Welcome to the of

Information guide for new international students

Dear International Students of the University of Passau, We are very pleased to welcome you at the University of Passau! The best way to start your stay in Passau is with the Orientations Weeks for International Students. During this time, you will get an introduction into your study course and get to know each other and the University by participating in an exciting programme of trips and other social events. The Orientation Weeks are intended to ease your start and make you feel at home at the University and in Passau. Moreover, to help you with the unavoidable formalities of registering in Passau, a student helpers’ office will be set up during the Orientation Weeks. These student helpers will provide assistance with filling in registration forms etc. The current dates, detailed programme of the Orientation Weeks as well as the student helpers’ office hours will be available on this website: www.uni-passau.de/en/intl-orientation-weeks/

Find further useful information and contacts regarding your studies here in Passau on the following pages. We wish you all the best for your studies!

Your team of the Department of International and Student Services Welcome to the University of Passau

Content

Before you begin ...... 1 Important information on accommodation in Passau ...... 2 Visa and residence permit ...... 2 Getting started ...... 3 Important information on online services ...... 4 Advice Services ...... 5 Getting organised ...... 7 Semester cycle ...... 9 Examinations ...... 9 Programme duration ...... 10 Programme schedule & ECTS credits ...... 10 Extracurricular courses ...... 11 Language Center ...... 12 Extracurricular activities and student societies ...... 14

Before you begin

Our degree programmes All undergraduate programmes are www.uni-passau.de/en/study/study- taught in German. options/degrees/

Admissions procedure Guidance through the application process www.uni-passau.de/en/apply/

Accommodation Information how to find a room, www.uni- estimated costs and application passau.de/en/accommodation/ deadlines

Academic Advice The Academic Advice Service helps www.uni-passau.de/en/academic- you to choose your degree programme advice/ and answers questions regarding the requirements

Learn German before you begin Academic German Year/Semester, your studies summer courses, preparatory course www.gcp.uni-passau.de/en/ for the DSH language test

Visa Contact the German embassy or www.uni- consulate in your country of residence passau.de/en/international/coming-to- passau/getting-settled/visas-and- residence-permits/

Health insurance Health insurance is obligatory for www.uni- enrolment and residence. Please check passau.de/en/international/coming-to- the requirements for your country. passau/getting-settled/health- insurance/

Student funding and support Advice on scholarships and www.uni- foundations. passau.de/en/international/coming-to- Mind the different application deadlines! passau/student-funding-and-support/

1 Welcome to the University of Passau

Important information on accommodation in Passau The International Office’s Accommodation Service offers help for students looking for a room. However, please be aware that the number of rooms in student dormitories is very limited. We cannot guarantee availability. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that you show initiative and look for a room on your own on the private market, several weeks in advance! www.uni-passau.de/en/international/coming-to-passau/getting- settled/accommodation/

Visa and residence permit In most cases students from non-EU countries need to apply for a student visa before travelling to . In case you have not received your Letter of Offer from the University yet, you may also apply for a study applicant’s visa. Once you have come to Passau, you have to apply for a residence permit at the Town hall (‘Rathaus’). During the Orientation Weeks student tutors will help you with the forms and procedures. You will need the following documents: - the completed application form (which you can get from the International Office) - a valid passport (which should include your entry visa) - the enrolment certificate ('Immatrikulationsbescheinigung') you received from the University of Passau - a health insurance certificate - Proof of sufficient funds for your stay - a copy of the lease/rental contract for your flat or a letter from your landlord or landlady (e.g. a so-called 'Wohnungsgeberbestätigung') - a biometric passport photograph Further information is available on our website: www.uni-passau.de/en/international/coming-to-passau/getting-settled/visas- and-residence-permits/

2

Getting started

Orientation Week for international The Orientation weeks start in mid- students September and end of March/early April www.uni- respectively passau.de/en/international/coming- Please register according to the to-passau/information-for-new- information online students/orientation-weeks/

Orientation Week of the student Specific preparatory courses and advice committees (‘Fachschaften’) from fellow students from your faculty www.uni-passau.de/en/study/getting- Registration may be necessary started/orientation-weeks/

Student Registration Office Advice on enrolment, re-registration, www.uni-passau.de/en/student- semesters on leave, withdrawals and de- registration-office/ registrations

Buddy scheme Buddies are German students helping www.uni- you with your start at University passau.de/en/international/coming- Follow the link to register to-passau/information-for-new- students/buddy-scheme/

Centre for Information Technology This is the University's computer centre. and Media Services (ZIM) Contact the ZIM if you have any IT- related questions (WIFI access, www.zim.uni-passau.de/en/support/ accounts, Stud.IP etc.) or for media E-mail: [email protected] support. Room RZ 045

3 Welcome to the University of Passau

Important information on online services Centre for Information Technology and Media Services (ZIM) The Student Registration Office will send you your CampusNet e-mail account and username (so called 'ZIM-Kennung' or 'Stud.IP-Kennung'), issued by the Centre for Information Technology and Media Services (ZIM). You will need this account to access Stud.IP, e.g. to apply for your student ID card (aka the 'CampusCard'), among other things. Through the Computer Centre’s online service you can easily obtain all information concerning your account as well as change or reset your password. www.zim.uni-passau.de/en/systems-login/my-zim-account/

Stud.IP Use Stud.IP to read the course catalogue, co-ordinate your courses and events, put together your timetable or download course materials, and communicate with your fellow students, lecturers and professors. Login: https//studip.uni-passau.de/

University e-mail address If you do not intend to use your 'official' university e-mail account on a regular basis, it is vitally important that you set it up so it forwards all e-mails to your preferred personal e-mail account. Sometimes the University needs to send you important notices (e.g. library notices about borrowed items, information about your examinations and courses, etc.) via e-mail. Please make sure you receive these messages by regularly using your account or setting up a forwarding rule.

4

Advice Services Academic Advice We can help you with your questions: Whether you're a prospective student or in your final semester: We will help you with general questions regarding your degree programme We will help you to draw up your timetable (now and every semester). We can refer you to the correct contact personnel. To make an appointment, call Secretary Academic Advice, room 113, Phone: +49 851 509 1153 or 1154 E-mail: [email protected]. Alternatively, you can visit us during our drop-in hours: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Innstr. 41, Administration building, 1st floor, rooms 102, 112 and 114 iStudi Coach International full-time students can seek advice from the iStudi Coach concerning general questions about their studies but in particular concerning career orientation and entry. The iStudi Coach knows who knows what and cooperates with institutions outside University, e.g. City of Passau, Federal employment agency, etc. In the iStudi Pass international full-time students can document their participation in the career-orientation-program. This contains workshops, events, coaching, language courses, etc. and is designed to improve students’ chances in the local career market. More info: www.uni-passau.de/iStudi/ iStudi Coach Innstr. 41, Administration building, 1st floor, room 106 Phone: +49 851 509 1173 E-mail: [email protected] Drop-in hours: Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Please arrange an appointment for individual coaching

Programme advisers Please also contact the programme advisers if you have in-depth questions about your programme of study or if you are in the middle or close to the end of your studies www.uni-passau.de/en/programme-advisers/

5 Welcome to the University of Passau

International Office The International Office is the main contact for exchange students. Get information regarding scholarships for international students here. Phone: +49 851 509 1162 E-mail: [email protected] Office hours: Mon-Fri 08:30 a.m. – 12 noon Innstr. 41, Administration building, 1st floor, rooms 106 to 111

Psychological Counselling Service Help with difficult life situations: Life as a student, exam problems, personal difficulties, crisis intervention Innstr. 41, Administration building, 1st floor, rooms 115 Phone: +49 851 509 1170 E-mail: [email protected]

Student committees (‘Fachschaften’): The student committees officially represent the students to ensure that their interests are protected. They offer help with any study-related enquiries, like advice on how to organise your degree programme or draw up your timetable, or exam records and sample papers.

Arts and Humanities Fachschaft Philo E-mail: [email protected] Innstr. 40, Room NK 235

Business and Economics Fachschaft Wiwi E-mail: [email protected] Innstr. 27, Room WIWI 025

Law Fachschaft Jura E-mail: [email protected] Innstr. 39, Room JUR 028

Computer Science & Mathematics Fachschaft Info E-mail: [email protected] Innstr. 33, Room IM 244

6

Getting organised

Study and examination regulations Module catalogues and other legal www.uni-passau.de/studien_und documents _pruefungsordnungen/ (German) courses for These courses are free of charge to matriculated students (Language matriculated students Centre) A wide range of foreign language and www.sprachenzentrum.uni- German courses and subject-specific passau.de/en/fremdsprachenausbildu language programmes ng/german-as-a-foreign- language/german-for-international- students/ Sports Centre Sports centre membership costs 10 www.sportzentrum.uni-passau.de/ Euros per semester Centre for Key Competencies (ZfS) A wide range of transferable skills and www.zfs.uni-passau.de/en/ computer courses open to all students of the University Phone: +49 851 509 1428 Please note the registration deadlines E-mail: [email protected]

International Office Primary contact for international Innstr. 41, D-94032 Passau exchange students and information on studying abroad www.uni-passau.de/en/international/ E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Stefanie Dallmeier, Heidi Würdig, Barbara Zacharias Careers Service Dispenses individual advice on career Innstr. 41, D-94032 Passau orientation and job/internship search www.uni- in Germany passau.de/en/study/services/careers- Contact for internationals: service/ iStudi Coach (Luise Haack) E-mail: [email protected] Student Services Association Refectory and cafeteria opening hours (Studentenwerk and menus; halls of residence; Niederbayern/Oberpfalz) welfare advice; studying as a parent; www.stwno.de/joomla/en/ cultural promotions Innstr. 29, D-94032 Passau Welfare Advice and Cultural Promotions: Elke Penteker E-mail: [email protected]

7 Welcome to the University of Passau

University Library Opening hours, catalogue and online www.ub.uni-passau.de/en/ search Innstr. 29, D-94032 Passau Phone: +49 851 509 1630 E-mail: [email protected]

Ombudsperson for International Represents international students of Students the University of Passau within the Innstr. 25, PHIL 172, University and before the public D-94032 Passau authorities Contact: Prof. Thomas Wünsch www.uni- E-mail: thomas.wuensch@uni- passau.de/en/university/verwaltung/n passau.de ational-code-of-conduct/

Examination Office Information concerning examination Innstr. 41, D-94032 Passau www.uni- passau.de/studium/waehrend-des- studiums/pruefungssekretariat/ (German)

8

Semester cycle The winter semester runs from 1 October to 31 March every year, the summer semester from 1 April to 30 September. - Examinations will be held starting from the last week of lecture period (‘Vorlesungszeit’) up to about three weeks after teaching ends.  Don't book your holidays too close to the end of the lecture dates! - Semester break: A good time for writing essays and papers, revising for exams or doing an internship - There will be a Christmas break (dates available online)

Important semester dates: www.uni-passau.de/en/study/getting- organised/academic-calendar/ Examinations There are several types of exams: - Written examinations ('Klausur'): usually at the end of lecture period - Oral presentations ('Referat'): during the semester - Essays/papers ('Hausarbeit'): these are usually, but not always, written during the semester breaks - Oral examinations ('mündliche Prüfung'): usually at the end of the lecture period

You must register separately for each and every examination you wish to sit. This is separate from the course registrations. - In the vast majority of cases, you should register for examinations using the HISQIS system: https://qisserver.uni-passau.de/ - Take note of the registration and withdrawal periods!  Sign up for the relevant student committee's (‘Fachschaft’) newsletter (see below) to stay up to date - To lodge a withdrawal (i.e. cancellation) from an examination, you should also use HISQIS - For some examinations it is necessary to register in person at the relevant chair's office.

If you miss the registration deadline, you won't be allowed to sit the examination!

9 Welcome to the University of Passau

Programme duration Each programme has a standard duration (‘Regelstudienzeit’). In most cases it is 6 semesters for a Bachelor’s and 4 semesters for a Master’s degree. The maximum programme duration (‘Höchststudiendauer’) is the maximum number of semesters that you may study within the same degree programme. For Bachelor's programmes: 8 semesters1; Master's programmes: 6 semesters1. The first time you exceed the maximum duration you will fail your degree programme, but will have the opportunity to make a second attempt. If you fail your degree programme a second time, you will incur a 'final fail' ('endgültig nicht bestanden'), which means you cannot study the same degree programme again in Passau or elsewhere in Germany. Moreover, for some programmes, you need to adhere to specific deadlines as you proceed with the programme, e.g. you may have to accrue: - 30 ECTS credits by the end of the second semester - or 40 ECTS credits by the end of the third semester

If you cannot show that you have earned the requisite number of ECTS credits at the relevant time, you will be de-registered from the programme! Please use our Advice Services for any questions! Programme schedule & ECTS credits As a general rule, you should study about 3-6 courses (with examinations) each semester.

You should accrue 30 ECTS credits per semester. The various types of courses carry the following weights (exceptions apply): Lectures; introductory courses and seminars; tutorials: 5 ECTS Advanced seminars and Master's courses: 10 ECTS Language courses: 5 ECTS

1 A different maximum study duration applies for the following programmes: B.A. European Studies Major: 10 semesters LL.M. German Law for foreign graduates: 3 semesters M.Sc. Business Administration and M.A. International Economics and Business: 5 semesters

10

- Help with drawing up your own programme schedule during the Orientation Week: www.uni-passau.de/en/study/getting-started/orientation-weeks/ - The student committees (‘Fachschaften’) can help you organise your schedule.

For the syllabuses of the individual courses, check the module catalogues: www.uni-passau.de/studien_und_pruefungsordnungen/ (German) Law (‘Jura’ long-cycle programme): try to adhere to the course schedule as much as possible.

- Preliminary examination (‘Zwischenprüfung’) after 3 semesters but no later than after the 4th semester

 Warning: you only have one re-sit opportunity for this examination! Extracurricular courses Courses offered by the Centre for Key Competencies (ZfS) are a good opportunity to enhance your transferable skills (e.g. Time Management, Intercultural Competence, and Project Management). There are courses especially designed for international students, e.g. “Wissenschaftliches Schreiben für internationale Studierende”. Courses with English course titles are held in English. Online registration is necessary for all ZfS courses at the beginning of the semester. www.zfs.uni-passau.de/en/ For a University-wide list of courses taught in English please take a look at the course catalogue online: www.uni-passau.de/en/study/study-options/english-taught/

11 Welcome to the University of Passau

Language Centre Information about language courses and programmes Our subject-specific language programmes (FFA, or 'Fachspezifische Fremdsprachenausbildung' in German) are a special offering that really stands out on the German university landscape. These FFA programs are available for many languages and in four disciplines: computer science, law, cultural studies, and business and economics. www.sprachenzentrum.uni-passau.de/en/

What languages do we offer? Chinese, Czech, English, French, German as a Foreign Language, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese. You can also learn Turkish with us, however, this is not offered within the FFA framework and you cannot earn ECTS credits for completing Turkish language courses at Passau.

Certificates The types of certificates we issue are our subject-specific language examination certificates (FFP, or 'Fachspezifische Fremdsprachenprüfung' in German) and UNIcert® certificates.

Do I have to take some kind of placement test? - If you do not have any existing knowledge of the language you wish to learn, you should register for a beginner's course. Please see below for information on how to register. - If this is the first time you are joining a language course in the desired language at the University of Passau and you have existing knowledge of said language, the placement test is compulsory and its results are binding. If you have prior knowledge of the language and do not take the test, you will be de- registered from the course. - If you have previously completed a lower-level course for the same language at the University of Passau, just move on to the next higher level. - If you have a foreign language certificate from outside the University of Passau, you may be able to have it recognised by the Language Centre. To do so, send a copy of the certificate to Mr Wolfgang Killer (contact below)

What format do these placement tests take? For English, French, Italian and Spanish, you will be sitting a so-called 'C-Test', which is computer-based. For Portuguese, Polish and Russian you will sit a conventional paper-based test.

12

More about placement tests: www.sprachenzentrum.uni-passau.de/en/placement-tests/

How do I register for a language course? Check the Language Centre's home page for the registration dates; then register via Stud.IP: studip.uni-passau.de/. When you come along for the first class, be sure to bring a print-out of your placement test results, as we are otherwise unable to guarantee your place on the course.

Who do I ask if I have a specific question? Please address your questions to the relevant team co-ordinators or lecturers. This is our team: www.sprachenzentrum.uni-passau.de/en/team/

For questions about language course registration via Stud.IP: Mr Wolfgang Raster Innstr. 40, Nikolakloster building, Room NK 311 Phone: +49 851 509 1706 E-mail: [email protected]

For questions concerning the language modules and examinations: Mr Wolfgang Killer Innstr. 40, Nikolakloster building, Room NK 417 Phone: +49 851 509 1703 E-mail: [email protected]

For all other enquiries, contact the Secretary of the Language Centre: Innstr. 40, Nikolakloster building, Room NK 423 Phone: +49 851 509 1701 E-mail: [email protected]

Intense Czech language programme: Bohemicum Regensburg-Passau: The Bohemicum is offered as a complementary study scheme in Czech language and culture, offered in addition to your regular studies. Registration is possible until 31 August. Please contact Dr Sirota-Frohnauer (Ms) at [email protected] if you are interested in studying the Bohemicum. For more information, visit www.bohemicum.de/ (in German) Enjoy your language courses!

13 Welcome to the University of Passau

Extracurricular activities and student societies

International student societies A large variety of internationally-oriented www.uni- contact opportunities and intercultural passau.de/en/international/student- activities societies/ Kuwi netzwerk international e. V. Association for the degree programmes www.kuwi.de/ of the Cultural Studies department Associations in Passau Non-university offers of sports and www.passau.de/LebeninPassau/Sport cultural activities undFreizeit/Vereine/Sportvereine.aspx/ (German) www.passau.de/LebeninPassau/Kultur KulturelleVereine.aspx/ (German) Alumni for students' programme Association of former students www.uni- Exchange of experience between former passau.de/en/international/coming-to- and present students passau/international-alumni/ Cultural events on Campus Music, theatre, literature, film, etc. www.uni-passau.de/en/study/ campuslife/kulturcafete/ Culture Office Rooms for music practice: piano; www.stwno.de/joomla/de/kultur/foerder percussion; forming a band offered by ungen/proberaeume/passau/ (German) the Student Services Association (‘Studentenwerk’) AEGEE Passau Intercambio; bicycle rentals; excursions; www.aegee-passau.org/ ERASMUS The AEGEE Passau branch is an active participant in the Orientation Weeks Catholic Student Community (KSG) Advice from your fellow students www.ksg-passau.de/ The KSG is open to students of all denominations International Tutor Cultural programme for German and www.stwno.de/joomla/de/wohnen/tutoren international students offered by the /tutoren-passau/tutoren-international- Student Services Association passau/ (‘Studentenwerk’) E-mail: [email protected]

14 Copyright 05/2016 University of Passau International and Student Services