FAQs
Frequently asked Questions / Häufig gestellte Fragen
Seminars/Courses
Courses at the University of Bremen are organized in groups, so called „modules“. One module consists of several thematically corresponding courses. As an exchange student, you do NOT have to complete a full module, you may choose individual courses from one module. This also means that the credits indicated on the internet are not relevant for exchange students (they only apply to regular students who do the whole module). In order to find out more about our credits for international students, please see item 7. At the University of Bremen, the following types of courses are offered:
V Vorlesung Lecture/Oral Talk. Often many students
S Seminar Usually 20 – 30 participants, active participation is expected (e.g. oral contributions, presentations, reading texts)
Ü Übung Practical course. Usually belong to a seminar and cannot be attended separately.
Exception: In „English-Speaking Cultures“ "Übungen" are offered without a corresponding seminar.
T Tutorium Some lectures/seminars have tutorials in order to support students. Usually held by students for studentsThe duration of classes in Germany is indicated in "hours per week" (= „Semesterwochenstunden“ or „SWS“). One SWS lasts 45 minutes. The lectures usually start 15 minutes after the hour (e.g. 10 – 12 actually means the lecture lasts 10:15 – 11:45, unless stated otherwise (e.g. “10 s.t.” which means 10:00).
Unterkunft/Accommodation
Due to the difficult housing market, it is important to look for a room early. The prices for rooms from the private housing market are about 250 - 500 euros / month. If you are interested in living in a shared apartment, you may also search independently for offerings on the internet, e.g.:
www.schwarzesbrett.bremen.de
www.wg-gesucht.de
If you would rather stay in a student hall, you may check e.g. either the “Studierendenwerk” (University student housing) or the “Galileo Residence” and “The Fizz” (both privately run).
a) The rooms and apartments of the “Studierendenwerk” are located throughout town (some are very near to the University, for others you will have to take the tram/bus). "Am Fleet" is relatively close to the university. Prices range from approximately 250 Euro/month, depending on size, furnishing and the type (individual rooms/ shared apartments). The price includes heating, internet access, TV and computer access (please note that no TV or computers are provided!).
Students will have to bring their own bed linens and dishes. The Studentenwerk recommends including a short description about oneself, since in shared apartments the other students will be included in deciding on the new member. The Studierendenwerk can also make arrangements for private housing (e.g. for students with families). For more information see their website
b) The privately run “Galileo residence” and “The Fizz” are situated right next to the University. They provide rooms and single apartments. The rooms are more expensive than the ones of the Studentenwerk.
“Galileo Residence”: rooms starting at 350 Euros/month. Contracts can be made for a six months (starting April) or 12 months duration (starting October) only.
“The Fizz”: one-room apartments cost about 450 Euro/month, two-room apartments 590 Euro/month, with an additional one-time fee of 180 Euro. Contracts can only be made for at least six months.
IMPORTANT: Please note that you need to terminate your rental contract 3 months prior to your desired move-out date. So it might be best to hand in your cancellation right at the beginning.
Please note: the University Bremen cannot assume liability for this information.
Ankunft/Arrival
Prior to the start of the courses, the three-week orientation weeks with the Newcomer Service will take place. At the same time, an intensive German course is offered during these three weeks (see point 10).At the Welcome Desk of the Newcomer Service you will receive help with all (formal) questions (e.g. registration at the Einwohnermeldeamt, semester ticket, visa application or health insurance). In addition, there are campus tours, guided tours of the University library, and social events organized by the Erasmus Initiative of the University of Bremen.
You will receive all further information from the International Office in several virtual info sessions after your registration in Mobility Online until your arrival in Bremen and on the website of the Newcomer Service. After having paid the fee for the semester ticket (approx. 285 Euros) you will get a ticket for public transport (bus, train, tram) which enables you not only to use public transport within Bremen but also in Lower Saxony, for example, to visit Hamburg, Hannover or the North Sea. You will also get a personal e-mail account for the University of Bremen. It might be helpful to redirect this email account to the account which you are already using (www.zfn.uni-bremen.de/zfn, then „Online Tools“). And, thirdly, you will get a password for our e-learning platform Stud.IP.Einschreibung/Registration
At the University of Bremen you have to register twice: Once in Mobility Online and then in MOIN.
After your nomination by your home university, you will first have to register on the Mobility Online platform of the University of Bremen. Please be patient - the International Office will inform you as soon as the nomination has been received by the International Office. The application documents must be uploaded in Mobility Online.
After the registration in Mobility Online you will get access to the MOIN Portal, where you have to apply for your enrollment as a visiting student. For all questions concerning your registration on Mobility Online as an exchange student and your application for the host study program, please contact incoming@uni-bremen.de.Specific questions concerning the MOIN portal should be directed to the Student Secretariat (SfS: masterprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
).For more information, please visit the International Office website: www.uni-bremen.de/studium/orientieren-bewerben/studienplatzbewerbung/bewerbungen-aus-dem-ausland/austauschstudierende as well as the website of the Newcomer Services: www.uni-bremen.de/studium/starten-studieren/angebote-fuer-internationale-studierende/newcomer-service-fuer-austauschstudierende
Semesterzeiten/Semester Dates
Sie finden die Semesterzeiten hier
Nach dem Ende der Vorlesungen (Semesterende) gibt es eine ca. 2-wöchige Examesphase.
You can find the semester dates here
After the end of lectures there is an exam period of approximately two weeks.