FAQs

The current spring semester 2022 takes place as a hybrid semester (some lectures will be held online and some on campus.)

Based upon the current covid-19 protection regulation, the 3G rule no longer applies. 

Please find below the current general regulations in place which apply for lectures as well as examinations: 

• The compulsory wearing of a medical face mask inside the university buildings still applies 
• The compulsory wearing of a medical face mask in teaching events is required if the minimum distance of 1.5 m cannot be realized. 
• The minimum distance of 1.5m can also be reduced, taking into account the respective room conditions, under the condition that a maximum of 75% of the regular number of seats is occupied. In lecture halls with fixed seating and comparable rooms, a " chessboard pattern" should be implemented if possible.
• The maximum number of 150 participants are allowed in lectures/examinations
• The individual departments will inform their students which lecture will take place in person or online
   

Yes, all exchange students, including ERASMUS students, have to pay the mandatory semester fee. The semester fee is a social fee, not a study tuition fee. It consists of the semester ticket (for the use of the public transport in our federal state North-Rhine Westphalia), the member fee for the student union AKAFÖ as well as the student committee ASTA.

It’s a one-time payment which needs to be paid at the beginning of eacg semester. We highly recommend to pay it at the latest two weeks before your arrival to Germany as it includes the semester ticket which allows you to use all public transport (bus, trams and trains - except the fast trains IC/ICE) in our federal state North-Rhine Westphalia. So you can use it already upon your arrival to Germany – it will be valid from the day the semester officially starts (spring semester = March 1st/ fall semester = September 1st). You will receive more detailed information regarding the payment after your application is complete and your letter of admission was sent to you.

In case you arrived to Germany after the official start of the semester, you can request a partial reimbursement of the semester fee. You can find more information on the ASTA webpage

If you have already paid your semester fee, we can transfer it to the next semester. If you wish to cancel your exchange at WH completely, we will reimburse it to your bank account.
 

It is difficult to determine exactly how much money a student needs/spends during the stay in Germany. According to recent statistics, students need approx. 861€ per month.
 

A partnership between your home university and us has to exist in order to apply for the exchange program. Please apply by submitting the following documents by email: 

1. Application form
2. Accommodation form Campus Gelsenkirchen / Bocholt
3. Current transcript of records from your home university
4. Learning Agreement (for study program) or Training Agreement (for final thesis/internship) issued and signed by your home university
5. Copy of passport
6. Official German/English language certificate / official document issued by your home university proving your language skills
7. Erasmus students only: copy of your EU health insurance card + a confirmation about your Erasmus student status

Nomination deadline: we require an official written nomination by email from your home-university until 

• May 15thfor the upcoming fall semester
• Nov 15thfor the upcoming spring semester

Application deadline: all required application documents have to be submitted by email until 

• June 10thfor the upcoming fall semester
• December 10thfor the upcoming spring semester

ERASMUS students are expected to complete a learning/training agreement to be signed by them, their home university and the host instituion. It is an informal contract to be completed before the study/internship period starts which indicates precisely what modules will be studied / which contents the internship will address. Subsequent modifications are permitted as long as they are agreed by all parties concerned.
 

Unfortunately not, an admission is not possible without a mutual exchange agreement.
 

This depends on the courses you are planning to take. If you want to participate in German-taught lectures, we require a German language certificate which certifies advanced German language skills (minimum B2 level). If you plan to take part in English-taught courses only, you need to submit an English language certificate which certifies advanced English language skills (minimum B2 level).
You have to hand in an official language certificate or an official document issued by your home university proving your language skills.
 

Yes, we do offer an accommodation option at our Campus Gelsenkirchen for exchange students. Please take a look at our accommodation information. If you would like to reserve a room in one of our student residences, please fill in the accommodation form for Campus Gelsenkirchen / Bocholt and send it to us via email. After the official application deadline, you will be informed if we were able to assign a room to you (first come (apply), first serve). 

We highly recommend to have a German bank account while living in Germany, especially if you are going to live in one of our student residences. Our student tutors will help you opening the bank account. The good news: It is free of charge for students! 
 

According to German legislation, students are required to have a suitable health insurance when living in Germany. EU-students with an EU health insurance card don't have to become a member of a German health insurance. However, students coming from countries outside of the European Union, we strongly advise to sign up for a travel insurance for the first days of your stay. After your arrival, we will help you to become a member of the mandatory German health insurance. It is highly important to pay the insurance fee (approx. 110€ per month) in time. Otherwise students may run into difficulties.

Inform yourself about our Degree Programs in English. 

The German website for the study programme you are interested in is not available in English yet. You have to look for "Stundenplan" in order to find timetables. If you are looking for module descriptions please look out for the keywords "Modulhandbuch" or "Prüfungsordnung".

Yes, you are allowed to change courses in your Learning Agreement within the first four weeks after your arrival.
 

Students, who come within the framework of Erasmus, have to choose and complete 30 ECTS per semester.
 

If you don't have an EU citizenship, you will need a visa in most cases to study in Germany. Some students only need a residence permit which can be applied for after arrival. Please find more information concerning visa here and contact the German embassy in your home country to clarify what is necessary.
 

Upon receiving ypur complete application documents, we will start to process your application with our colleagues from the respective faculties. The duration of the evaluation process may vary from department to department. Once the departmental evaluation process is concluded, you will be informed via e-mail.
 

We will provide support with regards to all administrative, academic and social matters (bank account, rental agreement, student enrolment, city registration, learning agreement, etc.). Our student tutors will help you during your stay! 
 

Yes, German language courses are offered by our language centre at different levels at all three campuses.
 

If you plan to arrive at the weekend or in the late afternoon, it might be difficult to get the key for your room. Please try to schedule your arrival between Monday - Friday during the day.
 

The academic year consists of two semesters.
The fall semester usually runs from mid of September - mid of February and the spring semester from mid of march - mid of July.
 

We do offer courses taught in English for exchange students. Most other courses are taught in German. Please check in advance if it is possible for you to take part in the English courses. Anyway, being able to speak and understand German a bit will definietly help but is not obligatory.