Foto: Damir Ahmetovic Imprint
Publisher: President of TH Köln, Note: Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 54, The subsequent information has been compiled 50968 Cologne as carefully as possible. Changes may be made at Editors: Department of International short notice as a result of legislation and the corre- Affairs. Carola Janda, Martina Brü sponding regulations. That is why we ask for your derle, Lis Ohlsen, Elin Petersson understanding of the fact that no guarantee can be Print: www.wir-machen-druck.de made regarding the accuracy and completeness of Layout: Sten Rüdrich the contents. Circulation: 1,000 copies, November 2016
Welcome to TH Köln
We are glad that you have decided to join our We would like to wish you the best of luck for university. At the beginning of your stay, you will your time at TH Köln, we hope that you will get certainly have a number of questions on studying in touch with a lot of other students and make a and living in Cologne. The International Office is number of memorable experiences in our city. on hand to assist and accompany you during your exciting start to a new life in a new city. Best regards We have compiled all vital information for you Your International Office over the following pages. Should any questions still remain unanswered, we will be happy to answer them in person at the International Office on your campus – we invite you to pay us a visit anytime!
3 International Office Table of contents Contact
Südstadt Campus Deutz Campus 3 Welcome
Visitor address Betzdorfer Straße 2 International Office Claudiusstraße 1 50679 Cologne 4 Contact 50678 Cologne ZN 2, Room 4 Room A1.56 About TH Köln Opening hours 6 Campus locations Opening hours Mon – Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Mo – Fr 9:00 – 12:00 Uhr Mon, Tue, Thu 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Before your arrival Mo,Di, Do 13:00– 15:00 Uhr 9 Accommodation T: +49 (0) 221 / 8275-2149 11 Visa Postal address F: +49 (0) 221 / 8275-2836 12 Health insurance Gustav-Heinemann-Ufer 54 50968 Cologne After your arrival 15 At TH Köln T: +49 (0) 221 / 8275-3772 18 In your city F: +49 (0) 221 / 8275-3369 During your studies 23 TH Köln activities & services Gummersbach Campus Visit us on the Internet 29 Living in Cologne
Steinmüllerallee 1 www.th-koeln.de/internationales 51643 Gummersbach Room 1.104 [email protected]
Opening hours International Office TH-Köln Mon, Tue, Thu 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
T: +49 (0) 2261 / 8196-6519 F: +49 (0) 2261 / 8275-6666
4 About TH Köln
Counting 24,000 students, TH Köln is the largest Our university embraces the growing diversity university of applied sciences in Germany. On our of its student body and welcomes its enriching two campuses in Cologne, one campus in impact. Leverkusen and one in Gummersbach, TH Köln The international focus of TH Köln is not only offers diverse high-quality education with more reflected in its international range of programs than 90 Bachelor’s and Master’s programs. and its broad network of co-operations overseas TH Köln excels in its strong focus on practice- but also in its roughly 3,500 international students based research and its excellent culture of from 123 different nations. teaching and learning.
1 2 3 4
Südstadt Campus Deutz Campus Leverkusen Campus Gummersbach Campus Humanities Center (GWZ) Engineering Center (IWZ) (LEV) (GM)
Tram stop on Line 15 or 16: Tram stop on Line 1or 9: Stop on S-Bahn Line S6: Stop for train RB 25: Ubierring Deutz Technische Hochschule Leverkusen Chempark Gummersbach (Hbf)
· Faculty for Applied Social Sciences · Faculty of Architecture · Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences · Faculty of Computer Science · Faculty for Cultural Sciences · Faculty of Civil Engineering and Engineering Science · Faculty for Information Science and and Environmental Technology Communication Studies · Faculty of Information, Media · Faculty for Business, Economics and Law and Electrical Engineering · Faculty of Automotive Systems and Production · Faculty of Process Engineering, Energy and Mechanical Systems · Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics
6 7 Before your arrival Accommodation
Dormitories
Cologne’s most convenient and economical Please apply for a place in a dormitory as soon housing option is oftentimes one of the 89 as possible with Kölner Studierendenwerk. There student dormitories operated by Kölner Studie- are roughly 80,000 students in Cologne but only rendenwerk (KStW). Most of the dorms offer you about 4,800 dorm rooms, resulting in extremely a room in a shared apartment – abbreviated WG high demand for dorm rooms. After applying in German – in which you will have your own for a room online on the KStW website, please room but share the kitchen with your flatmates. make sure to confirm that you are still looking for Apart from shared apartments, you may choose a room by clicking on the email link sent to you between single apartments, family apartments for once a month. students with children as well as rooms for handi- capped students.
In order to be allocated a room, please apply on the Kölner Studierendenwerk website: www.kstw.de >> Wohnen (change language to English)>> Online application
Private housing market
One alternative to living in a dormitory is the and has to be transferred from your bank account. private housing market. Due to high rents in Co- Many landlords also charge a deposit, which is Before your arrival logne, most students prefer sharing an apartment refunded once the contract expires after you have with others. Apartments in Germany tend to be moved out and have left the apartment undama- rented out unfurnished while shared apartments ged. This deposit can amount to as much as three often come with the most essential furniture. months’ rent. Rent is paid to the landlord on a monthly basis
The International Office recommends all students to visit apartments in person, to sign a contract or sub- contact and to never transfer money from overseas before the contract has been signed.
9 Before your arrival
You can find a wide range of offers for apartments and shared apartments on the following websites:
· www.wg-gesucht.de · www.immobilienscout24.de Broadcasting subscription – GEZ fees · www.wohngemeinschaft.de · www.kalaydo.de/immobilien/ · www.studenten-wg.de Mietwohnungen Please take into account that in addition to regular services. Generally speaking, every household in costs of living, students are required to pay a pub- Germany is required to pay the fee of currently You can find more information such as profiles of different city districts, a list of private student lic broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag) for the use €17.50 per month, international students included. accommodation or details about the ‚Wohnen für Hilfe‘ project on the International Office website: of the German public television, radio and online www.th-koeln.de >> International Office >> Living in Cologne >> Accommodation Living in shared apartments – WG Kölner Studierendenwerk also maintains a database with private offers for rooms: www.kstw.de >> Habitation >> Private rooms In Germany, students often prefer to live together Many students in Cologne prefer to live in a WG in shared apartments or ‚WGs‘. Several students based on the relatively high rent and strong com- live together in one flat and thus split the ren- petition for housing in the city. A room in a WG tal costs. Each flatmate has his/her own room. also provides the added advantage of giving you You can turn to the following services if you have already arrived in Cologne: Shared rooms such as the bathroom, kitchen, or a fully furnished apartment as well as the oppor- Offers in local newspapers: ‚Kölner Stadtanzeiger‘, ‚Kölnische Rundschau‘, Kölner Wochenspiegel‘ even a living room are used on a communal basis. tunity to make your first contacts in Cologne. (Wednesdays and Saturdays), notice boards in the student cafeteria or at the general students‘ commit- tee (AStA) of TH Köln or of other universities around Cologne.
Visa
Whether or not you require a visa for your arrival You can apply for your study visa as soon as you in Germany as a prospective international student have received a letter of admission for TH Köln. and which version you need to apply for depends You can apply for a visa through the German on your citizenship, the length of your stay and Embassy or the German Consulate in your home the reason you are coming to Germany. country.
You can find the contact details of the relevant embassies and consulates on the website of the German Foreign Office. This website also provides all information regarding visa application and required documents: www.auswaertiges-amt.de >> Entry & Residence
Important - Look for accommodation early! Important - Apply for your visa early! Please start looking for accommodation as early as possible. Reasonably priced housing in Cologne The process of applying for a visa can take weeks or even months. That is why we advise you to begin as soon is at a premium. TH Köln does not offer an accommodation service. as possible. Unfortunately, TH Köln does not have the authority to influence or speed up the visa preparation process at the embassy, consulate or relevant immigration office.
10 11 Before your arrival Health insurance
Every student at TH Köln is required to provide If you have arranged a private health insurance Statutory health insurance companies that will provide you with confirmation of exemption from proof of health insurance cover that is valid for policy, you must apply to be exempt from statu- a German statutory health insurance or offer you a student health insurance policy include: Germany when they register at the university. It tory cover before you enroll at the university. Eve- may be that a health insurance policy from your ry statutory health insurance company provides home country is recognized in Germany. Please written confirmation of this exemption once your find out whether the insurance from your coun- private health insurance has been submitted and try covers the costs for healthcare in Germany. examined. You should then present this confir- If you are unable to produce evidence of valid mation when enrolling. health insurance from your country, you will need to sign up with a German health insurance Students from an EU country, Iceland, Liech- company before your enrollment. tenstein, Norway or Switzerland are sufficiently covered by the European Health Insurance Card AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) TK - Techniker Krankenkasse You have the option of taking out student health (EHIC). These students must apply to be exempt Studenten-Service Köln Mr. Martin Salomon, TK Einschreibeservice insurance with a statutory or private health insu- from a German statutory health insurance Albertus-Magnus-Platz , 50923 Cologne Ottoplatz 6, 50679 Cologne rance company. Statutory health insurance com- provider as soon as they arrive in Germany. T: +49 (0) 221 / 1618-1248 T: +49 (0) 221 / 379 09-962 panies usually charge a standard fee of currently Confirmation of the exemption should then be E: [email protected] +49(0) 151/ 14534949 around €80. Contributions for a private health presented when you enroll. www.aok.de E: [email protected] insurance company can vary depending on the www.tk.de scope of services. Students are provided with written confirmation from their health insurance AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) TK - Techniker Krankenkasse company with the details of the insurance cover In Gummersbach in Gummersbach in place. Mrs. Katrin Sauermann, Serviceberaterin Gummersbach Branch Gummersbach Branch Kundenberatung Moltkestraße 18, 51643 Gummersbach Moltkestraße 28, 51643 Gummersbach T: +49 (0) 2261 / 38-255 T: +49 (0) 2261 / 9297-79 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.aok.de www.tk.de
Limited duration of cover
The period of cover for statutory student health ceeding these benchmark dates, you will need to insurance is a maximum of fourteen semesters pay an increased contribution rate or be insured and ends on the student‘s 30th birthday. After ex- through a private health insurance company.
12 13 After your arrival At TH Köln
Enrollment for exchange students
Please register at the International Office as soon Please bring the following documents as you arrive in Cologne. Be aware that we have for your enrollment: offices at three locations – Südstadt, Deutz and · Letter of admission Gummersbach Campus. Your admission letter · Evidence of German statutory health insurance will indicate which location you will need to visit. or confirmation of exemption from a German statutory health insurance company · One passport photo
Enrollment for degree-seeking students
Admission and enrollment will be carried out by · whether to register in person or by mail the Office of Student and Examination Services. · when your deadline of enrollment ends You will receive your letter of admission electroni- · which documents you require for your enrollment cally via the TH Köln online application platform. You will also be provided with the following information alongside your admission letter:
Further information on your enrollment: www.th-koeln.de >> International Office >> Incomings >> Degree-Seeking Students >> Enrollment
After your arrival
Erasmus students – don‘t forget!
You should have the following documents from You can obtain the signature of your Departmen- your home university signed by the International tal Coordinator at the relevant institute or faculty Office during your stay at TH Köln: of TH Köln. You can obtain the signature of the Institutional Coordinator at all three locations of · Confirmation of Arrival / Departure the International Office. · Learning Agreement
15 After your arrival
MultiCa as VRS and NRW ticket Semester fee Your MultiCa serves as a ticket for the Verkehrsver- bahn (RB) train services operated by Deutsche bund Rhein Sieg (VRS) transport system. Bahn. We ask you to print the NRW Ticket your- All students at TH Köln pay a semester fee of Please note the deadlines for paying the fee. The ticket authorizes students to use all means self on the AStA website. The print-out is valid as a approximately €260. The semester fee covers the Payment by cash is not possible. You can obtain of transport (such as bus, tram, S-Bahn, Deutsche paper document when used in conjunction with semester ticket as well as a contribution to the extensive information regarding the terms of pay- Bahn regional express trains). a valid MultiCa. Your campusID account, which is general students‘ committee at TH Köln. You will ment, the exact amount and the composition of Alongside the MultiCa’s function as transportation sent to every student by mail upon registration, need to transfer this semester fee to TH Köln the fee during your enrollment as well as on the ticket for the greater Cologne area, you will also will enable you to access the AStA website (more yourself each semester. webpages of the Office of Student and be issued an NRW Ticket. information on the campusID in the following Examinations Services. This ticket can be used in conjunction with a valid section). You will need to re-print the NRW ticket MultiCa on local transportation options through- in its original size each semester. The edges must www.th-koeln.de >> Academics >> Student and Examination Services >> Re-registration out the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia, not be cut off and the ticket should not be including the Regionalexpress (RE) and Regional- covered with film or be laminated. Students at TH Köln are required to re-register for A late fee of €17.50 (for each semester) comes the following semester through the payment of into effect if you do not re-register in time. AStA website of TH Köln: www.asta.th-koeln.de/semesterticket semester fee and, if applicable, presentation of necessary documents. Re-registration deadlines : Please make sure that TH Köln has received your · Winter Semester: July 10 Traveling with other people on the VRS semester fee prior to the end of the deadline in · Summer Semester: January 10 When using the MultiCa student ID-card in the VRS the tram every day from 9:00 a.m. Please note that place. Potential costs incurred for transactions grid after 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and throughout the regulation regarding extra passengers only ap- from abroad are to be borne by you. the day on weekends and national holidays, plies in the VRS grid, not in the entire state of North you are permitted to travel free of charge with one Rhine-Westphalia. other person. You may take a bicycle with you on Studierendenausweis Technology Student Identity Card Arts Sciences TH Köln MultiCa student-ID card Campus ID You will receive your student-ID card by mail once Marlies Manuela von der Havel you are successfully enrolled. When you have 123456789 You will receive your personalized campusID by your TH email address as well as set up and use transferred the semester fee, you will need to 01.09.2015 - 01.03.2016 - mail upon your successful enrollment. It will be Wi-Fi. Please note: Before you sign in for the first activate your student-ID card at one of the valida- 28.02.2016 31.08.2016 sent to you in two separate letters for security time, please log into the campusID Center and tion stations on campus. By activating your card, reasons. The campusID consists of a user name change your password. As soon as you have done you will receive an imprint bearing the VRS logo The card can only be used once it has been vali- and password and makes it possible for you to this, you will have full use of your campusID. (regional transportation system) and the validity dated. You can find the validation stations on any sign into the campusID Center, PSSO, period of the card. campus of TH Köln.
The student-ID card is a multi-functional card, or ‚MultiCa‘ for short. It covers the following functions: E-mail forwarding · Library card · Cashless payment in the student cafeteria · Copy card · Semester ticket within the VRS grid · Exam identification During your stay, you will receive an email address Please activate this email and check your email in- for TH Köln ending in @smail.th-koeln.de. You box on a regular basis, since the university will send can access this email address using the following important messages via this channel. Alternatively, email service. https://webmail.th-koeln.de. we recommend that you arrange for emails to be forwarded to your private email address.
16 17 After your arrival In your city
There are several registration offices in Cologne – you are free to choose whichever one you like. There is the option to make an appointment for certain days via the online system of the city of Cologne: www. stadt-koeln.de. You can find the addresses of some of the registration offices based in Cologne, Gummersbach, Hürth and Leverkusen here:
Kundenzentrum Köln Innenstadt Bezirksrathaus Kalk Laurenzplatz 1-3, 50667 Cologne Kalker Hauptstraße 247-273, 51103 Cologne T: +49 (0) 221 / 221-0 T: +49 (0) 221 / 221-0 Opening hours: Opening hours: Mon, Wed*, Fri 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon Mon, Wed*, Fri 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon Tue 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tue 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thu 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thu 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wed only by appointment Wed only by appointment
Bürgerservice Stadt Gummersbach Einwohnermeldeamt Stadt Hürth Rathausplatz 1, 51643 Gummersbach Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 40, 50354 Hürth T: +49 (0) 2261 / 8720-0 T: +49 (0) 2233 / 5355-0 Opening hours: Opening hours: Mon 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mon, Tue 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Tue, Wed, Fri 8:00 a.m. –12:30 p.m. Wed 7:30 a.m. - 12 noon Thu 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thu 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. every 1st Sat 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Fr 7:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Registering your place of residence Bürgerbüro im Rathaus Leverkusen Friedrich-Ebert-Platz 1, 51373 Leverkusen If you plan on staying in Germany for more than register within one week of arriving at the latest. T: +49 (0) 214 / 4063-301 three months, you will need to register your new Should you change your address during your stay, Opening hours: place of residence at the registration office for please inform the registration office that you Mon, Wed, Fri 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. the city of Cologne. Please make sure that you have moved. Tue 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thu 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. You will require the following documents for registering your place of residence with the city:
· valid passport · Wohnungsgeberbescheinigung (signed confirmation from landlord available at the registration office)
18 19 After your arrival
Applying for a residence permit at the immigration office Opening a bank account
All international students who are not EU citizens visa is still valid. The residence permit is granted in It is advisable to open an account with a German Before opening an account, please find out di- will need to request a residence permit with the the form of a chip card and is known as electronic bank. This comes in particularly handy when it rectly from the bank which documents you need, immigration office once they have arrived in residence permit, or eAT. The residence permit is comes to paying your rent and transferring the since certain banks require more documents Germany if they plan to stay longer than three usually valid for one year and has to be updated semester fees. In principle, you should be able to than others. months. They should apply for the residence on a regular basis after this period. open an account with any bank in the city you permit as soon as possible while their entrance live in.
You will require the following documents in order to be issued a residence permit at the immigration office. You will generally need the following documents:
· valid passport - with visa entry if necessary · certificate of enrollment at TH Köln · Valid passport · biometric passport photo (35x45mm) · proof of health insurance · Certificate of enrollment at TH Köln · certificate of registration with the city of Cologne · proof of sufficient funding · Certificate of registration with the city of Cologne
In certain cases, the immigration office may ask for other documents. The advisers on site will tell you if this applies to you.
The addresses of the immigration offices in Cologne, Gummersbach, Bergheim and Leverkusen are listed below:
Ausländeramt Köln Stadt Leverkusen Ausländeramt Studierendenservice Kalk Karree Fridrich-Ebert-Platz 1, 51373 Leverkusen Ottmar-Pohl-Platz 1, 51103 Cologne T: +49 (0) 214 / 406 33 44 T: +49 (0) 221 / 221-9345 0 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] For students who live in Hürth: Stadt Gummersbach Ausländeramt Ausländerbehörde Rhein-Erft Kreis Moltkestr. 42, 51643 Gummersbach Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, 50126 Bergheim T: +49 (0) 2261 / 880 T: +49 (0) 2271/ 830
Please arrange an appointment in advance.
20 21 During your studies TH Köln activities & services
International Office Semester Program
Every year, the International Office organizes a semester trip to Berlin, Hamburg or Munich for wide-ranging cultural program for German and which a small participation fee will be charged. international students of TH Köln. The different What‘s more, the semester calendar contains events such as city tours, visits to museums and other important dates for events at TH Köln and theaters as well as excursions to the greater area provides information about the KARIBU buddy of Cologne are usually free of charge. program as well as external institutions such as During your studies Each semester’s highlight is the multiple-day the Kölner Studierendenwerk. Feel free to grab a print version of the current semester calendar in the International Office on your campus or download it from the download section on this page. www.th-koeln.de/io-semesterprogramm
KARIBU - Buddy program
The KARIBU buddy program is a program The KARIBU team also offers a range of interesting organized by students for students arranging free-time activities every semester, such as mentoring between students at TH Köln and new orientation days at the start of the semester in international students of our university. which students from all over the world can get to By participating in the program, the main know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. advantage for new students is the opportunity to receive support from students in a more advanced semester, as well as advice on living and studying in Cologne.
Curious? Then simply sign up using the online form via the KARIBU website. We look forward to receiving your registration. www.th-koeln.de/karibu
Karibu TH Köln
23 During your studies
Learning a language Campus IT and Service Desk
TH Köln offers the opportunity to improve your Upon successful completion of the course, you The Campus IT department provides general IT Service Desk Opening hours language skills or even start learning a completely will receive a certificate as well as ECTS points at services for the entire university. There are service Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. new language over the course of the semester, the end of the semester. Please note that you will desks at four different locations, where employees Sat 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. free of charge. This offer, provided by the Languge have to sit a compulsory level-assessment test can answer your questions about setting up and T: +49 (0) 221/ 8275-2323 Learning Center (SLZ), currently covers extra- before enrolling for a language course. If you using your CampusID or queries regarding Wi-Fi E: [email protected] curricular language courses in German as a foreign do not reach the required level for your desired for instance. You also have the option of acquiring language, English, French, Italian and Spanish. language course after sitting the level-assessment several software products and setting up Wi-Fi These language courses are built around the test or are not be able to present a language access on your smartphone or laptop. different levels of the Common European Frame- certificate, you will unfortunately not be eligible work of Reference for Languages. to register for the language course. www.campus-it.th-koeln.de
You can find more information about the registration periods for the level-assessment test and the lan- guage courses at the office of the Language Learning Center (Deutz Campus, ZN3-9) or on its website: www.th-koeln.de/slz Online Examination and Student Services - PSSO
You can manage many of your own organizatio- deregister for examinations, view your grades and nal matters yourself on the Online Examination print out an overview of grades in the German or and Student Service (PSSO) platform. You can use English language. You will require your campusID it to print out your current certificate of enroll- to login to PSSO. ment, for example. You can also register and
www.th-koeln.de/psso
Registering for exams without PSSO Language partnership The language partnership is aimed at students speakers. One major advantage is that you can It is currently not possible for most exchange nations using PSSO. All other exchange students who would like to learn a new language and arrange the content, subjects, objectives and students to register for and deregister from exa- will be informed on the terms for examination improve or pass on their existing language skills. timeframe with your language partner according minations using PSSO. Only exchange students at registration by the International Office or by The main goal is to work together in learning a to your wishes. You can quickly and easily find out the Faculty for Business, Economics and Law and their faculty. language – in mutual exchange and in a man- which language partners are currently available the Faculty of Architecture can register for exami- ner that is free and creative. Unlike in a typical for language partnerships using the language learning situation, you will get to know a foreign partnership exchange. language in a one-on-one situation with native
The language partnership exchange is updated on the website at regular intervals. You can sign up using the online form on the language partnership website. www.th-koeln.de/sprachtandem
24 25 During your studies
Lecture periods, course selection and class schedule University library
The official semester dates at TH Köln are: courses are not centrally determined for the en- A branch of the university library is located on all The university library provides ideal conditions for tire institution, but stipulated by each individual four TH Köln campuses. It covers information you to prepare for projects, presentations, exams, · Winter semester: September 1 – February 28 faculty instead. ranging across 350,000 books, around 50,000 etc. thanks to its long opening hours and comfor- · Summer semester: March 1 – August 31 Please note that you must sign up for many e-resources and more than 700 journals and table reading rooms with areas for group work as courses yourself. You should be able to access magazines. The majority of this media is freely well as quiet single workspaces. Concerning questions on the planning and or- the latest course catalog for your program via accessible and can be borrowed by all students. ganization of your studies, it is best for exchange the website of your faculty or by using the ILIAS students to enquire with their faculty or turn to learning platform before the start of the semester. www.th-koeln.de/Hochschulbibliothek the program coordinators listed in their admission Information on courses is also posted on the noti- letter. Many regulations related to studies, such ce boards in the hallways of the faculties. as lecture periods, timetables or registration for Library tour
Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. you are invited to This free tour lasts 45 minutes and you do not join a tour of the library at the Südstadt, Deutz or need to register in advance. Gummersbach campuses.
Career Service/Part-time job service
The Career Service offers personal advice on ca- offers students a comprehensive program of se- reer planning and an extensive application check minars, covering topics such as business behavior for students and graduates of TH Köln. Please note in Germany, applicant etiquette, preparation for that you need to arrange a prior appointment for assessment centers and job interviews. this service. In addition, the Career Service also ILIAS learning platform www.th-koeln.de >> Studium >> Rund ums Studium >> Schlüsselkompetenzen ILIAS is an electronic learning platform serving In some cases, access is protected by a password. as a means of course-related communication. You can obtain this password from your lecturer. TH Köln has teamed up with Kölner Studieren- part-time job service in order to receive regular You can use it to download material, sign up for More information about ILIAS is available on the denwerk to provide students with a part-time job updates via email. As an international student, courses and internships and contact lecturers homepage of the Central Learning Platform as job service. You can find out about long-term please note that you must be in possession of a or students in your course. At many faculties, it well as in the public section of ILIAS. positions, project-related activities and daily up- valid residence permit as well as work permit and is first necessary to join a course before you can dated jobs at two locations – Campus Deutz and have a good command of the German language. gain access to the course materials. Campus Südstadt. Students can register with the
In order to sign up to ILIAS, you will need your ten-digit student-ID number found on the back of your · www.th-koeln.de >> Studium >> Bewerbung und Zulassung >> Finanzierung und Förderung MultiCa. You are free to choose your own user name and password. · https://ilias.th-koeln.de
26 27 During your studies Living in Cologne
AStA and student associations Medical and emergency services
The general students‘ committee (AStA) is the department for international students, providing If you are involved in an accident, the following emergency numbers are valid throughout Germany: official representative body for all students. It is assistance in legal and residential matters as well elected by the student parliament and represents as all kinds of other problems. All students are en- Police: 110 Ambulance and fire services: 112 the interests of students both within the univer- titled to engage and participate in the individual sity and towards the public. The AStA is subdivi- departments. It is a good idea to save these emergency numbers on your mobile phone straight away so that you can ded into eleven departments, among them the react to any emergency immediately. Calls are free of charge from all telephone networks.
Find out about the latest AStA events on its website and on Facebook. www.asta.th-koeln.de If you require medical attention from a doctor or hospital, the following websites may be useful::
AStA TH Köln Doctors : www.kvno.de Hospitals www.stadt-koeln.de/leben-in-koeln/gesundheit/krankenhaeuser Dentists: www.zaek-nr.de Each faculty has its very own student association Most student associations organize an orientation representing the needs of other students. week at the start of the semester for first-semester Please note that you need to take your health You can then forward the bill for your treatment The responsibilities within a student association students in which you will receive guidance on insurance card every time you visit a doctor. to your health insurance company in your home are mostly taken on by students enrolled in your courses and free-time activities. The orien- If you do not have statutory health insurance country so that you will be reimbursed for the advanced semesters. They represent the students tation week will provide you with further insight cover in Germany, it may be the case that you will expenses. of a faculty in various bodies, respond to into your faculty and give you an opportunity to initially have to pay the costs of the treatment at questions regarding courses and pass on their meet other students from your program. You can the doctor’s office yourself. experiences to new students. find out about more activities and the contact details of your student association on the faculty websites. If you get sick on the weekend, you can use the following numbers to find out which doctors have an emergency service. Center for Academic Qualifications and Advanced Training (ZaQwW) Medical emergency service: +49 (0) 1805 / 0441-00 The ZaQwW is a central institution at TH Köln for these events early, as there are only a limited Dentist emergency service: +49 (0) 1805 / 9867-00 providing advanced and further training seminars. number of places available. In some faculties, it Each semester, students can participate in semi- may even be the case that participation in certain Pharmacies also have an emergency service so that you can also collect medicine at night nars and workshops on different subjects such as ZaQwW events counts towards academic credits. and on the weekend. You can find out about these emergency pharmacies by referring to notices interculturality, communication or scientific work. You should enquire about individual regulations displayed at all pharmacies or by calling or visiting the: All students are eligible to participate in these with your faculty. seminars free of charge. It is advisable to register Emergency service hotline: +49 (0) 800 / 0022-833 www.th-koeln.de/zaqww Apothekerkammer Nordrhein: www.aknr.de
28 29 During your studies
Working Cologne university sports
All international students are usually permitted as German citizens. This means that they have The sports department of Cologne universities Don‘t forget though: to take on a part-time job during their period the same access to the labor market as Ger- provides all students with an extensive sports Always bring your valid student-ID card (MultiCa) of study in Germany. Citizens of the EU, Nor- man students and are permitted to work as program that is mostly free of charge. Be it in the when joining a sports course. Find out in advance way, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland much as they would like to without having to water, outdoors or the gym – Cologne university whether it will be necessary for you to sign up or have equal legal status on the labor market obtain prior approval of German authorities. sports should definitely have what you are pay a participation fee. looking for.
Citizens from non-EU countries are normally immigration office and the German Federal permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days per Employment Agency. year if they are in possession of a valid residence If you are employed as a student or academic permit for Germany. The immigration office will assistant at TH Köln, you may exceed the 120-day record these provisions in your residence permit. cap. Please inform your immigration office should Should you wish to work more days per year, this apply to you. you will need to obtain approval from your
You can find detailed information on the subject of working in Germany on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.de/deutschland/in-deutschland/arbeit/en You can find a printed version of the current sports program in the foyer of all university campuses at the start of the semester or download it from the website. www.hochschulsport-koeln.de/en
University communities InfoPoints of Kölner Studierendenwerk (KStW) If you have a religious interest and would like international meetings and country-specific to get involved with a community, you can for evenings as well as parties on religious holidays. Kölner Studierendenwerk centrally manages dor- As the central contact point for information or for instance turn to the Catholic or Protestant univer- If you have any questions regarding faith or mitories and student cafeterias for all of Cologne’s quick, immediate advice on options for accom- sity communities or the Islamic University spiritual care, employees from these associations universities. It also provides advice for students modation, events, financial support and the likes Association. The university communities will be on hand to provide assistance. with children, international students and students students are asked to visit one of the following organize various free-time activities, who require psychological support or assistance InfoPoints: in financial matters. If you have any questions regarding faith or spiritual care, employees from these associations will be on hand to provide assistance. InfoPoint I InfoPoint II Servicehaus UniMensa MG Protestant Student Community (ESG) www.esgkoeln.de Universitätstr. 16, 50937 Cologne Zülpicher Str. 70, 50937 Cologne Catholic University Community (KHG) www.khgkoeln.de T: +49 (0) 221 / 942 65-201 oder -202 T: +49 (0) 221 / 94 40 53-416 Islamic University Association (IHV) www.ihv.koeln Opening hours: Opening hours: Mon –Thu 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mon – Fri 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Fri 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
30 31 Foto: Damir Ahmetovic