Essentials for
Incoming Exchange Students
In the following, we have summarized all important details you need for your pre-departure
orientation. If there is anything else you need to know please do not hesitate to contact the
Incoming Student Services (incomings@rwth-aachen.de).
Letter of Admission
Attached to this email you will find your official letter of admission. It serves as the official
confirmation of your acceptance as exchange student at RWTH Aachen University and
grants you enrollment at our University.
Academic Calendar www.rwth-aachen.de/semestertermine
Winter semester: 01.10.-31.03.
Summer semester: 01.04.-30.09.
Enrollment
An appointment to complete your enrollment at RWTH Aachen University will soon be sent
to you by the Incoming Student Services in a separate email.
Winter semester: Students doing the intensive German course in September will get an
appointment in the beginning of September; all other students will be invited for the end of
September or beginning of October.
Summer semester: Enrollment takes place in the last week of March.
You need to bring your letter of admission, your valid student ID from your home university
and a confirmation of your health insurance (see below) to the enrollment.
Student Service Fee www.rwth-aachen.de/re-enrollment
After the enrollment at RWTH Aachen University you need to pay a student service fee of
currently 232.72 €.
Each student of RWTH Aachen University has to pay this fee before the start of each
semester. It provides all students with services such as bus and rail ticket for the Federal
State of North Rhine-Westphalia, sports facilities and building maintenance of student
residences, canteens and cafeterias. The enrollment will only become effective on the date
the payment enters the RWTH Aachen University account. You will receive further
information concerning the payment procedure during the enrollment.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is obligatory for your enrollment. You are required to prove your health
insurance coverage through a confirmation by a German health insurance company.
Accommodation www.rwth-aachen.de/wohnen; www.studentenwerk-aachen.de/wohnen
Please note that the International Office is not in charge of providing accommodation. Since
the number of rooms in the student dormitories is limited, you should apply as soon as
possible. RWTH Aachen University cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive a
room offer. We recommend that you keep an eye out for private accommodation in case
you cannot get a room in one of the student dorms.
Advice and assistance: wohn@zhv.rwth-aachen.de
Visa
Students from non-EU or third party countries need to check about current visa regulations
with the German Embassy or Consulate in their home country. After arrival it is necessary in
most cases to apply for a residence permit.
Academic help and advice www.rwth-aachen.de/departmental-coordinators
Exchange students may contact the departmental, or international, coordinator of the
corresponding faculty at RWTH Aachen University for information about all academic
issues, such as course choice and registration, exams, and transcripts of records.
1
Essentials for
Incoming Exchange Students
Learning Agreement
Note that the Learning Agreement you have set up prior to your application only functions
as a proposal of a study program which may have to be changed after arrival. If necessary,
the departmental coordinators will do their best to suggest equivalent courses or projects. It
is not possible to select language courses apart from the German language course for the
Learning Agreement. The German language courses prior to the semester and during the
semester are offered for a fee (see information below).
Language Courses www.sz.rwth-aachen.de; www.sz.rwth-aachen.de/deutsch-als-fremdsprache.html
Before the start of each winter semester the Language Center of RWTH Aachen University
offers an Intensive German Language Course to incoming exchange students. If you have
not registered yet, you can do so online between 15.06. and 15.08. The link can be found in
the attached “Info Language Course”.
RWTH Aachen University provides additional German language courses for all interested
incoming exchange students in the winter and summer semester. Those semester courses
are not free of charge. A placement test before the online registration for courses is
obligatory for students with any prior knowledge of the German language.
Welcome and Orientation Day(s) www.rwth-aachen.de/orientierungstage
At the beginning of each semester the International Office organizes Orientation Days for all
new incoming students. The dates and venue will be sent to you separately before the
beginning of the semester. Meet the International Office, Faculty advisors, Immigration
Office, IT Center, and student clubs. Also, you will get lots of information about the
University Library, University Sports Center and the Language Center. Do not miss out on
this perfect opportunity to have all information in one place!
Information and Service Center (ISC) www.rwth-aachen.de/isc
The ISC of the International Office offers a wide range of information about social issues,
the organization of your studies, and leisure time activities on their web pages. If you prefer
personal information feel free to visit the ISC in SuperC building, 3rd floor, room 3.29.
Student Tutor Program www.aegee-aachen.org
The student organization AEGEE (Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de
l’Europe) takes care of you when it comes to excursions and social events during the
semester. With a welcome program, tutor program and weekly meetings during the
semester they will help you to settle in quickly and socialize with other international and
RWTH students. Meet them on the Orientation Day!
Register online: https://www.aegee-aachen.org/tutoren-programm
Student Organizations and Clubs www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/ejt
2
Essentials for
Incoming Exchange Students
Buddy Program www.rwth-aachen.de/bebuddy
"BeBuddy" is an informal mentoring program initiated by the International Office of RWTH
Aachen University which aims to help newly enrolled international students to adjust to
university life and living in a new city, and to meet, mix with, and learn from other RWTH
students. Thus, the International Office intents to match up international students with
experienced RWTH students– if possible from the same faculty – who are helpful in
providing support and general information.
When to arrive www.rwth-aachen.de/semestertermine
Please make sure to arrive before the start of the lecture period and be on time for your
enrollment appointment.
If you cannot make it to the appointment assigned for you, please let us know well in
advance. This way we can provide you with an alternative appointment.
Students pursuing project/thesis work are not bound to the semester dates and can arrive
after the beginning of the semester. The start of the project/thesis working phase must be
discussed individually with the supervisor.
3