FAQs

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For UKM students to UDE

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Phase 1 : Before coming to UDE

1. How do I open a blocked-account from Malaysia?

All required documents for the opening of blocked-account (Sperrkonto) have to be prepared and certified by the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur before posting them via air-mail to Deutsche Bank in Germany.


2. How much do I have to pay for the documents certification in the German Embassy?

Normally the students have to pay RM 60 for the documents certification on the spot.


3. How much roughly do I have to prepare before I come to Germany?

  • Students are advised to prepare minimum 8200€ for blocked-account.
  • An additional of 600€ as the deposit of the student hostel has to be done via telegraphic transfer (more commonly known as TT) to Studentenwerk (the office who is in charge of student accommodation ).


4. How many subjects do I have to take per semester? Are all the subjects in German or English?

The total number of subjects and teaching medium differ from each major. Students can refer to the link below for more information according to respective major.

http://ti.uni-due.de/dd/ukmin/studyplan/index.php


5. Are the plugs and power supply in Europe the same as in Malaysia?

Basically the power supply in Europe is lesser than Malaysia. The power supply is only 230 Volt (Malaysia 240 Volt) and the plug is 2-pin plug. But this is not a problem as all the electronic devices can function as usual. The students have to bring their own international plug (cost less than RM25) to use their electronic devices from Malaysia.


6. Do I have to buy all the winter clothes and daily utensils before I come to Germany?

Students are advised to buy their stuff here in Germany. For example, a good quality jacket / coat costs only 30€++, bed sheet, cooking utensils etc. can be purchased from IKEA too with very low price.


7. How much is the living cost in Germany as a student?

Foods: 200 – 300 € (that’s more than enough)

Accommodation: 200 – 300 €

Health Insurance: 70 – 80 €

Total: 650 € or lesser than this amount


8. Where can I get cheap flights?

Matta Fair is a good choice to get cheap flights even for 5-star airline such as Emirates Airway, Qatar Airway and MAS airline (roughly less than RM 2000 or slightly more than this amount for a single way ticket). Some recommended cheap airlines include KLM, Air France and Etihad. Students are advised to land in Düsseldorf International Airport to ease the picking up.


9. How much is the mobile tariff in Germany?

There are two types of plan namely prepaid and postpaid. Students are advised to use prepaid plan because it is cheap (roughly 15 € per month or less). Postpaid plans with new phone will cost roughly 30 – 50 € per month but this is not advisable because during registration, the students are required to show their visa up to two years and this may be a little bit expensive for the students.

Blau.de and Lyca are the 2 cheapest tele-companies in Germany for international calls (Blau.de: 3 cents / min and Lyca: 1 cent / min).    

Phase 2: 1st week in UDE

1. Is there anyone who will be picking us up at the airport?

Yes. UKM International Office at UDE (UKM-IO) has officers who are incharge of this matter. Mercator office at UKM will provide all data of your flight to the officers and the officers will contact you 2 weeks before your flight to arrange for the pick up.    


2. How do we arrange our study plan/schedule?

The study plan will be prepared and distributed by Dr.-Ing. Stefan Werner (Coordinator of DD program at UDE) because he is the one who will arrange your academic schedule for the whole year (divided to two semesters; Winter Semester and Summer Semester). A short briefing will also be held on the first week of your arrival.    


3. How can we withdraw our money from the block account in Germany?

Upon arrival, you will have an appointment with Deutsche Bank to activate your Bank Account and the access of your online banking. Usually it takes about 2 - 3 weeks to process your bank card. Before receiving your Bank card, you can always go to any counter of Deutsche Bank and withdraw the desired amount of money from your account manually (filling up forms through counters).


4. How do we extend our student visa since we are only given a 3-month permission to stay in Germany.

UKM-IO and Support Center for International Engineering Students (SCIES) will arrange an appointment for DD students with the local immigration office. Further details will be explained and clarified when the students are here in Germany. Please bring along your passport size photo (about 7 - 10 copies).  


5. Is there any halal food for the muslim students in Germany?

Yes, there is. 5% of German population are Muslims. There are many Turkish and Arabic shops that sell halal foods.

Please refer to the pamphlet regarding Halal food prepared by UKM-IO.


6. How do we go to the university?

You will have to pay for the transportation until you get your student card (studentenausweis or sometimes it’s called semester ticket). Basically it takes about a week to receive your student card. You can travel within the same state which is the whole North-Rhein Westphalia by any of the public transport (except ICE, IC and taxi) without paying for any of it because you are required to pay for the administration fees at the beginning of each semester which is around 250 euro.  

Phase 3: During my studies in UDE

1. Who should i ask if i have problems during my stay in UDE?

There are many people whom you can contact. Below are the list of people to contact according to the cases:

  • General issues, you can always go to UKM-IO in room BB 321 (Duisburg).

  • For questions related to electrical courses, Dr.-Ing. Stefan Werner in BB 313.

  • For question related to mechanical courses, Dr.-Ing. Tobias Bruckmann in MD334.

  • SCIES are always available during office hours. There are three offices of where two of of them are located in Duisburg and one in Essen.

            More information please refer here : http://www.uni-due.de/scies/

  • Prof Hunger and Dr Fais are also available if you wish to contact them.

            More information please refer here : http://ti.uni-due.de/dd/ukmin/contact/index.php


2. Can i work part time while studying?

We would suggest you to get familiar with the study environment and the German culture in the first semester. If it is necessary to work or you want to gain some experience, please do it during your second semester in UDE.


3. Are all the lectures conducted in German or English?

It all depends on how the professors want to conduct his lectures. The conducting media may be German but all the materials (lecture notes and exercises) may be provided in English. For certain subjects, they are conducted solely in German and the materials are also prepared in German. The students have to translate the materials themselves.


4. Where can i get the past year papers?

Some are uploaded by the lecturers/tutors in certain websites (the websites will be given in the lecture during the first 2 weeks of the lectures). For those subjects that do not provide past year papers, you can always ask from the Chinese students from China and they are very good in looking for these materials.


Phase 4: Approaching UKM Convocation

1. Can i join the convocation in UKM the same year with my batch in UKM?

It is possible but it depends on certain factors such as:

  • Completion of your thesis
  • Status of your subjects (pass or fail)
  • Date of submission of your UDE certificate must be submitted one month (min) before UKM Convocation


2. When is the last day to submit my transcripts or certificates of UDE in order to make it to the Convocation in UKM?

It will take maximum 3 weeks to finalize your status of joining the convocation. To be on the safe side, you should email the scanned version of your certificate or pdf of your transcript to the Liaison Officer of UKM-IO one month before UKM Convocation starts.


3. If i can’t finish my thesis on time, do i still have the chance to attend the convocation next year?

Yes of course. You can join the convocation next year but please beware that you only have one chance to finish your thesis if you cannot make it for the first trial. The maximum duration of extension is only three months. You can choose either  to do the same topic or choose another topic.


Phase 5: After finishing the DD Program

1. Should i do anything after i have finished with the program?

Yes, please update Prof Tuti or the Liaison Officer of UKM-IO when you start your career or continue to study master or PHD.


2. What type of choices (visa) do i have if i plan to stay in Germany after my graduation?

Types of Visa:

  • Student Visa

You will have to extend your current visa if you wish to continue with your master / PHD. You also have to prepare around 4,000 €  in your bank in order to apply for visa extension for 1 year.

  • Visa for job seekers

This type of visa is for those who wish to establish their career in Germany upon their graduation. The applicant has to prepare 4,000 € too in the bank in order to apply for the visa extension for 1 year.

  • Fiktionsbescheinigung

If you do not get any of the visas mentioned above but you still have to RETAKE a few more subjects in the coming semester, you will be issued this type residential permit by the immigration office . You do not have to prepare a certain amount of money in the bank but you have to make sure it’s enough for you to survive until your exam starts. Every person will only be issued this residential permit maximum for 3 times ONLY. Each fiktionsbescheinigung only lasts for 3 months.


# Every student has the right to extend their visa until they have finished their studies in Germany. If the Immigration Office refuses to issue a new visa for you, please inform the UKM-IO or Prof Hunger immediately.


3. Is it possible to get a job even if i cannot speak fluent German?

It is possible but it all depends on how much you can offer to a company or in other words, how good you are. The definition of a TOP student in Germany does not primarily include only excellent results (average grade 1,8 ) but also your practical experience. A 3-month internship in Malaysia is not sufficient enough in order to outshine other local applicants because they have at least 6 months of practical experience. On the other hand, language proficiency is also one of the companies’ concerns. An abroad semester would be an added advantage too.    

 

# Grading system in UDE

1,0 to 1,5 : Very good

1,6 to 2,5 : Good

2,6 to 3,5 : Satisfactory

3,6 to 4,0 : Sufficient


4. What is the minimum requirement to continue with my master studies?

You will have to obtain at least an average grade of 2,5 in your bachelor to continue studying in UDE. Other Universities would require around the same grade or higher plus additional language certificate (both English and German).    

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For UDE Students to UKM

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1. How much does a student pay for monthly rental at a hostel in UKM?

For International student is about RM15.00 to RM20.00 per day but depends on which hostel they are located

 

2. What is the estimation of the rental rate for a room in a private house outside campus UKM?

Normally, the rental is about RM 500.00 for a private house outside campus.

 

3. How much normally spent by UKM students for meals a day?

It is roughly RM 15.00 per day. Breakfast is about RM 4.00; Lunch is about RM 5.00 ( Example of meal: a portion of rice with chicken, vegetables and also a drink ) 

 

4. What is the estimation of cost for a meal at fast food restaurant like McDonalds or KFC?

The cost of the meal is about RM15 per person. For example at KFC, the cost of dinner plate is about RM13 and for the snake plate is about RM11 include the tax.

 

5. What is the cost for renting a car ?

For a small car it would cost about RM 70.00 per day and for a  bigger car with 8 seater is about RM150 per day

 

6. What is the best way to travel in Kuala Lumpur? 

By public transport. For more information please refer to http://www.ktmkomuter.com.my

 

7.How far is UKM located from the centre of Kuala Lumpur?

UKM is about 35km from the centre of Kuala Lumpur.

 

8. How to reach UKM from International Airport (KLIA)?

By using KLIA Limousine, it cost about RM50.00 per journey and it is a 45 minutes journey. The KLIA Limousine coupons can be purchased at an available counter in the arrival hall.

Students can take the KLIA express train to reach KL Sentral or Bandar Tasik Selatan. For the price of the ticket please visithttp://www.kliaekspres.com From KL Sentral Station or Bandar Tasik Selatan, please interchange to KTM komuter and travel until the station named UKM station. For the price information please visit http://www.ktmkomuter.com.my From UKM station, students may take UKM feeder bus or city taxi which cost RM5.00 to reach UKM campus.

Please visit http://www.rapidkl.com.my for the informations of public transportation in Kuala Lumpur

 

9. What is the cost to enter the swimming pool in UKM? 

RM 2.00

 

10. What makes UKM an interesting place to study ?

Lecturers may be strict in class but they are actually friendly. Besides that, Bangi is a very peaceful town, located away from the congested KL rush. It is near to the federal territory of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur (20 minutes journey). It would take about an hour to travel to Port Dickson and about 30 minutes to Sg Gabai, Kolam air Panas, Bukit Broga and Sg Congkak (Hulu Langat).