The International Office at Bielefeld University is the first place to go to if you have questions or if you need help. But even if you do not need any support, it is definitely worthwhile to stop by in order to get information on the leisure program and all the events that are organized for international students.
About 2 days after you have registered, you can apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners Registration Office in the "Rathaus".
Please take the following documents with you:
Register at the city's registration office:
You have to register as a citizen of Bielefeld as soon as you have an address in Bielefeld. Registration takes place in the "Rathaus" and you need to bring your rental contract and your passport. Please find the address above.
You will need a German bank account in order to pay for your health insurance, your semester fee and the rent. All the large banks (e.g. Deutsche Bank, Citibank Sparkasse, Commerzbank, Dresdner Bank, Postbank) have branches in the town centre. The Sparkasse and the Postbank even run branches in the university hall. Bank accounts to students are often free of charge or offered at very favourable rates. Inform yourself online to find out which bank offers the best option for you.
What you usually need to open an account:
It is mandatory to have a health insurance policy in order to be enrolled at Bielefeld University and you should check whether the health insurance in your home country is sufficient.
You have to take this written confirmation to one of the statutory health insurance providers in Germany. They will then issue a written exemption from compulsory insurance (called a "Befreiung") and you will need to show this to enroll at the university. If you have a private health insurance, you will have to pay for any necessary health treatment yourself and then claim the money back from the health insurance provider in your home country.
Please note that your health insurance might only reimburse the costs according to common treatment rates in your home country. In that case, if the treatment is more expensive in Germany, you will have to pay the difference yourself.
Please note: As soon as you have taken out private health insurance in Germany, you will not be allowed to change to a statutory health insurance.
Congratulations - you have been admitted to a study programme at Bielefeld University. Your next step is enrolment. Enrolment takes place in the "Studierendensekretariat" (Student Office) in room C0-152, C0-156.
What ou need to bring:
After a few days, you will get a letter with your student ID-number and bank details, so you can pay the "social fee". Once you have transferred the money, you can download your semester certificate in the university’s application and status portal. The semester ticket for public transport can be downloaded and printed in the NRW ticket shop after the enrollment.. You can then get your student ID card at the info point in the main hall. Just bring the semester certificate and your passport.
If you have any questions, please report here.
There are two very important introduction events for you where you get detailed information on your studies.