Exchange Studies at Osnabrück University
Osnabrück University has numerous partner universities all over the world. Every year, many exchange students from various partner universities abroad come to Osnabrück to study here for one or two semesters. The application and admission requirements for exchange students are less complex than those for other international students. In the following, you will find all relevant information. For further questions, exchange students from partner universities can contact the International Office.
Students who have not been nominated as part of an exchange programme and do not come from a partner university are not subject to these regulations – even if they only spend part of their studies in Osnabrück and do not graduate here. Instead, they can apply for a Short-Term Study Programme as a Freemover.
Courses offered in English
Here you can find courses offered in English for students on exchange programs at Osnabrück University.
An exchange study program at Osnabrück University is possible if a corresponding contract with the home university exists. If this is not the case, international students can complete a Short-Term Study Programme as a Freemover at Osnabrück University.
In contrast to regular international applicants, exchange students from partner universities do not have to take a German language test and do not need a university entrance qualification valid for Germany. Exchange students only need to be nominated by their home university for a study stay at Osnabrück University and can then apply to study in Osnabrück.
Once you have been nominated for an exchange programme and have received our first information e-mail, you must apply via Online application and then e-mail the PDF application form to the International Office via incoming@uos.de in order to officially apply as an exchange student.
Please note: When you log into the online application for the first time, you must register with your name, e-mail address and a password of your choice. You can then log in with your e-mail address and password. Please use the Firefox browser and complete the form strictly from top to bottom!
Exchange students from partner universities can apply for a room in the student dormitory of the Osnabrück Student Services (Studierendenwerk Osnabrück) via the International Office. The monthly rent is approximately between €250 and €350. Special support is available for international students in the student dormitory: residence tutors help them to settle in quickly.
Furnished rooms are currently available in the following student dorms offered by the Osnabrück Student Services (Studierendenwerk Osnabrück): Alte Fabrik (Jahnplatz), Jahnstraße, Leggeweg, Lüstringer Straße, Salzmarkt, Sedanstraße, Ziegelstraße.
International Office
Neuer Graben 27
49074 Osnabrück
Phone: +49 541 969 4599
Fax: +49 541 969 4495
incoming@uni-osnabrueck.de
Application
The Online application (PDF, 203 kB) for a room in a student hall of residence must be send to the Student Services Osnabrück before the application deadline.
IMPORTANT: Please ONLY use the online application form on this website and NOT the one on the website of Student Services Osnabrück!!!
Residence rooms can only be rented for six months at a time, i.e.
- from October 1 to March 31 for a winter semester
- from April 1 to September 30 for a summer semester
If you spend a full academic year at Osnabrück University as an exchange student, you will receive an offer from the Student Services Osnabrück to extend your tenancy in good time. This Information sheet (PDF, 228 kB) (German and English) summarizes relevant information regarding accommodation in the student dorms.
Deposit
When you arrive in Osnabrück, you will need to pay a deposit for your room. This deposit currently amounts to €600. The deposit will be refunded if you leave your room in good condition at the end of your stay.
Cancellation of rent
If you are unable to come to Osnabrück for any specific reason, you should inform the International Office as soon as possible. If you have already signed a rental contract, the International Office and the Student Services Osnabrück will try to find a new tenant for your room. Please note that you will be liable for the loss of rent if no new tenant can be found.
Alternative: open housing market
There is only a certain number of places available in the halls of residence and an application is no guarantee for receiving one of the highly coveted dormitory places. You should therefore apply as early as possible for a place in a hall of residence and, if required, gather more informed about alternatives on the open housing market.
Housing glossaries and dictionaries
Here is a guide to most common German housing terms and abbreviations, explained and translated into English:
Common German Housing Abbreviations (German - English) (PDF, 437 kB)
In addition, illustrated dictionaries on the subject of student accommodation are available in various languages:
Illustrated Student Dorm Dictionary (German - English - Chinese) (PDF, 20 MB)
Illustrated Student Dorm Dictionary (German - French - Arabic) (PDF, 14.43 MB)
Illustrated Student Dorm Dictionary (German - French - Spanish) (PDF, 12.27 MB)
Illustrated Student Dorm Dictionary (German - Polish - Russian) (PDF, 12.29 MB)
Which formalities need to be complied with in order to obtain a valid residence permit for studying in Germany? You can find all relevant information under Visa and residence.
Semester Fee
Prerequisites for enrollment as an exchange student are the payment of the semester fee and proof of statutory health insurance (see insurance).
Like all other students, exchange students from partner universities of Osnabrück University pay a semester fee for each semester. However, their contribution is slightly lower as they do not have to pay the administrative fee (€75 per semester).
Your semester fee currently amounts to approx. €290 and consists of contributions to the Student Services Osnabrück, the Student Self-Administration and Semester Ticket. The semester ticket entitles you to free travel on Osnabrück buses and many regional trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, Nordwestbahn and Westfalenbahn.
The exact amount and the bank details of Osnabrück University will be sent to you in an information email after the application deadline.
Bank Account
As an EU citizen, you do not necessarily need to have a German bank account, but you can use the account of your home bank if it accepts SEPA direct debits from abroad. This is required for rent payments to the Student Services Osnabrück if you have rented a room there.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a German bank account to pay your rent, insurance premiums, etc. You can either open an account online or make an appointment to open an account during the Welcome Week. You will be asked about this in our arrival survey.
Health Insurance
Exchange students from EU countries
Students from the EU are generally exempt from compulsory health insurance if they have an EHIC. However, this exemption must be confirmed by a German health insurance company. Please send a copy of your EHIC to a German statutory health insurance company. Inform the health insurance company that you will be studying as an exchange student at Osnabrück University for the upcoming semester and ask for an electronic notification to Osnabrück University, quoting the following sender number H0001356.
Exchange students from non-EU countries
Students from non-EU countries need health insurance that is equivalent to the German statutory health insurance. In principle, the benefits offered by statutory health insurance companies (and the monthly costs) are very similar. If you need a blocked account in addition to health insurance, you can find more information on Blocked Account Germany.
Students from countries that have a social security agreement with Germany can submit corresponding proof to a statutory health insurance company (e.g. Turkey A/T 11).
Liability Insurance
Students are not covered by liability insurance as part of their enrollment. Osnabrück University does not cover any liability claims, e.g. for bicycle accidents or theft of and damage to borrowed equipment. It is therefore recommended that all students take out private liability insurance to cover these cases.
Further information
Further information on compulsory health insurance and recommended liability insurance can be found under Insurance for international students.
Our Welcome Week for new international exchange students for the Summer Semester 2025 will take place April 7 to 12, 2025. During this time you can expect a varied programme of information events, city and campus tours and get-togethers. For more information, see the detailed Welcome Week Flyer for International Exchange Students (PDF, 487 kB).
Certificate of Attendance
We can provide you and your home university with a confirmation of the time you spent studying at Osnabrück University. Please take the form to the International Office before you leave. According to the guidelines of the European Commission, the end of your stay is not the date of your actual departure, but the end of your last examination, lecture period or course. Please note that we cannot issue this document earlier than 5 days before the end of your stay!
Transcript of Records
If you intend to have your academic achievements at Osnabrück University accredited at your home university, please collect your results before you return home and send them to the International Office. We will then issue a "Transcript of Records" containing all your courses, grades and credits.
Deregistration in Osnabrück
Before you leave the city for good, deregister at the Citizens’ Registration Office of the City of Osnabrück buergeramt@osnabrueck.de. Your residence permit loses its validity after deregistration! Therefore, if you intend to travel within Germany or to other countries in the Schengen area after leaving Osnabrück, do not deregister until the day of your final return home.
Deregistration from Osnabrück University
You will also need to deregister from Osnabrück University at the Admissions Office. This is called "exmatriculation". After completing the exmatriculation, your residence permit becomes invalid! Therefore, only de-register for the date on which you are actually going home (possibly including travel in Germany / other Schengen countries). You can also de-register at an earlier point for a date in the future. The latest possible date is March 31 (Winter Semester) or September 30 (Summer Semester). Please complete the De-registration form (PDF, 151 kB).
Cancellation of health insurance
In case you have obtained a German health insurance, you need to cancel it when you depart. For this, you need the de-registration certificate from the Admissions Office (see the section on "Deregistering from the University"). This de-registration certificate must be send alonside a letter of cancellation to your health insurance company via e-mail.
Closure of the bank account
No matter at which German bank you opened a bank account: We strongly recommend that you close your bank account to avoid unnecessary fees. To do this, contact your bank and inquire about possible termination options.
Moving out of your apartment or student residence
If you live in private accommodation, please ask your landlord on how to organize moving out of your room.
If you live in a room provided by the Student Serices Osnabrück, please schedule an appointment with the janitor at least two weeks before you move out to hand over your room on a weekday.
