Nomination Deadlines
Winter Semester: 1^st May
Summer Semester: 1^st November

Application deadlines
Winter Semester: 1^st June
Summer Semester: 1^st December

The academic calendar at German universities is divided into winter and summer semesters:
Winter Semester: 1^st October - 31^st March
Summer Semester: 1^st April - 30^th September

Each semester is divided into lecture periods and lecture free periods. The dates of the lecture period as well as holidays vary from year to year. You can check the dates here.

Exams are usually taken in the first weeks of the lecture free period but it can vary so check with your Faculty Coordinator before making travel plans.

Although there are no tuition fees, all students at the UDE (including all exchange students) have to pay a "Social Contribution" of approximately €312.40 each semester. You will be asked to pay this amount by bank transfer after you arrive.

Please note that the Social Contribution is neither a tuition fee nor a registration fee, but a payment that includes the following:

• payment for a semester ticket for public transport in Germany ( Deutschlandticket - entitles the holder to free travel on local public transport)
• contribution for the student service organisation "Studierendenwerk Essen- Duisburg"
• contribution for the students' union "AStA"

The student residences in Duisburg and Essen are run by the "Studierendenwerk", a student welfare services organization. As there is a high demand for student residences every semester, it cannot always be guaranteed that a student will actually get a place in a dormitory of Studierendenwerk or may mean that not all preferences for a student residence  can be taken into account.

The room will usually be furnished but you should bring/buy your own pillow, blanket, bed linen and sheets, cutlery and crockery etc.

The typical rent per month is from approximately €330 to €430, depending on the room type you are allocated. There might be additional costs such as TV license and in some cases separate electricity bills.

Further information about how and when to apply for student residences will be provided when admissions letters are sent.

Further links for room offers can be found here.

The language requirements will depend on which Faculty you belong to and which courses you choose. After the nomination deadline, you will be given the contact details of your Faculty Coordinator at the UDE. This is the best person to ask about language requirements.

The Institut für wissenschaftliche Schlüsselkompetenzen (IwiS) offers German language classes for exchange students. You will have to take an online placement test in order to apply for the correct level of course. Places are offered according to a lottery system if courses are oversubscribed. You should also note that entrance to examinations (and therefore the ability to gain ECTS credits) is dependant on full attendance. Student who miss more than two classes for any reason will not be eligible to take part in examinations.

The International Office can also match you with a language "tandem partner”, giving you the opportunity to improve your language skills by interacting with native speakers in an informal setting.

You must ensure that you have sufficient, valid health insurance for the duration of your time in Germany. You will need to provide proof of this in order to complete enrolment at the UDE.

International students often need a visa to enter Germany. Sometimes they also need a residence permit. Whether you need these documents depends on which country you are from and how long you intend to stay.

If you are a non-EU national but you already have an residents permit for the purpose of studying issued by another EU country, it is possible that you might not need to apply for a visa. Please contact us for further details.

All other students should check this information from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for further information about who needs a visa and how to apply.

Please note that you are responsible for the necessary arrangement of your authorised entry to Germany.

It is compulsory for everyone in Germany who moves into an apartment or moves from one place to another to register at the local registration office within 14 days. The International Office will provide you with furter details during enrolment.

• Current Transcript of Records (PDF)
• Academic Preparation form*
• ​A copy of the photo ID page of your passport/identity document (PDF)
• A passport-style photo that can be used for your student ID (JPEG)
• German Studies and Medicine students will also be required to upload proof of proficiency in German (PDF)

*Later in the process this will be used as a basis for your (online) Learning Agreement