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 6-7 October, 2025 (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.
If this webpage has not yet been updated, please note that it is maintained from students for students (not by us) and often is updated only very close to the events.

Part TWO
The International Office, a centralised unit of Ulm University dedicated to support international students, offers an orientation from 9-10 October, 2025 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 could not attend their Welcome day on 9 October, please take a look at the following documents and join the Welcome day for late arrivals on 3 November: Welcome day info session, getting started in Germany.

Information about further events for internationals:
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/international-office/international-activities/international-student-support-initiatives/

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 9 am on Oct 13th in building O27 room 2203. Please note that this event will take place at the same time as the greeting from the University President (in German). If you couldn't attend the semester opening for Cognitive Systems students, please take a look at the following documents: Opening lecture, Study plan and time planning for WS 2025/26.

If you cannot make it for the orientation events, note that the last agenda item for the orientation weeks from the international office is the event for late arrivals scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3rd, 2025. Other than that event, you will have to get missed infos from your fellow students as we cannot organise individual welcome events for those arriving later. 

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
Note that you should receive your kiz account (which is needed, for example, to log into our eLearning system Moodle) with the enrolment. It should be on a data sheet that you received. If you really cannot find it, please contact the Student Administration and Examinations Office via studiensekretariat(at)uni-ulm.de. Your contact person there is Mrs. Jennifer Schmid.

Active Partnership and Support of Senior Consultants for International Students
ASSIST

International Office
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/
General information on liability insurance (provided by International Office)
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/degree-phd/welcome-to-ulm/
https://www.uni-ulm.de/en/io/international-office/international-activities/international-student-support-initiatives/

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 your coordinator who will pass it on to 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.
• 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 submit the above three documents in paper form to your coordinator Dr. Sandra Mann. Ideally, you should bring the documents with you to the introductory event on 13 October so that everything can be done straight away. If this is not possible, you will find the office of Dr. Mann at University West, room 41.3.107. Please make an appointment in advance.

• 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 27 July 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  27 July 2025, if you are interested.
  In this context make sure to transfer the security deposit of 1,000 € (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 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.