The Coordination of Family-Friendly Universities will be happy to advise you on the compatibility of studies and family and on compensatory arrangements to make your studies more family-friendly.

Further information for prospective students and students with a refugee background (e.g., on language courses, on studying despite lost certificates due to flight and information for Kiron students) can be found here.

If you are interested, you can apply for a room in a hall of residence. Since there may be waiting times, you should submit your application as early as possible. You can find information about the halls of residence in Vechta here.

Alternatively, you can look for a flat with a private landlord/landlady.

Scholarships

Information on scholarships can be found in the DAAD scholarship database.

Students of the University of Vechta can also apply for the German Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium) .

Financial matters

A (one-time) semester fee of EUR 297.60 per semester is charged (as of summer semester 2023). For exchange students is the semester fee 222,66 €. Please note that the semester fees may change from semester to semester. These must be paid in advance before each new semester and are used to re-register students. The semester fee also includes the semester ticket.

In Germany, international students (who are not EU citizens) are allowed to work without a work permit for a total of 120 days or 240 half days per year. Please keep in mind that this income can by no means finance an entire academic year.

Rent costs currently range from EUR 190 to approximately EUR 350 per month. A rent of EUR 220 results in costs of living of approximately EUR 867.

The following list details the monthly costs that will incur while you study at the University of Vechta and is to help you plan your budget. However, the figures are only approximate values, which may vary depending on your own needs. The semester fees are not included here.

The academic year is divided into two semesters:

• the winter semester (WiSe) from 1 October to 31 March
• and the summer semester (SoSe) from 1 April to 30 September.

In the winter semester, the lecture period lasts approximately from mid-October to mid-February and comprises 14 weeks. In the summer semester, the lecture period lasts approximately from mid-April to the end of July and also comprises 14 weeks.

You can find the current semester dates here.

Registration & residence permit

Newly arrived students are required to register their residential address at the Bürgerbüro (citizen’s centre) of the city of Vechta. Newly arrived students from non-EU countries also have to apply for a residence permit at the district of Vechta.

Bank account

For smooth and cost-effective payment transactions (e.g., payment of rent and semester fees), we recommend that students open a German bank account (if they do not already have one). Students do not have to pay account maintenance fees at most local banks in Vecha.

Health insurance

German health insurance is generally required for enrolment at the university. There are some exceptions: For students from an EU country, the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is accepted for studying in Germany. (Exception: If you have a part-time job or are doing a paid internship/placement in Germany, you must have a German health insurance.) For students from Turkey, the AT/11 form is recognised for studying.

In Germany, there are statutory and private health insurance companies.

The contribution for statutory health insurance currently amounts to about EUR 100 per month. This covers almost all costs of medical treatments, which are settled directly between the health insurance company and the doctors. This means that you only have to show your insurance card when visiting the doctor and you do not have to advance any money for the treatment. The statutory health insurance companies in Germany are obliged to insure students at the student rate up to their 30th birthday. If you are 30 or older, on the other hand, you have to choose a private health insurance company, as the statutory health insurance company will no longer accept you. We recommend a statutory health insurance, if this is possible for you.
 
Private health insurance companies calculate premiums based on a health check. If you are privately insured, you have to pay for the consultations yourself, but you will get the money back from the health insurance company when you submit the bill there. Exactly which costs are covered depends on the insurance company.

If you choose private insurance, you will need an exemption for enrolment. This is a certificate stating that the insurance is sufficient. Statutory health insurance companies issue this certificate. Please note that only a few private insurances meet the requirements for an exemption and you cannot rely on the fact that an insurance that was accepted for fellow students a few years ago will still be accepted today.