The International Office assists students in administrative matters such as housing, banking and visa applications. After admission to the program, students will receive a comprehensive information package with the necessary information.
Housing: Bucerius is not able to offer on-campus or dormitory housing to any of its students. A limited number of apartments and rooms will be available on a sublet basis from Bucerius students, who leave for their semester abroad in the fall. Rent varies greatly, it could be anywhere between EUR 300 and EUR 650 per month depending on size and location.
Student accommodations in private dormitories can also be found through the Studierendenwerk. Even though dormitory housing is more affordable than apartment housing many dormitories have waiting lists.
In addition to this, Bucerius has worked out a cooperation agreement with the agency City Wohnen which offers interim housing contracts. The agency charges a commission fee, but Bucerius students receive a 15% discount on this fee.
All contact data and additional information about the housing market in Hamburg, neighborhood descriptions and the most common abbreviations found in accommodation ads can be found on our intranet sites. Access to the intranet will be available once exchange students have been admitted to the program. More information about housing in Hamburg can be found here (pdf)...
Visa: A student visa must be obtained by all non-German citizens and for any stay exceeding 3 months. Citizens of EU counties receive a certificate to prove their right to free mobility. If exchange students are NOT citizens of a EU member state, then they should contact their local German consulate or embassy to determine whether an entrance visa is required to study in Germany. In this case students must apply for a visa in their home country before coming to Germany. If an entrance visa is not required then exchange students will apply for a student visa in Germany during the Orientation Program. In order to ease the application process, the International Office will assist their students by distributing the appropriate forms, offering guidance and submitting the necessary documents to the Ausländeramt (Immigration Office) .
More information about the visa requirements can be found here (pdf)...
Insurance: For visa purposes, proof of health insurance whilst in Germany is required. Students can purchase travel health insurance in their home country or ask whether their current policy covers their time abroad. Additionally Bucerius can assist getting coverage under an affordable German insurance policy, this policy satisfies the German requirements for the student visa. Coverage costs approximately EUR 30 per month.
Bank: It makes life much easier if students have a German bank account during their time here in Germany. As it is often not possible to open an account for a period of only 4 months the International Office has made an arrangement with their house bank to allow exchange students to have an account and a euro cheque card (like a debit and ATM card) ready and waiting when students arrive here in Hamburg, without the hassle of having to apply for an account alone.
