Information for International Students

Things international students should know about studying in Greifswald


The Academic Year

The academic year in Greifswald is divided into two semesters:

Winter Semester (1 October - 31 March)

Start of lecture period: early October
Intensive language course: mid-September
End of lecture period: early February
Examination period: until the end of February

Summer Semester (1 April - 30 September)

Start of lecture period: early April
Intensive language course: mid-March
End of lecture period: early July
Examination period: until the end of July


How to...?

Enrolment and Semester Fee

Enrolment and Semester Fee

Every student has to enrol before taking up studies at the University of Greifswald. You can enrol at the Student’s Registration Office (Rubenowstraße 2, Greifswald). The University of Greifswald has no study fees. However, at the start of every semester, students must pay the semester fee that currently amounts to 116.00 EUR for initial enrolment and 90.00 EUR for every other semester.
The semester fee can be paid during a two-week period in January/February for the following Summer Semester and July/August for the following Winter Semester. Students can still pay the semester fee within four weeks after the end of the deadline, but will have to pay an additional fee of 10 euros.
The transaction can take up to three days, so make sure to pay in good time to avoid additional fees.

Once the payment has been confirmed, you can validate you student ID card at one of the several validation machines. The student ID card has to be validated every semester.

Enrol for courses and exams

Enrol for courses and exams

Students at the University of Greifswald have to enrol for courses independently. A complete overview of the courses on offer is available via LSF.

Students also have to use the LSF to register for examinations. Once registered, students can still withdraw from the exams until the end of the registration period.
The registration period for exams lasts for two weeks and takes place in December (Winter Semester) and May (Summer Semester).
Students who forgot to register during the registration period have three additional weeks to register for their exams. They will have to do so in person at the Central Examination Office (Rubenowstraße 2) and pay an additional fee.

If students fail an exam, they will be automatically enrolled for a second attempt in the following semester.

Possible types of examinations are written exams, written assignments and oral exams, but there are also other possible types of assessment depending on your courses. Always make sure to check the examination regulations of your field of study for any information on exams, obligatory courses and compulsory attendance.

Erasmus+

Erasmus+

Erasmus students have to set up a learning agreement with their university before coming to Greifswald. As the courses on offer are usually uploaded just 6 weeks before teaching, Erasmus students are advised to have a look at the modularised courses that were on offer the year before. Discuss your choice of courses and the recognition of the courses with your lecturers at your home university before you leave. If necessary, changes can be made up to four weeks after the start of teaching.

You will receive access to the online LSF system and can register for your courses. To register for exams you will have to fill out an Examination Registration Form [de], have it signed by your lecturers and hand it in to the Examination Office.

The lecturers will announce the credits you have gained to the Central Examination Office, which compiles the Transcript of Records. The International Office will then send this to you via email and the original will be sent to your home university. Please note: It can take several weeks to produce the Transcript of Records. Please approach your lecturers and the Central Examination Office if you require the document urgently.

email Address and Connection to the University Network

email Address and Connection to the University Network

After enrolling, students receive their study documents per post. These contain the Student ID Card and Enrolment Certificate, but also the account details for accessing the university network (username and password). This gives you access to your personal student email account, the University Information System (‘HIS’) and to further online services at the university.
 

Android devices also require the eduroam CAT App for automatic configuration if you would like to connect them to the university network.

Visit the University Computer Centre’s website for more information on how to use the WiFi network on various device.

If you have any further questions do not hesitate to contact the International Office or your faculty’s subject coordinators for international matters.


Additional Information

Libraries

Libraries

Students have access to the university’s three libraries that are spread over town.
The Central University Library, situated on the Berthold-Beitz-Platz Campus, contains books on law, psychology, physics and many other subject areas.
The Old University Library, close to the old Auditorium Maximum, offers books on music, history and the arts.
The Departmental Library on the new Loefflerstraße Campus gives you access to literature on language studies, sociology, theology etc.
With more than 370 desks, the libraries offer the perfect atmosphere for students to study, work on their written assignments or read interesting literature.

For opening hours and more information on how to take out books click here.

University Sport

University Sport

If interested, university students, employees and their families have numerous opportunities for being active: The programme ranges from Aikido and football to yoga and zumba.

In summer semester, the Greifswalder Bodden’s outstanding natural location makes windsurfing and sailing possible, and the Ryck provides perfect conditions for rowing and canoeing. In winter semester, sports courses take place in more than 20 sports halls and rooms that are coordinated by University Sport.

For English course descriptions please click here

For more information and how to sign up for the courses please click here

Mensas (Cafeterias)

Mensas (Cafeterias)

Greifswald has two Mensas (cafeterias) and three cafés that can be used by students, university staff and guests. Students with a valid student ID card get student discounts.
 

Mensa (cafeteria) on the Berthold-Beitz-Platz Campus

Fleischmannstraße 40
17489 Greifswald

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Closed on weekends and bank holidays

 

Café on the Berthold-Beitz-Platz Campus

Fleischmannstraße 40
17489 Greifswald

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Closed on weekends and bank holidays

 

Café “ins grüne” in the University Hospital

Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str. 2
17489 Greifswald

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 7.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Weekends and bank holidays 12.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

 

Mensa (Cafeteria) on the Loefflerstraße Campus


Ernst-Lohmeyer-Platz 5
17489 Greifswald

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 11.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Closed on weekends and bank holidays

 

Café “ins grüne” on the Loefflerstraße Campus


Ernst-Lohmeyer-Platz 5
17489 Greifswald

Opening hours:

During the lecture period:
Monday to Thursday 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Friday 7.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

During the non-lecture period:
Monday to Thursday 7.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Friday 7.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Until further notice:
Monday to Friday 09.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Closed on weekends and bank holidays

 

You can use your student ID card to pay or pay by cash.

The opening hours may vary. Click here for further information.

Students Union (AStA)

Students Union (AStA)

The Students’ Union AStA [de] (Allgemeiner Studierenden Ausschuss) is the General Student Committeeexecutive organ of the Student Parliament (StuPa) that is and responsible for student matters such as university policy, administration, social matters and culture. You are welcome to visit them during their office hours if you have any questions on these matters.

Office Hours:

Administration:
Tuesday
10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.

Wednesday
12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.

University Politics:
Wednesday
10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Culture:
Monday
10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.

Finances:
Friday
12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.