Entry and habitation

Before Entry

Daad-Brochure

Health Insurance

Health insurance is compulsory for all students who have studied for 14 semesters or less and are under 30 years of age. Stated positively, this means that the public health insurance agencies are obligated to insure you at the affordable student rates. At the present time, premiums for students at the public health insurance agencies are approximately 380 euros per semester.

Study Expenses

The success of your course of study is dependent on whether you have sufficient funds to finance your studies in the Federal Republic of Germany. When applying for a visa for study purposes at a German embassy or consulate or at an immigration office, you must demonstrate that you have enough funds at your disposal to finance your studies. It is thus important for you to see to it early on that sufficient funds are available.

The average monthly budget (the cost of living for one month) for students at the University of Freiburg is currently approximately 700 euros.

Public institutions of higher education in Baden-Württemberg have tuition fees of 500 euros per semester.

Financing a Course of Study

A general work permit is not included with the residency permit for study purposes. International students are, however, allowed to work for up to 90 days or 180 half days a year without a work permit. Certain exceptions apply for students from EU countries, EEA countries, the USA, etc., as long as the student’s job does not interfere with his or her studies.

Scholarships

The University of Freiburg does not award any scholarships, so there is no use in applying for a scholarship from the university. However, there are other institutions which offer scholarships. The most comprehensive scholarship program in Germany is offered by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service; www.daad.de). The DAAD offers a wide range of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral candidates, postdoctoral students, university lecturers, and researchers in various fields. However, the DAAD only awards scholarships to more advanced students. Although other institutions award scholarships according to other criteria, the DAAD and most other institutions do not finance a course of study from the first to the last semester.

Scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic achievement. The economic circumstances of the applicant play only a subordinate role. For more information on scholarships, contact an agency of the German government abroad or a branch office of the DAAD.

Aside from the DAAD, there are other organizations in Germany which finance international students, especially graduate students. Here is an overview of some of them.

Accomodations for (international) students in Freiburg

German universities do not have a “campus” which students can live on. Only a small minority of students can be offered a room at a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (Office of Student Services) of the University of Freiburg is in charge of the student dormitories. Applications for placement in one of these student dormitories should be filed with the room search service at the Office of Student Services. Applicants must reckon with a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, there are several dormitories run by religious denominations. However, this does not mean that students of other denominations or religions may not live in one of these dormitories. As a rule, the religion of the applicant does not play a role in the selection procedure. Students may apply directly for a room in one of these dormitories.

• Alban-Stolz-Haus (Alban Stolz House), Reinhold-Schneider-Straße 37, 79117 Freiburg, Telephone: 0761/7674-480
• Albertus-Burse (Albert Hostel), Klarastraße 18, 79106 Freiburg, Telephone: 0761/296130 Note: only for male students (full room and board)
• Collegium Sapientiae, Lorettostraße 24, 79100 Freiburg Telephone: 0761/70312-110
• Edith-Stein-Haus (Edith Stein House), Lorettostraße 22, 79100 Freiburg Telephone: 0761/70312111
• Evangelisches Studentenwohnheim (Protestant Dormitory), Elsässer Straße 38, 79110 Freiburg, Telephone: 0761/84868
• Thomas-Morus-Burse (Thomas More Hostel), Kappler Straße 57, 79117 Freiburg, Telephone: 0761/6806540
• Studentinnenheim St. Luitgard (St. Luitgard Female Student Dormitory), Quäkerstraße 4, 79102 Freiburg, Telephone: 0761/73325 Note: only for female students

Prices for a single room differ greatly from dormitory to dormitory (rents currently range from approx. 180,00 to 230,00 euros). Rents are often a good deal higher on the private apartment market.

More useful information on „Living in Freiburg“ is available at the following link:
http://www.u-asta.uni-freiburg.de/service/wohnen

Formalities

After moving into an apartment or student dormitory (see Living) and within 10 days after arriving in Freiburg, international students must register at the resident registration office of the town in which they live (in Freiburg: Resident Registration Office / Basler Straße 2). When registering, international students must be sure to bring a passport or personal identity card. International students who live outside of Freiburg must register with the municipal authorities of the town in which they live. More detailed information is included in the material issued with the letters of acceptance. It is also necessary for all international students who will be residing in Germany for more than three months to register at the immigration office (in Freiburg: Resident Registration Office / Basler Straße 2) for a residency permit (the residency permit for study purposes is called an “Aufenthaltsbewilligung”). They must also provide evidence that they have enough financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Germany. Scholarship recipients and students participating in European study programs should have no problem fulfilling this criterion. It is of course also necessary to have sufficient health insurance (see Health Insurance).