Planning Your Studies
Many students from abroad initially have difficulty orienting themselves in the German university system. To ensure that you complete your studies successfully without losing unnecessary time, be sure to inform yourself as early as possible about your degree requirements.
Many departments publish guides detailing the courses and examinations you need to take and the order in which you need to complete them. If you want additional assistance, schedule an appointment with your departmental advisor, who will help you create a personal timeline. You can find a comprehensive list of departmental advisors at the RWTH Aachen here and at the FH Aachen here.
Another thing to keep in mind are the kinds of courses required and the obligations they entail:
- Seminars
Seminars are courses designed to foster engaged discussions between instructor and students. In most cases, students are required to give presentations and write independent term papers.
- Lectures
Lectures are prepared by the instructors. Aside from attendance, students have no further obligations.
- Colloquia
A colloquium is an advanced seminar led by an instructor on a particular topic.
- Tutorials
In tutorials students are taught to apply theoretical knowledge relevant to specific problems.
It is very important that you inform yourself ahead of time about examinations. Ask yourself the following questions:
- How are the examinations to be given?
- How will the individual areas of examination be evaluated?
- What is the system of grading used by German universities?
- Are there practice texts?
- How often can an examination be repeated?
- What period of time does the examination cover?
- Are examinations oral or written?
If you are unsure about any of these, get help from your departmental advisor, the student council, or one of your fellow students.
You can find an overview of student councils at the RWTH here.
Re-registration
Normally enrolled students have to re-register each semester. When you re-register, you must pay dues for social services and, depending on the university and the situation, tuition fees as well. For more information, see re-registration at the RWTH Aachen and the FH Aachen. .
Each semester the registrar’s office will send you a bill for the semester fees along with a new student card. As soon as your transfer the money, you will be registered automatically.
You can find out the deadlines for the RWTH Aachen here and for the FH Aachen here.
If you don’t re-register in time, you may be exmatriculated.