Welcome to FH Erfurt
Are you - or are you planning to be - an international exchange or full-time student at our university? Then you're exactly in the right place. On this website you'll find everything you need to know about applying, who to contact, tips for planning your trip and arriving in Erfurt.
If you have any other questions, please let us know.
International students who come to us for only one or two semesters are known as exchange students.
Becoming an exchange student at FH Erfurt
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Students planning to spend part of their studies (1- 2 semesters) on an exchange program (e.g. ERASMUS+) will have to submit the following additional documents:
- Application for Admission
- Learning Agreement
- proof of adequate German language skills
The closing date for applications to become an exchange student at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt are:
- winter semester: 15 July
- summer semester: 15 January
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You enrol at the Student Admissions Office at the beginning of the semester. To do so, you need to provide proof that you have health insurance and have paid the semester fee. You will then be issued with your student ID card and certificate of enrolment.
Once you have successfully enrolled, you are entitled to attend lectures and seminars at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt. As an enrolled student, you are entitled to use all the facilities at our university (library, computer pools, etc.) and those run by Thuringian Student Services (refectories, etc.). In addition, you are eligible for student discounts (e.g. theatre, museums, etc.).
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In order to complete part of your studies at the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, you need to have sufficient command of the German language, since most lectures and seminars are held in German. Proof of your German language skills will be confirmed by your home university. It is important that every student is able to follow the lectures.
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To improve your language skills, you can attend courses in German as a foreign language (DaF) that run during the semester. These courses are offered at the following levels:
- Elementary level A1/A2
- Intermediate level B1/B2
- Advanced B2/C1
There are courses on specific skills (pronunciation, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, speaking, writing), academic writing and specialist terminology. You can find more information about the courses available on the website of the Language Centre.
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There are a wide variety of projects and opportunities that can help you meet people and access support. For more details, click here.
Important
Applying
By full-time students, we mean all those who wish to complete their entire Bachelor's or Master's degree with us at FH Erfurt. The Centre for Student and Academic Affairs (ZSA) is responsible for your applications. You will find everything you need to know about entry requirements and the application process here.
Everyday support and contacts
There are various projects and opportunities to help you meet new people and receive support. For more information, click here.
Looking and applying for jobs in Thuringia
The Thuringian Agency for Skilled Personnel Marketing (ThAFF) advises and supports international students who wish to find a job in Thuringia after graduation.
You can find important advice on finding and applying for jobs on Youtube, and you can find all of ThAFF's services and points of contact for individual consultations on this this website.
For more information about employment opportunities in Germany, click here.
Please note that good German language skills are an important criterion for finding work on the German job market.
FAQs
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When you're looking for somewhere to live in Erfurt, you have the choice of a studio apartment or a room in shared accommodation. The easiest thing is to apply directly to Student Services for a room or apartment. Alternatively, you can also use platforms such as WG-gesucht, which are popular among students.
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All students need to prove they have health insurance when they enrol at university in Germany.
However, foreign health insurance will only be recognized in Germany if there is a bilateral agreement with your home country. For example, this is the case for all member states of the EU. Find out well in advance whether there such a bilateral agreement exists for your home country and Germany. If not, you will have to take out a German health insurance policy. You should be aware that there are differenes between statutory and private health insurance providers in Germany. Make sure to compare prices and services before signing a contract.
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Proof of financing is only required for full-time students as a means of demonstrating that they have sufficient funds to cover their living costs while they are studying in Germany. The monthly minimum amount is equivalent to the current state student grant from the German government (so-called "BAFöG"). The minimum amount deposited in your bank account is also the maximum amount that can be withdrawn/transferred out each month.
The following are examples of acceptable proof of financing:• evidence of the income of your parents if they are paying for your living expenses
• scholarship
• bank guarantee
• declaration of commitment from a person with permanent residence in Germany that they will pay your expensesIf you cannot provide one of the above means of proof, you have to set up a blocked account instead. It is called a "blocked account" because you can only use it after you arrive in Germany and take out or transfer a certain amount of money each month.
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Of course, that's not a problem at all - in fact, it's even adisable if you're staying in Germany for a longer period of timein order to avoid incurring expenses when withdrawing money from your domestic bank account.
