Ruhr University Bochum
Programme Details
Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s B1 German required
Agreement Scope Physics department exchange
Exchange Places 1 full year place for 2025/26
Overview
About:
Located in the heart of Europe in the dynamic metropolitan region of the Ruhr area, Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) with its 20 faculties is home to over 43,000 students from over 130 countries.
Highlights:
RUB is one of the largest universities in Germany and was very successful in the so-called "Excellence Initiative" of the German Federal and State Governments (2007), a competition between Germany's most prestigious universities. RUB also has a strong research profile, which students can benefit from, as they are involved in research from the very beginning of their studies.
Bochum is a charming and modern city in western Germany, that boasts a variety of cultural and historical sites, from planetariums to botanical gardens. It also has a variety of bars, cafés and restaurants, many of which offer several German delicacies.
Location:
Central Ruhr area, Bochum, Germany
Academic information
Courses / Modules:
RUB offers a wide variety of courses, some of which are taught in English. Consult their course information page for more information.
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
You must take a full credit load while on exchange. RUB uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values. 30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.
Teaching Periods:
Teaching takes place over two semesters. Winter semester tends to begin towards the end of October, ending in early February and Summer semester tends to begin mid-April, r ending late July.
Language:
German language level of at least B1 is required, although some of the modules offered by the RUB are taught in English.
RUB offer German language courses which accommodate different language levels. You should check with your department whether you may be able to take such modules for credit.
Student life
Accommodation:
RUB provide details of several accommodation options for international students, such as student halls or rentals .
Student services:
The RUB International Office provide advice and guidance for international exchange students on various topics such as visas and entry requirements, health insurance and academic matters.
Through the Sprachcafé Bochum, international students can meet fellow students online, practise their foreign language skills, help others learn a language and expand their international network.
Orientation:
RUB also offers International Welcome events to help international students to settle in.
Visas:
You may need a visa to study in Germany. If you are a UK National you must refer to the Gov.uk Travel Advice page for Germany and its Living in Germany guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate. If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.
Travel insurance:
If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.
Health insurance:
Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).
If you’d like to study in Germany, you have to have health insurance. You will need to present proof of health insurance when you enrol at university and apply for a residence permit. Make sure to take care of your health insurance status before you come to Germany and check RUB's information on health insurance requirements.
Student experiences
Amy, Study Abroad in Germany
"I have enjoyed the whole Erasmus experience. It has been a fantastic year and I have had the chance to do so much more than I would have if I had stayed at York."
Marian, Study Abroad in Germany, 2019-20
"Pushing myself to go to events and meet new people also really helped me settle in, especially now I feel like I have a good network of friends. Also immersing myself in the culture, such as trying new foods and drinks and participating in German holidays (such as Karnival) is definitely important!"
Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website.
Top Tips for Studying in Germany
Please note: these tips have been provided by RUB or by former exchange students- Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.
Money and Banking:
Costs and Financing:
RUB estimates an approximate monthly budget of €800. To see a break down of monthly costs, visit this link.
There is also a social insurance contribution for studying at RUB. For more information about the social insurance contribution, visit this link.
Banking: Get a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees so that you can take cash out easily without opening a bank account. There are several companies that offer these cards, such as Caxton, Starling, Monzo and Moneycorp.
Staying Connected:
Make plans: Going to International events is a good way to meet people, especially the trips the international desk organise early in the term A great way to connect with people is also by joining clubs, groups and societies.
Call or send a postcard to your friends and family at home: A little thing like sending a postcard to your friends or family or having a quick catch-up on the phone can make all the difference and can help you feel a bit more settled.
Food:
Food shopping: Prices for groceries are relatively moderate in Germany and supermarkets are generally open from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 and 20:00.
Local food markets: You can also buy good quality fresh fruit and vegetables at very reasonable prices at your local market. In Germany, all shops are closed on Sundays. Petrol station shops and the shops near the train station are the only places that remain open during the night as well as on Sundays and public holidays.
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
Be organised: There will be a lot of paperwork to do throughout the year, so be as organised as possible! Make a list of things that need to be done and by when and start working your way through it as soon as you can. The earlier you do it, the better, as sometimes it can take quite a while for documents to be signed and approved.
Remember your supervisor: They are here to help! If you are struggling with the amount of paperwork, both your supervisor in York and your host institution are there to support you if you feel stuck or overwhelmed.
What I wished I'd known...:
Making the most of your experience: I wish I'd known that you never know if your time abroad is going to be unexpectedly cut short so make the most of every second.
Useful links
Ruhr-Universität Bochum social media links:
Facebook: @RuhrUniBochum https://www.facebook.com/RuhrUniBochum/
Instagram: @ruhrunibochum https://www.instagram.com/ruhrunibochum/?hl=en
Twitter: @ruhrrunibochum https://twitter.com/ruhrunibochum?lang=en
If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk
Contact Global Opportunities
Global Opportunities - Find us in Derwent College
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Click here to make a virtual appointment to speak to one of our advisors