02. Do you offer online courses?
No.

03. What is the regular period of study?
The regular period of study is two years (four semesters; three semesters tutorials and practicals and one semester master thesis).

08. How much do I have to pay?
The social contribution fee is currently app. 300 € per semester (WS 16/17: 303,04€). There are no exceptions, also not for scholarship holders. For your first semester, you have to pay your social contribution fee upon enrolment. After the first semester, this fee has to be paid within the re-registration period. Usually, this period is at the end of the previous semester; it will we announced on time. You can either transfer the fee from your bank account, pay in cash at the bank or give the University permission to debit your account directly.

09. How can I open up a bank account?
In order to effect a cash-free transfer of money to pay your rent, health insurance and similar things, you must have a personal current account with a bank in Germany. To open up a bank account the following documents will be required: passport, residence permit, letter of acceptance from the University, your address in Germany. You can choose any bank, as in general they all offer free student accounts.

10. When can I enrol?
Students have to register at the Students Secretary Office (Studierendensekretariat) within the enrolment period announced on the RUB homepage. After registering you have to pay the social contribution (WS 16/17: € 303,04). The social contribution has to be paid by all students (apart from a few exceptions, like, for example, scholarship holders) each semester . The social contribution is a general fee including contributions for the canteen ("Mensa"), cafeterias, student dormitories and the public transport ticket with which you can travel throughout the entire state of NRW.

11. What are the estimated costs of living?
The estimated costs of living per month amount to approx. 700,- Euro (including rent, health insurance and expenses for food, books, learning materials and excursions).

17. Can I change accommodation in case that I should not like the room/apartment offered to me?
You have to pay for your room/apartment up until the date your housing contract expires. You can apply for alternative accommodation at AKAFOE or at a private hostel. However, please keep in mind that there is a long waiting list at the AKAFOE and that you will have to wait up to six months from the date you have applied until you can move into another apartment. Most dormitories offer semester contracts. Depending on your contract you have to inform the administration of the student house you're living at between one and three months in advance in writing of the cancellation of the contract.

18. How much will I have to pay for accommodation?
Usually between 220 and 350 Euros per month, depending on the dormitory, its size and the furnishing of the room/apartment.

19. Is food included in the monthly rent?
No, but all dormitories have cooking facilities. Besides, you can take warm meals in the canteen ('Mensa') or snacks from the numerous cafeterias which are usually located on the entrance floors of many campus buildings. The price of a full warm meal ranges between 2.20 and 4.50 Euros (Monday to Friday). In your planning for the week, please keep in mind that in Germany, stores are closed on Sundays.

20. How can I borrow books from the library?
Your student ID card, which you should always carry with you, will be handed out to you upon enrolment. Besides of a few other things like xeroxing, paying for your meals at the canteen, etc., this card will also enable you to borrow books from the University`s main library. In addition, most faculties have their own libraries (some departmental libraries do not lend books, but you can borrow them for xeroxing or read them in the library rooms). Besides, you can also borrow books from the library of the Fachhochschule Bochum (Bochum University of Applied Sciences) which is located very close to the Ruhr University (take the subway U 35 to "Hustadt" and get out one stop further than Ruhr-Universität).

21. How can I get my email address?
Upon enrolment, you will receive your personal access code with which you can log in to your RUB e-mail account. Please go to www.rub.de > Services > Mail in order to log in to your e-mail account.

26. May I ask professors or assistants after lectures about some unclear points?
You are invited to ask them about all problems you are facing while you are studying. Since professors are usually very engaged in some projects it would be best to make an appointment with their secretary or try to find the assistants in their office.

27. How many times per year are examination terms?
There are two examination terms each, for the winter term and the summer term: one within three weeks after the semester, and one within three weeks before the next semester.

28. How many times can I repeat the same exam?
There are three attempts to pass.

29. If my mark obtained in the second attempt at a written exam is worse than the mark achieved in the first attempt, which one is counted?
The better mark is counted.

30. If I do not turn up for the exam, is that counted as one attempt or not?
If you do not turn up for an exam that you have registered for, it is counted as a failed attempt.

31. In case that I have registered for an exam and I then realise that I am not well prepared for it, is it possible to cancel it?
Yes, it is possible to cancel, but at the latest three days before the exam.