International Students
To help international students access relevant information and other useful resources, we have put together the following overview for you. If you can’t find the answers to your questions or concerns here, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
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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 4 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 refrain from submitting 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 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 in university or degree program.
Please always read documents and materials from the Foreigners’ Registration Office carefully. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our social counseling service.
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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 Center 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).
Since many students work part-time alongside their studies to finance 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 counseling, please feel free to contact our Student Financial Aid Office.
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Learning German is of the utmost importance in the daily life of international students, even if you are enrolled in an English-language degree program.
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 beginning of your studies in another country, you may sometimes lack the right vocabulary. To help with this, the German Student Services Association has created various dictionaries on the following topics:
Student Housing, Cafeteria & 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 centers, and private language schools. These vary in cost and terms, 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 among friends at home. (easygerman.org)
We also recommend Deutsche Welle’s slow-paced news broadcasts. This way, you can stay informed about current events while 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! ;)
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Currently, it can sometimes be difficult to find a family doctor who is still accepting new patients. To help you in your search, we have compiled a list of family doctors located near the campus.
Chemnitz: List of general practitioners near the university
Zwickau: List of general practitioners near the university
For non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that cannot wait until your doctor’s next appointment, you can contact the medical emergency service.
In the event of a life-threatening injury or illness, you can of course always go to a hospital’s emergency room 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 coverage; otherwise, you risk being removed from the university registry.