Prepare your stay
Technical Equipment: Laptop - Apple is not recommended -
RAM: 16-32 GB, Core i7 or Ultra (recommended with reservations: i5)
Operating System: Windows 11 (recommended with reservations: Linux)
You are admitted - your next Steps are:
You can officially say, you are part of the h_da family, but there are still a few more steps to take before you are ready for the first day of class. Below you will find detailed information to get prepared for your stay in Germany and at our University.
We do not recommend or support any fee-based agencies.
If you wish to hire an agency to process your application and/or visit a fee-based counseling service, you are doing this at your own risk.
Your next Actions:
! prepare your steps simultaneously !
Opening a blocked bank account
All international students from non-EU countries are required to meet their own living costs while studying in Germany. You may use a blocked account to finance your studies in Germany. This kind of account is necessary for obtaining/extending your student visa. You have free choice of provider. The following providers in Germany offer limited‑withdrawal bank accounts for students:
Fintiba
Expatrio
Visa - duration: several weeks / months
- Professional tip: if your embassy has long waiting lists, please initiate the visa process before you get the admission.
- Check you local visa regulations and prepare paperwork apply for visa interview
Please note: Depending on your local visa regulations, getting a date for a visa interview might take some time - A great help organising your visa is https://www.visaflow.app/
- Make sure that you get your visa for the pre-classes in September. Not when the actual semester starts. Therefore it is necessary that you underline in the interview that your pre-classes start in September allready.
Accommodation - limited rooms available - apply via KOPLA in Mar / Apr.
Darmstadt is located in the Rhine-Main area, one of the most densely populated regions in Germany . As a concequence it is very difficult to find a room, especially if you apply from abroad.
Therefore we provide a limited number of single rooms through our partner, the Studierendenwerk Darmstadt. We highly recommend to book an accommodation with us. Please note that we do not have family rooms for couples.
The housing application process is described on our KOPLA portal under "Further Information".
If you are not able to secure an accommodation through us please get more information about rooms here: https://h-da.de/en/apartment-search
Youth hostel
If you come on a weekend or not on your move-in date, please book a night in the youth hostel: https://www.jugendherberge.de/en/ or a hotel.
Take out Health Insurance and Travel Insurance for the enrollment process
You need to Insurances:
for the month of September: Travel Insurance (which covers your health)
for your studies from October onwards: Health Insurance
Please check the following page for further information:
Health Insurance / Travel insurance
Please upload your travel insurance policy here https://cloud.h-da.de/s/KjNbysnqYdcT7sY
by 29. August latest!
German placement test - in July
Make a placement test as soon as you get the email from our German language Center in July.
Enrollment - Deadline for application and payment: 31. July
You will have an online enrollment. The SSC will enoll you and initiate the enrollment process. You will receive an email from the Student Service Center by the end of June.
For the enrollment you will need the following documents:
- Copy of your school-leaving certificate: (the degree that has qualified you for the bachelor's programme)
- Bachelor Certificate
- Complete CV
- ID document
- English language skills
- If you already studied in Germany:
all study certificates from universities attended in Germany, stating the semesters of study and leave of absence - Certificate of cleareance if you wish to change universities in the same degree programme
- APS certificate, if you graduated in India, China or Vietnam
Here is a guide how to do the enrollment: Presentation from the Student Service Center
The CampusCard can be collected from the faculty in Building D16 | Birkenweg 8 | 02.01
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/sQrVBZ6Qo8wGfgym9
Please note that some embassies ask for enrollment certificates. As the enrollment certificate is only available on 01. September for the Winter Semester you may use the admission letters and the confirmation letter for visa and loan support, which you received together with the admission letter.
Late Arrival
What You Need to Know on Late Arrivals:
If you are arriving later than planned, don’t worry — we’re here to help you get on track. Below is a clear overview of the potential consequences and practical solutions based on your arrival date.
Online Enrolment - your advantage!
You must enrol online before the deadline:
Deadline for payment and upload of documents in my.h-da.de: 31 July
✅ Tip: Complete your enrolment early to avoid last-minute issues
Academic Consequences:
|
Arrival Date |
Impact |
Study risk |
|---|---|---|
|
Until 2nd week of September |
✅ No consequences - You’re on time for lectures and pre-classes |
|
|
Until 12 October |
⚠️ Missed pre-classes |
Depending on your prio knowledge you will need to postpone individual courses to next the winter semester. You’ll need to catch up on foundational content |
|
Any time during the semester |
❌ Missing labs, and key course content |
Most courses must be postponed to the next winter semester. |
Academic Success
Important:
Missing lectures directly affects your academic progress and grades.
You cannot succeed by studying alone — collaboration is essential.
Solutions & Recommendations:
- Contact your fellow students early to share notes and materials.
- Form or join a study group to stay on track.
- Reach out to course instructors for guidance on catching up.
- Use Moodle and course portals to access lecture recordings and slides.
Proactive Steps: What You Should Do
To ensure a smooth start, please:
- Send an email to master.fbe@h-da.de as soon as you know your arrival date.
- Send an email to the German language center and ask for an online option for the pre-class.
- Upon arrival:
- contact the course director upon arrival to discuss:
- Which modules you can join
- How to catch up on missed content
- Exam eligibility and lab access
- contact the German language center
- contact the course director upon arrival to discuss:
Final Note:
You’re not alone — the university and your peers are here to support you
The earlier you reach out, the smoother your transition will be
Need Help?
MSE Program Contact: master.fbe@h-da.de
Accommodation: Extreme Limited Availability
❌Late arrivals (especially in winter semester) will not be able to secure a room. Housing is allocated early, usually months in advance (in March).
Solution:
Contact the University Housing Support immediately: https://www.h-da.de/en/apartment-search Explore private rentals, shared flats, or short-term accommodations.
If you already have a room:
- contact the housing agency and inform them about your late arrival problem
- pay the rent each month until your arrival
- contact the housing agency as soon as you know your arrival date and ask for a move-in appointment (respect the business hours of the housing agency)
Webinars
Here you can find the dates of our webinars for late arrivals: https://mse.h-da.de/our-service/webinars
You cannot arrive this semester?
- Please re-register in January for the Summer Semester
- For your visa process: we will issue a late arrival letter for you
--> Please send us an email to master.fbe@h-da.de - follow the steps: click proactive steps
📅 Last updated: July 31, 2026
🔁 This page is reviewed and updated regularly