end of the semester (before 28 February and 31 August), you can actively apply for de-registration.
You can find the respective de-registration application [LINK] for your campus on the pages of the Enrolment Office. The International Student Office will be happy to help you if you have any questions.
Deregistration (town hall, health insurance)
If you are registered at the town hall with your place of residence in Germany, you must of course deregister before travelling home.
The term of health insurance officially covers the entire semester. Of course, you do not want to pay for insurance in Germany once you are back in your home country. In this case, it is therefore necessary to apply for de-registration for the day of your departure and then send the corresponding certificate to the health insurance company to stop the payments.
Proof of residence for your home university
Some of our partner universities require their students to provide official proof of the duration of their stay at Ostfalia. Simply bring the required document to the International Student Office and we will be happy to confirm your period of stay.
Proof of achievement - Transcript of Records
In order to prove your achievements at Ostfalia to your home university, we will provide you with your transcript of records and, if required, a transcript of records.