FAQ

Applications to TUC are submitted online. You can find all information regarding the application process, deadlines, and required documents here. 

International students should also review the information provided by the Clausthal International Center (IZC) regarding full-time study.

For German-language degree programs, applicants are generally required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in German. For many degree programs, a language proficiency level of at least B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is recommended or required. For English-language degree programs, the corresponding proficiency in English is required. You can find the exact requirements in the respective program description.

Detailed information on admission requirements for international students is available on the website of the Clausthal International Center (IZC).

Yes, conditional admission is possible if you have already met the academic requirements for the program but have not yet been able to demonstrate the required German language proficiency. In this case, you can take a preparatory German course before the start of the program and take the required language exam at a later date. Once you have successfully demonstrated your language proficiency, you will receive final admission to the program.

You can find more information on conditional admission here. 

Yes, part-time study is generally possible at Clausthal University of Technology. It offers students greater flexibility to better balance their studies with their careers or family obligations. All regulations governing part-time study are based on the “Regulations Governing Part-Time Study (TzO)” of Clausthal University of Technology. 

You can find all information on part-time study, part-time degree programs, and the application process here and on the respective degree program pages,

Studying part-time can affect the standard period of study and eligibility for BAföG funding. As a rule, the duration of study is extended in proportion to the reduced course load. In addition, students pursuing part-time studies are often not eligible for BAföG. For definitive information, we recommend seeking individual counseling at the Studierendenwerk through the Student Financial Aid Office or the BAföG Office. 

Yes, academic work and exams already completed may be recognized under certain conditions. This applies both to coursework from other universities in Germany and abroad and to skills acquired through professional experience. Recognition is granted upon application and is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information on the process and the required documents, please visit the Examination Office’s website (here).

Before entering Germany, international students should check whether they need a visa and apply for it in a timely manner. They must also provide proof of financial support for their studies and sufficient health insurance coverage. It is also advisable to start looking for housing early and to find out what documents are required for enrollment. Further information is available from the Clausthal International Center (IZC) here.

Whether you need a visa to enter Germany depends on your nationality, the duration, and the purpose of your stay. You must apply for a visa at the appropriate German embassy or consulate in your home country. Since processing can take several weeks or months, you should submit your application well in advance. You may not enter Germany on a tourist visa to study or take a language course. Please find out about the applicable entry and visa requirements well in advance.

You can find more information about visas here.

Please note that the International Center cannot answer any questions regarding visa matters. Please direct all questions to the German embassy or immigration office responsible for your case.

A blocked account is a special bank account that serves as proof of financial security for your stay in Germany. Many international students from non-EU/EEA countries must open a blocked account in order to obtain a visa or a residence permit for study purposes. The account must hold a legally stipulated minimum balance, from which only a certain amount can be withdrawn each month. You can find out whether you need a blocked account by contacting the relevant German diplomatic mission or foreign nationals’ office.

To study in Germany, you need valid health insurance. International students from non-EU/EEA countries must obtain appropriate insurance before enrollment and provide proof of adequate coverage. Whether private health insurance is an option in individual cases depends on the specific requirements. Please contact a health insurance provider or the Clausthal International Center (IZC) well in advance.

You can find more information here.

Upon your arrival in Germany, you must first register your residence at the Clausthal-Zellerfeld City Clerk’s Office. With your registration confirmation, you can then apply for a residence permit at the relevant immigration office in Goslar. To do so, you will need, among other things, your passport, proof of residence, valid health insurance, and proof of financial support. The residence permit is generally issued for the purpose of studying and must be applied for well in advance of the expiration of your visa or visa-free stay period.

You can find more information about registering at the Citizens’ Office here

Further information on the residence permit can be found here. 

If your arrival in Germany is delayed, you should notify Clausthal University of Technology and the relevant offices as soon as possible. You should also check with the Clausthal International Center (IZC) to see if a later arrival is possible and how this will affect the start of your studies. In some cases, it may make sense to postpone the start of your studies or to arrange alternative arrangements for the orientation sessions. It is important that you keep track of all deadlines and respond in a timely manner.

The International Center Clausthal (IZC) offers German courses to prepare for and support your studies, as well as language tandems. In the language courses, you can systematically improve your German skills and prepare for your studies, while in a language tandem you can learn the language in a practical way together with another person who speaks a different native language.

All students and university staff can participate in German courses taken alongside their studies free of charge. If you are not enrolled here, you can purchase a guest student pass for a small fee and also participate in the courses.

You can find more information here.

Yes, a placement test is generally required before starting a language course. This test is used to determine your current language proficiency level and place you in the appropriate course. Exceptions may be possible in certain cases, such as if you already have an official language proficiency certificate. You can find out the exact regulations from the Clausthal International Center (IZC).

There are various ways to connect with the international community on campus. Welcome Week offers first-year students, in particular, an early opportunity to quickly make new friends and get to know other students as they begin their studies. The Clausthal International Center (IZC) offers, among other things, field trips and intercultural events where you can meet other students. In addition, the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen organizes international programs and support services to help with everyday student life. The TU Clausthal University Sports program also promotes exchange between students from different countries through shared athletic activities. In addition, student initiatives and university events offer a wide range of opportunities for networking and intercultural exchange.

You can find more information on the respective pages:

Welcome Weeks

IZC

Studentenwerk

University Sports

After you have enrolled, there are still a few steps you need to complete before you can fully begin your studies. First, you must pay the semester fee and complete the enrollment process in the applicant portal.

You can find a checklist for all remaining steps here.

You can find the amount of the semester fee, the current payment deadlines, and the bank account information for the transfer on the Clausthal University of Technology Student Affairs Office website. Please note that timely payment is a prerequisite for re-registration or enrollment.

The student ID card (TUCard) will be mailed to the address provided in the application. Students residing in the university town will not receive their card by mail. In this case, the TUCard must be picked up in person. If the address provided is no longer correct, you must notify the Student Affairs Office or update it on the student portal!

You can find more information about the TUCard here. 

You can download your certificate of enrollment at any time from the Student Portal (Student Management) using your RZ login credentials. To do so, log in to the Student Portal and select the “Certificates” section. There, you’ll find your current certificate of enrollment available for download as a PDF.

You can find an overview of other features of the Student Portal here.

After you enroll, you will receive the login credentials for your TUC account. You can use the username and password provided to access the IT services at Clausthal University of Technology.

With your TUC account, you’ll receive a TUC email address. This typically consists of your first name, a period, and your last name, followed by the domain @tu-clausthal.de—written out in full as: vorname.nachname@tu-clausthal.de

The program begins with introductory and orientation sessions for first-year students. You can find the exact dates for the semester here. All information about the introductory and orientation sessions is available on the Welcome Weeks website. 

You can find all the information about the introductory and orientation events on the Welcome Weeks website. 

Clausthal University of Technology uses two student portals: the Student Management system for certificates, semester fees, and applications, and the Exam and Course Management system for exam registration, grades, transcripts, and the course catalog. In addition, Stud.IP is used for courses and course materials.

The student councils at Clausthal University of Technology represent the interests of students in their respective departments. They provide support with questions about academic studies, exams, internships, life in Clausthal, and much more. They also serve as an important hub for interacting with other students.

You can find an overview of all student councils here.

There are numerous student initiatives, clubs, and university groups at Clausthal University of Technology. These include, among others, student councils, the AStA, cultural and international groups, student clubs, and fraternities and sororities. They offer opportunities to get involved, make new connections, and actively shape campus life. You can find an overview of all these groups on the websites of Clausthal University of Technology and the AStA.

You can create your class schedule in the Clausthal University of Technology’s Exam and Course Management system. You can find the recommended courses for your semester in the Implementation Regulations (AFB) and the model study plans for your degree program (click here to access the degree program pages). Using this information, you can put together your own personalized schedule. If you have any questions, the student tutors and the student councils will be happy to assist you in creating your schedule. For specific academic questions, please contact the academic advising office for your degree program.

Binding registration is required to take exams. Without timely registration, participation is generally not possible.

Registration for exams is handled through the Clausthal University of Technology’s Exam and Course Management system. Please note the respective registration periods and check after registering to ensure that the exam has been correctly entered into your account.

Lecture: Lectures are used to convey the subject matter of a module. Instructors introduce the most important concepts, methods, and relationships.

Seminar: Seminars are designed to help students apply and deepen their understanding of the lecture material through exercises and examples.

Tutorial: Tutorials are usually led by student tutors. They offer additional support with assignments, questions for clarification, and exam preparation.

Seminar: In seminars, students independently explore a topic, present their findings, and discuss them with other participants.

Internship: In internships, theoretical content is applied through practical tasks, experiments, or project work. They serve to familiarize students with the methods and working practices of a specific field and to gain practical experience.

Moodle and Stud.IP are key platforms for your studies at Clausthal University of Technology. Through Stud.IP, you can organize your courses and access information about dates, announcements, and classes. Moodle serves as a learning platform where instructors provide materials, exercises, assignments, quizzes, and other content. Once you’ve logged in with your TUC account, you can use both systems.

Lecture materials and handouts are usually provided by instructors via Moodle or Stud.IP. Past exams are often available from the student councils or on the departments’ websites. Please note that past exams are not available for all courses.

Faculty members typically communicate important information via Stud.IP, Moodle, and your university email address. Be sure to check these channels regularly so you don’t miss any announcements, schedule changes, or important notices.

For a quick overview of your daily academic life, we also recommend using the TU Clausthal Campus app.

The Clausthal University of Technology’s data center provides students with a wide range of IT services. These include, among other things, Wi-Fi and VPN, email, TUCloud, Stud.IP, Moodle, software licenses, Office 365, computer labs, printing services, as well as consulting and support services.

You can find more information here.

On the Clausthal University of Technology campus, you can use the eduroam Wi-Fi network. To do so, log in with your TUC account. Before using the network for the first time, you must accept the Computer Center’s terms of use and set up eduroam on your device. Further information, including details on using the VPN connection, can be found here. Detailed instructions for various operating systems are available in the Computer Center’s documentation.

One advantage of eduroam is that the Wi-Fi can also be used at many other universities and research institutions worldwide.

When you begin your studies at Clausthal University of Technology, you generally do not need to buy any books right away. Many course materials are provided via Moodle, Stud.IP, or as lecture notes. In addition, you can borrow numerous textbooks free of charge from the university library. Whether it makes sense to buy a book usually depends on your degree program and the specific courses you’re taking.

As a student at Clausthal University of Technology, it’s important to study regularly and not wait until right before exams to start preparing. Make the most of your lectures, work through the exercises consistently, and discuss the material with your fellow students.

You can find many course materials on Moodle and Stud.IP. It’s a good idea to use these regularly and review the content on an ongoing basis.

In addition, Clausthal University of Technology offers a free learning coach program that supports you with study strategies, time management, and exam preparation.

There are various locations on campus available for studying and working. The university library offers individual and group study spaces as well as group study rooms that can be reserved. In addition, there are study and work facilities in many of Clausthal University of Technology’s departments and centers, such as the Mathematics Learning Center. In addition, there are several computer labs equipped with up-to-date software that can be used for studying, working, and completing assignments. 

The Clausthal University of Technology Library provides access to specialized books, journals, databases, and electronic media. In addition, individual and group study stations as well as group study rooms are available. Information on the library’s collections, opening hours, and other services can be found on the University Library’s website.

In addition, many departments have their own departmental libraries with subject-specific collections.

Printing and scanning services are available at various locations on campus, including the University Library and the Computer Center’s computer labs. Information about the locations, terms of use, and costs can be found on the Computer Center’s and University Library’s websites.

If you’re having academic difficulties while studying at Clausthal University of Technology, this is not unusual—especially during the first few semesters. It’s important to seek support early on. Take advantage of tutorials, study groups, and discussions with fellow students, or reach out directly to instructors—for example, during lectures, via email, or during office hours.

In addition, you can take advantage of the learning coach program to receive support with study strategies, time management, and exam preparation. Course materials and content are typically available on Moodle and Stud.IP and can be used for review.

If you continue to experience difficulties, the Student Advising Office and the academic advising office for your degree program are available to assist you.

The Examination Regulations, the Implementation Provisions (AFB), and the Model Study Plan are particularly important for your degree program.

The Examination Regulations contain the general rules governing your studies and examinations. The Implementation Regulations (AFB) specify these rules for your degree program and define which modules, examinations, and coursework must be completed. The Model Study Plan shows the ideal sequence in which to take the modules and serves as a guide for planning your studies.

You can find the documents applicable to your degree program on the program pages of Clausthal University of Technology.

If you fail an exam, there is generally no need to worry. Most exams can be retaken in accordance with the applicable examination regulations. Be sure to find out well in advance about the retake options and deadlines in the Implementation Regulations (AFB) for your degree program.

If you’re having trouble with a course, take advantage of support services such as tutorials, faculty office hours, study groups, or academic advising.

There are various options available to you when looking for housing. The Studentenwerk offers dormitory rooms for students. In addition, you can find rooms and apartments through online portals, local housing providers, and shared apartments (WGs). Since demand can increase at the start of the semester, it’s a good idea to start your search early.

Further Information

Information on Housing at Clausthal University of Technology

Information on housing from the Clausthal International Center

Information on housing from the Studierendenwerk

In Germany, a broadcasting fee is charged for each residence. This fee is used to fund public broadcasting services. Whether you are required to pay the fee—and, if so, how much—depends on your living situation. If several people live in the same residence, the fee is generally charged only once per household. Be sure to find out early on about the regulations that apply to you and any possible exemptions.

If you move to Clausthal-Zellerfeld, you must register your residence at the Citizens’ Office. To do so, you will generally need a valid ID card or passport, as well as a confirmation of residence from your landlord. You should register as soon as possible after moving in. It’s best to make an appointment with the Citizens’ Office in advance.

International students staying in Clausthal-Zellerfeld for more than three months should register within the first week of their arrival. For more information, visit the website of the Clausthal International Center (IZC).

There are various options for financing your studies. These include BAföG, scholarships, part-time student jobs, and student and education loans. At Clausthal University of Technology, for example, you can apply for the Deutschlandstipendium or other scholarship programs. The Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen also offers advice on questions regarding student financing and social security. Be sure to find out early on which support and financing options are right for you.

You can find more information here:

Scholarships and Financial Aid at Clausthal University of Technology

Information on Costs and Cost of Living (IZC)

Social Counseling Service of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen

Whether you are eligible for BAföG depends on various factors, such as your income and assets, your parents’ income, and your personal academic situation. Therefore, whether financial aid is available—and, if so, in what amount—can only be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Different funding opportunities and requirements often apply to international students. Therefore, be sure to find out about suitable financing options and counseling services early on.

If you have questions about your eligibility for BAföG or about financing your studies, you can contact the BAföG and Social Counseling Office at the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen. There, you’ll receive personalized information and assistance with the application process.

Further information:

BAföG at Clausthal University of Technology

BAföG and Social Counseling Service of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen

Yes, many students work while pursuing their studies. Possible job opportunities include, for example, student assistant positions at Clausthal University of Technology, work-study positions at companies, or other part-time jobs in the region. Make sure your job is compatible with your daily academic schedule and that you have enough time for classes and exams.

Special legal regulations regarding employment may apply to international students. Therefore, be sure to find out early on what regulations apply to you.

There are many ways to get to know other students. The Welcome Weeks, in particular, offer numerous opportunities to make connections and start your studies together. In addition, student councils, student initiatives, university sports, study groups, and campus events help you quickly strike up conversations with other students and make new friends.

The Clausthal International Center (IZC) also regularly organizes intercultural events, language courses, excursions, and exchange programs that are open to all students and allow you to meet people from different countries and cultures.

Yes. Clausthal University of Technology offers various mentoring and buddy programs for different target groups. During Welcome Weeks, experienced students help first-year students get started with their studies and answer organizational questions.
In addition, the Mechanical Engineering program offers a support program in which experienced students assist first-semester students with questions regarding academic organization, study methods, and exam preparation.

For international students participating in the Erasmus+ program, the Clausthal International Center (IZC) offers the Study Buddy Program. Through this program, experienced students assist new international students with their arrival and adjustment and help with questions related to their studies and daily life.

In addition, the Office for Gender Equality offers mentoring opportunities for female students and early-career female researchers through the WiMINToring program. These programs support personal and professional development as well as networking.

The University Sports Program at Clausthal University of Technology offers a diverse range of sports and courses, with more than 60 options. These include fitness and health-oriented sports, team sports such as volleyball and soccer, martial arts, dance, and numerous outdoor and water sports. Thanks to its location in the Harz Mountains, seasonal recreational courses are also offered, such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, biathlon, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing.

You can find a current overview of all courses, practice times, and registration options here. 

If you encounter problems during your studies, there are various places you can turn to. For academic questions, you can contact your instructors, the academic advising office for your major, or your student council. If you have questions about organizing your studies, planning your academic path, or are unsure about your course of study, the Central Student Advising Office is here to help.

In addition, the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen offers counseling on social, financial, and personal matters. This includes, among other things, social counseling, psychological counseling, and support services related to financing your studies.
If you have questions about equal opportunity, discrimination, balancing your studies with family life, or special life situations, you can contact the Office for Equal Opportunity.
For legal questions, the AStA and the Studentenwerk also offer appropriate counseling services.

It’s important not to wait too long. There are appropriate contacts and support services available for nearly every concern.

Clausthal University of Technology supports students with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other health impairments in planning their studies. The Central Student Advisory Service provides confidential counseling on individual challenges in everyday student life and offers information on available support services as well as accommodations for exams and coursework.

If you need special support due to a health-related impairment, we recommend contacting the Central Student Advisory Service early on so that we can work together to find suitable solutions for your studies.

Further information:

Students with Chronic Illnesses and Impairments (ZSB)

If you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed or need support with personal, social, or academic challenges, you can contact the Psychotherapy Counseling Center of the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen. Counseling is confidential, free of charge, and available to all students at Clausthal University of Technology.

Further information: 

Psychotherapeutic Counseling

Exam stress and test anxiety are not uncommon during college. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you should seek support early on. Talking to faculty members, your academic advisor, or the Central Student Advising Office can be helpful.

In addition, the Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen offers a psychotherapy counseling center. There, you can receive free and confidential support for exam anxiety, stress, motivation issues, learning difficulties, or other personal challenges. In addition to individual counseling sessions, group sessions and workshops are also available.

The learning coach program at Clausthal University of Technology can also help you improve your study strategies, optimize your time management, and prepare specifically for exams.