Welcome to Furtwangen University!

The academic year at HFU consists of the winter semester and the summer semester.

Winter semester: Lectures start at the beginning of October and run until mid-January. The following examination period lasts until mid-February.

Summer semester: Lectures start in mid-March and run until the end of June. The subsequent examination period lasts until mid/end of July.

Lecture-free periods: Mid-February to mid-March and end of July to end of September.

For guest students, an orientation programme including an intensive German course begins two weeks before the start of lectures.

The cost of living in the Furtwangen and Schwenningen region is significantly lower than in large university cities, amounting to around €800 - €900 for accommodation, food, and health insurance. However, to obtain a visa, you must provide proof of a monthly income of €992.

The following examples give you an idea of the costs you should expect: a dorm room on our campuses costs between €280 and €470 per month; a single apartment around €350; lunch in the cafeteria €3.35; a litre of milk about €1.

Of course, you’ll need a place to stay at your new study location! That’s why we have some tips and information for you here:

Internal link opens in the same window:Here you’ll find useful information about accommodation
Download file:Furtwangen_Accommodation Information_HFU
Download file:Campus Schwenningen_Accommodation Information_HFU

 

Before entering Germany, you must apply for a student visa at the appropriate German consulate (this does not apply to citizens of EU and EEA countries). You will need a valid passport, admission from the German university, proof of sufficient financial means, and health insurance. A blocked account with a deposited security amount is required. You can set this up with the Deutsche Bank or through providers such as Expatrio or Fintiba. Please ensure that your visa is issued for the purpose of studying.

After your arrival, you must register at the local Residence Registration Office ("Einwohnermeldeamt" also known as "Bürgerbüro" or "Bürgeramt") in your place of residence. You should do this in your first week. You will need an ID card or passport (possibly with a visa), a landlord confirmation (known as "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung"), and a completed registration form. After registration, you will receive a certificate of residence, which you will need for example to open a bank account or apply for a residence permit. Whether you have a visa or not, you must register in Germany!

Krankenversicherung

For studying in Germany, you must have health insurance. This insurance obligation lasts until the end of the 14th semester or until the age of 30. Without valid health insurance, you cannot enroll. Students from EU countries can present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) upon enrollment. Students from non-EU countries must obtain health insurance from a German provider. Click here for information about the External link opens in a new window:statutory health insurance system in Germany. Usually, if you are under 30 and do not have an EHIC, you will choose statutory health insurance. Private health insurance from your home country must be recognised, and you will need a corresponding exemption certificate from a German health insurance company for enrollment. Contacts include Techniker Krankenkasse - TK (Mr. Tobias Hauser, email: tobias.hauser@tk.de) or AOK: www.aok-bw.de/sbh. For the period from your arrival in Germany until the start of the semester, it is best to take out travel insurance (e.g., through Expatrio, Fintiba).

Personal Liability Insurance

In Germany you are liable by law for damages you cause. A personal liability insurance covers costs of all damages caused by accident. This insurance protects you against unbearable costs which otherwise might put the completion of your studies at risk. Small unforeseen accidents might happen – with a liability insurance, you will be insured against the unexpected. An increasing number of landlords take a liability insurance as a prerequisite for renting out an accommodation in order to minimize their own risk.

We believe a liability insurance is essential for your stay in Germany and we strongly urge you to take out this insurance.

For activities carried out in connection with your study and which take place on university property, you are covered by your student services fee to External link opens in a new window:Student Services Freiburg (SWFR).

Accident Insurance

All university students in Baden-Württemberg are insured by law against accidents which occur on the grounds of the university or on the way to and from the university. Accidents which occur in your free time outside the university grounds are covered by the student services fee paid to Student Services Freiburg (SWFR). This coverage also covers holiday travel, internships and activities undertaken in connection with thesis work at foreign universities and research institutions.