Step 2: Applying and enrolling

Application deadlines and application procedures depend on a number of factors, such as the type of programme you wish to study and whether you are applying to join the programme in the first study semester or a later semester (higher level entry). More detailed information is available at the following webpage: International applicants.

To find out whether the secondary school leaving qualification you obtained in your home country entitles you to study at a German university, please make use of the anabin information portal for recognizing foreign educational crredentials. Applicants with school leaving certificates from certain countries will need to take an additional academic assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung) before their school credentials can be formally recognized. More information is available at International applicants.

Unlike international exchange students, students applying to study for a normal degree at Saarland University are required to demonstrate adequate proficiency in German. Information on the different ways that applicants can demonstrate the required level of German language skills can be found at the following webpage: Proof of German language proficiency.

If your level of German is not yet good enough to study at Saarland University, you can take the German course at the International Study Centre Saar (a higher-education preparatory institute). The International Study Centre Saar also accepts students without any prior knowledge of German.

If you have been accepted to study at Saarland University, you will be sent a letter of admission. You can now enrol (register) at Saarland University. Before you enrol, you will need to pay your semester fee into the University's bank account. The amount to be paid is indicated in your letter of admission. Make sure that you are issued with a receipt from the bank confirming your payment. You will be able to enrol about five days after making the payment. The further procedures to be followed are set out in the letter of admission as well as on the web page Documents to be submitted for your enrolment.

Once you are enrolled, you will be issued with your student ID data. Further information on this topic can be found on the Starter Checklist webpage. Your enrolment certificate (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung) is available online and can be printed by going to sim.uni-saarland.de. Your certificate of enrolment is an important document and you will need to present it when opening a bank account, applying to extend your visa, or when looking for a job.

You will also be issued with your Saarland University student card ('UdS Card'). The UdS Card includes your semester travel ticket that allows you to travel on most regional bus and train services. You can use the card to pay for items at the Mensa restaurants and cafes operated by Saarland Student Services (Studierendenwerk). The UdS Card may also entitle you to discounted tickets for some cultural events.

If you study for more than one semester at Saarland University, you will need to re-register (German: rückmelden) for each subsequent semester of study. You must re-register within the specified re-registration deadline. You will also need to transfer or pay-in the semester fee for the semester for which you are re-registering. If the fee has not been paid into the Saarland University bank account when the deadline expires, you will be de-registered at the end of the semester. Re-registration deadlines and related information is available on the re-registration webpage.