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FAQs for exchange students and Freemover

Contact person for your program

1. Accommodation

  • 1.1 I require a specific kind of accommodation because of a medical condition (personal fridge for the storage of medication, barrier-free etc.)

    If this is your case, the International Office and the Department of Student Housing (Studentenwerk) can analyze different options for you. Indicate this in the online application under “Special needs.” However, please also get in touch with the contact person of your exchange program (see first question) in advance, so that this process might start as soon as possible.

    The Studentenwerk also has a barrier-free dormitory. This student residence hall provides a mixed-living environment for both people with and without a physical disability.

  • 1.2 What should I fill in under “preferred dormitory”? (Mobility-Online)

    If you have a medical condition, see 1.1.

    The Studentenwerk offers rooms for exchange students in the following dormitories: Dr. Carl Duisberg-Haus, Forsthof, Bettina Haus, Studentendorf, Karl-Egermann-Häuser, Wohnheim Wehrda, Christian-Wolff-Häuser. If you would like, you can read about the different dormitories on the website of the Studentenwerk and indicate your preference on the application form. However, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will receive a room in the dormitory of your preference. The Studentenwerk tries to consider all wishes, but can only do so within the scope of its possibilities, such as room capacity.

    Please note that the Studentenwerk does not offer rooms for exchange students in Gutenbergstraße, Ritterstraße and Hasenherne. Due to the granting of state subsidies within the framework of social housing, the Studentenwerk rents these rooms exclusively to students with a certificate of eligibility for housing (“Wohnberechtigungsschein”). A permanent residence permit is needed to apply for this certificate. Therefore, this is not possible for exchange students.

    The dormitory Konrad-Biesalski-Haus is reserved for students with special needs. The dormitory Atlas-Haus has a long waiting list and long-term tenants are preferred.

    If you would like to live with a specific person, see 1.4.

  • 1.3 Are there women only dormitories?

    No, the dormitory rooms and shared flats are not divided by gender. Be prepared to share the kitchen and bathroom with male and female students. Please indicate under “preferred dormitory” that you would like to live together with other women. It is not guaranteed that this preference can be fulfilled, but the Studentenwerk will consider it within the scope of its possibilities.

  • 1.4 I want to live in the same building as my friend, is this possible?

    You can mark this preference under “preferred dormitory” (both of you). However, there is absolutely no guarantee that you will receive a room in the dormitory of your choice. The Studentenwerk tries to consider all wishes, but can only do so within the scope of its possibilities, such as the room capacity.

  • 1.5 Can I move into the dormitory earlier?

    (See 1.9. or section 4)

  • 1.6 My program (Freemover, etc.) does not offer a room in the dormitory, what can I do?

    Please begin looking for a room in Marburg as soon as possible. Please do not underestimate the difficulty of finding a room in Marburg. A good start is to have a look at our website and the information brochure on Housing in Marburg where you can find further tips and links.

    If you are in need of tips or help about the possibilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via wohnen-international@uni-marburg.de.

    A few options include the following:

    1.) You can try to book a room in one of the university dormitories, but the waiting list is roughly 10 months.

    2.) There might be the possibility to stay in an emergency accommodation. However, this is a room shared with several other people and you can only stay there for a maximum of one month. Please ask wohnen@studentenwerk-marburg.de if this option is offered. This only applies if you applied for a regular room.

    3.) Another possibility is to book a so-called “Servicepaket” which guarantees you a living place for 6 months. This is a limited offer of 6 months which is booked out early. We highly recommend this option for Freemover students.

    4.) And of course you can look for a room on the private market. For tips, see the link in the first paragraph. However, please be aware that the private housing market in Marburg is highly competitive and finding a place can be very hard.

  • 1.7 Are the rooms of the Studentenwerk furnished / Are there cooking utensils in the kitchen / which facilities are available?

    The rooms rented out by the Studentenwerk are furnished (bed, table, cabinet, chair) and there is also bed linen (can be changed regularly). You just need to bring / provide your own towels.

    Concerning the kitchen, it depends on where exactly you live. It is possible that your (former) roommates have bought pans, cutlery, and other utensils, which they are willing to share. However, this is not always the case. You may have to buy what you need when you arrive in Marburg. (HINT: Marburg has a great culture of giving away things that students no longer need. Before buying new utensils check online (Facebook marketplace, Telegram groups) if someone is giving away their things for free).

    For further information please also check the “Infopaket” that you will receive via mail together with the confirmation about your booked room.

  • 1.8 Is there internet in the dormitories?

    Unfortunately, not all dormitories include internet access. Some have Wi-Fi, some only LAN and others do not have internet access.

    The following dormitories do have Wifi: Hasenherne, Gutenbergstraße 31, Karl-Egermann-Häuser, Wohnanlage Wehrda, Ritterstraße 13, Konrad-Biesalski-Haus, Studentendorf.

    For all the others you need to buy / bring a LAN cable if your Laptop has a slot for this or buy / bring an adapter.

    The following dormitories do NOT have internet access: Carl-Ludwig-Haus, Forsthof, Christian-Wolff-Häuser (Friedrich-Ebert-Straße). Unfortunately, you need to organize access yourself. You have 3 options:

    1)     Either you can ask one of your roommates if they want to share their internet connection for a small fee (5-10€);

    2)     You can register for an internet connection (which might be difficult if you stay for only one semester or for a year); or

    3)     You can get mobile internet access by purchasing a UMTS stick.

    In any case, please get in touch with the internet tutor of your dormitory.

  • 1.9 From what date on and until when will my room be booked?

    Beginning: For students (ERASMUS and Overseas) who have booked a room through their Mobility Online application we book the rooms as following:

    If you take part in the intensive language course: from March 1st (summer semester) / September 1st (winter semester).

    Otherwise, if you do not participate: from April 1st (summer semester) / October 1st (winter semester).

    You can move into your dormitory room at the earliest on the first day of the orientation program you registered for. If you did not register for the orientation program, we will automatically book a room for you with the rental period starting from October (winter semester) or April (summer semester). You will be able to move in on the first weekday of that month.

    It is unfortunately not possible to move into your dormitory earlier. This is because the dormitories will still be occupied until the end of the month by residents of the previous semester and the rooms also have to be cleaned; also, the Studentenwerk (Student Housing Department) is not open during the weekends or public holidays (e.g. October 3rd). Therefore, please check beforehand that your day of arrival is not a weekend or national holiday as you won’t be able to pick up the keys for your dorm room.

    Ending: The room is booked up to and including the month in which the last of your courses take place (i.e. July 31 in a summer semester; February 28/29 in a winter semester), for one or two semesters, depending on how long you will be staying.

    Caution: If you would like to change anything (e.g. want to arrive in April instead of in March and not take part in the language class), please contact the ERASMUS-Office, Constanze Lipinski (Overseas) or Ms. Anna Dinges (Freemover worldwide). This is important since we will have to adapt your room reservation.

  • 1.10 I want to leave my room earlier/ I want to stay longer in my room. What can I do?

    As the contract for the dormitory rooms is made between yourself and the Studentenwerk the International Office cannot decide whether this is possible. It depends on what you agreed on in the contract. Please read your contract for notice periods and the “Infopaket” that you will be getting via mail.

    Nevertheless, please notify the international officer of your program about any changes in the duration of your stay. For changes in your contract, please also write to the Studentenwerk ()

2. Health and Insurance

  • 2.1  Will my health insurance be recognized in Germany? Do I need a German health insurance?

    In Germany every student has to have adequate health insurance to attend university. For international students, the procedure varies depending on age and citizenship. Please check your own situation and necessary requirement on the following information:

     

    1)     If you are a European or EEA resident or from a state with a bilateral social security agreement with the EU you are exempt from the German compulsory insurance which means you don’t need to take out a German health insurance. HOWEVER: You are responsible to get in touch with one of the German statutory health insurances to ask them for proof of your exemption. The German health insurance will digitally notify the University about your status (this service is free of charge). Before the exemption has been registered at the Philipps-Universität Marburg you can’t be properly enrolled.

    2)     If you cannot receive an exemption from the compulsory insurance you have to take out a German health insurance, e.g. if you are from another country than those listed above. 

    a.      Are you younger than 30 years old?

    We strongly recommend taking out a German statutory health insurance for students at one of the four statutory health insurance companies in Marburg. You might need to apply for a residence permit at Marburg Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde). They will only accept German statutory health insurances if you are under 30. Monthly costs are expected to be between 100 and 120 €.


    b.      Are you older than 30 years old?

    We strongly recommend taking out a high-performance private health insurance. Please avoid taking out a travel insurance and keep in mind that the insurance cover must be fulfilled sufficiently. In general, the health insurance cover is considered as adequate if the cover is unlimited for inpatient and outpatient medical treatments. Please be aware that without insurance problems with the Immigration Office or during sickness will arise.

  • 2.2 What kind of document of my health insurance do I need for the enrolment at Philipps-Universität Marburg?

    Please be aware that an enrolment at Philipps-Universität Marburg is not possible without the payment of the semester contribution as well as an adequate insurance cover!

    The German statutory health insurance company that you are insured with or that you contacted for the exemption has to send a digital confirmation about your insurance status directly to the University of Marburg. Please always report the sender’s number H0001127. Even if you do not need to take out a German health insurance, you still need to contact a German statutory health insurance for them to issue and transmit the exemption to the university.

    You will receive an e-mail with further information concerning the health insurance and the process of applying to exemption after your application.

  • 2.3 My medical condition requires me to have a specific care regularly (disability, psychological treatment). What are the possibilities at the Philipps-Universität Marburg?

    As this varies case by case, please get in touch with the international officer as soon as possible before your departure.

  • 2.4 I have to take a specific medication regularly. Will it be available in Germany?

    You can get most medication in the various pharmacies located in Marburg, sometimes you might need a doctor’s note to access it. However, it is possible that the identical medication is not available and that it has to be prepared especially for you. It is also possible that the medication is subjected to specific regulations and therefore not available in Germany.

    You can also decide to take the medication with you for the duration of your stay (if possible). For large amounts of medication, there are specific customs regulations, so please inform yourself before starting your travels.

    If you are uncertain about this and as this varies case by case, please get in touch with us as soon as possible before your departure.

  • 2.5 I am sick – what do I do?

    More information on this will follow shortly

  • 2.6 I am struggling with anxiety, loneliness or am overworked – who can help?

    Please do not hesitate to contact any of the listed consultants, they are there to help you with your problem or can forward you to the right contact person.

    The university has a psychological counselling center with experienced staff from our department of psychotherapy. For all personal conflicts, e.g. study problems, learning and work difficulties, examination problems, contact difficulties, family or partner conflicts, you can seek advice at the Psychotherapeutic Counselling Centre for Students (PBS). If you take advantage of counselling at an early stage and even on minor occasions, you can usually avoid greater stress and more costly treatment. More information can be found here. Their mail address is: psychotherapeut.beratung@uni-marburg.de  

    Additionally, there is a counselling from students for students called “StuBe” that was founded during the Covid-19 pandemic: https://www.stube-marburg.de/de/. Young psychology students will chat with you, support you and give you further information. The website is in German, but they are offering chats in English, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish.

3. Documents

  • 3.1 Letter of Acceptance

    Document of confirmation that you have been accepted as an exchange student. If you need a visa, the embassy might require this document for the visa process. This document will be sent via Mobility Online after the application period has been finished and after your complete application has been checked. The Letter of Acceptance will additionally be sent once more as an original copy per post for the visa process, if necessary. This might take a while. If you need this document at an earlier time because of the visa process, please contact your international officer and ask for an official document you can sent the embassy instead.

  • 3.2 Letter of Admission

    Document of confirmation that you have been registered as a student at the Philipps-Universität Marburg. It contains your Matrikelnummer (student number), your field of study, the amount of the semester contribution fee and where you need to transfer it to, as well as the beginning and end dates of your lecture times. This, too, will be sent via Mobility Online once your Matrikelnummer has been generated.

    If you have asked to be enrolled in a different field of study than that of your home university, the Letter of Admission will contain the ‘incorrect’ field of study. This does not have any consequences for your stay in Marburg and studies.

  • 3.3 ERASMUS students: Letter of Arrival

    For ERASMUS students. You will receive this document from your home university. It will confirm the start of your study period and might be necessary for you to receive your ERASMUS scholarship. Please send us this document before you arrive for the orientation program so we can fill it out and sign it and give it back to you during your first day at orientation. Your university might have a different name for this document (e.g. confirmation of arrival, confirmation of study period, etc.)

  • 3.4 ERASMUS students: Learning Agreement

    For ERASMUS students. This document contains the courses of your choice and which course from your home university they are equal to. It will be given to you by your home university. You need to get this document signed by your home university and departmental coordinator at the Philipps-Universität Marburg before the beginning of your stay. 

    Note: the course catalogues for the semester of your exchange might not be uploaded by the time you fill out your Learning Agreement. If this is the case, please refer to the course catalogues of the previous semesters. Oftentimes certain courses are offered every year. Once the new course catalogue has been updated, you can change your course choice via the “During the Mobility” part of the Learning Agreement.

  • 3.5 Departure checklist

    A month before your departure students receive a checklist to keep track of all the necessary steps that should be taken before departure. It includes needing to de-register from the university and city, which documents you will need to get filled out, what to do about your dorm room, etc. 

  • 3.6 Certificate of stay / Letter of Departure

    For ERASMUS students. This is the equivalent to the Letter of Arrival. You will also receive this document from your home university to be stamped and signed by the international office. Please be aware that the document can only be signed at the earliest 3 days before your departure. If you need this document in the original version, please send us copy via e-mail together with the address of your home university’s ERASMUS office, we will fill it out and send it to your home university by post.

  • 3.7 Transcript of Records

    For more information see also 5.13. After you have submitted your Belegliste and all the grade for your courses have been entered into Mobility Online by your departmental coordinator your Transcript of Records will be created. Your home university will require this document to process the transferring of credits.

  • 3.8 Extension

    The process of extending is dependent of your exchange program. In any case, please inform your exchange program coordinator as early as possible to discuss your options and the process in advance. Please note that two consecutive semesters is the maximum period for exchange enrolment at our university (including exchange and freemover stays).

    ERASMUS: An extension of your stay is only possible from the winter term into the summer term. If you wish to extend your stay during the summer term you need to be re-nominated by your home university and apply a second time, as the next winter term is part of the next academic year. For ERASMUS students, the home university and departmental coordination need to sign a document together with the students. This document will be given to you by the International office.

    Overseas and Freemover: Please write an e-mail informing your exchange program coordinator about your wish to extend your stay. You will be informed about further steps.

4. Orientation program

  • 4.1 When does the Orientation program start?

    It usually starts on the first weekday in October for winter term or first weekday of April for summer term. If you are participating in the pre-session intensive language course, we are organizing an earlier orientation program (OP1) for you starting normally on the first weekday of September/ March. We highly recommend you to choose the earlier orientation program, since the dates of the language course and the second international student orientation (OP2) collide. Please indicate in Mobility Online which orientation program you want to take part of. The first day of the program is also moving-in day for the ones who booked a room in the dormitory.

  • 4.2 Can I move into the dormitory earlier?

    If you made a room reservation through mobility online, you can move into your dormitory room at the earliest on the first day of the orientation program you registered for (September / October or March / April). If you did not register for the orientation program, we will automatically book a room for you with the rental period starting from October (in a winter semester) or April (in a summer semester). You will be able to move in on the first weekday of that month.

    It is unfortunately not possible to move into your dormitory earlier. This is because the dormitories will still be occupied until the end of the month by former residents and the rooms also have to be cleaned; also, the Studentenwerk (Student Housing department) is not open during the weekends or public holidays (e.g. October 3rd).

    Our advice is that you book a room for the night(s) before the orientation program. Our local youth hostel (Jugendherberge) is probably one of the cheapest options, but unfortunately under renovation until 2025. Another possibility is the Hostel Marburg One which is directly in the train station and also one of the cheapest options. If you decide to do so, it would be a good idea to book in advance since a lot of our exchange students will be staying there as well before the orientation week. Please mind the reception hours of the places you book.

    But of course, there are many others options available. Have a look at our brochure about housing that you can find in the first paragraph here.

  • 4.3 What are the arrival times for the program?

    Please arrive on the first day of orientation until 1pm. It is better to be there earlier than later as you need to get your room keys and sign the contract with the Studentenwerk. After their office hours are over it is not possible to get your keys. If the first day is a Friday and you arrive late you can only move in the upcoming Monday as they don’t operate on weekends. Also keep in mind that October 3rd is a holiday in Germany.

    Also plan with up to two hours to get from Frankfurt (Airport) to Marburg.

    If you have a long journey, we are recommending to you to arrive in Marburg the day before and book a hostel for one night. See question “Can I move into the dormitory earlier?” Please inform us if you are going to be late via mail or by calling the emergency phone number: +49 (0) 176 75430606 (This service is only available during the orientation week!)

  • 4.4 How can I get to Marburg? (Train  /Bus)

    The closest airport to Marburg is in Frankfurt am Main. From here you first need to take a train to Frankfurt am Main (“Hauptbahnhof” /Central Station) and from there a train to Marburg (Lahn) – this is the central station, “Hauptbahnhof”. Please note: Marburg has two train stations, the second one is called “Südbahnhof”. This may take up to two hours. Keep this in mind when planning your arrival

    We advise downloading the Deutsche Bahn App or the RMV App (Train Service for the region around Frankfurt) before your arrival to check timetables, routes and prices for trains. In those apps you can also look up the local buses in Marburg. The website of Deutsche Bahn is also an option. Please pay attention while looking for trains: there is a difference between (1) the ICE; (2) the “Fernverkehr” (IC/EC -trains) and (3) the “Nahverkehr” (RE, S, HLB etc.) trains.

    They have different prices and tickets (ICE is the most expensive, "Nahverkehr" is the cheapest). Therefore, you cannot travel on an IC with a “Nahverkehr”-ticket. If you do, you will receive a fine of 60 Euros.

    The prices for the “Nahverkehr”-trains, if not available on bahn.de, can be found here.

    If you land in Frankfurt Hahn, keep in mind that you will still be 2 hours away from Frankfurt. There are no trains from/to Frankfurt Hahn, so you will have to take the bus (14€/person).

    Marburg can also be reached by long-distance-busses.

  • 4.5 Where will the orientation program take place? How can I get there?

    The location of the international student orientation might vary. We will send out relevant information via e-mail. Usually, the orientation program takes place in the “Milchbar”, next to the Mensa, in the building of the Studentenwerk. The address is Erlenring 5 (https://goo.gl/maps/KtHYNZFMRp82).

    You can get there:

    • On foot, as it is located right in the city center (you walk approximately 15 Minutes from the Hauptbahnhof).

    • By bus: the bus station is right in front of the train station. Get off at the stop “Rudolphsplatz” and then walk over the bridge; or get off at “Erlenring”. City buses operate regularly on the working days and cover various areas of Marburg. More information and a map (“Liniennetzplan”) can be found here. Timetables can be looked up either in DB or RMV App.
    • By taxi (there will be some in front of the Hauptbahnhof). This option is the most expensive one.

    Also watch out for further information that you will get via mail.

  • 4.6 I will arrive late on the first day or I will arrive on another day.

    Please inform your international officer as they are organizing the move-in in advance if you know you will be delayed. We will inform the Student Housing Department (Studentenwerk) so that they keep your room reservation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to get the keys to your dormitory room after the office hours, on weekends or holidays. Therefore, plan your arrival well and if you have a long travel time think about arriving a day earlier. You might need to book a hotel or hostel room for the nights in between.

    An e-mail before your arrival will inform you about until when you can get the room keys and sign your contract. If you are arriving late on the first day, please call the emergency phone number: +49 (0) 176 75430606. We will try to help you and support you in finding something for the first night.

    This service (emergency number) is only available during the orientation week!

    If you arrive some days after the orientation program, please check that the day of your arrival is not a national holiday (e.g. Easter). The Studentenwerk will be closed on those days and you will not be able to receive your keys.

  • 4.7 I changed my mind and want to come in April instead of March / in October instead of September (or the other way round).

    A change is possible if this is communicated early enough in advance, due to the organization of your dorm room. Please contact the coordinator of your program (see here) and inform them, so that they can cancel / book the language course and keep or otherwise adapt your room reservation.

  • 4.8 How much does the orientation program cost?

    The orientation program is free of charge.

  • 4.9 What is the pre-sessional intensive courses for international students and how much does it cost?

    It is a four-week intensive German class that prepares you for your studies here in Marburg. All information can be found here.

    The total fee for tuition, class materials, and excursion amounts to 300€. Erasmus exchange students pay a contribution of 150 € for the course fee. The remaining fee will be covered by the Erasmus fund.

    Students coming to Marburg through bilateral university partnerships or as so-called Freemovers will pay the entire course fee (300€).

    The course fee is to be paid by bank transfer by the beginning of the course. Further information will be given together with the results of the placement test.

  • 4.10 Can I arrive later for the pre-sessional intensive courses for international students?

    This is definitely not recommended for three reasons:

    1)     You will not arrive at the same time as the other students, who will already know each other and have started classes.

    2)     If you want to obtain a grade / credits for your participation in the language class, you may only miss class three times. For example, if you arrive on day 4, you will not be able to miss any more classes after that.

    3)     You will miss the orientation program from the International Office that takes place a week before the language course. You will have to do all the administrative tasks (like activating your students account) by yourself

    … but it is possible. However always get in touch with the coordinator of your program if there are any changes in your plans or you are arriving late.

  • 4.11 Does the orientation program also offer any special insight for my department?

    The international office invites all international students to a general orientation program approximately two weeks before the start of the semester. Here students from all departments participate. In one session, you will get to know your departmental coordinator and get further information from your department. This session is only organized once per semester. So, if you participated in the pre-sessional intensive and therefore already arrived in March/ in September please join again in the orientation program of April/October for this session.

    We highly recommend all international students to also participate in the orientation program organized by your departments and institutes supported by student councils (“Fachschaften”). The information about those programs is mainly in German as it is aims towards the regular students, but you are welcome to join, too. It always takes place the week before the start of lectures and is a mixture of information and social events. Please find information on what events there are for your degree program here.

5. Classes/courses

  • 5.1 Where can I find the classes for the semester that I will be in Germany?

    The course catalogue is published in the University’s Online Portal “Marvin”.  

    At the top of the catalogue you can change the semester and – in the bottom right corner – also switch between English and German. You can then find classes via clicking on the different departments and degree programs.

    The courses are listed under the respective department. Additionally, you can also look for other categories in the course catalogue. All courses listed under "MIX: Marburg International Exchange Humanities & Social Sciences" are open to all exchange students, regardless of your own department.

  • 5.2 When are the courses for the upcoming semester published?

    Not all courses might be uploaded by the time you fill in your Learning Agreement. Courses for the summer term are published on the 1st of March, courses for the winter term are published on the 1st of September. For creating your Learning Agreement please refer to courses of the current or the last semester and adapt it via Changes to Learning Agreement once the course catalogue is published. It is recommended to refer to the previous summer semester when creating a Learning Agreement for the summer term, and the previous winter semester when creating one for a winter term.  

  • 5.3 Do I have to register for classes?

    Please note that registering for courses and creating a Learning Agreement are not the same – therefore, yes, you need to register for courses. However, you normally still have time to do so after arriving in Germany. Please check if your department has a designated website for incoming exchange students. They often provide helpful material specific to their department. Check the deadlines for course registration there or on the website of the examination office (“Prüfungsbüro”) of your department.

    As the procedure of registering for courses is different for every department, please check your department’s website for international students and get in touch with your departmental coordinator. In general, degree seekings students register for courses via Marvin and some exchange students can also register here.

    Please note that you can only register for a course after receiving your Matrikelnummer (student number) from the International Office and in the given registration period. Further explanation on how to use Marvin will be given in the Orientation Program or can be found in our webinars on our YouTube channel.

  • 5.4 I have a specific question regarding a class (Lecturer/ECTS/Test, etc.)

    Since there are many different classes and departments, please ask your departmental coordinator or contact the instructor of the course.

  • 5.5 Are there any classes taught in English?

    Yes. Just head over to “Marvin” and check the course offer of the departments. In the course catalogue many departments have an own section for exchange students. You can also ask your departmental coordinator about offered courses in English for the upcoming semester.

  • 5.6 Am I allowed to take classes from other departments / fields of study? 

    Please try to choose the majority of courses in your own department. If you would also like to take courses in other departments, please contact both the coordinator of your own department and the coordinator of the department in which you would like to take the course. In addition, you can choose the courses listed under the "MIX: Marburg International Exchange Humanities & Social Sciences" programme independently of your own department.

    If you have any questions about a specific class from another departmentfaculty, please contact the corresponding departmental coordinator.

  • 5.7 Where can I sign up for German classes?

    Next to the pre-sessional intensive courses the “Sprachenzentrum”, the language center of the University, also offers courses during the semester and is your first point of contact regarding learning German or other languages. The department of German studies and arts offers academic courses in German linguistics (e.g. “Aussprache”). Depending on the capacity students from other departments can join, too.

    If you can’t find something suitable there you can also check the courses of Volkshochschule, Studienkolleg or private language schools such as Speak+Write.

  • 5.8 What is a Vorlesung / Übung / Seminar?

    Vorlesung means lecture in English. During a lecture, a professor presents the subject matter and students listen and take notes. The test (“Klausur”) will cover the subject matter presented.

    An Übung is a class, where you learn things by doing different exercises. An Übung could also be a course that accompanies / complements a Vorlesung / Seminar. The test form may vary.

    A Seminar is a class, generally with a small group of students, who discuss different subjects with each other and the lecturer. You will generally be required to hold a “Referat” (a brief oral presentation on a certain topic) and to write a Hausarbeit (A paper generally about 15-20 pages long).

  • 5.9 What is an LP? What are ECTS? How does the grading work in Germany?

    One LP is one credit point; it refers to the credit system and is just the short form of the German name “Leistungspunkte”. It is equivalent to the term “Credit Points”.

    The ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) is a European system for credit transfer. The individual courses (e.g. tutorials, seminars and lectures) are assigned credits. The number of assigned CP is determined according to the workload for the students. 1 CP equals approx. 30 hours of workload. While planning your semester you should therefore expect to take no more than 30 CP and should make a realistic estimation of how many Credit Points you can achieve in one semester. Also be aware that the amount of Credits is analogous to the weight the gained mark will have in your overall grade.

    Concerning the grades, the University of Marburg uses a system with grades from 1 (lowest) to 15 (highest). You passed a course when getting 5 points.

  • 5.10 Where do I find information about the examinations?

    What type of examination will be required is often indicated in the course description in Marvin and discussed in the first session of a course. The instructor will also give or discuss the date of the examination with you. Registration for examinations start in the middle of the semester. Please check the website of the examination office (‘Prüfungsbüro’) of your department for the registration deadlines.

  • 5.11 Can I obtain a summary of the courses I attend and the grades I got? / Can I get a Transcript of Records? / What is a Belegliste? (Mobility Online)

    Yes. To do so, you will have to complete the Belegliste in Mobility Online. You will receive more information about the Belegliste during the orientation program. You do not have to fill it out beforehand. Please be aware that once you hand in your Belegliste, your choice of courses is final and can’t be edited. Only for ERASMUS students: please do not forget to hand in your Learning Agreement before your arrival here.

  • 5.12 Where can I get a Transcript of Records?

    Please ask the instructor of the course to notify the departmental coordinator about your participation and grade. After the instructor notified the departmental coordinator, they will directly enter the grade into Mobility Online. Up to 5 weeks after the end of the semester the International Office will review the entered data and create the Transcript of Records. The transcript will be sent to your home university in digital format. You will also receive a soft copy by e-mail. More information and the contact for further questions can be found here.

  • 5.13 Until when do I have to stay in Germany to be able to attend all classes and take all tests?

    You can find the beginning ("Vorlesungsbeginn") and ending ("Vorlesungsende") of classes here.

    The date of exams is normally announced in the first session of a course. We usually recommend, if possible, to stay 1-2 week(s) after the end of classes, so that, in case you have to take an exam after the end of classes, you will be able to do so. If it should happen that you have to take an exam after your departure (this is however seldom) please talk to the lecturer at the beginning of classes to see if they would be willing to let you take the test at an earlier date.

    For Erasmus Students: Should the date of your exam be after the agreed upon time of your stay (e.g. 28.02 for the winter term), please contact the international office for an extension of your stay. An official proof of your exam time is needed (e.g. an e-mail from your professor stating the date). Then your stay can be extended (e.g. to the 08.03.) on all official documents. For overseas students: please contact your international officer to inform them of extending your stay.

    For students with a room reservation: we have booked your room until the end of the month in which the classes end (i.e. July 31 in a summer semester; February 28/29 in a winter semester), so you should also take this into account for you departure date. Should your stay be extended due to the exam date, please don’t forget to extend your contract with the Studentenwerk regarding your dorm room on your own.

6. Costs + Information on the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag)

  • 6.1 What costs can I expect in Marburg?

    You will find more information about costs you can expect during your stay in Marburg here.

    Please be aware that this list also includes costs that do not reoccur on a monthly basis, e.g. the deposit for your accommodation (has to be paid once and will be reimbursed when you move out) and the semester fee (has to be paid once every semester).

    If you take part in the pre-sessional intensive courses from the Sprachenzentrum, please keep in mind that you will have to pay the participation fee.

     Please also keep in mind that, as a non-EU member, you might have to open up a so-called "blocked account" (Sperrkonto) to apply for your visa / residence permit. This will also involve some costs. To make sure what kind of proof of financial resources you need in order to apply for your visa / residence permit, please get in touch with the German embassy of your country. The “Sperrkonto” will only be handed back to you after the appointment with the city office and immigration office. Another reason to make an appointment as early as possible.

  • 6.2 Do I have to open a bank account?

    It depends on what service fees your bank has for withdrawing money in Germany or for international transfers. We normally recommend all Non-EU students to open an account.

    A passport and an address in Germany is required in order to open an account. You can verify your status as a student by presenting your Letter of Acceptance or your enrolment certificate. You can either make an appointment in one of the service centers of a bank of your choice here in Marburg or open the account online – this can only be done after registering within the city of Marburg though.

    Additionally, it might possible to get a group appointment through the International office.

    Please also keep in mind that, as a non-EU member, you might have to open up a so-called "blocked account" (Sperrkonto) to apply for your visa / residence permit. This will also involve some costs. To make sure what kind of proof of financial resources you need in order to apply for your visa / residence permit, please get in touch with the German embassy of your country. The “Sperrkonto” will only be handed back to you after the appointment with the city office and immigration office. Another reason to make an appointment as early as possible.

  • 6.3 How much money do I need in the first week?

    Please keep in mind that many costs that you only have to pay once have to be paid in the first weeks, such as the rent plus the deposit or the semester fee.

    Please check with your bank at home if it is possible to withdraw money in Germany and if there are costs for that. You don’t necessarily need cash as most shops now accept payment by card – but it can differ what kind of cards are accepted.

    Either exchange currencies in your home country to Euros and bring the money with your, or change money at Frankfurt airport. Please be aware that in Marburg there is no service for changing money.

    We recommend opening a German bank account to avoid high service fees. Since this and the transaction from money from you home bank may take a couple of days, we advise that you take enough money with you (or withdraw it in Germany) to cover expenses for the first couple of days (e.g. for buying food etc.).

    Have enough savings for other unexpected costs. Also keep in mind that scholarship money might arrive later than you need it.

  • 6.4 Do I have to pay for the semester fee and rent before my arrival in Marburg?

    The Studentenwerk kindly asks to please pay the deposit for your room as well as the rent for the first month of your stay prior to your arrival in Marburg. The latest date for payment of rent is the 10th day of the month. For further information please contact: wohnen@studentenwerk-marburg.de.

    All students who want to get enrolled at our university have to pay the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) in advance before the beginning of their studies. It is not comparable to a tuition fee. Tuition is free of charge in Germany. The semester contribution includes the semester ticket which allows you to travel in a wide area with different kind of trains and public transport for 6 months. Normally a ticket like this costs way more. The fee also includes contributions to social services and administration.

    If possible, we recommend you to pay the semester contribution before your arrival in Marburg. An information mail send by the International Office will give you the necessary details. The amount of the fee changes every semester, you can check the sum and the bank account you need to transfer the money to here. International exchange students pay 50 Euro less than regular students.

    If you can’t pay the semester contribution before your arrival, please do so within the first days here in Marburg. We recommend opening a bank account to all Non-EU students. Further information will be given in the orientation program.

    You can only receive important semester documents (matriculation certificate, semester ticket for public transportation, student ID) once the enrolment is complete. Therefore, please pay the semester contribution as soon as possible. If you won't have paid your semester contribution before the beginning of the semester, you will not be eligible to be enrolled!

    Not advised: Checks are rarely used as a payment method in Germany. Our current experience is that students who try to pay for the semester contribution with checks have to wait several weeks for the payment to be effective. Therefore, we do not advise payments by check.

  • 6.5 I am an ERASMUS student / an exchange student / a scholarship student / a Hessen-Wisconsin student / etc., do I have to pay the semester contribution?

    Yes. All students enrolled at the Philipps-Universität Marburg have to pay the semester contribution.

    However, exchange students (i.e. all students not studying to get a degree from Marburg) have to pay 50€ (administrative costs) less than regular students at the university.

    The only exchange students who do not have to pay separately for the semester contribution are students who purchased a so-called Servicepaket (mostly Freemover students who do not have a room reservation) but only due to the semester fee being included in the costs of the Servicepaket.

  • 6.6 What is the semester ticket and what transportation can I use?

    The semester ticket is included in your semester contribution fee. Every student of the University of Marburg receives it together with an enrolment certificate that can be downloaded via Marvin. We will hand you the semester ticket during the orientation program after we received the proof of payment and proof of / exemption from health insurance. It also is your student ID and can help you to get discount in museums or other public institutions.

    On the back of the paper you will find an overview that shows you which kind of transport you can use and which areas you can travel. The semester ticket covers the public transport in Marburg itself, regional transport in the state of Hessen and also some express lines to cities such as Frankfurt or Heidelberg. All information can be found here . Please be very careful and check which trains you are allowed to use. If you are taking a train for which your semester ticket is not valid you might face fees of 60 Euro. If in doubt please ask the staff of Deutsche Bahn.

    Here a small explanation on the different types of trains:

    ICE: Intercity express, the fastest train connecting different bigger cities in Germany. You are only allowed to take the ICE connection between Kassel and Frankfurt via Marburg (see on the back of your student ID)

    IC: intercity, a train connecting different cities in Germany

    RE: Regionalexpress, a faster regional train

    RB: “Regionalbahn”, it has more stops in smaller cities

    City busses can be taken in all cities in the included area.

7. Visa and residence permit

  • 7.1 Do I need a Visa or Residence permit, etc.

    Students from the EU or EEA as well as some other countries do not need to apply for a visa. Nevertheless, they need to register with local authorities (see questions below).

    Students from other countries are asked to check what kind of visa they need – either a student visa or a national visa for study purpose. Further information can be found here. The responsibility for issuing visas lies with the embassies and consulates-general of the Federal Republic of Germany. Please get in touch with the authority in charge of your visa application at an early stage of your travel planning to learn more about the application procedures and the documents you will need to provide.

  • 7.2 How do I register my place of residence?

    You must register your place of residence within two weeks after arriving in Marburg. All students need to do so as it is a legal requirement. It is also a pre-requirement for further steps such as applying for a residence permit, usually for opening bank accounts, etc. Please make an appointment with the city office, the “Stadtbüro”. You will receive further information during the orientation program.

  • 7.3 How should I apply for a visa?

    Depending on your citizenship, you might be required to apply for a visa before being allowed to travel to Germany. Please make an appointment with the German embassy in your country as soon as possible as many embassies have long waiting times. Please also check beforehand what kind of factors you need to add to your application, e.g. proof of sufficient financial resources.

    Some embassies might require your Letter of Acceptance for your visa process. You will receive this document only after the application process is over (e.g. in July). If you need a document of proof at an earlier date for your visa process, please contact your international officer. The International Office can provide you with an official document of proof.

  • 7.4 Do I need a student residence permit? How do I apply?

    If you come from a country whose citizens are not required to apply for a visa to enter Germany and intend to stay here for longer than 3 months or if you have a visa but are intending to stay longer than the duration of this visa, you have to apply for a student residence permit. This is possible online on the website of the foreigner’s office. Please submit the request early as the process can take some time.

    You can find the online form for applying for a student residence permit here.

  • 7.5 When I leave Marburg, do I have to de-register my place of residence?

    When you are leaving Marburg to go back to your home country and are not moving to another city in Germany please de-register in the city office (Stadtbüro). Please make an appointment via their website.

8. Study infrastructure

  • 8.1 What is the student account, when does it become available?

    The IT Services Center (Hochschulrechenzentrum, abbrev. HRZ) of the University of Marburg provides every student with an account exempt from charges. The IT Service Center receives the necessary data from the registrar’s office and issues a username for your account that consists of your first name and family name. In the orientation program we will activate your account together, but you can already do so here. For this you need your “Matrikelnummer”, which you can find on your Letter of Admission and on your study confirmation.

    Please do not forget your username and password! The procedure to apply for a new one is complicated.

    Your account includes an email address (username@students.uni-marburg.de). As soon as you have activated your account you can log in here. We highly recommend you to regularly check the messages sent to this postbox since most instructors and administration staff will use this address to send you messages and important updates from the university. You can also activate a forwarding to your private mail address to not miss any information.

    The activation of the students account is also required to use the university’s internet (‘eduroam’) or to log in at computers in the libraries. Learn more about Wi-Fi access here.

    The functions of students accounts are described here.

  • 8.2 How can I log into the university’s internet?

    First you need to activate your student account (see above). Then you can log in with your account name and password. There are two types of networks at the university that require either the full mail-address as a user name or just the short form. Learn more about how to use the Wi-Fi and how to connect with different devices here.

    It is also helpful to use a VPN connection.

    Different explanatory videos (in German) can be found in this YouTube playlist.

  • 8.3 What is Marvin and how do I use it?

    “Marvin” is the campus management system. Here you can find the university’s course catalogue, register for courses and exams, change your address and download your certificate of enrolment. Our YouTube webinars explain the different tools (in German). There is also an English introduction video.

    For the log-in you need to activate your students account.

    We will introduce Marvin to you during the orientation program.

  • 8.4 What is BigBlueButton?

    BigBlueButton is a videoconference tool that the University of Marburg uses to host online sessions of courses. The link to the session will normally be send to you by the course instructor. You can join without signing into your student account by opening the link and entering your name. Then you need to allow the access to your microphone and your camera. You can learn more on how to use BBB in the orientation program. More information, tips and FAQs can be found here, too.

    You can also use BigBlueButton to host a video conference with your study group. First, you need to create a room. Please go to: https://webconf.hrz.uni-marburg.de/b/ldap_signin and sign in with your students account.

  • 8.5 What is Ilias?

    Ilias is the supporting online teaching platform for courses. Each course has a folder here, where you can find papers that you need to read and tasks for the sessions. There are different ways on how to get access to a specific folder for a course you are attending: either the instructor will add you to it, give you a password for entering or the folder is open for everyone. You can search in the magazine for the different courses or follow the given structure on the start page. Please sign in with your students account to use Ilias.

    You will learn more about how to use Ilias in the orientation program. More information, tips and FAQS can also be found on the website of the HRZ, the University Computer Center.

  • 8.6 Which libraries are available and where can I find them?

    The modern central library – called “UB” in short – is located between the St. Elizabeth Church and the old botanical garden. Here you can study, do research, use the media center or meet friends for a coffee. The Ucard is used to lend books. The central library also offers tours and trainings on certain aspects of library use. All information can be found here. And here is a good overview for new students on how to use the central library.

    Some departments have their own library close to the respective institutes. Here you can find specific books for your subject. The study spaces are generally open for every student. Here you can find a list with all the libraries.

    To use the library’s services (borrowing books, making copies) do not forget to activate your Ucard at the library information desk.

  • 8.7 Where can I find the cafeteria?

    The University of Marburg does not consist of a central campus, but its administrative buildings and faculty buildings are situated in different locations. For this reason, the Studentenwerk runs multiple canteens and cafeterias. Please check this site for more detailed information.

    There is one big canteen in the city center – here you normally start your orientation program – and another one on the Lahnberge Campus. Here you will get warm lunch and you can choose between different meal options. The cafeterias on the other hand offer baked goods, drinks and coffee. There are two cafeterias in the city center: in the Central Lecture Hall and in the Central Library.

    Don’t forget to put money on your Ucard to be able to pay in the cafeterias. See the question below for learning how to do so.

    You want to know what’s on the menu? Check the Instagram profile of the Studentenwerk, their website or find the offered menus in the entrance area of each Mensa.

  • 8.8 How can I pay at the cafeteria / canteen?

    For paying you need an Ucard. Normally, you will receive an Ucard during the orientation program. If you arrive after the orientation program you can pick your Ucard from the infopoint of the Studentenwerk or from the Central Library. Please be aware that all students must pay a deposit for the Ucard, but you will be reimbursed after you hand the card back in at the end of your stay.

    To put money on your Ucard you can bring cash with you and upload it at one of the Ucard uploaders (“Aufwerter”). One can be found in the entrance area of the central library and one in the entrance area of Mensa Erlenring. If you have a German bank account, you can also activate “Uload”: via bank transfer new money is automatically uploaded to your card.

    Find all information on the Ucard here.

    The Ucard also serves as a library card and as a copy card for copying machines at the university. For use as a library card, you must have your card activated at the University Library Infodesk.

    When you are leaving Marburg please hand in your Ucard. You will then receive the deposit of 5 Euros back.

  • 8.9 I have experienced discrimination, harassment or violence – who can help?

    The Antidiscrimination Office for Students (ADiS) is the central point of contact on the topic of discrimination and bias at the Philipps-Universität Marburg. They offer independent counselling for students. More information can be found here. The contact mail address is: adis@uni-marburg.de or call +49 6421 28 26446 .

    For support on the topics of sexism and sexualized violence find more information here (in German).

    They also have a flyer in English with advice on how to act and where you can get help.

    The Council of Confidence can be reached for inquiries and complaints at the e-mail address: vertrauensrat@uni-marburg.de.

    In case of acute threat on the premises of the university, you can call our security service: +496421 28-21250.

  • 8.10 Do I have to exmatriculate after completing my studies in Germany?

    As an exchange student you are only registered for a limited period. Nevertheless, it is important to fill out an exmatriculation form to de-register from German health insurance and to avoid problems in the future e.g., if you want to study again in Germany.

    Please fill out the exmatriculation form, that you can find in your Welcome-bag or that you can download here. You will receive a confirmation about your exmatriculation. Please keep this document and present it when needed to health insurances, funding offices or other universities.