Information for Exchange students from partner universities

The TUHH´s International Office is responsible for the administrative part of your stay in Hamburg. We are your contact point before and during your stay at TUHH. If you have general questions about the program or are facing problems feel free to contact us either during our office hours or by Email:

Academic calender and semester dates

The academic year at TUHH is divided into two teaching periods: the winter semester and summer semester. The examinations are at the end of each teaching periods.The actual teaching period varies from year to year. Generally speaking lectures of the winter semester begin in the third week of October and during the first week in April for the summer semester.The examinations of the winter semesters take place in February and March and of the summer semester in July, August and September. The exact dates for the current and up-coming academic year can be found on this page.

Application procedure for exchange students from partner universities

The International Office of TUHH is responsible for selecting and accepting foreign exchange students. Therefore, all applications of incoming students, regardless of any other agreements you might have with academic departments of TUHH, should be send directly to the International Office. The deadline for admission for the winter semester is 15th July and 15th January for the summer semester respectively. In order to start the application procedure, according to the dealines above, you should send to the International Office following original documents:

• Exchange Student Application Form with the approval of your home university
• ECTS learning agreement Form  with the choice of courses or projects to be taken at TUHH
• Transcript of records with details of previous and current university work
• German Language Certificate A1- Level
• Please add a CV
After your application has been prooved by both institutional and departmental coordinator of TUHH, you will get a letter of acceptance (or rejection). As far as this process could take several weeks we would be grateful for your patience.

Please note that sending applications after the deadline may result in the rejection of your application!
Please refer also to an extra information sheet with detailed information regarding TUHH application procedure for exchange students. 

Accommodation

If you are an international exchange student  arriving directly from abroad you can get support from Accommodation Office in your accommodation search. Accommodation offers, available through the office, are generally distributed on a "first come, first served basis". It is therefore in your interest to apply as early as possible. If you are planning to arrive for the winter semester, it is advisable to apply before mid June and by mid January, if you are arriving for the summer semester.
For further information ad well as the Accommodation Search Form, please consult  the accommodation office directly at: accommodation@tuhh.de

If you are new in Hamburg or you are planning to come to Hamburg soon and you need more information which would make your start in Hamburg easier, please click here: Hamburg

Introductory Program for international students 

The International Office of TUHH runs a special Orientation Program for International Students which is offered at the beginning of both winter and summer semester. This Program is focused on the special situation of international students in Germany. Attending the program is a good opportunity for getting important information concerning your studies at TUHH like registration, learning agreements, introduction to university courses and information about advisory services. You can participate in different tutorials and sessions and also in the culture activities including campus rallye, international breakfast, city tours and parties.

During the semester the international students have the possibility to attend the  Welcome and Compass Programs activities like cultural presentations, workshops and excursions with the goal of promoting intercultural exchange on campus and getting students from various nationalities together.

For more detailed information on the program activities please refer to Orientation Program Flyer.

Mentor Program

The Mentor@TUHH students organisation also provides a Mentor programm. Students working on this programm on a voluntary basis can pick you up from airport or central station and give you hints how to deal with German bureaucracy. They are also organising get togethers for international students.
As soon as you know the exact date of your arrival in Hamburg please contact the mentors at: mentor@tuhh.de

Registration and Fees

All TUHH students have to register at the beginning of each semester. Exchange students should register at the International Office where they will receive the registration documents. In order to register, students must fill out the registration form and pay a semester contribution fee of approx. €236.90. This fee includes a semester ticket for public transport in Hamburg and support for student services.

TUHH does NOT charge tuition fees for exchange students!

Entry and Residence Regulations

Students from the European Union (EU) and European Economics Area (EEA- Andora. Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) as well as Switzerland need only an identity card (ID) to enter Germany. All foreign exchange students coming from non-EU countries should hold a study visa obtained at the German Embassy in your home country!
Please contact the German Embassy in your home country for exact information on whether you need to apply for an entry visa. The addresses of the Embassies and Consulates are listed on the website of theGerman Federal Foreign Office: www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Important and usefull infomation concerning Entry and Residence Regulations for international students can also be found at the Webpage of the German Academic Exchange Service (www.daad.de)

International students from non-EU countries who have been admitted to TUHH have to apply for a residence permit for study purposes (Aufenthaltsbewilligung) at the  Aliens´ Registration Office (Ausländerabteilung), not later than 3 months after their arrival in Hamburg. Foreign students from EU countries automatically obtain a certificate of freedom of movement (Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung) at the local Residents´Registration Office.

In Germany all students are subject to compulsory health insurance. If your country has signed a social security agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany you can present a European health insurance card or an E 111/E128 form. If you are not covered by any of these, you will have to register in a German health insurance company. Monthly fees for students younger than 30 years are approx. €64. If you are older the monthly premium gets more expensive. Please keep in mind that the university can not accept travel insurances as they do not usually cover the real costs incurred in case of accident or illness.

Proficiency in German Language

German language is mainly the language of instruction at the TUHH, especially within the Bachelors degree courses. However the courses and lectures within the International Master Programs are held in English.
Exchange students coming to study at TUHH should have an intermediate knowledge (Level A1) of the German language so that they are capable to conduct academic study. The A1 language certificate is required from academic year 2012!

Language Courses at TUHH

TUHH offers different German language courses for Exchange Students:

• Intensive/Preliminary courses
  At the beginning of each winter semester TUHH offers preparatory German Language Courses with different levels: for students with a very basic knowledge of German or courses on intermediate level. The intensive language courses starts usually in September. The course counts for 4 ECTS credits.
  Please check out important information concerning all language courses at the TUHH as well as the online registration and placement .
  
  
• Courses held during the semesters
  Exchange students have the possibility to visit regular courses "German as a foreign language" (DAF) offered for all international students during the semester. These courses start in April and October and count for 2 ECTS credits. Please check out important information concerning all language courses at the TUHH as well as the online registration and placement.
  
  
• Course "Literature and culture"
  The course is designed especially for international students and focuses on the analysis of literary texts. Works of the main German writers are read and current topics are discussed in terms of their cultural content. The course starts in April and September each semester.
  For more information refer to the Literature and Culture Web Page

Learning Agreement and study courses

In order to complete the Learning Agreement exchange students can choose among all degree courses  offered at the TUHH. Which courses will be offered as well as dates and times are listed in the course catalogue which is available by TUHH three weeks before the start of lectures. For details about the courses you wish to attend or projects you want to carry out, please contact one of the Erasmus departmental coordinators who will also give you additional support concerning the way of your study and will help you with questions concerning ECTS credit point system. In any case you should contact the coordinator at the beginning of your stay at TUHH!