Prepare your stay
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.
Pakistani students:
Please apply now for
your HEC certificate!
Your next actions:
! prepare your steps simultaneously !
- Pakistani students → start your HEC process → duration: 4-6 months
- Indian students → start your APS process → duration: several weeks
- Start your visa process → duration: several weeks / months
- Start your finance process → duration: several weeks / months
- Find accommodation → takes several months → this process is always underestimated - if possible apply for a room in KOPLA!
- Make German placement test as soon as you are informed to do so
- Take out travel insurance for the month of September
- Take out statutory health insurance for the enrolment
- Start enrolment process as soon as you are informed to do so
- Pay enrolment fee on time
- Book your flights / hostel for the 1st night, if you arrive not on the move-in date
Students from Pakistan - apply for HEC Certificate
You need this certificate for the visa process and the enrolment. Please make sure to apply as early as possible. The process takes several months.
Step-by-step guide to the HEC process
Step 1 – Online registration
The applicant creates an account on the HEC e-Services Portal and uploads documents:
- Degree certificate
- Transcript / marks sheet
- CNIC / passport
- Photo
The certification fee is then paid online.
Step 2 – Document verification by HEC
HEC first verifies the uploaded documents and often sends a verification request to the university that issued the degree.
This university verification is often the slowest part of the process.
Step 3 – Appointment or courier submission
After successful online verification, there are two options:
a) Walk-in / personal appointment at HEC office (e.g. Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi).
b) Courier service Documents are sent to HEC via an authorised courier.
Both options are officially permitted.
Step 4 – Attestation
HEC stamps the original documents and notes the verification in the system.
Step 5 – Further certifications - if applicable -
- MOFA attestation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan
- Embassy attestation, if necessary, e.g. at the German Embassy in Islamabad
can take 2 - 3 months
Duration:
- HEC attestation alone ≈ 2–4 months
- With complete attestation chain: 5-6 months, sometimes longer.
________________________________________
Typical problems in the process
In practice, the process is often delayed by:
- University does not confirm degree quickly
- Name differences between documents
- Missing previous certificates (Matric/FSc)
- Incorrect uploads to the HEC portal
In such cases, HEC stops the process.
Students from India - apply for APS Certificate
You need to upload your APS certificate for the visa process and for the enrolment. Please make sure to obtain the certificate before.
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
- 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.
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 rooms through our partner, the Studierendenwerk Darmstadt. We highly recommend to book an accommodation with us. The housing application process is described on our KOPLA portal under "Further Information".
If you are not able to secure an accommodation through us we can recommend to book a room with the Greet Hotel. They have rooms for students as well. The rooms are with bathroom. The kitchen is shared with other students. Please get more information about rooms here: Accommodations
Take out Health Insurance and Travel Insurance
Please check the following page for further information:
Health Insurance / Travel insurance
Please email your travel insurance policy to Ms. Bremer students.darmstadt@tk.de
by 29. August latest!
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.
Read more information about your arrival in Germany