Welcome

We are pleased to inform you that there will be a one-week orientation before the start of the semester.

Part ONE
The student union (so-called Fachschaft) of Cognitive Systems offers a two-day orientation from 7-8 October, 2024 (please keep yourself informed via https://stuve.uni-ulm.de/fin/en/master-ese). Participation is strongly recommended for all students as it comprises a potpourri of important information and will be of great help to become familiar with campus life, your new classmates etc.

Part TWO
The International Office, a centralised unit of Ulm University dedicated to support international students, offers an orientation from 9-10 October, 2024 together with the Cognitive Systems program coordination. Our German students are also warmly welcome to join.

There you get helpful information from the International Office, Studierendenwerk Ulm, ASSIST, health insurance, get to know our library and much more. You will find details on this website in due course: https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/international-office/international-activities/international-student-support-initiatives/welcome/

If you missed the event, you are welcome to take a look at the following presentations:

- Welcome Day October 2024 International Office
- Getting started - Checklist International Office

Guests on Welcome Day:
- TK health insurance
- Barmer health insurance
- Studierendenwerk Ulm
- ASSIST

Part THREE
All subject-specific information, e.g. the study plan will be introduced during the semester opening for Cognitive Systems students. The opening lecture is going to take place at 9am on Oct 14th in building O28 room 1002. Note that this is in parallel to the main opening ceremony given by the president (in German). 

Arrival checklist
This checklist contains all administrative steps you need to handle after your arrival and an overview of your orientation program.

Studierendenwerk Ulm

• An English summary of your rental contract with important information and deadlines provided by the Studierendenwerk.
• "First semester bag" - relevant throughout the entire study period
• Their facilities at Ulm University
• Living At A Student Dorm - An Illustrated Dictionary
• First Aid: An Illustrated Health Dictionary: Information For Foreign Students in Germany

Student representation of Ulm University (StuVe)
StuVe Starter Guide

Communication and Information Centre (kiz)
kiz Quick Guide for new students

Active Partnership and Support of Senior Consultants for International Students
ASSIST

International Office
www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/
General information on liability insurance (provided by International Office)
Flyer Advice and support for international students

Upon arrival you will receive several documents around your rental contract with the Studierendenwerk from your senior. These include

• the original version of your rental contract (stamped and signed by the Studierendenwerk and the International Office on your behalf) plus one copy thereof:
  Please sign each document twice (on the bottom side of the page where it says 'Mieter/Mieterin' (tenant)) and add the date of signature. The original document is for you and the signed copy is for the Studierendenwerk.
  Here you may find a sample with instructions.
• the direct debit authorisation required for deducting your monthly rent:
  Please complete your personal data as well as your bank details and sign it (you may either use your blocked account once it has been activated or a giro account). A sample with instructions is available here.

Please submit both ‘rental contract‘ and the 'direct debit authorisation‘ in paper form to the Studierendenwerk in the coming weeks. Here you can find them on the Campus:
https://studierendenwerk-ulm.de/en/accommodation/contact-accommodation-department/
It is not necessary to make an appointment for the submission and if they are closed when you drop by, you may alternatively put the documents in their letterbox "Wohnraumverwaltung + Kinderkrippe".

• the declaration of rental agreement acceptance:
  Please complete the key data regarding your rental contract and sign it.
  A sample with instructions is available here.

Please send the ‘declaration of rental agreement acceptance‘ electronically to cogsys@uni-ulm.de. Keep the original version of this declaration.

Important note: Do not ignore these administrative steps, because otherwise your rental contract may be terminated with immediate effect.

• the so-called "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung"
  Please take this document with you to your appointment at the Foreigners' Office. Here you can see what the form looks like.

We have compiled a document with Essential Information (see Downloads at a glance) to help you along the path you are about to enter. Please download the document and read it carefully.

In turn, please confirm that you have fully acknowledged the therein provided information, as well as the content of this website by sending us the form Recognition and Decisions (see Downloads at a glance). The form also contains a number of basic decisions to take. Please do return the form by 04 August at the latest.

As usual in German cities, housing is a major source of discontentment.

We offer to apply for a reservation of a room on your behalf at the student dormitories of the Studierendenwerk Ulm.

• Please fill out the form Housing Application (see Downloads at a glance) and return it no later than 04 August 2024, if you are interested.
  In this context make sure to transfer the security deposit of 800 € (housing deposit, first rent, fees) to the Studierendenwerk Ulm within two weeks.

Other relevant links for alternatives

• Studierendenwerk Ulm, information about Housing
  This site also contains information about private housing offers
• www.wg-gesucht.de
  A platform to rent a room in a shared flat

In some countries, it is difficult to obtain a visa. We have already provided detailed information in the document Essential Information under Downloads at a glance. Make sure to engage in the application as early as possible. Please keep in touch with us, if any delays occur.

As you will have to take care of all bureaucratic matters yourself, we would like to draw your attention to the company Expatrio. There you have the option to apply for a Value Package online while you’re still in your home country. The package includes a blocked account, an incoming insurance, public health insurance, current account and an ISIC Card. Please check out the details here:

https://www.expatrio.com/living-germany/cities/ulm/ulm-university

The package will make your start in Germany much easier and facilitates your enrolment as well as your registration at the Foreigners’ Office in Ulm.

Other alternatives for blocked accounts may be found at https://blockedaccountgermany.com/deutsche-bank/

If you ask yourself whether you can study in Germany without a blocked account. Yes, that's possible if you can prove sufficient financial means through other options, e.g. parents' income documents, a scholarship certificate, a letter of commitment or a bank guarantee. For details please check www.studying-in-germany.org/germany-blocked-account-foreign-students/

Further details are also provided in the document Essential Information.

Basically all information about enrolment (the application for enrolment form and the information sheets on enrolment) is given with your admission to the programme (admission letter), respectively at https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/study/application-and-enrolment/immatrikulationsinformation-campus-portal/.

As stated in the admission letter you will have to apply for enrolment in our campus portal and send the required documents in full by post to the Studiensekretariat (student administration and examinations office) by the deadline stated in the notification of admission. Please note that all documents must be received in full at Ulm University by this date. Enrolment by Ulm University will take place from 1 July for the winter semester.

If you have any questions regarding enrolment or deadline extension, please contact the Studiensekretariat. Your contact person there is Mrs. Schmid.

Please do not forget to register at the Einwohnermeldeamt / Foreigners' Office of the City of Ulm or the community you have settled. This is particularly important for any further prolongations of your visa.