FAQ for international students:
During your studies

Please contact the study counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service.

Please contact the faculty course advisor of your study program.

If you are studying a teaching degree, please contact the advisors of the Tübingen School of Education (TüSE).

The students at the Help Desk for international students will be happy to assist you with these questions.

A first point of contact are the study counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service. More detailed advice on these topics can be obtained from the migration counseling centers of InFö and Caritas.

Please contact the counselors for students with a disability or (chronic) illness at the Student Counseling Service.

Please contact the Family Office.

The Diversity Office is the point of contact for all questions related to diversity. It advises, supports and mediates in cases of disadvantage and discrimination in studies and at work.

In cases of sexual discrimination or sexual harassment, the team of the Gender Equality Office provides advice.

For a guide to starting your studies at the University of Tübingen please check here. Before the start of the semester, a comprehensive welcome program for international students is offered. The study counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service and the team of the Support for International Students offer an introductory event with useful information about the university and your study start.

The tutors of the Advisory Course for international students organize a one-week program with extensive general as well as subject-specific information. In addition, there is an opportunity for networking during a city tour and other activities. All admitted international students are invited to the Advisory Course via e-mail.

Furthermore, a Help Desk is offered where students from Tübingen answer all questions about arriving at the university and in Tübingen.

Beyond the start of your studies, local students can help you settle in Tübingen as part of the Buddy Program.

To clarify general questions concerning your studies, you can contact the study counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service. For any questions concerning the content of the study courses and planning your timetable, please contact the faculty course advisors of your degree program.

You can find further helpful information on study planning for international students on this website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

First, please read the Module Handbook (MHB) of your study program, which you can find on the overview website of your program. It lists which courses you should attend in which semester. In the online course catalog within the ALMA portal, you will find the complete list of courses offered, and how to enroll in them.

In the week before the start of lectures, there are usually subject-specific orientation events held by the departments, where you will also receive information about the timetable. You can also receive assistance in creating your schedule in the Advising Course for international students. 

If you have any further questions regarding the planning of your timetable, please contact the faculty course advisor of your field of study. Students from the “Fachschaft” (student representatives) of the faculties can also assist you with this.

You can register for most courses directly in the ALMA portal. Please note that some courses with a small number of participants are booked up quickly, and you should therefore register as soon as possible.

If you have not received your access data within the registration deadline, please directly contact the lecturers of the courses you want to take by writing an e-mail, or in case of difficulties contact your program's faculty course advisor to clarify how you can still register for the courses.

You can find instructions and video tutorials on how to use ALMA on the website of the IT Center (ZDV). There you will also find a collection of FAQs about the ALMA portal.

In case of technical problems, please contact the technical support with a description of your problem (screenshots if necessary) and with your matriculation number: alma-supportspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

You can find all of the university's German courses on the website of the Department German as a Second Language and Intercultural Programs. The courses offered range from international summer courses, courses preparing students for university studies, general language courses, and skills training to intercultural events with and without excursions and social programs.

The Foreign Language Center offers courses in numerous languages at beginner and advanced levels for students of all disciplines.

It is highly recommended to participate in the Buddy Program, where a local student supports you during your onboarding and the first semester of your studies. As part of the Buddy Program you can also participate in regular meetings, excursions and other events. Please register for this program in time. Some study programs, such as pharmacy, medicine and biology, also offer an additional support program for new students. Please check with your “Fachschaft” (student representatives) to find out if such a program exists. Later, you could support new students yourself as a buddy.

Language tandem, i.e. learning in teams of two, is another good way to meet German-speaking students who want to learn your native language (better).

You can also meet other students from your department at meetings of your “Fachschaft” (student representatives).

The Get-together Program organizes a colorful program of events for international students (degree-seekings) every semester with events and leisure activities.

A weekly meeting place for German and international students is the International Coffee Hour.

The Evangelische Studierendengemeinde (Protestant Student Community) also offers a regular Get Together for international and German students.

You can also get into contact with other students through leisure activities. There exists a broad variety of University Sport Courses and also a Sports Partner Portal. The courses are often booked up very quickly. If you are interested in participating, you should reserve the desired course immediately after your booking has been activated.

If you are interested in cultural activities, you can take advantage of the university's numerous cultural offerings and participate in choirs, orchestras, dance and theater groups.

Information on other sports clubs, fields, halls and swimming pools can be found on this website of the City of Tübingen.

Individual writing advice for international students is offered by the Department German as a Second Language and Intercultural Programs. For a final thesis, even the proofreading costs can be covered. Advice and workshops on academic writing are also offered by the Diversity-Oriented Writing Center. Some departments and faculties also offer subject-specific writing consultations.

The Transdisciplinary Competences department offers a wide range of courses on key qualifications and, among other topics, on learning and working techniques for students.

Materials and workshops regarding semester management and studying technics, as well as individual advice on learning and working strategies for international students are also offered by the Student Counseling Service. Subject-related recommendations can be given by the faculty course advisor of your study program.

In most study programs it is possible to withdraw from an exam up to 3 working days (excluding Saturdays) before the exam. Please contact your examination office to find out which regulations apply to your course of study. Please also observe the deadlines specified in your examination regulations within which you must take an examination so that you do not lose your examination entitlement.

If you are unable to take an examination at short notice due to illness, you must submit a medical certificate to the examination office.

You have the right to view the script of your examination and to talk to the lecturer about the grading. Some lecturers offer group appointments for this purpose. If this is not the case, you can contact them directly to arrange an appointment to view your exam.

Within four weeks after the announcement of the result, you can submit an application to the examination board for reconsideration of the grade ("Überdenkungsverfahren"). This request must be well justified.

You can find detailed information on how to change subjects on the pathfinder page "Fachwechsel" (in German) and on this website of the Student Administration Office.

Before changing subjects, please contact the study counselors for international students of the Student Counseling Service and the faculty course advisor of the new subject. If you have already studied for three or more semesters, a certificate of academic advising is a prerequisite for changing subjects. This certificate can be obtained from the faculty course advisor.

Please note that before changing subjects, it is necessary to check whether your university entrance qualification and your language certificate are also valid for the new subject. For this purpose, please contact the application advisors for international students.

If you are not an EU citizen, please discuss with the Foreigners Office before changing your subject how this will affect your residence permit. This is especially important if you are already in a higher semester or have already changed your field of study.

Your examination entitlement (and thus the right to complete your studies) may be lost either if you have exceeded deadlines in your study program, or if you have failed an examination even after several attempts. In this situation, you have the following options for action:

• If you have already received a notice from the Examinations Office (Prüfungsamt) that you have lost your right to take an examination, you can file an appeal against this notice with the Examinations Board (Prüfungsausschuss).
• If you have not yet received this notice, you can submit an application for an extension of the deadline or an application for an additional examination attempt.

The counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service can assist you with this process.

Detailed information on the loss of examination entitlement and on how to apply for an extended deadline or for a repeat attempt can be found in this guide by the Student Counseling Service (in German).

You are facing the challenge of reorienting yourself. The counselors for international students at the Student Counseling Service can guide you in this process. There are several options to choose from:

• Course of study with a similar subject focus, if this is still possible (potentially with recognition of some course credits)
• Course of study with a new orientation in terms of subject
• Vocational training
• Career entry

If you are a non-EU citizen, please note that your residence permit becomes invalid upon exmatriculation. Please make an appointment with the Foreigners Office immediately.

Students who find themselves in a financial emergency during their studies can apply for a deferral and waiver of tuition fees at the Student Administration Office within a certain deadline.

The Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim can grant short-term loans for students who are temporarily in an economic emergency situation without fault. These must be repaid within 12 to 24 months.

The Support for International Students can grant aid for a short period of time in justified exceptional cases. In case of financial difficulties towards the end of the studies a graduation grant can be applied for. For further information and application for a grant, please contact the head of the Support for International Students.

The Tübingen Student’s Union offers emergency aids to students in financial troubles.

The Evangelische Studierendengemeinde (Protestant Student Community) and the Katholische Studierendengemeinde (Catholic Student Community) can also provide financial assistance in emergency situations.

All these aids are awarded for a maximum of three months.

Students who have difficulties to pay their rent can also apply for a housing allowance by the city of Tübingen.

Some additional information about financing your studies can be found on the website Study funding for international students.

You have to re-register for the next semester in the regular manner and pay the fees. If you exmatriculate with immediate effect within one month after the start of the lecture period, the fees can be refunded. In this case, you must submit both an application for exmatriculation and an application for refund to the Student Administration Office.

Please contact the Foreigners Office in Tübingen or the Foreigners Office responsible for your place of residence in good time before your residence permit expires. If you do not receive an answer from them before your residence permit expires or if you cannot solve the problems yourself, you can contact the study counselors for international students.

If you have been exmatriculated, e.g. because you have not paid your tuition fees on time, you should contact the Student Administration Office immediately and clarify whether the exmatriculation can be withdrawn.

If this is not possible, please contact the application advisors for international students to check what options you have to continue your studies. The study counselors for international students can also support you in this situation.

The Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim offers free legal advice for students. The student legal advice service Law and Legal also offers support free of charge.

If you have questions about housing, you can also contact the Support for International Students.

The Studierendenwerk Tübingen-Hohenheim offers free and confidential psychological counseling. Four counseling appointments are free of charge for students at the Psychological Counseling Center Brückenstraße. Longer-term therapeutic support with billing via the health insurance is possible in the Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic (usually longer waiting times). The Psychotherapeutic Counseling Center of the Protestant Student Community also provides short-term support in crises.

Students offer the Nightline Tübingen, a free listening phone by students for students. A first point of contact are also the counselors for international students of the Student Counseling Service who can refer you to another institution if necessary.

The “Arbeitskreis Leben” offers support if you are in a life crisis, have suicidal thoughts, or are worried about another person. In acute life-threatening crises, please contact the Psychiatry Department at the University Hospital.

You can find an overview of support services for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses on the website of the Student Counseling Service. If you need further counseling, please contact the relevant advisors.

In case of an illness or injury that takes a longer period of time to recover, you have the possibility to take a leave of absence. You can find information on leave of absence on this website of the Student Administration Office. You can get further advice in this kind of situation from the study counselors for international students.

General information on dealing with illnesses during your studies can be found on this pathfinder page (in German).

The Tübingen office of Refugio e.V. offers trauma-specific psychological counseling or therapy free of charge, as well as help in crisis situations for traumatized refugees. If necessary, language mediators will translate.

The Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital Tübingen offers help for adults for coping with the experiences of war and flight.

The Child and Youth Psychiatry department of the University Hospital Tübingen offers consultation hours and psychotherapy for adolescents up to 21 years of age who have experienced traumatic events. Treatment at the University Hospital are covered by the statutory health insurance.

You can find information on leave of absence on this website of the Student Administration Office. If you need further counseling, please contact the Study counselors for international students.

In principle, this is possible. However, please take in account that you have to apply again for your study program and you don’t have a guarantee that you will be accepted again in a study program with restricted admission.

If you are a citizen from a non-European country, please note that you have to inform the Foreigners Office about your exmatriculation and that your residence permit for the purpose of study will expire with your exmatriculation. Students from most non-European countries have to re-apply for a visa if they wish to come back to Tübingen and take up their studies again.

If you are considering taking a break from your studies in this way, it is highly recommended that you contact the study counselors for international students in advance in order to clarify the details.

The universities in Baden-Württemberg charge tuition fees for a second study program.

If you wish to take up a second degree program in a locally restricted admission program (beginning with the 1st semester), you must submit a special application for a second degree program in addition to the application for admission. This only applies if you have already completed your first degree in Germany. You can find more information on this on this website of the Student Administration Office.

In principle, studying two different degree programs in parallel is possible. You can find information on what you need to consider on this website of the Student Administration Office. International students are confronted with higher language requirements and a foreign learning culture. You should therefore consider carefully about whether you will be able to cope with the double burden of two parallel studies. Before taking up another course of study, you are obliged to seek advice from the faculty course advisors for both courses. In addition, please also contact the study counselors for international students.

Students from the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have free access to the German labor market. If they work more than 20 hours per week, they must pay certain insurance contributions.

International students from other countries are allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year. For self-employment, prior approval from the relevant foreigner's authority is required. Further information on part-time jobs and the legal requirements can be found on this website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and on the portal Make-it-in-Germany.

Most study programs at the University of Tübingen are designed as full-time programs with a workload of approximately 40 hours per week. It is therefore not recommended to pursue a professional activity on a large scale during your studies.

Information about internships and the legal requirements can be found on this website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

You can find student or research assistant positions as well as other part-time jobs and internships on the university's Praxis Portal. Jobs as ‘Hiwi’ (student assistant) are also advertised on the University's job portal.

If you have questions about finding an internship or job, you can contact the Career Service.