Checklist for International Guest Students

AFTER ARRIVAL

Welcome to Rostock!

We are very pleased being able to welcome you to our university, and would like to actively give you a helping hand in the first few days after your arrival.

We have composed this checklist with initial important information for you, to ensure you’re having a smooth start.

1. Registration at the local authority/town hall

1. Registration at the local authority/town hall

You must register at your local ‘Ortsamt’, after you arrive. Rostock International House will provide help in this regard during the Orientation Week. There is always a common date for all international students offered.

The following documents are required for registration:

  • Passport/ ID
  • Landlord's certificate (‘Wohnungsgeberbestätigung’)
  • Student ID/ enrolment receipt

You should also enquire about the students’ welcome payment.
 

2. Registration at the Migration Office

2. Registration at the Migration Office

For Non-EU students:
Students from non-European countries must register with the Migration Office.
Rostock International House also provides help with this visit to the authorities as part of the Orientation Week.

Please arrange an appointment with the Migration Office yourself by e-mail: migrationsamt.allgemein@rostock.de

The following documents are required for registration in original and as a copy:

  • Application form for granting a residence permit
  • Copy of passport/ ID
  • Rental agreement
  • Registration certificate (‘Ortstamt’)
  • evidence of Health Insurance
  • Certificate of expected study duration/standard study period
  • Proof of financing
  • Biometric passport photograph
     
3. Opening a Bank Account

3. Opening a Bank Account

We recommend opening an account with a German bank for paying rent in the dormitory and, if applicable, for paying your health insurance.
Some banks offer opening a student account at no additional cost.

The following documents are required to open an account:

  • Passport/ ID
  • Current enrolment receipt
  • Registration certificate
  • Tax identification number ("Steueridentifikationsnummer"- you will receive this by post. Ask your bank whether the tax identification number of your country is sufficient or whether you need a German tax identification number).

Important: If necessary, give your new account number to your health insurance company and also to the Studierendenwerk Rostock-Wismar.
 

4. Organisation of Studies

4. Organisation of Studies

Remember to have the Certificate of Arrival (form from your home university) signed in good time, i.e. no more than 7 days after your arrival!

If you arrive early, and have time before lectures start, you can find out about the Introductory Events, preparatory courses and propaedeutics in Rostock International House or in the study offices of the respective faculties.

Take the opportunity to review the annotated list of lectures online and to create your own individual timetable.
Here are the relevant links:
pruefung.uni-rostock.de/ ( → Module List)
lsf.uni-rostock.de/

Note:
Every course of study is different. It is therefore important to attend the introductory events for the individual courses, so that you will be well prepared for the start of your studies. The contacts in the faculties and student associations of the faculties will help you during your studies and in preparation for them (in creating your timetable, for example).

Some of the units require entering a user name and a password. You can then access all units and expand your language skills flexibly and voluntarily.

5. Registration for the "Rundfunkbeitrag" (licence fee)

5. Registration for the "Rundfunkbeitrag" (licence fee)

The broadcasting fee finances the public service broadcasting program on radio, television and the
Internet. The fee collection center "Beitragsservice ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio" ensures that every household in Germany pays the broadcasting fee. The payment of the broadcasting fee does not depend on whether the household has a television or radio - every household is obliged to pay the obliged to pay the broadcasting fee once.

Anyone who has moved out of their home to study and runs their own household is obliged to pay broadcasting fees.
If students move into a shared flat (WG), this is generally treated like any other household, i.e. the license fee must only be paid once.

You can registrate online at https://www.rundfunkbeitrag.de/

Who can be exempted from the broadcasting fee?
The prerequisite for exemption is that you receive BAföG as a student. It does not matter whether it is BAföG for pupils, BAföG for students or parent-independent BAföG. If only BAföG recipients live in your shared flat next to you, all your flatmates can exempt themselves from paying BAföG.
If you are not entitled to BAföG, you are liable to the responsible for paying the broadcasting fee to the Beitragsservice.
In all cases, it is important to note that the exemption only applies for the period of the BAföG grant. After one year, this must be applied for again.

Can I be exempted from the broadcasting fee as a student without BAföG?
Students who do not receive BAföG can only be exempted from the obligation to pay the broadcasting fee under strict conditions, for example if there is a justified case of hardship or for health reasons. This is the case, for example, if there is a care level or a disability with a degree of at least 80% or a visual impairment with a degree of at least 60% and the existing mark RF is proven.

What is in a student dormitory?
Rooms in student dormitories that lead off a generally accessible corridor are considered a household. This
even if they do not have their own kitchen or bathroom. Here too the licence fee must be paid.

 

6. SPEEXX Core

6. SPEEXX Core

Speexx Core is a free online self-study programme of the University of Rostock, which can be accessed via the learning platform "Ilias". A user ID and password (ITMZ account) are therefore required for registration. With Speexx you can flexibly choose between learning areas, such as vocabulary, grammar, listening comprehension, etc. It is available for the following languages at different levels:

German, English, French, Italian, Spanish

 

7. Orientation Week and Leisure Activities

7. Orientation Week and Leisure Activities

At the beginning of each semester, the Rostock International House (RIH) organises a varied and interesting Orientation Week to welcome you as a newly enrolled international student at the University of Rostock.

The welcome event provides you with all the important information you need for a successful start to your studies and the opportunity to settle in to the city of Rostock. Get to know representatives from various institutions at the University of Rostock, such as the Language Centre, University Sport Department and the Senior Citizens' Academy. Student organisations such as the Local Erasmus Initiative (ESN LEI Rostock) and the General Students' Committee (AStA) will also be there to give you their first impressions.

Experience interesting campus tours, look forward to an introduction to the library and accompany us on a joint visit to the local registration office in Rostock.

On Wednesdays, you can meet up at the traditional ‘Stammtisch’, which is organised by the LEI and also takes place throughout the semester. Make your first social contacts and then explore the nightlife together. Do not hesitate in making early contact with the LEI, which is part of ESN Germany, to be regularly informed, about get-togethers, parties, excursions and lots more.

Instagram: @esn_lei_rostock

Facebook: @Lei.in.Rostock

E-mail: lei.rostock@gmail.com

WhatsApp: Contact ESN LEI Rostock directly in order to get access to the whatsapp group chat.

At Rostock International House, we would be pleased to provide you with valuable tips in person to make -the first couple of days of your stay as smooth as possible.

There will also be a monthly newsletter for you, which will keep you informed about interesting events in and around Rostock. Please also have a look at the menu item Student life in Rostock.

Feel free to write us an email, drop in or call us up during our opening times – we are looking forward to hearing from you.

8. Important contacts in Rostock

8. Important contacts in Rostock

Rostock International House - Incoming Section
incoming.rihuni-rostockde
Tel.: +49 (0) 381 498 1209
Parkstrasse 6
18057 Rostock, Germany

Studierendenwerk Rostock-Wismar
www.stw-rw.de/
St.-Georg-Str. 104-107
D-18055 Rostock, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0) 381 4592 600

Local Erasmus Initiative (ESN LEI Rostock)
Instagram: @esn_lei_rostock
Facebook: @LEI.in.Rostock
Website: https://accounts.esn.org/section/de-rost-esn

Commerzbank Rostock
www.commerzbank.de/filialen/de/Rostock
Lange Str. 1
18055 Rostock, Germany

Ortsämter’ (City Hall) in Rostock
The following is a list of the local authorities and their contact details:
rathaus.rostock.de/de/rathaus/stadtverwaltung/ortsaemter/250807

Migrationsamt’ (Migration Office)
rathaus.rostock.de/de/rathaus/international/migrationsamt/249700
Neuer Markt 3
18055 Rostock, Germany