Studying in Chemnitz

Get started and settle in How to make a good start and get ready for student life

DE

There’s still lots to prepare

Before starting your course

Before you can really get going with your studies in Chemnitz, there are still a few things to organise. Where do I start and what do I need to think about? Finding the right student accommodation, funding your studies, taking a bridge course to refresh your existing knowledge and much more besides: everything you need to know about preparing for your degree programme can be found here, to make sure your start to university is stress-free.

How can I finance my studies?

A question of money?

One of the advantages of studying in Chemnitz is most definitely the relatively low cost of living compared to many other university cities.

Even so, it is advisable to start thinking about how to finance your studies early on. We can give you all the information you need on the BAföG (financial assistance offered by the federal government), student loans, part-time jobs and grants – so that you can start your degree programme perfectly prepared and financially secure.

Where can I live in Chemnitz?

Hall of residence, flat share or my very own pad?

  • What sort of accommodation would suit me best?
    Got your university place sorted, but no idea how or where you want to live? By yourself, two of you, or in a flat share? There are lots of possibilities and each one has its own advantages: enjoy the social aspect of a student flat share or hassle-free living in one of the many halls of residence on campus, where all bills are included? Or perhaps you prefer your own space and would like to get your first place by yourself? Chemnitz has a range of accommodation to suit all tastes – affordable and close to the university.
  • Get a place in a student residence
    At the heart of student life instead of being on the sidelines! A room in one of the halls of residence close to campus means you only have a short walk to the university, student clubs and the canteen – and there’s always something going on. Single rooms or flat-share rooms in student residences are available at an affordable 200 to 310 euros per month, including utilities. Find out how to get a place on campus here.
  • Your own flat
    Your very own flat at student-friendly prices? In Chemnitz, it’s easy enough! Finding a cosy apartment in Chemnitz is pretty stress-free. You’ll find flats to rent advertised on shared accommodation websites, as well as on the canteen noticeboards, the Orangerie and the halls of residence themselves.
  • Find a flat share
    Living alone isn’t really for you, and you’d rather have other people around you all the time? Cooking together and chilling out with friends suits you better than the peace and quiet of your own place? Then a flat share is a great alternative for you. There’s always something going on, and you’ll rarely be left to your own devices. But there’s the odd challenge to face now and again when you live with others. Openness and the ability to adapt should therefore be no strangers to you. If you’re looking for a flat share [de], just check the noticeboards in the canteen or elsewhere on campus. You’ll also find adverts from friendly people looking for flatmates here.

Bye-bye Hotel of Mum & Dad!

You have a place at Chemnitz University of Technology and now you need somewhere to live? We’ll show you how and where you can find affordable student flat shares or a place in a student residence. Thanks to very reasonable rents in Chemnitz, even your own student flat might be a good option. Close to campus and not too expensive – here you are guaranteed to find a home for yourself while you’re studying in Chemnitz.

What is where?

Campus overview

At first glance, it’s not that easy to find your way around the campus of Chemnitz University of Technology.

We’ll explain where you can find the different parts of the university so you don’t lose your bearings and know exactly where to go. 

How do I get from A to B?

Getting about in Chemnitz

As a student, you are entitled to free bus and train travel in Germany with your semester ticket.

But for short journeys to the university and for your leisure time, it’s worth getting a bicycle.

  • Getting around Germany with your semester ticket.
    Deutschlandsemesterticket is a discounted transport ticket for all students at Chemnitz University of Technology. It is valid for local public transport throughout Germany. The fee is paid upon enrolment or re-registration. You can find additional key information about the semester ticket on the StuRa website.
  • Travelling by bus and train in Chemnitz
    You’ll quickly get your bearings thanks to Chemnitz’s well-designed local public transport system. The university’s sites are connected by tram line 3. Convenient regional bus lines will also transport you across the entire city.
  • Cycling is the way to travel
    You can get around quickly on the cycling routes between the university’s sites. If you don’t own a bicycle, you can rent a bicycle from Chemnitzer Stadtfahrrad [de] at a reasonable price. And if your bicycle ever needs repairing, you can get help from the Dr. Radinger [de] self-help bicycle workshop. Of course, you can also take your bicycle on the bus and train free of charge.
  • Having a car is not essential
    We all know that driving is convenient and indeed very tempting, particularly during the cold winter months. However, it can be hard to find a parking space at some university sites. That’s why it’s better to leave your car at home and hop on the bus or train because parking in the wrong place can become rather expensive. That said, if you prefer to drive, you can always head to the nearest Park & Ride car park [de] and take the bus or the train to campus from there – you’ll save on petrol, you can use your semester ticket, and the environment will thank you for it, too.
  • Your university email address
    A user account and your own email address will be set up for you at the start of your studies by the University Computer Centre [de] (URZ). You can use this email address throughout your degree programme. The university and teaching staff will use this address to communicate with you. You should therefore check your mailbox [de] regularly for news or set up forwarding to your personal email account.
  • Get to know the University Library

    The University Library is located at the building "Alte Aktienspinnerei" ("Ancient Spinning Mill"), Straße der Nationen 33.

    You find your Library user number on your student identity card subsequent to "UB": SXXX. On the website of the Library, you may search for media. Via your online-user account, you may prolong lending delays or order media not available resp. not accessible at the Library via interlibrary loan.

     

  • Got your health insurance in place?
    In order to prove that you are insured, you must present an insurance certificate from your health insurer at the start of your studies. As a student, you can be covered under your family’s insurance policy until you turn 25. After that, you must obtain your own insurance. If you work in addition to your studies, please note that you must not exceed the additional earnings threshold. Please bear in mind that these thresholds do not have anything to do with the calculation of your BAföG (financial support from the federal government).
  • Notifying a change of address: yes or no?
    If you begin a degree programme at Chemnitz University of Technology, you must register with the Citizens’ Service Agency [de] within two weeks. You may choose whether to register your accommodation as a main residence or a secondary residence. The city of Chemnitz offers you a “welcome money” stipend of 100 EUR if you register your address in Chemnitz as your main residence. The application form is easy to find on the Internet. Please note, however, that if you register your new main residence in Chemnitz, you may no longer be covered under your parents’ third-party liability insurance, so it’s a good idea to check your insurance cover.
  • Using the university wifi
    You can use our free and secure university wifi (eduroam) across campus. Once set up, eduroam allows you to use the wifi at virtually all universities in Germany and even many universities around the world, without you having to set up your device all over again. Information on setting up the campus network and advice on security [de]  can be found on the University Computer Centre’s (URZ) pages.
  • Don’t forget the “broadcast contribution”
    As a student, you still have to pay the “Rundfunkbeitrag” (broadcast contribution), commonly known as the GEZ. This is obligatory for every German household. If you receive BAföG assistance, you may be exempt from paying the Rundfunkbeitrag. Application forms and further information are available here.
  • Have you remembered everything? Your checklist for the start of your studies
    Take a quick look at the checklist so that you don’t forget anything when you’re getting ready to start your course.

What else do I need to think about?

It’s all about organisation

Amid all the stress of preparing to start your degree, it may be that you forget about one thing or another.

To make sure your semester gets off to a relaxed start, we have put together a few useful links and a checklist for you.

How can I prepare to start university?

You’ll soon be well on your way

All the organisational issues have been completed, and now you’re curious about getting to know your new fellow students and wondering how to prepare to start studying in your first semester?

Then you definitely shouldn’t miss Orientation Week of the International Office and the introductory events [de] for your course. Not only that, but you can also refresh your existing knowledge from school or your bachelor’s degree with a preparation course or a bridge course.

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