Studying at FB5

Thank you for your interest in studying at FH Aachen and welcome at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (FB5)! We welcome guest students in all of our study programs. On the following pages, we compiled a lot of helpful information all about studying and living in Aachen. So let us just not waste any time and jump right into it!

First off, our study programs in German language:

> Electrical Engineering
> Computer Science
> Media and Communications for Digital Business
> Business Informatics

Although our study programs are in general all in German, a certain number of courses each semester are held in English, and it is possible to combine them with English-language courses from other departments of FH Aachen, e.g. Business and Mechanical Engineering.

That means you can study one or two semesters in English, too. If you are interested, please see our English language study program.

Questions? Do not hesitate to contact us. Services, further information and important documents can be found at the Department of International Affairs.

With more than 14,000 students, almost 2,000 graduates a year, ten departments, and more than 70 degree programs, FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences is one of the biggest and most important universities of applied sciences in Germany.

FH Aachen offers its students a first-rate course of study that superbly prepares them for jobs in modern and trendsetting professions. The university focuses on modern teaching which is guided by the latest didactic insights and utilises up-to-date methods such as e-learning.

Students are provided with individual personal support which allows for an intense exchange of knowledge and experiences with the teaching staff. The incorporation of current research and development findings optimally prepares students for their professional careers after graduation.

Your advantages at the FH Aachen

> Excellent education: according to the Wirtschaftswoche Hochschulranking (to be seen on www.studis-online.de), the FH Aachen is the best university of applied sciences in Germany to study Electrical Engineering, and ranks third in Computer Science
> Comprehensive support in English: the Department of International Affairs will help you with all your questions and issues regarding your exchange studies, and a German student will support you during your time in Aachen as a Buddy. In the department of electrical engineering and information technology, you will have no problems getting along with English
> Extensive university sports offer to keep you fit
> Great leisure program to keep you entertained

The city

Inhabitants: 250,000
Students: > 50,000
Monthly rent: ca. 330 EUR

Aachen is a nice historic city with over 50,000 students, a vibrant student life, concerts, cinemas, and cultural events. It is international, student-oriented and always open to new ideas. It is also the most westerly city in Germany, located near the Belgian and Dutch border, forming a so-called "Dreiländereck". Its prestigious colleges, central location in Europe, affordable monthly rent, and agreeable size have made Aachen a magnet for international students.

Aachen unites tradition with progress. Charlemagne has left his mark throughout the city. The cathedral - the first monument in Germany to be included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage list - and the gothic City Hall, in which 32 German kings celebrated their coronations, still form the heart of Aachen's old city centre.

But Aachen is by no means just a museum! It is a modern city, open to the world, with political, economic, and cultural contacts that reach far beyond Germany's borders. The city has a flair and atmosphere of its own. The attractive layout of the old city centre, the bustling activity in the streets and squares, the cultural diversity and the many recreational and leisure activities make Aachen an exciting and pleasing whole. The Carolus-Thermen are one of the most modern and attractive thermal baths in Europe.

Besides the presentation of the International Charlemagne Prize, the major annual events include the presentation of the Carnival Award "The Antidote to Deadly Ernest", the Aachen Peace Prize and the Aachen Innovation Award. Nor should we forget the CHIO World Equestrian Festival in the Soers region and the events of the AachenSeptemberSpecial. From end of November until Christmas, Aachen hosts one of the most famous and renowned Christmas markets in Europe.

The vicinity

As you now have learned, Aachen is a downright awesome spot on the map. But not only that, it has cool surroundings, too:

Its exceptional position as the intersection of many other famous European cities makes it even more attractive as your place to go. You always wanted to see the Cologne Cathedral, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Atomium in Brussels, travel to Paris to see the Eiffel tower, or travel to London by train and have a ride on the London Eye? Well, no problem: from Aachen, you could possibly visit all of these locations in just one day, or spend a rewarding weekend there.

If you are more the nature kind of person, we recommend you spend some time in the hills of nearby Eifel to relax.

As mentioned before, it is absolutely affordable to study and live in Aachen. The typical student cost of living amounts to ca. 600-700 EUR a month.

There are no tuition fees in North Rhine-Westphalia. Before the semester starts, a mandatory social contribution (Sozialbeitrag) has to be paid. This contribution is not a tuition fee but is used towards benefitting the Studierendenwerk Aachen (housing and social affairs) as well as the AStA (Students' Union Executive Committee), and includes the Semester-Ticket which is valid for a period of one semester and allows the use of public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).

Make sure you can afford living in Aachen during your stay. Here are the expenses you need to cover in a more detailed statement of costs:

> social contribution (to be paid before semester starts): ca. 325 EUR

> ca. 600-700 EUR/month available for:

> health insurance (up to 30 years of age): ca. 90 EUR

> study materials, books: ca. 40 EUR

> accommodation (basic): ca. 250-350 EUR

> food, clothes, and other essentials: ca. 200 EUR

> computer, TV, and radio license fee: ca. 18 EUR

The amount mentioned above should be available under all circumstances.

Financing your studies by way of a job is generally not possible for foreign students who do not come from one of the 15 "old" member states of the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

Should you need any help, please contact the Registrar's Office or the Department of International Affairs personally.

FH Aachen (ERASMUS+ Code D AACHEN02) cooperates with more than 150 universities worldwide. If you are a registered student at one of these universities, you can complete a part of your studies here as an exchange student.

> you should first contact the International Office of your home university and get registered for the exchange program
> the coordinators at your university will then contact us
> your contact person for Aachen is Ms. Linda Weller

FH Aachen offers the following services for students from partner universities:

> assistance in finding accommodation
> German language courses
> assistance with registration at the FH Aachen, residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), and other formalities
> excursions and social activities

If you are not an exchange student from a partner university of FH Aachen but want to apply for a place of study in a regular manner, you can find information about all our Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes (taught in German or English), information booklets, the responsible contact persons, application deadlines and -requirements on the Degree Programs website.

If you have any further questions regarding this application process, please contact the Registrar's Office (Studierendensekretariat) if no other contact is given.

International applicants who wish to apply to FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences for a non-degree period of study, but not as a part of an exchange programme or a university partnership, may apply as "freemovers" for one semester.

As a student in the freemover program, you may work in a lab with a professor, e.g. for your thesis.
Freemovers cannot attend classes or write exams.

Contact (only for questions about the freemover program): freemover(at)fh-aachen.de
We cannot answer questions about any other program at this e-mail address!