Preparation

Information on finance and details on scholarships (BWS/ DAAD, Zonta, City of Stuttgart) can be found in the "Programmes" section.

Based on our experience, a student in Germany currently needs an average of approx. 600-700 EUR per month for food, clothing, rent, travel costs, free time and studies.

Here are some examples:

• Room rent in a student hall of residence per semester: approx. 1,500 EUR, (corresponds to approx. 250 EUR / month)
• Internet access an additional 7 EUR per month
• Costs for admission and the social fee: approx. 130 EUR
• German student health insurance for non-EU citizens: approx. 510 EUR per semester
• Meal in the “Mensa” (student restaurant) with a drink: 2-4 EUR
• One wash using a  Student Village washing machine: approx. 2 EUR
• Entrance fee to the cinema: 7-9 EUR

For your four to six month stay in Ludwigsburg, you can expect to need at least 3,600 EUR in total.

An Erasmus mobility grant will only cover a (small) part of the costs of your stay, as this is not a full scholarship.

Even with a generous scholarship (from the DAAD or the Baden-Württemberg Foundation, for example (2,500 EUR per semester), this sum will not be able to cover all the costs. In any case, you will need additional money of your own to be able to manage your stay financially.

Unlike in some other countries, students at German universities can put together their own timetable. This also applies to international students.

However, exchange students must take into account the Learning Agreement that you completed in consultation with your home university.

Please note: Erasmus students and scholarship holders must acquire at least 30 ECTS per semester.

The Learning Agreement consists of three parts:

"Before Mobility”                                                                 

Before your departure, you have to determine the courses together with your coordinator and record them in the "Before Mobility" part. You must send us this first part of the Learning Agreement with your signature and that of the coordinator before your arrival, also as a scan if you wish.

"During Mobility

Your original course selection can still be changed during the first weeks of your stay. The changes will then be recorded in the second, "During Mobility", part of the Learning Agreement and signed by all parties.

"After Mobility"

The third part, "After Mobility", is completed at the end of your semester abroad at your home university.

You can find an overview of the process for the Learning Agreement on the DAAD homepage at:

eu.daad.de/service/downloadcenter/de/46402-downloadcenter/

Students who do not come from the EU also need a valid entry visa for study purposes. This must be applied for in the home country in good time, as processing / issuing can take several months.

Exception: Citizens of the USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, Israel, New Zealand and Ukraine can also obtain the visa after their arrival here in Ludwigsburg.

For EU citizens:

In accordance with EU agreements, health insurance from your home country is also recognised in Germany. However, you must have the blue EHIC card issued by your health insurance provider before you leave. This must be valid at least until the end of your studies here in Germany!

EHIC = European Health Insurance Card

After your arrival, this card will be checked by a German insurance provider (during the two information days before the semester begins) and you will then receive an official document confirming that your insurance is valid in Germany.

In cases of acute problems, illnesses or pain, you can then use this paper and the EHIC card to go to any dentist, doctor or hospital for treatment. The examination is free of charge.

Since the EHIC is only valid for acute illnesses, we recommend that EU students with chronic ailments take out additional health insurance with a German insurance company.

This system also applies to Turkish and Serbian citizens; however, instead of an EHIC your Turkish or Serbian insurance provider will issue:

- Form A/T 11 Türkiye-Alman Sosyal Güvenlik Sözlesmeşi for Turkish citizens. This is a bilingual form prepared by the two countries. It is issued by SSI branches in Turkey and insurance providers in Germany.

- Form 111 SRB for Serbian citizens. If you do not have this document when you arrive, you will need to take out a regular German health insurance policy.

For non-EU citizens:

First of all, you will need travel health insurance for your arrival and the first few days of your stay in Ludwigsburg.

After that, like German students, you must take out insurance with a German health insurance provider based in Germany (not a purely online insurance!). This costs approx. 510 EUR per semester / 6 months at the cheaper student rate (NB: there is an age limit of 30!) and is fully inclusive (also e.g. prevention, dentures for damaged teeth, hospital stays, operations, free choice of doctor etc.). The contract is always concluded for 6 months. If you leave earlier, you will be reimbursed for the remaining months/weeks.

During the orientation weeks, we will help you to find a German health insurance provider. Of course, you are completely free to select a health insurance provider of your choice, but from experience we recommend one of the large, semi-governmental ones, as private providers often do not have sufficient insurance coverage and are therefore not accepted for admission.

The semester-long language courses are offered at three or four different levels, so you are guaranteed to attend a course that is tailored to your initial competence.

For students who are not yet older than 30, the bank account is free of charge for the duration of your studies in Germany.

We will set up an account for each of you as soon as you arrive - you do not have to do this on your own.

If you already have an account in Germany, we recommend that you check whether your bank has a branch in Ludwigsburg.

Caution: With a student account, you cannot go into debit ("minus"), which means you cannot incur debts and overdraw the account. If you have no more money in the account, you can no longer make financial transactions such as transfers, withdraw money, etc. So before making any transfer, carefully check your account balance to see whether the money in your account is sufficient for the transfer.

Credit cards are not accepted everywhere in Germany, depending on the type of card. Small amounts are still often paid in cash. Cheques are no longer used in Germany.

If you lose your credit card or your German account card, or if it is stolen, you must have the card blocked immediately. There are central telephone numbers in Germany for this purpose. If possible, make a note of these numbers before you leave.