Study in The town in Germany's Northwest

Guide for Exchange Students

BREMEN OLDENBURG

BERLIN

Welcome to the University of Oldenburg !

Welcome to the University of Oldenburg! We appreciate your interest in studying with us. In this brochure, we would like to introduce our university and give you some information and tips on living and studying in Oldenburg. The International Student Office (ISO) is your contact point from the beginning on and is there to support you in every phase of your studies. We would love to have you!

Your International Student Office Team

University of Oldenburg International Student Office

Ammerlaender Heerstr. 114–118 D–26129 Oldenburg +49-441-798-2478 [email protected] MUNICH www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/iso/ The university and city of Oldenburg

The University of Oldenburg Promoting talent, inspiring ideas, and aspi- where there is a great degree of close inter- ring to tolerance – these are major themes at action between students and professors, and the University of Oldenburg. The university seminars have the optimal size for this. It is was established in 1973, and is among the easy to get to know other students and find youngest in Germany. The uni- your way at the University of Oldenburg. versity is named after the Nobel Prize winner The university itself is divided between two (1889 –1938), who was campuses. The natural sciences and among the most distinguished journalists of are located at the »Wechloy campus« and all the . other fields can be found at the main With around 200 professors and over 12,000 »Haarentor campus«. The two locations are students, the University of Oldenburg is a dy- about a kilometre apart and can easily be namic and ever-developing institution. Over reached with a bicycle, on the bus, or on 90 courses of study offer a broad spectrum of foot. The city centre is also only about two educational options, including such areas as kilometres away. the social sciences, and business, , and languages, in- formation science, , the natural sciences, and medicine. As a relatively young institution, the University of Oldenburg is strongly committed to future-oriented research, as well as with promoting interdis- ciplinary studies and internationalisation. Accordingly, the university has around 1,000 The university as a whole is divided into six faculties: international students and cultivates roughly 200 partnerships with universities worldwi- I. School of Educational and Social Sciences de. The naming of the university after Carl von Ossietzky emphasizes the institution's II. School of Computing Science, Business commitment to the idea that science has Administration, Economics, and a responsibility to society, and should thus III. School of and Cultural Studies take an active role in public discourse. IV. School of Humanities and Social Sciences The students are the heart of the university, V. School of Mathematics and Science and they are involved in carrying out science and research from the very beginning. The VI. School of Medicine and Health Sciences university sees itself as a »campus university«

3 The university and city of Oldenburg

Living and studying at the University of Oldenburg

Studying is more than just learning. The International Student Life university also serves as an every-day living The International Student Office (ISO) not space, offering libraries, cafes, and canteens, only offers advising during the semester, as well as other amenities and cultural events but also maintains an interesting and varied such as athletic facilities, theatre, and con- calendar of events with weekend excursions, certs. Would you like to play in the orchestra, trips, and visits to cinemas, theatres, and show films, participate in the theatre, or play museums. The current calendar of events can inline hockey? be found on the ISO website.

Library Eating and Drinking The university library is located at the centre The »Mensa« or main canteen offers a variety of the Haarentor campus, and houses over of inexpensive food options. Many of these a million books and over 6,000 newspapers are derived from organic agriculture or sour- and magazines. You can access or borrow all ced from farmers in the region. The various of it free of charge. Furthermore, the library cafes offer drinks, snacks, and a variety of has numerous individual and group work- coffees, many of which are fair trade. spaces, as well as copiers, scanners, internet access, and a collection of current internati- Culture onal newspapers. There is also free wireless The student club »Gegenlicht« showcases internet access in the library and other places rarities from far outside mainstream cinema, on campus. and the student theatre UNIKUM features ca- baret, theatre, music, and readings. Students Athletics who are interested in film and theatre have Sport enthusiasts are in their element at the the opportunity to become actively involved University of Oldenburg. All students can use in these student clubs on campus. the university athletic facilities, and there are numerous courses in the most diverse of sports on offer. There is a swimming pool with a sauna, a modern fitness and health centre, a strength training room, sports halls, and beach volleyball and tennis courts. Many activities are free of charge.

4 The university and city of Oldenburg

Oldenburg – a cosy university town in Germany's Northwest

Student city, bicycle city, city of the future, Oldenburg is a green city with many parks the capital of curly kale – Oldenburg has and woods in the midst of a rural setting many names. The little big-city has around surrounded by villages, small lakes, and bogs. 160,000 inhabitants and is situated in In summer, you will see locals swimming and Germany's Northwest between the North grilling at the many small lakes in the area, as Sea, Hamburg, and the Dutch border. The well as enjoying picnics in the ever-popular North Sea strongly influences the climate, Schlossgarten. A special highlight of the and it is neither too hot in summer nor too warm season is the Oldenburg Kultursommer, cold in winter. a festival of culture that takes place every year in July and August. In the winter, the With its quarter of a million or so bicycles (1.5 Oldenburg Christmas Market attracts crowds, per resident), Oldenburg is a true bicycle city. and Oldenburg's legendary »national dish« Roughly 160 km of city bicycle lanes ensure of curly kale and sausage lends strength and that virtually everything is quickly and easily warmth during the cold months. accessible by bicycle: the large pedestrian zone in the city centre, government offices There is a great deal to discover around Ol- and public institutions, cultural amenities denburg. With the semester ticket, students and meeting points such as the Staatstheater, can travel free of cost to the North Sea coast, the Kulturetage, Oldenburg Castle, museums, the Hanseatic Cities of and Ham- cinemas, or the many bars and clubs, not to burg, and to the Dutch border. Groningen, mention the University of Oldenburg itself. Oldenburg's Dutch partner city, is just an Those who prefer not to cycle can comfortab- hour and a half away, and can be reached ly get around town by bus. cheaply and easily on one of the buses that run several times daily. Oldenburg is not only ideal for cycling, but its parks and gardens make it a paradise for All of this makes Oldenburg a comfortab- walkers and runners. There are opportunities le place to live, and perfect for your stay for recreational walking and jogging almost abroad! everywhere. The Oldenburg Marathon takes place every October, and between May and September, there are monthly bike and inline skating nights. For those who prefer spectator sports, a home basketball game with the EWE Baskets or the VfL Oldenburg's first Women's Hand- ball Team would be perfect. Both teams offer first class professional sports in the highest German league. A visit is well worthwhile!

5 Your exchange studies in Oldenburg

Application Organisation Would you like to join us as an ERASMUS or exchange stu- dent? If so, we would be happy to have you! Academic advising At the University of Oldenburg, you will be assigned an aca- Please visit the international office at your home university to demic advisor, also referred to as a Departmental Coordinator, find out if there is a partnership between your institution and who will be able to help you with all issues and questions the University of Oldenburg. Applications are possible in both relating to your studies, including your study programme the summer and the winter semester through the internatio- and learning agreement. We will give you the name of your nal office at your home university. academic advisor well in advance. Please contact this person by the beginning of the semester at the latest. Required documents Please submit the following documents in support of your ap- Credit points / ECTS plication for an exchange stay at the University of Oldenburg: Credit points (CP) indicate the average required workload per • Application for temporary enrolment course (including preparation and other outside work). One • Application for accommodation CP corresponds to roughly 30 work hours. The University of • Registration for the Buddy Programme (if desired) Oldenburg uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The average workload per semester is 30 CP, and individual All forms can be found on our website: modules vary between 3 and 9 CP. www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/iso/ forms Credit transfer Application deadlines During their time at the University of Oldenburg, ERASMUS/ For the summer semester (April to July): 15 January exchange students accumulate certificates showing their aca- For the winter semester (October to February): 15 July demic achievements (credits), which are signed and stamped Please send your application documents and any further by each respective module instructor. These certificates form questions to: the basis of the transcript of records that is drawn up at the end of a student's stay. You will need this document, which University of Oldenburg is issued by the International Student Office, in order to have International Student Office (ISO) your credits transferred to and recognised by your home Ammerlaender Heerstr. 114-118 university. D- 26129 Oldenburg Germany Phone: +49 (0)441 798-4783 Fax: +49 (0)441 798-2461 [email protected] We will send you a confirmation by email as soon as we recei- ve your complete application. After the application deadline has passed, we will send you an information packet along with your acceptance letter by mail. Academic Calendar Each semester includes 14 weeks of courses. After courses end, there is a two to three week long examination period. Before the beginning of each semester, the ISO organi- ses an international orientation week for new exchange students. Winter semester October 1st– March 31st Orientation week for international students: beginning of October Lectures: Mid October – Mid February Summer semester April 1st – September 30th Orientation week for international students: beginning of April Lectures: Mid April – Mid July

6 Your exchange studies in Oldenburg

Preparations As soon as the University of Oldenburg accepts you as an exchange student, you will have to take care of the following things:

Entry visa Please find out if you must apply for an entry visa to enter Germany. Citizens of EU countries and a number of other countries (e.g. the USA, Australia) do not require an entry visa. www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Health insurance Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Exchange students from EU countries who have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) do not require additional health insu- rance. Exchange students who do not have a European Health Insurance Card will require insurance coverage for their entire stay.

Accomodation The »Studentenwerk Oldenburg« (SWO) international airports in Bremen (BRE), Ham- offers inexpensive accommodation in burg (HAM), and Hannover (HAJ). Please student residences and helps students find note that the University of Oldenburg is lo- private accommodation. There are several cated in Oldenburg in Niedersachsen (Oldb), student residences available, and all are and not in Oldenburg in Holstein. Train situated close to the university or the city timetables for Deutsche Bahn can be found centre. There are single and double flats with at www.bahn.de. It would be a good idea to their own kitchens and bathrooms, larger arrive in Oldenburg before the beginning of flats for several students, and rooms in living International Orientation Week. facilities with shared kitchens. Our ERASMUS/ exchange students will be offered furnished Living expenses & Finances or partially furnished rooms. Every student You should expect to spend about €670 per residence has washing machines and drying month for accommodation, health insurance, areas, lockable bicycle storage, cable-TV and food. connections, and internet access. Such resi- Estimated monthly expenses: dences are quite cheap in comparison with housing on the private market. Rent ranges • Accommodation: €180 to €375 from roughly €180 to about €375 per month, • Health insurance: €80 to €150 depending on the type of accommodation • Food: €150 to €200 and furnishings. You can get a first impressi- • Miscellaneous expenses (e.g. leisure, on of the available facilities here: books, materials, etc.) www.studentenwerk-oldenburg.de/wohnen Additional expenses: ERASMUS/exchange students should use • Semester fees, including a semester the application for accommodation that has ticket for unlimited use of the public been made available on the International transport network in and around Student Office website. You should submit Oldenburg: €240 per semester this along with your application for a study • Residence permit for students from place to the International Student Office. non-EU countries: €110 Getting to the university Students are permitted to work alongside The University of Oldenburg is located in their studies. In the case of students from Germany's Northwest, and can easily be non-EU countries, employment is limited to reached using public transport from the 120 full or 240 half workdays per year.

7 Studieren in Oldenburg – Vorbereitungen Your exchange studies in Oldenburg

Support

International Student Office The incoming team and advisors in the Inter- national Student Office (ISO) are here to help you with all questions and issues concerning your exchange stay in Oldenburg. [email protected] Phone: +49 (0) 441 798-4783

Buddy Programme The buddy programme at the University of Oldenburg provides ERASMUS/exchange students with an Oldenburg student (buddy) who can offer a great deal of support, parti- cularly in the beginning phase of your stay. Your buddy could, for example, agree to pick you up from the train station or obtain the key to your room for you. www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/iso/buddy

Tutors The ISO tutors support all international students with practical, every-day, and or- ganisational issues concerning their studies in Oldenburg, and help them take care of courses formalities. Up to date contact information Intensive language courses are offered on A1, can be found on the ISO website: A2 and B1 level before the beginning of the www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/iso/studieren/ser- semester. These intensive courses are subject vice/tutoren/ to fees, and take place in August/September and in March/April, respectively. Courses Facebook include a total of 100 hours and are worth 6 International students can join our Facebook ECTS. group: »International Students in Oldenburg« Free German courses are offered during the semester, covering levels A1 to C1. These International orientation week include 6 to 8 hours of instruction per week and are worth 9 ECTS. Placement tests are You can take care of a number of important offered during international orientation formalities (enrolment, registration with week to place students in courses at the the City of Oldenburg, library, etc.) during appropriate level. You can find an overview orientation week. of the German language courses offered to In the week prior to the beginning of courses, exchange students on the Language Centre's the ISO organises an orientation week for website: international students. This serves to help www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/school3/language- international students become acquainted centre/german-language-courses/ with the university, their course of studies, The Language Centre also offers a language the city of Oldenburg, and other students. tandem for all students. This project matches For an up to date event schedule for Interna- students with suitable conversation partners tional Orientation Week, please see: based on their language learning goals. Both www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/iso/news/ language partners improve their language skills by exchanging their native languages. Participation is worth 3 ECTS. www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/school3/language- centre/sprachtandem

8 Studieren in Oldenburg – Vorbereitungen

Checklist First steps in Oldenburg

You will need to take care of several formalities after your arrival. We have prepared this checklist to help you keep track of all of the things you will need to take care of in your first couple of weeks in Oldenburg.

Registration with the City of Oldenburg Facebook You will have to register with the City of Oldenburg International students can join our Facebook within a week after your arrival. You will need your group: »International Students in Oldenburg«. passport and visa (if applicable). NOTICE: Please keep your registration form! Stud.IP, email account, and library Along with your semester documents, you will Bank account receive a user name and password that will give In order to open a bank account at a bank in you access to your email account and the learning Oldenburg, you will need your passport/ID and platform Stud.IP. You can register for courses/mo- your residential registration form from the City of dules in Stud.IP. You can also log into your email Oldenburg. Accounts are usually free for students account through Stud.IP and find/place offers on up to 27 years of age. the Schwarzes Brett, a bulletin board where you can browse offers for things like rooms and flats for Health insurance rent, used furniture, and bicycles. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, and In order to borrow books from the library, you will students cannot be enrolled without valid health need to get a library card. You can do this at the insurance. user services desk located by the library entrance. For this process, you will need a passport or ID, Enrolment your city registration form, and €5. You can use Enrolment takes place during International Orien- your library card to print, scan, and copy, and it can tation Week. If you are unable to participate, please also be used as a »key« for the lockers in front of visit the International Student Office (ISO) during the library entrance. You will also receive a pass- office hours. word with your library card. This will allow you to access your online library account. A few days after enrolment, you will receive your semester documents (Leporello) by post. These documents include your semester ticket, email/ Semester ticket Stud.IP user name and password, student ID, and After enrolment, you will receive your enrolment enrolment certificates. certificates, student ID, and semester ticket. The semester ticket is your personal public transport Residence Permit ticket that will allow you unlimited use of the regi- onal transport network for the next 6 months. You Students from non-EU/EEA countries require a re- can also explore Oldenburg and the surrounding sidence permit for their stay in Germany. Students region on weekends and during holiday periods; must apply for their residence permit at the Foreig- the ticket is good for all local and regional trains in ners' Office of the City of Oldenburg at least two a wide area around Oldenburg (as far as Hamburg, months before their visas expire. The International Hannover, Osnabrück, and the North Sea), as Student Office offers support for students as they well as on all bus lines inside Oldenburg and bus take care of formalities with the Foreigners' Office. connections to outlying towns. Public transport You will require the following documents for your in Germany is normally quite expensive, so your residence permit: semester ticket will save you a lot of money. • your passport • current proof of health insurance coverage • proof of adequate finances • enrolment certificate • biometric passport photo

9 Studienangebot in Oldenburg // Degree courses offered in Oldenburg Studienangebot angebot wählen. DasaktuelleLehrangebot findenSieunter: www.uni-oldenburg.de/studium/lehrveranstaltungen/ und einzelne Seminare inverschiedenen Studiengängen an. In englischerSprache bietetIn dieUniversität Oldenburg gesamte Module ERASMUS-/Austauschstudierende könnenausdemLehrveranstaltungs- ZWEI-FÄCHER-BACHELOR Single Subject Bachelor Single Subject Dual Subject Bachelor Subject Dual FACH-BACHELOR Anglistik EnglishStudies Geschichte History Studies German Germanistik Studies Gender Social Sciences Social Sozialwissenschaften Chemie Comparative andEuropean Law Chemie Chemistry BusinessAdministrationWirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftsinformatik BusinessIT Umweltwissenschaften Environmental Sciences Mathematik Mathematics Interdisciplinary Education Interdisciplinary Intercultural Education andCounselling Lutheran Theology andReligious Education Business Administration andLaw Interdisziplinäre Sachbildung Informatik Information Science Interkulturelle BildungundBeratung Informatik Information Science Ev. Theologie undReligionspädagogik Mathematics Elementarmathematik Elementary Biologie and Media Kunst Art undMedien Physik Physics Pädagogik Education Engineering Physics Biologie Biology BWL mitjuristischemSchwerpunkt Offered courses Transnational Law Some entireSome modulesaswell asindividualcourses invarious degree Sustainability EconomicsSustainability andManagement Erwerb, Variation,Sprachdynamik: Wandel andLifestyle undLebensstil Sports Sport Sciences Social Sozialwissenschaften Slavische Studien Ökumene undReligionen Ecumenism andReligion at the University ofOldenburg. Acurrent listcanbefound at: Wirtschafts- und Rechtswissenschaften undRechtswissenschaften Wirtschafts- Wirtschaftsinformatik BusinessIT Water and Coastal Management www.uni-oldenburg.de/studium/lehrveranstaltungen/ Marine EnvironmentalMarine Sciences MASTER OFEDUCATION PROGRAMMES Umweltmodellierung Environmental Modelling Music Science Music Musikwissenschaften Museum undAusstellung andExhibition Museum Microbiology Mathematik Mathematics UmweltwissenschaftenMarine TechnologySensor Marine Sensorik Marine Management Consulting programmes at theUniversity ofOldenburg are offered inEnglish. Master of Education (Wirtschaftspädagogik) Master of Education (Sonderpädagogik) Master of Education (Gymnasium) Master ofEducation (Haupt- und Realschule) Master ofEducation (Grundschule) Business Administration, Economics andLaw ofLanguage: Acquisition,Dynamics Variation, Change ERASMUS/exchange students canchoosefreely from thecourses offered Postgraduate Programme Renewable Energy Physik Physics Philosophie Dutch StudiesNiederlandistik Neurocognitive LandscapeEcologyLandschaftsökologie

Studienangebot in Oldenburg // Degree courses offered in Oldenburg MASTER PROGRAMMES Technik Technology & Vermittlung German Studies German Germanistik Sports Sciences Sports Sportwissenschaft Studies Social Sozialwissenschaften SpecialNeedsEducationSonderpädagogik Slavistik Slavic Studies German asaForeignGerman Language Chemie Chemistry Ökonomische BildungEconomics Education Wirtschaftswissenschaften BusinessAdministrationWirtschaftswissenschaften Material Culture: TextilesMaterial Materielle Kultur: TextilMaterielle Musik Music Mathematik Mathematics Instrumentality Integrated –Audiovisual Media inPractice, Media & Theory Hearing Hearing Technology andAudiology Educational Science Embedded Systems andMicrorobotics Integrated Audiovisuelle Media: inPraxis, Medien Theorie Informatik Information Science Hörtechnik undAudiologieHörtechnik EUREC –European Master Renewable Energy European Master inMigration andIntercultural Relations Europäische Geschichte European History undBildungswissenschaften Erziehungs- English Studies Engineering Physics Eingebettete Systeme undMikrorobotik Deutsch alsFremdsprache Biologie Biology Art and Media Studies andMedia Kunst- Art undMedienwissenschaft Kulturanalysen Cultural Analysis Politik-Wirtschaft Politics-Economy Physik Physics Philosophie / Werte u. NormenPhilosophy Pädagogik Education Dutch StudiesNiederlandistik

STUDIENGÄNGE Extra-occupation andContinuingExtra-occupation Education UND WEITERBILDENDE BERUFSBEGLEITENDE PROMOTION //PhD Programmes Cultural Studies andGender ENGLISH-TAUGHT DEGREEPROGRAMMES Risk Management for Management Risk banksandinsurance companies EducationalManagement andScientific Business Administration for Enterprises Small andMid-Sized Business Administration for Top Athletes Innovationsmanagement (MA) Innovation Management Informationsrecht (MA) Law andInformation Systems Science Interface Risikomanagement fürFinanzdienstleister (MA) Bildungs- und Wissenschaftsmanagement (MA) Business Administration inmittelständischen Unternehmen (BA) (BA)BWL fürLeistungssportlerInnen Science andSystemsNeurosensory Geschlechterstudien Kulturwissenschaftliche Environmental Sciences (Please note that modulesare beingtaught increasingly in German starting after thethird after semester) starting German Water andCoastal Management MSc Microbiology MSc Interface Science PhD Interface Engineering Physics BSc Renewable Energy PhD Environmental Sciences andBiodiversity PhD Science and SystemsNeurosensory PhD Postgraduate Programme Renewable Energy MSc Neurocognitive Psychology MSc European Wind Energy Master MSc EUREC –European Master Renewable Energy MSc European Master inMigration andIntercultural Relation MA