The University of Passau Information Guide for New International Students
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Welcome to the University of Passau 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 Germany. 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,