Incoming
School of Design
School of Design
We are happy that you have decided to study at our School of Design as an exchange student. You are about to start your studies in a new country and there is no doubt that you will have many questions regarding the preparation of your stay and the application. If we cannot answer your questions here, do not hesitate to contact us.
The on-line application for exchange students is a very simple procedure. First of all your home university has to nominate you. Once the nomination is confirmed, we will provide the latest information and you can start your application:
• fill in the on-line application
• create a password and register
• upload all requested documents (most important is he learning agreement)
• receive an acceptance letter immediately after the deadline
• international students may now apply for their visa
• all exchange students should then apply for an accommodation (see below)
• pursue your enrolment
We do accept applications for one or two semesters.
Our academic year is divided into two semesters:
winter semester: September – February
summer semester: March – August
Classes begin: beginning of October
Classes end: end of January
Orientation: mid September
Christmas break: between Christmas and 1st of January
An intensive German language course (beginners) may be offered at the beginning of September
Classes begin: 3rd Monday of March
Classes end: mid July (including examination period)
Orientation: mid March
Easter break: Friday before until Monday after Easter
Students staying with us a whole academic year from October to July will have a 6 week break between end of January and middle of March. Students studying the whole academic year from March to January will have a 10 week break between middle of July and end of September.
*exact current dates can be found in the handbook
*exact current dates can be found in the handbook
There is a social service fee that every student has to pay in order to be enrolled. The fee allows you to use the dining halls and the Studierendenwerk facilities (Student Services) and includes a ticket for the public transports for the entire Rhine-Main area for the whole semester. This is not a tuition fee and there are no exceptions possible. It will be charged each semester.
A sufficient health insurance is condition to be enrolled and it must meet the so-called “Schengener Abkommen”-requirements and has to be valid for the entire duration of your stay (for details please refer to the handbook).
After you have received your acceptance letter, further information on the enrolment and the payment of the social service fee will be provided by email.
Once you have paid, provided a proof of your health insurance and filled in the enrolment form, we will prepare your student ID/student ticket, to make sure that you can use the public transports and have access to our IT-services from your very first day in Mainz.
The course selection procedure varies in the different study programs.
COMMUNICATION DESIGN, INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, TIME-BASED MEDIA
(B2 LEVEL ENGLISH REQUIRED)
There is no predetermined study programme for incoming students of our school of design. The lectures will be taught in German and we have to tailor an individual program for you. Please check the module descriptions in the handbook and send us your subject nomination. According to your preselection we will prepare your Learning Agreement to have it confirmed by yourself and your home university, prior to your arrival. Please note that your workload should not exceed 30 ECCTS. If your home university agrees, German language courses may be part of your workload.
At present we offer six different levels of the subject “German Language and Culture”. We recommend all students to attend one of the language modules in order to at least acquire basic knowledge of the language. During the introduction week there will be an assessment test according to which students will be allocated into different group levels.
In principle, you may stay at any one of the student dorms. Information on the different residences is available in the handbook. You have to apply online. You will get detailed information after the nomination of your home university.
Responsible for accommodation is the ′Studierendenwerk′ (student services) in Mainz.
https://www.studierendenwerk-mainz.de/ab/wohnen/apply/
Studierendenwerk Mainz
Wohnraumverwaltung
Staudinger Weg 21
55128 Mainz
Germany
E-Mail: international (at) studierendenwerk-mainz.de
Accommodation application deadline
• 15th of May (winter semester)
• 15th of December (spring semester)
Regulations for foreign students studying in Germany are subject to the laws for foreigners. Please inform yourself and apply to the German Embassy in your home country about current regulations concerning entry and residence for Germany. To enter the country you will certainly require a valid passport with visa or a residence permit for students. To apply for this, we will send you an acceptance letter. A tourist or visitor’s visa is not sufficient, neither a residence permit for another EU country. Information can be found on the homepage of »Auswärtiges Amt« or »BAMF«.
We strongly recommend to apply for a student visa in your home country for the entire duration of your stay.