{"id":143719,"date":"2023-06-29T16:38:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-29T14:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.studium.uni-mainz.de\/starting-your-studies-as-an-exchange-student-non-degree-seeking\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T14:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T12:04:22","slug":"non-degree-seeking-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.studium.uni-mainz.de\/en\/starting-your-studies\/starting-your-studies-as-an-international-student\/non-degree-seeking-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting your studies as an international student | non-degree-seeking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/jgu-base-pageheader>\n\n\n
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Are you thinking about spending one or two semesters at JGU as a non-degree-seeking exchange student? Then you\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re already taking part in an exchange program and are currently planning your stay or have already begun or nearly finished your stay abroad \u2013 questions can come up at any stage. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The International Student Support team<\/a> provides information, advising sessions, help, and support for current and future exchange students who have general questions or are facing problems. For all academic matters, your contact in the department<\/a> (Erasmus+ subject coordinator and academic advisor) is responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we go!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to know if JGU has your program of study? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click the button below to discover what courses we offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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You can find all of the information you need to prepare for your time as an exchange student. Make sure you keep the important dates and deadlines in mind so you can prepare for them accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n \n\n

You can find all of our information on applying for an exchange program<\/strong> at JGU, language requirements<\/strong>, admission<\/strong>, enrollment<\/strong>, health insurance<\/strong>, and the semester fee<\/strong> on the webpage below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

While at JGU, you will need somewhere to stay \u2013 ideally in Mainz. You do not automatically<\/strong> receive accommodation along with your admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The student residences<\/a> are managed by the Studierendenwerk Mainz and are fully furnished. You can buy basic room equipment with the basic pack<\/a> on offer in the student residences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

You do not yet have to be admitted to JGU to apply for a room in a student residence<\/a>. Proof that you have submitted an application for admission is sufficient (confirmation email from the JGU application portal JOGU-StINe).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

The rental price of the room<\/a> varies slightly depending on the size of the shared or individual apartment and the student residence in question. You will need to pay a deposit of two months\u2019 rent when you move in; it will be reimbursed in full if the room is in good condition when you move out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n\n \n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-listitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

You can find all the information you need about health insurance on the application page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citizens of a number of other states also do not need a visa. However, very specific rules apply (overview of visa requirements\/exemptions<\/a>). Make sure you check carefully whether you are required to apply for a student visa (not a tourist visa) before you depart for Germany. The procedure and required documents may vary from embassy to embassy! Citizens of all other countries are required to obtain a visa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need a visa, submit your application as soon as possible \u2013 at least three months before your intended arrival in Mainz.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it\u2019s best to apply for a visa in your home country \u2013 if possible for the entire time you will be spending in Germany. Find information about wait times and required documents via your German embassy<\/a>. You can only receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung<\/i><\/a> if you enter<\/b> Germany on a valid D-Visa, meaning you must have applied for and received it through your German embassy. This certificate allows you to travel within Germany and Europe and to your home country without problems up until your appointment with the foreigners’ registration office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

You can find more information on our webpage dedicated to this topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

You can find all the information you need about enrollment on the application page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

The Learning Agreement<\/em> (LA) is a list of courses you want to take in Mainz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find the course catalog online in JOGU-StINe<\/a>. Your binding registration for courses will take place after you arrive in Mainz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a general rule, 50% of the courses you as an exchange student take should be from your own subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also take courses in other subjects as long as the relevant department or members of the teaching staff give their approval. Exceptions are courses in the Art, Music, and Medicine programs (unless they are taught in a language other than German).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

The LA must be filled out by all exchange students studying in Mainz via the Erasmus+ program. It lists the courses you intend to take (changes can be made later). It is the basis for recognition by the home institution after the stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have questions about the LA and which courses to choose, reach out to the departmental coordinator for your subject at JGU<\/a>. They will help you to select the right courses and will ultimately confirm your selection. This consultation can also take place before final submission of the Learning Agreement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if your university does not mandate an LA, we still recommend making arrangements regarding your course selection with your home institution and your departmental coordinator<\/a> at JGU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Submit the Erasmus+ LA online, if possible (Online Learning Agreement<\/em> (OLA) \u2013 Erasmus without Paper<\/em> (EWP)<\/a>). <\/em>Please send Learning Agreements not related to Erasmus+ to your departmental coordinator<\/a>.
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Your arrival date should be the first business day in October (winter semester) or April (summer semester), as this is the official move-in day for the Studierendenwerk\u2019s student residences. If you arrive then, you can participate in the Welcome Week and get acclimatized until the start of the lecture period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

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Arriving via airplane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two airports near Mainz:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FRANKFURT AIRPORT (FRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Rhine-Main area, 30 min. away)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional trains and the S-Bahn (local commuter rail) depart from the Frankfurt airport to Mainz central station.
If you arrive in October\/April and your semester ticket is already activated, you can use it to take regional trains and the S-Bahn. Make sure you check the train timetables<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

FRANKFURT-HAHN AIRPORT (HHN) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Hunsr\u00fcck region, 90 min. away)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cFlibco\u201d bus departs from Hahn airport to Mainz central station. The bus leaves from Terminal 3 every three hours. Tickets cost around \u20ac14.50 and it takes about 90 minutes to get to Mainz central station. Make sure you check the bus timetable<\/a> and buy your ticket ahead of time<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving via train<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many European cities have a direct railway connection to Frankfurt am Main; from there, you can easily reach Mainz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also get to Mainz central station using long-distance bus services within Europe. Numerous tram and bus lines run in and around Mainz, allowing you to get to your destination with ease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

You should have sufficient financial resources to live in the Rhine-Main region.
The monthly rent for a room near the university in Mainz is about \u20ac320 to \u20ac480. Since the rent for rooms and apartments in the student residences is subsidized by the German state, they are often more affordable than the rent for a privately owned room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have to take out health insurance in Germany, you may be facing further costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are no tuition fees for first-time students at JGU, but there is an obligatory fee all students have to pay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-alertbox>\n\n\n

In total, you should be prepared for expenses of \u20ac1000 to \u20ac1200 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find more information on our webpage dedicated to financial matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n<\/jgu-base-buttonitem>\n\n<\/jgu-base-button>\n\n<\/jgu-base-accordionitem>\n\n\n \n\n

Have you chosen to study at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and want to make the most of your stay?
Do you want to get to know the university and its surroundings before your studies begin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No problem!<\/strong>
Take our self-study course Explore Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz \u2013 Feel the Gutenberg Spirit<\/strong> \u2013 designed specifically for international students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course provides valuable insights into the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n