Next steps

Preparation Prior to Going Abroad

Enrollment

All exchange students have to get enrolled at the University of Bamberg. It is necessary that this process has to be started early, even if you are still in your home country.  More information and deadlines for the enrollment will be sent to you from the International Office.

Placement Test

All exchange students have to take part in a German placement test, regardless of whether they will participate in the preparatory course or not. The link for the online test will be sent to you via e-mail in Febuary (for the summer semester) and July (for the winter semester).

The score of the test will be given to you during our welcoming event. Consequently we kindly ask you to refrain from inquire.

Initial Financial Requirements

 The estimated monthly costs you can expect to pay during your stay in Bamberg are divided between rent and living costs. For rent you will have to estimate approx. €350, for living costs approx. €450.  Please note that when you arrive, you will additionally need approx. €400 for the deposit on your accommodation and your semester contribution fee.

Please find detailed calculations of living expenses here(82.1 KB).

Student Accommodation in Bamberg

Application for Student Halls of Residence

If you are interested in living in one of Bamberg’s student halls of residence, the International Office can help you find a room. You should fill out the "Wohnen in Bamberg" form and send it to the International Office before the deadline. For organisational reasons, the International Office can only make you one room offer. You will not be able to choose a specific hall of residence.
If you have submitted the "Wohnen in Bamberg" form with your application, you will receive written confirmation approximately two months prior to your arrival in Bamberg. This will specify the address of your hall of residence, the monthly rent and the start of the rental period.

Rooms arranged through this service are either one-person apartments with a kitchen and bathroom, or two- and three-roomed apartments in which residents share a kitchen and bathroom.

Each hall of residence has only a limited number of apartments that are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Those who do not wish to use this service will have to arrange for private accommodation in Bamberg independently.

Rent prices for all student accommodation vary, therefore we cannot guarantee that rents will not increase. Please be advised that students must pay a deposit on their room or apartment.

All information relating to your accommodation, including contracts, payments, collecting your keys, etc. is available from your hall of residence only. Please do not address such queries to the International Office. 

Please check with your hall of residence whether you are required to pay your deposit and your rent for the first month of your stay before departing to Bamberg or after you arrive.

Before you come to Bamberg, please find out whether your country uses SEPA for bank transactions. If it does not, you will need to open an account in Germany when you arrive so you can pay your rent, for example. Rent in Germany is not payable in cash. 

The term or period of your rental agreement is fixed by your hall of residence and is non-negotiable. The rental period is as follows: 

  • Winter semester: 1 September through 28 February
  • Summer semester: 1 March through 31 August

This means that tenants must pay rent according to this schedule, even if they have not yet moved to Bamberg at the start of rental period (e.g. students first arriving in October or April, respectively). This applies without exception to all University of Bamberg exchange students.

Private Housing

Per request, the International Office can provide you with information oif you want to find accommodation independently.

However, please keep in mind that this represents a great risk. Due to the scarecity of living space finding your own accomodation is not advisable.

More information can be found here and here.

Travelling to Bamberg

When should I come to Bamberg?

In addition to your letter of admission, you will also receive a detailed schedule of dates and deadlines. This will help you to decide the day on which you should arrive at the university. We would advise you to arrive two or three days in advance of this date.

In advance, all exchange students must inform the International Office via e-mail of their arrival date in Bamberg.

Please note that you will only be able to move into your hall of residence from Monday to Friday.  Specific opening hours are included in an information sheet that you receive from the International Office when you are allotted a room in your hall of residence. If you arrive on a Friday afternoon or on a Saturday or Sunday or on a national holiday, you will have to find accommodation in a hostel or hotel until regular opening hours on Monday.

You should arrive in Bamberg no later than the beginning of October (for the winter semester) or the beginning of April (for the summer semester) so you can participate in our "first-semester student orientation days" (Erstsemestereinführungstage).

Checklist for Arriving in Bamberg

The following documents should be at hand once you arive in Bamberg:

  • Admission letter from the University of Bamberg (sent to you in advance by the International Office)
  • Rental contract (if already signed)
  • Sufficient cash
  • Passport
  • Health insurance statement
  • Passport photos