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Dear International Student, As our FAQ guide has reached your hands, we believe that you are an international student who was accepted to study at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). We are happy to give you a warm and sincere welcome at our university. The target of our team is to assist new international students at the beginning of their studies and help them to integrate into the campus life. This guidebook contains useful information that can help you through the first steps at TUHH. We hope you will find in it answers to your questions about academic and social life at the university. More information on TUHH can also be accessed via: http://www.tu-harburg.de/tuhh/studium/studierende.html. However, if you find any area lacking in information or personal support, please feedback to us and we will improve our services.

Your International Office Team

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International Students

FAQ

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Inhalt Accommodation ........................................................................................... 4

Accommodation office program –Compass-Live- In- Student Orientation . 5 Bank Account ............................................................................................... 5 Cafeteria/ Coffee shop .................................................................................. 6

Computing Facilities .................................................................................... 7

Enrolment ..................................................................................................... 8 Health ......................................................................................................... 10 Examination office ..................................................................................... 12

Steueridentifikationsnummer and wage taxes ............................................ 13

Introductory Events and first Orientation at the TUHH ............................. 14

Integration Program –Welcome@TUHH ......................................................... 14 German Language Courses ......................................................................... 15

Mentor Team .............................................................................................. 18 Library ........................................................................................................ 18 Learning agreement and ECTS credit points system ................................. 20

Lecture Timetable ....................................................................................... 21

Registration at the Residents’ Registration Office ..................................... 21

Residence Permit ........................................................................................ 22

Semester ticket hardship fund .................................................................... 24

Sports .......................................................................................................... 24 Student Jobs ................................................................................................ 25 € Tuition Fee and grants for exchange students ......................................... 28

Where to get more information about: ....................................................... 29

Useful links ................................................................................................. 31

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Accommodation

Accommodation in Hamburg is rather limited and relatively expensive, especially if you are planning to arrive for the winter semester! However international students, arriving directly from abroad to study at TUHH can contact Accommodation Office TUHH for support in their search for a room. Accommodation offers, available through the office, are generally distributed on a “first come, first served basis”. It is therefore in students’ interest to apply as early as possible! Please note that it is always necessary to apply at least 2 months before your expected arrival in Hamburg. If you are planning to arrive for the winter semester, it is advisable to apply before mid June. Those who intend to arrive at the beginning of the summer semester should have completed their application procedure by mid December. There are a number of rooms in off-campus student halls of residence, available to TUHH exchange students in the program “Rooms for International Freshmen”. These rooms can generally be booked for full semesters only. Most rooms can only be booked for a full academic year. Other students live in private accommodation of various kinds. You should expect to pay between €270 - €350 per month for a furnished single room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. There is often not much choice unless you are prepared to do some searching yourself. If you wish to do this, Accommodation Office can assist you by providing useful sources of accommodation. For further information, please consult the following website: http://www.tu-harburg.de/education/intoffice/accommodation/

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You are welcome to contact the Accommodation Office directly at the following address: accommodation@tu-harburg.de Accommodation Office Room 57 Schwarzenbergstr . 95 D-21073 Hamburg Tel. +49 40 42878 2707 Fax +49 40 42878 4091 Email: accommodation@tu-harburg.de

Accommodation office program –Compass-Live- In- Student Orientation Compass-Live-in-Student Orientation is a tutor program coordinated by the Accommodation Office TUHH. It aims to support international students who get a place in one of the halls of residence, before and on their arrival in Hamburg. The tutors will guide you in your first steps in Harburg and helping you to meet your fellow students living in the same dormitory. Throughout the academic year the tutors offer intercultural, social events that all students who live in the Harburg halls are welcome to take part in. You can always contact the tutors if you have a problem. Further information under : http://www.tuhh.de/compass

Bank Account When studying in Germany you will need a bank account in order to transfer your semester fee as well as the fees for health insurance. The best solution is to open a current account in Germany which is

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free of charge for students. In order to open such an account you may contact any bank. Some of the biggest banks in Hamburg are:

Hamburger Sparkasse 21073 Hamburg (Harburg)

Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00 – 16:00Tue, Thu 9:00 – 18:00

Hypo Vereinsbank e.g. Lüneburger Straße 3 21073 Hamburg (Harburg)

Mon – Wed, Fri 9:00 – 16:00Thu 9:00 – 18:00

Sparkas se Harburg- Buxtehude e.g. Sand 2 21073 Hamburg ( Harburg

Mon, Fri 8.30 – 16:00 Tue 8.30 – 18.00 Wed 8.30 – 12.30

Thu 8.30 - 19.00

What to take along for opening an account

• Passport with a valid visa • registration of Residence ( Meldebestätigung) • Certificate of Admission

Cafeteria/ Coffee shop The “Mensa” (University restaurant) offers cold and warm meals in the price range of € 1, 00 – € 3, 35. The menu can be found at www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de → "Essen“ → "Speisepläne" → "Harburg".

Open Breakfast 8:00 – 10:30 Lunch Mon – Thu

Fri 11:15 – 15:00 11:15 – 14:30

Coffee shop Mon-Fri 15.00 - 18.00 Contact Denickestr. 22, Building I

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As a TUHH student you are also allowed to use one of Hamburg’s other 13 university cafeterias as they are partly financed by your semester contributions. To locate those restaurants, please check www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de → "English“ → "Catering" → "Where are the cafeterias ?" .

Snacks and drinks are also offered by the Campus Suite, Kasernenstr. 12, Building F, open daily from 8:00 till 19:00.

Computing Facilities

All students registered at TUHH have the possibility to use the computers at the "Rechenzentrum" (Computing Centre). Every new student is automatically granted his own account as well as an email address. Login and password can be obtained at the User Service Center (Schwarzenbergstr. 95, Building E, Room 2.048) after presentation of your student ID. For information on opening hours, location and equipment of "Rechner-Pools" (computer labs) as well as further services of TUHH Computing Centre please check www.tu-harburg.de/rzt/index.html. Open (User Service Center)

during lecture period Mon – Fr

9:00 – 12:00 13:00 – 16:00

during non-lecture period: Mon - Fri 9:00 – 12:00 Contact User Service Center Schwarzenbergstr. 95, Building E, Room 2.048

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Even though computer labs situated in Denickestr. 22, Building I and Schwarzenbergstr. 95, Building E, are sometimes open in the evening, doors of the two buildings are locked after 19:00 (they can still be opened from inside in order to leave the building). If you would like to use those labs after 19:00 you should arrive earlier.

Online Services for Students Under : https://www.service.tu-harburg.de/qissos/rds?state=user&type=0 there are various useful Online Services for Studens. Amongst other things, you may

• change your Address

• print confirmations of enrolment and other certificates

Enrolment After getting insurance and having opened a bank account, you can register and by this become a student of TUHH. Please keep in mind that even though you may already enrol in September, you will not be able to benefit from the TUHH student status (public transport, entrance fees etc.) before 1st October, the beginning of the winter semester. The act of enrolment has to be done personally. Enrolment will take place at the International Office who has processed your application for admission.

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What to take along to enrol at TUHH

• Completed Application Form for Enrolment ( available at the

International Office/Home page)

• Valid passport

• Proof of valid health insurance After the enrolment you will get a “Einschreibebestätigung” (confirmation of enrolment) as well as a money transfer form for the “Semesterbeitrag” (semester fee) – (at the time of printing) 202,50€. Within two weeks after transferring the required amount to the university account, you will automatically receive your “Studierendenausweis” (student identity card - ID -) as well as your “Semesterticket” (semester public transport ticket), your final “Studienbescheinigung” (Confirmation of Enrolment).

• Renewal of Enrolment Enrolment in Hamburg is valid for one semester only and you have to renew it before the next semester starts. There are two deadlines for registration renewal at TUHH: the 15th March for the summer semester and the 15th September for the winter semester. In case of missing the deadline you have to pay an extra € 30 in order to get your student identity card. Unless your address, health insurance etc. has changed you renew your registration simply by transferring the semester fee with the money transfer form you received upon enrolment.

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Health

• Health insurance

Students in Germany are obliged to be insured at a German health insurance company. This does not apply to students from EU member countries; Iceland; Liechtenstein; Norway and the Switzerland who are able to present a European health insurance card.

Important: Students from overseas have to apply at any German health insurance company in Hamburg! Please note that the university can not accept travel insurances as they do not usually cover the real costs incurred in case of accident or illness.

In Germany there are public statutory as well as private health insurances companies. As a student you are eligible for statutory health insurance, which offers low rates. They are fixed by the Federal Government and students have to pay approximately € 64 per month. Some statutory health insurances that you may find in Hamburg-Harburg are listed below.

Remember: You always have to pay the insurance - fe e for the whole semester even if you leave Hamburg before the semester ends.

AOK Schlossmühlendamm 30-32 21073 Hamburg (Harburg) Tel.: (040) 20 23 20 23 www.unilife.de

Mon – Wed Thu Fri Sat

AOK - student service

Schlüterstraße 22

You can apply online:

sandra.schulze@rh.aok.de

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DAK Harburger Ring 17 21073 Hamburg (Harburg) Tel.: (040) 76 74 50 www.dak.de

Mon – Wed Thu Fri

Techniker Krankenkasse Musilweg 2 21079 Hamburg Tel: (040) 69 21 – 69 69 www.tk-online.de

Mon – Thu Fri You can apply online: ricardo.behlendorf@TK-online.de

What to take along to your health insurance company

• Passport with a valid visa

• Certificate of Admission

• Bank account details

• If you need a doctor

In Germany there are numerous types of doctors, from "Allgemeinmediziner" (general practitioners) to "Fachärzte" (specialists). Most people have a general practitioner as their "Hausarzt" (family doctor). This doctor can transfer people to specialists if necessary. In certain cases you can visit a specialist without consulting your family doctor first. Doctors have specific visiting hours when patients can seek advice. It is always recommendable to make an appointment as waiting times can be long. If a doctor is needed urgently, it is not necessary to make an appointment. Most doctors will speak some basic English, but you can also contact your embassy or consulate for a list of doctors who speak English or your native language.

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If you have public statutory health insurance, your insurance company will provide you with a plastic ID card which you need to take with you when you visit a doctor.

Names and addresses of doctors can be found in the local telephone directory and "Gelbe Seiten" (Yellow Pages). You can also find some addresses on the Internet: www.kvhh.net/public/16/index.php (in German) www.med-kolleg.de/docsearch/ (in English).

If you have a public statutory health insurance medical treatment is free of charge, however some special treatments e.g. tooth replacement must generally be paid for in full. When in doubt please contact your health insurance beforehand. You have to pay a practice fee of €10 each time you visit your doctor for the first time within each yearly quarter. This is regardless of whether you are visiting your general practitioner or a specialist. You do not have to pay a fee if you have been referred by another doctor.

If you have a private health insurance, doctors, hospital, medicine and other medical bills have to be paid first by yourself before your money will be reimbursed.

The telephone number <112> is the emergency free-call to ring for an ambulance.

Examination office • Examination periods

As to the examination rules of TUHH, exams can take place all through the year depending from the professor. For organisational reasons, there are two main examination periods carried out when lectures have ended with a two weeks registration period in

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advance: in June and in December. The exact dates are given by notice on the announcements or you can check them in Internet.

• How to register for examinations During the above mentioned registration periods you have to contact the examination office. There you will be given a registration form. You have to prepare a list including all exams you take part in. If you decide to withdraw from the exam you have to inform the examination office in writing some days before the day of the examination, so that the exam can be cancelled.

• Transcripts of records Transcripts will be issued by the examination office when all results are collected. Please come some days before your departure in order to check whether all results arrived in the examination office. It is possible that not all results of the exams you’ve done, have been send to the examination office upon you departure from Germany. Therefore, please leave your current postal address or your email address at the examination office. In that case the transcript will be sent by post afterwards.

Steueridentifikationsnummer and wage taxes

If you have an employment or internship contract in Germany, you must pay taxes! This requires a “Steueridentifikationsnummer”. You´ll receive this number automatically after your registration at the Residents Registration Office. In case you don´t receive it, you have to apply for it in writing or by telephone at: Bundeszentralamt für Steuern An der Küppe 1 53225 Bonn

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Tel : 0228 406 1240 FAX : 0228 406 3200 E-Mail : info@identifikationsmerkmal.de

Introductory Events and first Orientation at the TUHH One of the best opportunities to get first guidance in

Germany and its university systems is to participate in the German course for Exchange students that starts a few weeks before the lecture period. Furthermore, you will find several introductory sessions and events for all international students at the beginning of the semester. They offer an opportunity for getting to know fellow students as well as getting first impressions and information on university life at TUHH. In each winter semester the International Office offers an Introductory Program which is focused on the special situation of international students in Germany. Attending this programme is a good opportunity for getting important information concerning your studies at TUHH. You can participate in different tutorials and sessions and also in the culture programme including city tours, campus rally, harbour tour and international breakfast. The detailed description of the programme can be found on the Internet at www.tu-harburg.de/welcome or in the flyer which will be available upon enrolment at the International Office .

Integration Program –Welcome@TUHH The Integration Program Welcome@TUHH offers the international students assistance at the beginning of their studies at TUHH, accompanies them through the whole degree program and helps them to integrate into the campus community more easily. The program is supported by international student tutors who are very

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well acquainted with both studying at the TUHH and living in Hamburg. They accompany you to orientation and cultural activities, workshops and international meetings and offer you a chance to join a study group. You can get in touch with tutors by attending their consulting hours at the beginning of the semester or by sending them e-mails to: Welcome@tu-harburg.de For the updated semester program and more information please contact the International Office or visit the webpage: www.tuhh.de/welcome

German Language Courses • German language courses for exchange students in

winter semester There are special preparatory courses for exchange students at the beginning of each winter semester.

-The courses start in the last period of each September. -The exchange students from the partner universities will get the place automatically and do not have to fill in any extra form. -The language course is free of charge for exchange students -The tutors of the Welcome@TUHH Programme will accompany exchange students to the first session of the course.

• Regular German language classes in summer and winter semester

Exchange students have the possibility to visit regular courses “German as a foreign language ” (DAF) offered for all international students during the semester.

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- The online application for the courses is available under: http://anmeldung.sprachkurse-hochschule.de/veranstalter2.php. - The placement test for the german courses (and any other languge courses at the TUHH) is available under: http://sprachtest.cornelsen.de/html/startseite.html - Absolute beginners (Level A1.1) do not have to do any placement test. The regular German language semester course starts in April and October.The courses are free of charge for exchange students (except €20 for the books). Further information is available in the current course catalogue: http://intranet.tu-harburg.de/stud/vvz_eingabe.php3?ssi=23

• Course“Literature and culture ”

The course is designed especially for foreign students and picks up current issuess and events trying to locate them in the German and European literature. The course focuses on the analysis of literary texts. Visits to various exibitions, theater performances and films are included in the course. Students who could have any problems with understanding of German texts will be given extra help in the preparatory meeting. Further information at: http://intranet.tu-harburg.de/stud/vvz_ausgabe.php3?sg_s=ALLE&ssi=23&Lang=de&period=A or contact the lecturer directly: schuetz@tu-harburg.de

• DUO – the new German learning portal All students who want to improve their German language skills are recommended to use DUO, the new German learning portal for studies and sciences under the guidance of experienced tutors. For more information please visit the website: www.deutsch-uni.com

• Language Training Unit

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TUHH runs a language training unit for self-study. There are Computer Pools open to everyone wishing to improve their German language skills. The opening hours will be published on the Internet: www.tu-harburg.de → “Education” → “Students” → “Learning German at the TUHH” → “Language Center”.

• E-Learning German In addition to the German language courses E-Learning courses are available for the students. In these courses different methods of learning will be combined. There will be contact classes in the TUHH Language Training Centre. The students will be trained to systematically improve their language skills through self-learning (at home or in the language centre). The lecturers will be available for guidance and assistance through e-mail. A special placement test is necessary to join the course. Please check the Language Training Unit-website: www.tu-harburg.de → “Education” → “Students” → “Learning German at the TUHH” → “Language Center”.

• Language coaching for students of TUHH This consulting model offers students the opportunity of improving their language skills with professional assistance. Additionally, the international students of the TUHH can get effective German learning strategies and advices. Students can choose between “face to face advising ” or “email advising ” The language coaching model is mainly focused on: - Learning strategies of foreign language - Assistance and advice to the autonomous language learning (Language exchange in Tandem) - Advice and assistance to redo the assignments of the language courses of TUHH Consultant: Bertrand Schütz ;Email: (Language teacher, Translator, Lecturer of the course “Literature and culture”); Email: schuetz@tu-harburg.de

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• Language exchange Project “Tandem@TUHH”

All students who are interested in autonomous language learning, have the possibility to take part in the language exchange project - Tandem@TUHH. Learning language in Tandem means not only improving language skills in an interesting way but also gaining knowledge about different cultutres. Registration and more information at : www.tuhh.de/welcome

Mentor Team Mentor team is a self-governing group of TUHH-students which helps foreign exchange students during the first weeks in Hamburg by giving support to get local and also by organising different social activities. You can be provided with your personal mentor who will pick you up from the airport and assist you during the first weeks in Hamburg. For further information please contact: Email : mentor@tu-harburg.de Web: www.esn.org/harburg

Library The university library of TUHH primarily serves as a central institution for research, teaching and studying at TUHH. The library is free of charge for all TUHH students. However, fees need to be

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paid for late return and damaged or lost books. You need a "Bibliotheksausweis" (library card) for borrowing as well as for ordering literature from the closed stack or by Interlibrary Loan. The reading rooms are accessible without library card. To learn more about the library you may attend the library presentation or participate in an introductory tour in English which is available at the beginning of the lecture period. For details please ask at the circulation desk in the library. To get a library card you need the following docume nts:

• Registration form (available in the library at the circulation desk)

• Passport or Identification Card

• Meldebestätigung (Registration of Residence)

• Studierendenausweis (Student Identity Card) Open Circulation Reading Rooms +

Self Check Service Mon – Thu Fri Sat

9:00 – 19:00 9:00 – 18:00 closed

8:00 – 21:00 8:00 – 21:00 10:00 – 20:00

Please note that information, registration, picking up orders as well as paying fees is possible during circulation hours only.

Contact Denickestr. 22, Building J Phone: (040) 4 28 78-28 45 Email: bibliothek@tu-harburg.de

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Learning agreement and ECTS credit points system

At the beginning of each semester all exchange students have to fill in a learning agreement specifying courses they want to follow during the exchange semester/year at the TUHH. It should be signed by both institutional and departmental coordinator of the sending and receiving university. This guarantees that both universities agree with the courses you selected. The learning agreement should be submitted at the International Office by the end of October for each winter semester and by the end of April for the summer semester. The examination office needs an extra copy of it too! When you successfully complete your study programme (as approved in the learning agreement) and you return to your institution your credits will usually be transferred. At TUHH the student workload is expressed in terms of ECTS credits . Each semester of study represents an academic workload of 30 ECTS. Individual modules usually represent a workload of between 1,5 and 5,0 ECTS. Please contact your departmental coordinator who gives you exact information about the ECTS system within the given department. Credits are awarded only if the course of study has been completed and all the required examinations have been successfully taken. Students participating in the exchange programme will receive credits for all successfully completed academic work, and they can transfer these credits from one participating school to another, based on the previously approved learning agreement!

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Lecture Timetable German universities do not operate a obligatory course system and allow students a broad range of decision-making freedom. Before you enthusiastically register for all courses, you should thoroughly acquaint yourself with the “Prüfungs- und Studienordnung” (Examination and Course Regulations) for your subject so that you know which courses you must take “Pflichtfächer" (Compulsory Courses) and from which group of courses you may select "Wahlpflichtfächer" (Compulsory Electives). Which lectures will be offered as well as dates and times are listed in the “Vorlesungsverzeichnis” (Course Catalogue), which is published each semester by TUHH three weeks before the start of lectures. An updated online version of the course catalogue is available on the Internet at www.tu-harburg.de under the heading “Education” / “University Calendar”. If you have doubts with regard to the accreditation of a specific subject, please contact the “Prüfungsamt” If you have questions regarding the prerequisites or contents of a specific subject, please refer to the “Kommentiertes Vorlesungsverzeichnis” (Commented University Calendar) – e.g. by clicking onto the book icon in the online course catalogue – or contact the respective lecturer or your course coordinator.

Registration at the Residents’ Registration Office

Within one week after your arrival (by then you will hopefully have found a place to live in Hamburg) you need to register at the “Einwohnermeldeamt” (Residents’ Registration Office). It belongs

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to the “Bezirksamt” (District Office) of the part of town in which you live. Every time you change your place of residence you have to inform the Residents’ Registration Office within a week. Keep your “Meldebestätigung” (Registration of Residence) safe as you will need it (e.g. for opening a bank account). Please inform us, too, about changes in your address. What to bring along for registration

• Passport with a valid visa

• Confirmation of your landlord that you have rented a room (the so called “Einzugsbestätigung” , which may be your letting contract, a formless declaration or the official form completed and signed by your landlord)

• Completed “Anmeldeschein” (registration form). Available (only in German) in all Residents’ Registration Offices or on the Internet: www.hamburg.de/Dibis/form/pdf/anm.pdf

• Registration fee

Residence Permit Every international student who would like to study in Germany requires a visa to be able to enter the Federal Republic of Germany. Students from the European Union, from EFTA countries, from the United States and from a number of other countries may enter Germany without a visa, however. If you do not know whether your country is among these states, then please contact the German Embassy in your home country for information on whether you need to apply for a visa, that is an entry permit (Einreisegenehmigung).

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The addresses of the embassies and consulates are listed on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office: www.auswaertiges-amt.de Once you have entered Germany and registered at the Residents Registration Office, you must immediately go to the Aliens Registration Office (Ausländeramt) in order to apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung ). Students from EU and EFA countries are exempted fro m this rule. They only have to go to the Residence´Registr ation Office and apply for so called Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung (Certificate of Freedom of Movement) The Aliens’ Registration Office belongs to the “Bezirksamt” (District Office) of the part of town in which you live (the same where you have registered).

Address of Residents’ Registration Office in Harbur gs

Bürgeramt Harburg Harburger Rathauspassage 2 21073 Hamburg

Mon 8:00 – 16:00 Tue 7:00 – 14:00 Wed closed Thu 8:00 – 16:00 Friday closed

What to take along to apply for a Residence Permit

• Valid passport

• 3 passport-size photographs

• Confirmation of registration( Residents’ Registration Office)

• Matriculation Certificate

• Proof of health insurance

• Proof of financiel resources

• Fee

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Semester ticket hardship fund In case that you will not be in Hamburg during the following semester because of the internship or an

exchange semester abroad, you will not be able of course use your ticket for the public transport. In order to get the money back, you should apply for reimbursement for the costs of the semester ticket. The application for reimbursement should arrive the Studierendenwerk at the latest

• by 30. September for the winter semester • by 31. March for the summer semester

Please note that your application must be send by the given deadlines even if you have not start your registration process at university yet. You can hand in the ticket later if you have not received it by the given deadlines. For detailed information please check: www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de

Sports "Hochschulsport" (University Sports) are subsidized and aim at giving the students a positive balance to a student’s life lacking exercise at low prices. On TUHH campus you may attend courses or exercise by yourself in the fitness studio. For more detailed information please refer to the brochure “Hochschulsport Hamburg”. Courses for next winter semester will also be published on the Internet. In order to make use of university sports facilities it is

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necessary to register either directly at TUHH University Sports Office or online. Open Mon, Thu Tue, Wed + Fri Sat + Sun

8:00 – 22:00 10:00 – 22:00 13:00 – 19:00

Contact TUHH University Sports Office Kasernenstr. 12 Building F, Basement Phone: (040) 4 28 78-29 15 Email: hochschulsport@tu-harburg.de Internet: www.hochschulsport-hamburg.de

Student Jobs Legal Restrictions for Foreigners International students from EU countries and Switze rland are free to work in Germany and are not subject to the same limitations as students from non-EU countries. International students from new EU countries (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia and, Slovakia) as well as international students from non-EU-countries (with exception of students from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) are only allowed to take up a limited amount of paid employment (max. 90 days per year, alternatively 180 days part-time up to four hours per day). Student employees and their employers are responsible for ensuring that the 90 day rule is not exceeded by checking the work-permit-free employment times which have already been used by an individual in the course of the current year. In case of violation both parties have to pay high fines.

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Please keep in mind that if you work five days per week in the same job (e.g. Monday - Friday), the remaining two days (e.g. Saturday + Sunday) also account for the 90 days rule. There-fore it might be wise to work only four days per week as in this case only the actual working days are taken into account.

For any work that exceeds your 90-days account and that is not a compulsory part of your studies a work permit – meaning approval by the “Ausländeramt” (Aliens’ Registration Office) on the one hand and, on the other, permission from the "Agentur für Arbeit" (Employment Office) – would be required. Conditions for receiving a "Arbeitsgenehmigung" (Work Permit) • Work does not interfere with your (successful) studies • Your employment has no negative effect on the labour market • German employees or foreigners with the same legal status are not available for the position In view of the current tense labour market conditions, applications for a work permit only have little prospect of success.

Jobs as a "Studentische/Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft" (Student or Research Assistant) within the university can be exempted from the work permit requirement if the majority of performed tasks has a scientific character.

Legal Conditions for Student Work Students who work have the same legal rights as “ordinary” employees, such as protection against unlawful dismissal, right on holidays etc. However, their studies should always have priority. This is why student work during the lecture period (weekends excluded) is restricted to 20 hours per week or 26 weeks per year.

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Social Contributions German law requires employers as well as employees to pay “Sozialabgaben” (social contributions). For employees this may make up to 40% of their gross salary from which it will be deducted. Furthermore, employees need to pay “Lohnsteuer” (wage taxes). If you wish to avoid these deductions while being a student at TUHH:

• You should work only up to 20 hours per week during the lecture period and earn less than €400 per month. • You should work not more than 2 months during the non-lecture period (you may then work more than 20 hours per week and earn more than €400 per month). • You should in any case not earn more than €7680 per year.

If you plan to work during the lecture period and the non-lecture period on the above-mentioned conditions, you will have to pay only one part of the social contributions that will make up to 19,5% of your gross salary.

Social insurance card Student employees in Germany or student doing their internship may, under special conditions, have to pay social security contributions. For detailed information and applications for the social insurance card (Sozialversicherungsausweis) please contact your health insurance company. In some cases your employer can start the application process for you at the “Deutsche Rentenversicherung”. http://www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de/ What to take along to apply for a social insurance card:

• ID. Number of your Health insurance; • Date and place of birth

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€ Tuition Fee and grants for

exchange students TUHH requires form all students to pay the legally determined tuition fee of 375€ per semester. As exchange students are guest students at TUHH and their home university has a bilateral agreement with TUHH, they do not have to pay any tuition fees.

However, as an exchange student you are not eligible for any grants provided by the German Government! Please ask your home university if a grant is available to support you while studying at the TUHH.

• Semester contibution

To complete the enrolment procedure at TUHH all students have to pay the semster contribution “Semesterbeitrag . This sum includes the so-called “Semesterticket” which entitels you to use local transport throughout the semster without additional fee.

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Where to get more information about:

Supervision of studies , choice of subject, planning examinations, learning agreements, ECTS credit poin t system

DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATORS

Civil and Environmental Engineering Prof. Otterpohl/Institute B2 Eißendorfer Str.42; Room 0503 Tel.: 040/428 78 3007 Email: 0tterpohl@tu-harburg.de

Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies Prof. Matz/Institute E6 Harburger Schloßstraße 20, Room 408 Tel: 040/428 78 3113 Email: Matz@tu-harburg.de

Process and Chemical Engineering Prof. Smirnova/Institute V8 Eisendorfer Str. 38; Tel.: 040/428 78 3040 Email: irina.smirnova@tuhh.de

Mechanical Engineering Prof. Loedding/Institute M18 Denickestr.17; Room 2001 Tel: 040/ 428 78 3033 Email: Loedding@tu-harburg.de

Management Science and Technology Prof. Lüthje Schwarzenbergstr.95/C Tel.:040/42878 4514 Email: c.luethje@tu-harburg.de :

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General questions related to your student status, student documents (student ID, season ticket for public tra nsport) and renewal of enrolment Information about the studying at TUHH or any probl ems and questions related to your status as an internationa l student in Germany.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE Schwarzenbergstraße 95, Building E

Jutta Janzen/ Oversees programs Room 0.055, Tel.: 040/42878-4289, email: j.janzen@tu-harburg.de Office hours : Monday : 9:00 – 12:30 Tuesday & Thursday:13:00 – 16:00

Malgorzata Safari/ European programs Room 0.056, Tel.: 040/42878-3159, email: safari@tu-harburg.de Office hours : Monday : 9:00 – 12:30 Tuesday & Thursday:13:00 – 16:00

Questions and problems related to student accommodation and social life in a student hall

ACCOMMODATION OFFICE Schwarzenbergstraße 95, Building E, Fax: 040/42878-4091 Sophie Dishman Room 0.057, Tel.: 040/42878-2707 Email: accommodation@tu-harburg.de

Office hours : Please check website

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Questions concerning the examination procedure or if you need a proof of your academic performance (transcript of records )

EXAMINATION OFFICE

Schwarzenbergstraße 95, Building E, Fax: 040/42878-25 46 Anne Kruse-Mittelbach Room 0.004, Tel.: 040/42878-4493 Email:anne.kruse-mittelbach@tu-harburg.de

Office hourse:

Monday: 9:00 – 12:30

Tuesday& Thursday 13:00-16:00

Useful links

www.daad.de

www.study-in.de

The websites of the German Academic Exchange Service(DAAD) provides many reliable information about all aspects of studying in Germany. It also includes databases of programmes and scholarships

www.hochschulkompass.de On this website you can browse through almost the etire range of study programmes available in Germany

www.spiegel.de/unispiegel The German news magazine provides information about the most important developments in German higher education on the Internet

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www.internationale-studierende.de On this website, Deutsches Studierendenwerk, presents information especially for international students. If you´re interested in studying in Germany, you should carefully read section ”Prepare your studies”.

www.all-students.de This website sees itself as a cebtral information portal prodeuced by students for students in Germany.

www.young-germany.de English-language website with lots of infomration about higher educatioon and employment.

www.jobs.de Jobs agency worldwide! You can find many useful hints concerning job application in the section “Applicants”

www.studis-online.de This student website offers a calendar of student information fairs at german higher education institution. For fun you can follow links to the canteen manus at a large number of universoties.

www.TU9.de This website is produced by nine institutes of technology that place special emphasis on internationality (TU9 Initiative) and provides lots of information about engineering and natural sciences.

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