Welcome to the Black Forest! - Hochschule Furtwangen

Contents
1 The German System of Higher Education ..................................................... 3
1.1 The Grading System ......................................................................... 3
1.2 ECTS – European Credit Transfer System ....................................... 4
2 Studying at HFU ............................................................................................. 5
2.1 Name and Address ........................................................................... 5
2.2 Academic Calendar .......................................................................... 5
2.3 Campus Locations: Furtwangen - Schwenningen - Tuttlingen .......... 6
2.4 The Institution and its Academic Programs ...................................... 7
2.5 Structure of the Degree Programs .................................................... 7
2.6 Overview of the Degree Programs ................................................... 8
2.7 Programs available in English ........................................................ 10
2.8 German as a Foreign Language ...................................................... 11
2.9 Tuition and Fees .............................................................................. 11
2.10 Library ............................................................................................. 11
2.11 Student Restaurants: Mensa and Cafeteria .................................... 12
2.12 F-Card ............................................................................................ 12
2.13 Admission and Registration ............................................................ 13
2.14 Student Union (AStA) ..................................................................... 13
3 Preparing your stay ...................................................................................... 14
3.1 Admission to Bachelor‘s programs ................................................. 14
3.2 Admission to Master’s programs .................................................... 17
3.3 Admission as an Exchange Student ............................................... 17
3.4 Prior to Departure – What to Do, What to Take .............................. 18
3.5 Visa ................................................................................................ 18
3.5.1 Who should apply for a visa? .................................................. 18
3.5.2 What is required? .................................................................... 19
3.5.3 Time required to process a visa application ............................ 20
3.6 May I bring my family with me? ...................................................... 20
4 Arrival and first steps ................................................................................... 21
4.1 By plane ......................................................................................... 21
4.2 By train and bus ............................................................................. 21
4.3 Pick-up-Service .............................................................................. 22
4.4 Orientation Program ....................................................................... 22
4.5 Residence Permit ........................................................................... 22
4.6 Town Hall Registration: Anmeldung Bürgerbüro ............................. 23
4.7 Enrolment: Einschreibung .............................................................. 24
5 Everyday life ................................................................................................ 26
5.1 Accommodation .............................................................................. 26
5.2 Living Costs .................................................................................... 27
5.3 Work Permit .................................................................................... 28
5.4 Taxes .............................................................................................. 28
5.5 Medical Facilities ............................................................................ 29
5.6 Health Insurance ............................................................................ 29
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