As a first-year student, you probably have a lot of questions…
- What do I have to do before arriving in Mainz?
- What should I keep in mind as an international student?
- How does studying at JGU actually work?
Our special services for international first-year students will help you get started and find your way around your new home at JGU.
Let’s go!
Discover the full spectrum of subjects at JGU. The Student Advisory Center offers support in finding the right subject for you.
Before making your way to Mainz, there are a few things you can plan and organize ahead of time. The following provides useful information to help you get started.
Mainz is an appealing city to live, work and study in. That means that there is a great demand for rooms in apartments, personal rental apartments, and spots in student residence halls, particularly at the start of the semester.
Our tip: Start looking for an accommodation early!
- Student residence halls
Affordable living with perfect connections to the university – student residence halls are very popular among our student body. You need an enrollment certificate to move in, but you can apply for a coveted spot in a student residence hall half a year or even an entire year in advance. - (Free) housing exchanges
There are many online housing exchange platforms that make it easier to find vacant rooms or apartments. Some of these platforms are designed specifically for students. - Campus notice boards
Many housing vacancies are also posted on notice boards around campus, including- at the central canteen (Zentralmensa)
- in the Philosophicum (Jakob-Welder-Weg 18)
- in the ReWi-Haus (Jakob Welder-Weg 9),
- in the Georg Forster Building (Jakob-Welder-Weg 12)
- by the General Students’ Committee (AStA)
- Newspaper advertisements
Many people in Mainz advertise vacant rooms or apartments in newspapers. One such newspaper is the Allgemeine Zeitung Mainz, which is published Wednesdays and Saturdays. You can also advertise that you are looking for a room or apartment.
To enroll at JGU, you need proof of valid health insurance in Germany.
Citizens of other EU countries need only their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If this applies to you, you can use your insurance card to obtain a certificate of exemption from a German health insurance company, exempting you from compulsory insurance in Germany.
A private insurance policy must cover inpatient, outpatient, and dental care. The exact insurance benefits must be recognizable, including the term and scope of validity as well as the financial extent of insurance coverage. If one of the three abovementioned areas is not sufficiently covered, you cannot receive exemption from the compulsory insurance and you will be required to take out health insurance in Germany. Therefore, we recommend that you contact a statutory health insurance provider in Germany before you arrive to ensure that your private insurance fulfills all the requirements.
Although it is not required, we also recommend that all students take out personal liability insurance.
You do not need accident insurance, as JGU covers this for all its students.
Do I need a visa?
To enter Germany, most foreign nationals require a visa, which you must apply for in advance at the responsible German diplomatic mission in your home country. For a longer stay in Germany, you will also need to apply for a residence permit after arriving in the country.
EU and EEA citizens do not need a visa, even if they wish to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days or would like to take up gainful employment. However, everyone living in Mainz needs to register with the municipal administrative office of the City of Mainz upon arrival.
Citizens of some other countries are also exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa. You can find individual regulations by country on the Federal Foreign Office’s website. Citizens of all other countries are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Germany.
What types of visa are there?
How do I apply for my visa?
As a rule, you must apply for a visa at the responsible German diplomatic mission in your home country before entering Germany. The processing time for a visa for stays of more than 90 days or work visas can take several months.
Detailed information on the visa application procedure and the documents required can be obtained from the German diplomatic mission in your home country.
If you have applied for the correct visa, you are authorized to obtain a residence permit that will enable you to stay in Germany for more than 90 days and potentially take up gainful employment.
Staying at JGU for research purposes?
If you would like to obtain a doctorate or conduct research at JGU, please contact the Welcome Center for further information.
At JGU, you have the opportunity to acquire and improve your foreign language proficiency, for instance in German. The International Preparatory and Language Center (ISSK) offers German language courses for international JGU students at all levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In addition to language courses at JGU, there are plenty of other opportunities available to you to learn a new language. For instance, the Studierendenwerk Mainz hosts a language café (Sprachcafé).
Your first degree is tuition-free.
To be enrolled at JGU, you must pay a fee each semester. This semester fee does not go to the university, but rather it funds the regional transit ticket (Semesterticket) and comprises contributions for the Studierendenwerk (reduced costs for room and board), for tasks of the student body representative committee, for the University Sports courses, and for the AStA’s special financial aid available to students in need.
You should also factor in the costs of study materials and textbooks. These vary depending on your subject. You may also incur additional costs for work materials and media, excursions, or a semester abroad. Please contact your academic advisory office for more detailed information.
You should have sufficient financial resources to live in the Rhine-Main region.
Rent and ancillary costs of living, the price of groceries and other expenses tend to be higher than in other regions of Germany. The monthly rent for a suitable room near the university runs between €320 and €450.
The feedback from the regularly conducted student survey in Germany can serve as an indication of the costs you can expect.
For 2021, students pursuing their first degree who do not have children and do not live with their parents incurred average costs of €842 per month (including rent, food, clothing, study materials, health insurance, communication, mobility, and leisure/cultural/athletic activities).
Are you looking for opportunities to fund your studies at JGU? Degree-seeking international students at JGU can also finance their studies with the help of scholarships.
Scholarship opportunities:
- The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to international students, graduates, and researchers who study or work at a higher education institution in Germany. The DAAD provides an overview of the scholarships available in their own database.
- The scholarship for finishing a degree and the funding for volunteer work from the DAAD are managed on-site at JGU. Please contact us if you would like to find out more.
- The Excellence Track program is available to physics students beginning their master’s degree. These scholarships are endowed with €934 per month for a maximum funding period of two years.
- International students are also eligible to apply for the Deutschlandstipendium. As a scholarship recipient, you receive €300 per month for a year. The scholarship is funded equally by a sponsor (company, individual, foundation) and by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Contact us for more information.
If you unexpectedly find yourself in financial difficulties the following institutions specifically offer funds and social support for these kinds of situations.
Soziale Unterstützung des Studierendenwerks Mainz
This website provides an overview and general information about possible financial aid that can be granted by the “Studierendenwerk Mainz”. Please contact the “Studierendenwerk Mainz” for further consultation.
“Help in financial need” – AStA
AStA is the student representation at the University of Mainz. The Auxiliary Fund receives its funds from the semester contribution and provides students in financial emergencies with grants and loans. The fund is administered by the social affairs representatives of the AStA. Please contact the AStA’s Department of Social Affairs for further information.
Emergency Fund of the Catholic University-Parish (KHG) (no English website available, only in German)
The Diocese of Mainz provides financial support through their Diocesan Aid Fund every year for international students. It is their goal to help students in difficult situations.
Emergency Fund of the Protestant University-Parish (ESG) (no English website available, only in German)
ESG offers financial aid and consultation for international students in social or financial crisis.
Emergency Fund − DAAD Stiftung
The Notfall-Fonds (Emergency Fund) is a special funding project by the DAAD-Stiftung. Generally, all students can apply for support in an exceptional unexpected emergency situation.
Under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG), you can receive state support as a student under certain conditions. Those eligible receive half the funding as a grant and half as an interest-free loan. Under certain conditions, international students may also be eligible to apply for BAföG support. Please contact the responsible Federal Training Assistance Office to resolve the details.
You can find further information on requirements and how to apply on the website of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the Office for Educational Support at JGU.
Many students earn their own living. The high degree of flexibility in most degree programs makes it easier to earn money while you study. It is also an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and insight into potential career fields.
In some cases, it may be necessary to take an academic leave of absence to earn money for your studies.
You will find many job offers on the Jobportal des Career Service der JGU and the web pages of the Human Resources Department.
The Career Service can help you with your application and provide general career advice.
Please note: The number of hours you work does not affect your student status. However, it may affect your social security, health, unemployment, and long-term care insurance.
Important information on student assistants, working student status and mini jobs can be found on the website of the German Federal Employment Agency.
The federal government has compiled special regulations for international students.
With the exception of a small number of subjects, all JGU courses take place on campus. Our campus map can help you find your way. It includes main street names, the most important buildings, facilities, and lecture halls, as well as the relevant public transport stops. Your digital regional transit ticket authorizes you to use regional public transport.
- Student Funding
- Faculty 06 – Germersheim campus
- Department of Ancient Studies, Egyptology, and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
- Institute of European History
- Institute for Pre- and Protohistory
- International Preparatory and Language Center (ISSK)
- School of Journalism
- Mainz Academy of Fine Arts
- Media House: Film Studies Institute, Campus TV, and the Center for Audiovisual Production
- Institute of Psychology
- Mental Health Services for Students (MHS)
- Theological faculties
- Mainz University Medical Center
There is a lot to do, but we are here to help make the transition easier!
Our advisory services and the Welcome Week for all international students can help you get on your way.
Ready to start your studies? Before the lecture period officially begins, the International Office organizes the Welcome Week for all international students! This takes place prior to the regular introduction week.
We put together a varied program of campus and city tours, informational events, and advisory services to help you get ready to start your studies at JGU and adapt to life in Mainz as comfortably as possible. You will get to know the International Office and the most important institutions and people on campus. Plus, the Welcome Week is a great opportunity for you to meet other international students.
Once you have enrolled, you will receive a personal invitation to the Welcome Week with all the details you need.
See you soon!
Numerous introductory events are held for first-year students during the introduction week. These will be listed here before each semester in mid-March/mid-September.
During the introduction week, we will provide you with all the important information you need at the beginning of your studies and offer plenty of help to get you started. It always takes place during the week prior to the start of lectures.
In addition to the interdisciplinary welcome and information events, the subject-specific introduction events for your own subject during this week will provide important information about your first semester at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU).
In addition, the academic advisory offices and the student councils offer special consultation hours and other opportunities to gain information.
Last but not least, during the introduction week you will get to know other students who will be taking the same degree course.
Just go – it’s worth it!
What is JOGU-StINe? Where can I find an overview of important deadlines and available courses? How do I find my lecture hall? You can find all the information you are looking for here:
Student university account
At JGU, you can register and withdraw from courses and examinations, communicate with teaching staff, and conduct many other aspects of your studies online. For this purpose, you will receive a student university account with which you can log in to the different online services and platforms.
You will need it for services such as
- using your student email account (mail.uni-mainz.de)
- logging in to the web portal JOGU-StINe zur An- und Abmeldung von Kursen und Prüfungen
- using the campus WiFi
- using library services
- using other online services
Activating your university account
You will need to activate your university account when you begin your studies. To do so, the Data Center (ZDV) will send an individualized activation link and an activation code to your personal email address along with your enrollment certificate (up to 48 hours after you receive the email containing your student ID number).
In order to activate:
- Click on the activation link and follow the steps listed.
- Enter the activation code and
- create a new, individual password.
Your username and your new password will be sent to your personal email address for confirmation. After this, we will communicate with you exclusively via your student email address for reasons of data protection.
Please note:
You will need the login information for your university account throughout your studies.
JOGU-StINe – JGU’s study information network
Our online portal JOGU-StINe supports you in many ways when it comes to organizing and pursuing your program of study. You can use JOGU-StINe with any internet-enabled device with a browser in order to
- register for courses and examinations
- get an overview of your class schedule and examination dates in your personalized online timetable
- receive information if the room or the time of your course changes
- get an overview of the examinations and coursework you have already completed and the credits you have earned (LP or ECTS)
- submit a request for a change of subject or a second degree
- make changes to your postal address
- view, download, or print enrollment certificates and other official notifications from Student Services
Sign in to JOGU-StINe using your university account.
TAN procedure
For certain actions in JOGU-StINe which need an added level of security – such as registering for or withdrawing from examinations – additional personal authentication is required. This necessitates the use of a TAN (transaction number, similar to online banking).
Your first TAN list with several TANs will automatically be sent to your newly set-up student email address after enrollment. Once you have used all but the last TAN, use this final TAN to generate a new TAN list in JOGU-StINe.
Lost your TAN list?
If you lose your TAN list, you should do the following promptly:
- Deactivate your current TAN list (in JOGU-StINe), thereby invalidating the TANs.
- Request a replacement TAN list (in JOGU-StINe). It will be sent to your student email address.
Over the course of your studies, you will regularly receive important messages via email sent to your student email account. This includes messages regarding your courses and examinations! Once you have activated your university account, you will be able to use your email address. You can view and manage it here:
You can access your email account at https://mail.uni-mainz.de. The Data Center (ZDV) has provided a guide for using your email account on your smartphone.
JGU-Ausweise app
Many services at JGU require you to authenticate your identity as a student. This can be done using the convenient JGU ID card app “JGU-Ausweise.” The app gives you digital access to the following:
Many JGU degree programs offer online or hybrid courses in addition to on-campus courses.
JGU’s central platform for online learning is the learning management system (LMS). The JGU LMS supports interactive and collaborative work through a variety of learning activities and tools for exchanging files and communicating (such as forums, chat rooms, or video conferences).
However, JGU also utilizes a further LMS called Ilias, particularly for online examinations with a large number of participants.
The main platform for video conferences and online courses at JGU is BigBlueButton (BBB). Depending on the course, other platforms may also be used. An LMS course about online learning offers an introduction to these and other platforms. It contains introductions, instructions, and information on the most important digital tools and platforms as well as numerous tips and ideas for how to organize your studies, both online and offline.
Mainz and JGU offer many different opportunities for you to get to know students from all over the world, students from Mainz, and Mainz locals. There’s something for everyone!
Studying in a foreign country with an unfamiliar culture has its challenges, including learning a new language, overcoming different forms of bureaucracy, becoming familiar with formal requirements and mastering social and university structures. If you seek support in personal, study-related, or legal matters, JGU is happy to help. In many cases, we can find a solution right away. Otherwise, we will help you find the right contact for your issue.
While we hope you will never need to use the following emergency services, it’s important to know where to get help in an emergency.
Of course you can always contact us concerning an emergency, no matter what kind of emergency (accident, attack, theft…) – we will do what we can to help!
| Medical on-call service | Phone: 116117 website |
| Police | Phone: 110 |
| University Medical Center Mainz | +49 6131-17-0 |
| Poison control hotline | +49 6131-19240 or +49 700-44384636 |
| Hospitals in Mainz and Rhineland-Palatinate | website |
| Pharmacy emergency service | website for Rhineland-Palatinate: +49 800-228 228 0 (free of charge even when calling from a cell phone) www.lak-rlp.de |
| Central on-call services at St. Vincenz hospital | An der Goldgrube 11 55131 Mainz, Germany Phone: 166 177 Weekends: Fri 4:00 pm – Mon 7:00 am Weekdays: 7:00 pm – 7:00 am / Wed 2:00 pm – Thurs 7:00 am |
Recharge your batteries between lectures by pursuing your personal interests, practicing your hobbies, getting involved in important issues, and learning something new! Enrollment at JGU offers more than just studying for your degree.
Read on for an overview of opportunities.
The Studierendenwerk Mainz operates several canteens and cafeterias with a large selection of dishes, reduced meal prices for students, and the convenient option to tap your phone to pay. They can be found at the following locations on campus:
- Central canteen (Zentralmensa) and Mensaria (Staudingerweg 15)
- Canteen in the Georg Forster building (Jakob-Welder-Weg 12)
- Canteen in the Law and Economics building (Jakob-Welder-Weg 9)
- insgrüne coffee bar in the Philosophicum (Jakob-Welder-Weg 18)
You can also find vending machines, mobile canteens like the Mensablitz delivery truck, and other food trucks stationed around the campus.
Other dining options on or near campus:
- Baron (Alte Mensa, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 3-9):
From breakfast and coffee to various lunch options to homemade pizza and Flammkuchen fresh from the stone oven. - Diwan (next to the “Muschel” building, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 25):
Numerous Middle Eastern specialties like falafel, lahmacun and kebabs as well as pizza, all at student-friendly prices and with a cup of tea. - KHG canteen (Catholic University Chaplaincy, across from the university, Saarstraße 20):
Two daily lunch specials at student-friendly prices. - Bali Bistro (Studihaus, Staudingerweg 20):
Restaurant and bar offering Asian specialties as well as burgers and bowls. - Werner’s bakery (Jakob-Welder-Weg 1):
Selection of sandwiches, breads, pastries and coffee beverages.
As a JGU student, you can take advantage of a University Sports program that offers over 70 different sports and courses, whether you’re a beginner or a pro – and most are free of charge!
From traditional individual and team sports to martial arts and dance to fitness and health programs to modern trend sports – there are plenty of opportunities to balance out the “mental gymnastics” of your studies with physical exercise.
Plus, the student sports committee organizes other leisure activities, events and university athletic competitions.
You have many opportunities to practice the arts or enjoy cultural programming on campus.
Music
The Collegium Musicum offers all JGU members with singing or instrumental music experience the opportunity to pursue their passion for music as part of the university choir or orchestra.
In addition, the choral and orchestral academies provide the chance for you to refine your musical talents.
Theater
Various student organizations regularly put on plays and musicals on campus.
The Department of Film, Theater, Media and Culture Studies provides an overview.
Fine arts & extracurricular courses
The creativity of JGU’s students and staff can be seen in many places on and off campus.
Here are a few examples:
The Campus Mainz association offers JGU students regular extracurricular courses, organized by students for students and highlighting various topics in the arts, creativity, finance, world languages and movement.
JGU’s Mainz Academy of Fine Arts hosts an annual tour of art students’ creations.
At the Schule des Sehens (School of Sight – Jakob-Welder-Weg 18), visitors regularly have the chance to attend interdisciplinary and intermedial exhibitions, performances, readings and projects right in the middle of the campus.
Are you interested in discussing your interests and passions, pursuing your hobbies, or getting involved in charitable causes in a group setting?
At JGU, there are plenty of student clubs and groups with shared interests, ideas, and goals!
The spectrum ranges from joint leisure activities to socio-political initiatives.
Recognized university clubs receive (financial) support from AStA to pursue their objectives.
Want to take part in a university club or found your own? The AStA offers an overview of existing clubs and groups and can even help you create your own.
Do you want to relax in nature between classes, take a walk through a green space with friends during your lunch break, or get a breath of fresh air before your next exam?
JGU’s gardens are the perfect place to do so!
The JGU Botanic Garden (Anselm-Franz-von-Bentzel-Weg) serves more than just a scientific purpose. It also offers JGU members and the general public a place to relax in a natural habitat. Guided tours, exhibitions, and special events invite visitors to broaden their knowledge about plant diversity right on campus.
The JGU campus garden (Staudingerweg, across from the central canteen) serves as a central meeting point for students with open green spaces and public seating open to anyone, whether you just want to enjoy a drink outside or organize a table tennis tournament.
The campus garden group maintains the garden.
The International Student Support team is your first contact point at JGU for all (non-academic) questions concerning your exchange program.
Please contact International Admissions with any questions concerning your application and admission as an international student.
Contact the Student Service Center with your questions about organizing your studies.
