To help international students access relevant information and other useful resources, we have put together the following overview for you. If you cannot find the answers to your questions or concerns here, please do not hesitate to contact us!
If you entered Germany on a visa, you should apply for a residence permit for the purpose of studying at the relevant immigration office, ideally four months before your visa expires. The immigration office with jurisdiction depends on your place of residence.
If you live in Chemnitz, you can conveniently submit your application online to the Chemnitz Foreigners’ Registration Office.
Please do not submit your application via email with numerous file attachments, as these may not be delivered due to the file sizes.
If you live in Zwickau, you can find the appropriate application form for a residence permit for students on the Zwickau District website.
You can find an overview of important information regarding residence rights for students at the German Student Services (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) and Make It In Germany.
Please note that you must always notify the Foreigners’ Registration Office promptly of any changes to your university or degree programme.
Please always read documents and materials from the Foreigners’ Registration Office carefully. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our social counselling service.
Financing is one of the most difficult and important issues that students must address. International students must prove that they have sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of their studies in Germany, both when applying for a visa and later when applying for a residence permit. This is because they are generally not eligible for government financial aid in Germany.
The explanatory video from the Intercultural Competence Service Centre of the German Student Services (DSW) outlines the requirements and options for financing studies for international students, explains legal restrictions regarding part-time work, and offers practical tips for planning your studies in Germany.
In the brochure from the German Student Services (DSW), you’ll find a good initial overview of the various options for financing your studies in general: “Financing Your Studies” (DSW).
As many students work part-time alongside their studies to fund their education, you’ll find helpful information here on part-time work for international students.
Scholarships are also an excellent way to finance your studies; you can find initial information on this topic in the information sheet on scholarships for Chemnitz and scholarships for Zwickau.
If you have any further questions or would like individual advice, please feel free to contact our Student Financial Aid Office.
Learning German is of the utmost importance in the daily lives of international students, even if you are enrolled on an English-language degree programme.
This is even more true if you plan to work in Germany (or other German-speaking countries) after successfully completing your studies. The German language can open up a wide range of opportunities for you in terms of education, career and social integration.
Especially at the start of your studies in another country, you may sometimes find yourself lacking the right vocabulary. To help with this, the German Student Services Association has created various dictionaries on the following topics:
Student Accommodation, Canteen & Health
There are many resources available for learning German, and we’d like to give you a brief overview of them:
First of all, there are the traditional language courses, which are offered at universities, adult education centres, and private language schools. These vary in cost and duration, so it’s worth comparing them in advance.
There are also various free apps for learning German, such as those from the Goethe-Institut or Deutsche Welle.
Easy German is an online video series that offers German learners around the world free, authentic learning materials. It teaches how German is spoken on the street and amongst friends at home. (easygerman.org)
We also recommend Deutsche Welle’s slow-paced news broadcasts. This way, you can stay informed about current events whilst expanding your vocabulary on relevant topics.
In many cities, you also have the option to visit local language cafés, language exchange groups, or German study groups.
If you need more information on this, let us know! And always remember: practice makes perfect! ;)
At present, it can sometimes be difficult to find a GP who is still accepting new patients. To help you in your search, we have compiled a list of GPs located near the campus.
Chemnitz: List of general practitioners near the university
Zwickau: List of GPs near the university
For non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that cannot wait until your next appointment with your doctor, you can contact the out-of-hours medical service.
In the event of a life-threatening injury or illness, you can of course always go to a hospital’s A&E department or call an ambulance.
We have compiled basic information on health insurance for you in a clear information sheet: Health Insurance.
Please note that as a student in Germany, you must always have adequate health insurance cover; otherwise, you risk being removed from the university register.
