APPLICATION AND ENROLLMENT

How to apply:

Please note: An exchange is possible only with an official partner university of Paderborn University.

  • First of all, an official nomination by the partner university is required. This means, the first step would be to apply for an exchange place at the International Office of your home university.
  • After successful nomination, you will receive a link to our online application portal from us via email. In the online application portal, you enter your personal data that are required for enrollment at  Paderborn University, and you can specify your wishes regarding accomodation, German Crash Course and Buddy Program. The mail contains also additional information to prepare your stay in Paderborn.
  • After successful application, you will receive a letter of acceptance and – shortly before your arrival - an offer for housing (if requested), and the contact information for your German buddy in Paderborn.

Important: The application deadline must be adhered to, because otherwise we might not be able reserve your accommodation. We cannot guarantee housing placement for applications that are submitted late, and if necessary, you must find your own housing!

Deadlines

Nomination Deadline 

  • 15 November for a start in the summer semester
  • 15 May for a start in the winter semester

Application forms need to sent by

  • 1 December for the summer semester
  • 1 June for the winter semester

In the Academic Calendar you will find all dates and deadlines for the application as well as for the German courses and the placement test.

Requirements

The enrolment should take place in the first few days after arrival in Paderborn at the International Office. To do this, you have to complete a few steps to register at the university and in the city. Your buddy can help you with this. You can find more information here.

Full coverage health insurance (a travel insurance during your stay is not enough!) is absolutely necessary in order to be able to enroll and study in Paderborn! All students in Germany must prove  that they have valid health insurance for the duration of their studies. More information is available here.

The student ID card is an identification document that certifies enrolment (matriculation) at the university. The ID is only valid for one semester and also serves as a library card. It entitles you to use the university's IT services and to pay the reduced student price in the university canteen/cafétaria and other university facilities. Together with your student ID card, you will receive several study certificates.

The semester ticket is a ticket for students, for local public transport (buses, trams and underground trains, city trains as well as all local trains in North Rhine-Westphalia) with a validity of one semester. The cost of the ticket is included in the semester fee, which must be paid upon enrolment or re-registration at German universities. You can find all information about the semester ticket here.

General information:

  • the validity of the student card/semester ticket is always limited to one semester (Oct. - March or April - Sept.).
  • newly enrolled students can already use the semester ticket on certain routes in the month before the semester starts (March/September).
  • Costs for both documents together approx. 350 EUR.

Please note: The application is only possible if the enrolment/re-registration for the respective semester was successful (visible in PAUL under My Data > Personal Data > Semester Status). The download of the semester ticket or the issuing of the student ID is only possible after receipt of payment!

We recommend to open a German bank account while you study in Paderborn, especially if you are from a Non-EU country. 

This is normally free of charge for students and will make it easier for you to process transactions, for example the monthly rental amount. Within the EU it is relatively unproblematic to transfer money from your home country account to Germany for a small transfer fee.