Even before receiving an admission letter for a degree program in Germany, you can start taking care of essential processes such as visa application, enrollment and preparing the necessary documents.

Below you will find some basic information on the steps following your application.

Steps for enrolment

Once you have received your admission to the WHZ, please take the following steps:

• Log on to your new university account and add your information.
• Pay the semester fee and tuition fee (if applicable). You will find the information you need on your university account.
• For non-EU citizens: Submit a valid residence permit (study visa, permanent resident's card) to the Department of Student Affairs (Dezernat für Studienangelegenheiten)
• It would be helpful, if you could already provide the DSA with an address in Germany (e.g. your dorm address or that of a friend).
• Take care of your health insurance for visa purposes and study purposes. In most cases you need both a private insurance for your visa and health insurance from a German statutory insurance company for enrolment.

Health insurance

To start your degree program in Zwickau, you will need a recognized health insurance plan for enrolment (an international/travel health insurance plan is not sufficient). In some cases (e.g. EU citizens) your existing health insurance plan may be recognized in Germany. However, in many cases, it is cheaper and recommended to take out insurance for your studies directly in Germany and with a German statutory health insurance provider before your arrival.

Contact your home-health insurance provider and find out about your options. There may also be some package deals for international students available. Do your research before you decide! Whether you can use your existing health insurance plan, are privately insured, or whether you take out insurance with a German health insurance provider, you will need confirmation of its validity in any case. This confirmation can only be transmitted directly by a German statutory health insurance provider to the university. Therefore, inform a German statutory insurance company of your choice that you will study at "Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau" and ask them to transfer a digital notification (M10-Meldung). Also, provide them with the sender number of our university: H0000911. Potential statutory health insurance providers are, for example, AOK, TK, Barmer or many others.

You can find more information on health insurance on the website of Studentenwerk Chemnitz/Zwickau

https://www.swcz.de/en/social-services/frequently-asked-questions/studies-and-insurances/

Semester Fee/Tuition fee

The semester fee is a contribution to those institutions that organize various aspects of student life: the Student Council (Studentenrat), which represents the interests of students at the university, and the Students' Union (Studentenwerk), which manages the student residences, the cafeteria and various information centres.It also includes the semester ticket.

For some Master programmes the payment of additional tuition fees is required.

Careful planning of your journey to Zwickau is essential for a successful start to your studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau. Arrive a few days before the start of the lecture term so that you can find your way around and sort out any organisational matters.

If possible, plan your arrival for a weekday. At weekends, particularly on Sundays, many shops, government offices, student halls of residence and housing associations are either closed or have limited opening hours. Find out in advance about transport links and onward travel options to Zwickau, Schneeberg or Markneukirchen.

Journey times from the airport to Zwickau, Schneeberg or Markneukirchen

Leipzig Airport: approx. 1 hr 45 mins
Dresden Airport: approx. 2 hrs 15 mins
Berlin-Tegel or Berlin-Schönefeld Airport: approx. 3 hrs 30 mins – 4 hrs 30 mins

Other airports: Munich, Frankfurt am Main

By train

Deutsche Bahn
Vogtlandbahn

By long-distance coach

FlixBusRegio
Bus Ostbayern

Via a car-sharing

As an alternative to buses and trains, you can use car-sharing and travel by car. There are various online portals for this, which you can find on the internet by searching for ‘Mitfahrzentrale’.

You can reach the student halls of residence in Zwickau using Zwickau’s public transport services.

Dormitory Campus City Centre
Innere Scheeberger Straße 23
Stop: Zentrum on tram line 3 or the Vogtlandbahn

Dormitory Campus Scheffelstraße
Makarenkostraße 4 and 6
Stop: Eckersbach Mitte on tram line 3

Before starting your studies at the University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau, you should have secured accommodation, either a dormitory (with written confirmation from the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau) or a accomodation from a private landlord or a housing association.

Dormitory

You must arrange your own accommodation. There are two dormitories in Zwickau and one at the Campus Schneeberg.

The dormitories run by the Student Union Chemnitz-Zwickau are located within walking distance of the campus. The rooms are fully furnished. To secure accommodation in a dormitory, you should apply online well in advance.

Dormitory Campus City Centre Zwickau
Innere Schneeberger Straße 23
08056 Zwickau

Further information can be found here.

Dormitory Campus Scheffelstraße Zwickau
Makarenkostraße 4 und 6
08056 Zwickau

Further information can be found here.

Dormitory Schneeberg
Goethestraße 1
08289 Schneeberg

Further information can be found here.

Alternatives to dormitories – shared flats or your own flat

If you do not want to live in a dormitory, you can also move into a shared flat or look for your own flat. There are various online portals for this, which you can find on the internet by searching for ‘WG’, ‘Wohngemeinschaft’ or ‘Immobilie’.

The DAAD has compiled general information on the topic of ‘Living in Germany' - DAAD - Renting a Room

Scholarship

The University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau does not offer any general scholarships for full-time international students. You can apply for a scholarship from a number of organisations. You can find information on the various funding opportunities in the DAAD scholarship database.

Proof of financial resources (for students from non-EU countries only)

When applying for a residence permit at the relevant immigration authority, proof of sufficient financial means is required. This proof of financial means can be provided in the form of a blocked account. This blocked account must be opened with a German bank. If you are applying for a residence permit valid for one year, you must currently provide evidence of having at least 11,904 euros in total (992 euros per month). For further information, click here.

Health insurance

IMPORTANT: Proof of health insurance covering the entire duration of your studies is required!

Upon arrival in Zwickau, you must take out student insurance with a statutory health insurance provider. Alternatively, you may take out private insurance, provided you can present proof of exemption from statutory health insurance.

Third-party liability insurance

Every student at the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau is fully liable for any damage they cause. For example, anyone who damages the fixtures or fittings in a dormitory or on campus must pay for their full replacement. Third-party liability insurance is therefore recommended, but not compulsory.

Information on student visa

To find out whether you need a visa, check the website for the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany: www.auswaertiges-amt.de

The site also has a list visa requirements provided by Federal Foreign office: Visa Navigator

With a conditional acceptance (Vorzulassung) or letter of acceptance from the WHZ, you can apply for a student visa (Visum zum Zwecke des Studiums). To find out which other documents you'll need for your visa application, contact your local consulate.

Please note:
Applying for a visa in some countries may take a significant amount of time. Therefore, please take care of an appointment in time, if necessary, even before you have received an admission letter.
In many cases, you can apply for a so-called Student Applicant Visa with the transfer notification letter you receive from uni-assist.

Student visas are normally issued for the length of three months. If you are enrolled as a student at the WHZ, you must apply within four weeks of your arrival for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for the purpose of studying (Application form) at the Foreigner's Authority responsible for your area. Since September 2011, the immigration authorities have issued a so-called "electronic residence permit" in the form of a chip card. An electronic residence permit costs 120€ and the application process takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

For students from EU countries

Students from EU countries must register at the respective City Hall.

For students from non-EU countries

Students from countries that are not members of the European Union must register at the respective City Hall and the respective Foreigners Office.

You should submit your application for a residence permit, together with the relevant supporting documents, to the relevant Foreigners Office. The checklist of documents required to apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Office is intended to help you organise your application.

Residents’ Registration Office

Citizens’ Service Centre at the Town Hall
Hauptmarkt 1
08056 Zwickau
0375/830

Foreingers Office

District Office, Werdauer Str. 62
Building 5
08056 Zwickau

Contact person
Ms Jehring
0375/4402-24170
0375/4402-24109
auslaender[at]landkreis-zwickau.de

Opening hours
Tuesday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm
Thursday: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Residents’ Registration Office

Markt 1
08289 Schneeberg
03772/356215

Foreingers Office

Paulus-Jenisius-Str. 43
09456 Annaberg-Buchholz
03733/ 830

Opening hours
Monday and Friday: 8.30 am – 12.00 pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm

Markneukirchen Residents’ Registration Office

Am Rathaus 2
08258 Markneukirchen
037422/41340

Foreigners Office

Rathausstraße 5
08523 Plauen
03741/3002559

Opening hours
Monday and Wednesday: 9.00 am–1.00 pm
Tuesday: 9.00 am–6.00 pm
Thursday: 9.00 am–5.00 pm

The "National Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities" was introduced to the public on 24 November 2009 at the intiative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD e.V.) and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).

In this document, the universities declare their willingness to create conditions that allow international students and academics to study and research in an open, tolerant and helpful environment. While foreign students have the same rights and responsibilites as German students, they will also be offered the extra support that they need. In case of disagreements or problems between students and universities, a neutral body will be established to which foreign students can apply. 

You can find the original decision of the German Rectors' Conference here.

You can download the text of the National Code of Conduct here.

The University of Applied Sciences Zwickau is committed to these principles and officially agreed to the Code of Conduct on 11 May 2011. You can find a list of all the universities which have signed and agreed to the text here.

Until an independent appeal body is set up, international students with problems and complaints should contact the International Office.

You can find the course catalogs for your program here.

Party

Zwickau offers a wide variety of pubs, bars and nightclubs. At the start of the winter term, a so-called "Kneipenrallye" is organised for new students, giving them the chance to get to know not only their fellow students but also the town’s various bars and pubs.

As well as private venues, Zwickau is also home to three student clubs: Null13 e.V., Collage e.V. and  Tivoli e.V. Students can socialise and party here at very reasonable prices.

Culture

Zwickau also offers a wide range of museums, theatres, libraries, cinemas and events for culture lovers.

Museums:
August-Horch-Museum,
Robert-Schumann-Haus,
Galerie am Domhof,
Kunstsammlungen,
Priesterhäuser

Theaters:
Gewandhaus & Theater in der Mühle,
Puppentheater

Libraries:
Hochschulbibliothek,
Stadtbibliothek,
Ratsschulbibliothek

Zwickau offers a wide range of opportunities to get active, whether in the park or at the gym.

The WHZ also offers an extensive range of Sport activities

If you’d like to earn a bit of extra money alongside your studies, here’s your chance:

Career Service
Jobvermittlung

Help with...

• your search for a job or work placement in the region,
• preparing for your practical placement through workshops and training courses, or
• networking with local businesses

also offers:

• Study and Stay in Zwickau

Zwickau offers plenty of interesting places to visit and events in the region. You can find some of them here:

Ausflugsziele
Region

The de-registration must be submitted online via the Student Services portal.

All books borrowed from the library must be returned. The student ID card can be deactivated via the WHZ WebApp. Any remaining balance can be refunded at the canteen.

Further information on de-registration can be found here.

You must cancel your health insurance. The relevant health insurance provider can explain the cancellation process and set it in motion.
When cancelling, there should be no outstanding balances with the insurance provider.

Before leaving the country, you must deregister your place of residence. You can do this at the Citizens’ Service Centre in your place of residence.
Further information on deregistering your place of residence in Zwickau can be found here.

The tenancy agreement should be terminated before you leave the country. The notice period is specified in the tenancy agreement. Notice of termination must be given in writing. Further information on terminating your tenancy can be found here. Please note that your tenancy agreement may specify different notice periods.

Residents of the dormitory must complete the checklist (check-out form).

To close the blocked account, various documents are required, including some from the Foreign Office.
Further information can be found here.