At HSNR's Welcome Centre international students can seek advice and information on (almost) all areas relating to their studies.
Most sought after topics are, e.g.:
We are happy to help or refer you to the right counselling units, please contact us!
Open Zoom Consultation sessions (peer-to-peer)
For an initial personal consultation, log on to our virtual consultation sessions run by our Welcome Centre Guides:
Code: 456078
E-Mail:
Please send us your request by e-mail to
welcomecentre(at)hs-niederrhein.de
Events of the Welcome Centre:
If you are from a country outside the EU or the EEA (EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), please apply for a visa before travelling to Germany.
Please contact the German embassy or consulate in your country.
Enquire in advance about the required documents.
HSNR issues an offer letter to admitted applicants for the purpose of the visa application.
Citizens of Australia, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and the USA as well as citizens of Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco and San Marino can obtain the required residence permit for study purposes after entering the country. Please register with the foreign office/residence office in the area where you live.
Further links:
Federal Foreign Office:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/fragenkatalog-node/08-studentenvisum-606218
Make it in Germany:
https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/de/visum-aufenthalt/arten/studieren
Studies in Germany:
https://www.study-in-germany.com/de/studium-planen/voraussetzungen/visum/
Health insurance in Germany
In Germany, health insurance is compulsory for everyone.
Please apply for aGerman student insurance policy already from your home country. The insurance can be taken out publicly or privately.
Insurance options:
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you are covered by a valid health insurance policy.
However, please contact one of the German statutory health insurance companies (e.g. Techniker Krankenkasse, AOK, DAK or others) to clarify which services are covered by the EHIC and which are not.
Statutory health insurance
If you do not have an EHIC, please take out health insurance with one of the German statutory health insurers (e.g. Techniker Krankenkasse, AOK, DAK or others).
Private health insurance
If you are privately insured, please contact one of the German statutory health insurance companies and ask them to inform HSNR that you are exempt from statutory health insurance.
Health insurance required for registration
→ Please note: We can only enrol students covered by health insurance from a German statutory health insurance company (e.g. Techniker Krankenkasse, AOK, DAK or others).
Helpful links
Health care and health insurance - DAAD
Health insurance for international students in Germany → Studying in Germany
Blocked account
In order to study in Germany, you are required to provide proof that you can cover your studies and maintenance costs for at least one year.
This isamounts to currently €992 per month, i.e. €11,904 per year. Please deposit this amount in a blocked account in order to be able to apply for a residence permit.
Information on the blocked account:
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/de/sperrkonto-auslaendische-studenten/
The Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Student Union) runs student residences in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach.
In addition, there are student residences that are rented out by private companies.
HSNR's student union, AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss), offers further information and advice and also runs a notice board with current rental proposals.
The Deutsches Studierendenwerk offers tips and information on finding accommodation:
https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/wohnen/tipps-zur-wohnungssuche
→ As soon as you have a German address, please inform the student office immediately.
The AStA of the HSNR offers special housing counselling, but this can only have a supporting function. The AStA cannot provide accommodation for students.
For counselling:
https://www.asta.hn/services/wohnraumberatung
→ As soon as you have a German address, please inform the student office immediately.
All information about starting your studies (information for first-semester students)
Please only use your university e-mail address ending in @hs-niederrhein.de for communication with all university departments (e.g. Student Office, Examinations Office, International Office, etc.) from the time of registration.
On this website you will find information on student financing.
Each chapter also contains additional information for international students.
Further information:
Tips for international students - How to finance your studies in Germany
Explanatory video by the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (German Student Union) - watch the video
The HSNR offers free German courses for students with a refugee background.
HSNR also offers an intensive German course for guest students shortly before lectures begin.
The HSNR Language Centre offers a variety of language courses during the semester.
Please contact the HSNR Family Service.
Please contact our Studies with Disabilities department for information and support.
Information on travelling to the HSNR locations can be found here.
Site and building plans can be viewed and downloaded here.
There is also a virtual tour for each location.
You can findhelpful information for your arrival here: Studying in Germany - First steps
Registering your residential address
Please register at the local residents' registration office within two weeks of your arrival.
For students living in MÖNCHENGLADBACH:
Please read the information on this website carefully:
https://service.moenchengladbach.de/suche/-/egov-bis-detail/dienstleistung/1084/show
Then enter your personal details on this website to make an appointment:
https://termine.moenchengladbach.de/select2?md=5
For students living in KREFELD:
To make an appointment, please contact:
56 - Migration and Integration faculties
Am Hauptbahnhof 5, 47798 Krefeld
0 21 51 / 86-0
auslaenderamt(at)krefeld.de
https://service.krefeld.de/anmeldung-wegzuege-drittstaatsangehoerige-eu-staatsangehoerige
Opening hours
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 08.30 - 12.00
Mondays: 14.00 - 15.30
Thursdays: 14.00 - 17.00
Important documents
Students from non-EU countries:
Valid passport
Valid residence permit (visa)
Confirmation of accommodation by the landlord (Studierendenwerk)
EU students:
valid passport or identity card
Confirmation of accommodation by the landlord (Studierendenwerk)
→ Please note that you must have already moved into your hall of residence and have all the necessary documents in order for the registration to be successful.
→ Please also inform your German address as soon as possible to the student office as soon as possible.
Move-ins, move-outs and key handovers are carried out by the property management on working days during working hours. Please make an appointment and bring your tenancy agreement and identity card/passport with you. When you move in, the furnishings and condition of the flat are recorded in a handover report.
When moving out, the apartment must be handed over by 08:00 or 10:00 on the last day of the tenancy at the latest. Please arrange a handover date in good time/early. An acceptance report will be drawn up in which any damage found will be recorded and, if necessary, offset against the deposit later. When you move out, you are liable for missing or damaged furnishings or for defects not reported when you move in.
Information can be found on the Website of the Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf (Housing a-z)
You can find information about starting your studies here.
Arriving at the HSNR
The HSNR's Student Degree Programme Counselling offers information and advice to help you get off to a good start at the beginning of your studies.
Arriving at the faculties
Engineering and Computer Science
Textile and Clothing Technology
Business Administration and Economics
Industrial Engineering and Management
Communication with the university
→ Please only use your student account or your @stud.hn e-mail address for e-mail communication with all HSNR areas from registration onwards.
Click here for the job market
On this website you will find information on student financing.
Each capital also contains additional information for international students.
Further information:
Tips for international students - How to finance your studies in Germany
Explanatory video by the German Student Union - watch the video
If you arrive at the HSNR during the course of lectures, please get in touch with us at the Welcome Centre or your contact person in the faculties.
Virtual campus tours
Information about the campuses
A few facts about Germany and a subjective and somewhat humorous look at the German language and culture can be found here: www.studying-in-germany.org/german-culture/
This site offers various insights into culture, habits and leisure activities in Germany: https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/germany/discover-germany/#tab-bce0d9b7
Have fun browsing!
Please use only your university e-mail address ending in @hs-niederrhein.de for communication with all university departments (e.g. Student Office, Examinations Office, International Office, etc.) from the time of registration.
The HSNR offers a buddy programme to support international and visiting students, especially in the initial phase of their studies.
The Welcome Centre is staffed by student tutors who organise peer-to-peer counselling as well as networking and leisure events.
If you need advice, please contact the Welcome Centre by email first.
Events for the summer and winter semesters will soon be published in the International Office calendar.
Offers and information about life on the HSNR campus
German and international students of the HSNR can acquire the Certificate of Intercultural Competence through special achievements and commitment in the international field.
The AStA of the HSNR offers counselling on various topics and situations:
Voluntary legal advice is also available from students at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf
https://www.jura.hhu.de/dozenzen/looschelders/law-clinic
The HSNR has a network of counselling units to support our students in various situations.
To find the right counselling centre for you, use the counselling navigator.
The Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf offers social counselling; here students receive support with social, personal and economic issues related to their studies. To the website
At the HSNR you will find the psycho-social counselling centre, which offers professional help to students with study-related or personal problems.
Doubts can arise at all stages of studies.
With the NEXT STEP counselling service, the HSNR aims to help students in this situation:
The staff of the HSNR Career Service offer counselling, information and workshops to prepare you for your application and entry into the world of work.
All information can be found on the website
There is a Moodle course especially for international students
You will need your HSNR Online Service access data to log in.
Click here for the job market
The staff of the HSNR Career Service offer counselling, information and workshops to prepare you for your application and entry into the world of work.
All information can be found on the website
There is a Moodle course especially for international students
You will need your HSNR Online Service access data to log in.
The HSNR attaches great importance to staying in contact with former students even after their studies.
Here you will find offers for our alumni.
The HSNR Buddy Programme is an initiative of the International Office and brings new international students and exchange students together with experienced HSNR students.
In this way, HSNR newcomers receive support and helpful tips from students from higher semesters and find their way into everyday university life more quickly.
The Buddy Programme is run on a voluntary basis and is free of charge for international students.
Participating international students and exchange students
get to know the university and the campus more quickly and easily;
receive support from an HSNR student when starting their studies;
find their way around the city more quickly with a buddy who knows the area and gain valuable cultural experience;
come into contact with fellow students more easily and quickly;
are accompanied and supported when dealing with authorities;
take part in activities as part of the Buddy Programme (Buddy Meetings organised by the International Office, GLOBUS events).
Students who make themselves available as HSNR buddies (mentors),
Interested HSNR students can find additional information in the Buddy Programme flyer and guidelines.
Please send us your registration via the links below by:
15 October (winter semester)
15 March (summer semester)
The data to be provided for the Buddy Programme will be used exclusively for the purpose of networking between the Buddies.
If you have any questions about the Buddy Programme, please send an e-mail to the International Office.
The Certificate of Intercultural Competence (ZIK) is awarded to HSNR students who have shown particular intercultural commitment in the course of their studies.
It takes into account language skills, time spent abroad and activities to enhance intercultural awareness on campus.
How does the ZIK work?
The certificate is awarded to student who succesfully complete three modules and a final interview:
Module 1:
(there are two options, one of which is to be selected)
Option 1:
- A stay abroad (semester abroad or internship, at least three months)
Option 2:
- Two language courses at HSNR's Language Centre (the courses cannot be part of your studies and must comprise at least 30 hours)
Module 2:
An intercultural training course at the Summer or Winter Academy or a corresponding workshop at the International Office (the International Office will cover the participation fee for one course)
Module 3:
International commitment for one semester as part of the Buddy Programme.
Assessment or interview:
Assessment or final interview on the modules completed and the international commitment.
Please fill in the registration form.
Please contact the "Outgoings" team at the International Office and ask for a counselling appointment.
Please contact the HSNR Language Centre for information on current courses.
The HSNR Summer and Winter Academy often offers courses on "intercultural competence".
Click here for the programmes:
In the future, the International Office will also offer corresponding workshops.
There are various possibilities, e.g:
To be able to study in Germany, you must provide proof that you can cover your studies and maintenance costs for at least 1 year.
This is currently €992 per month, i.e. €11,904 per year.
This sum must be deposited in a blocked account in order to be able to apply for a residence permit.
Information on the blocked account:
https://www.studying-in-germany.org/de/sperrkonto-auslaendische-studenten/
The Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf runs student residences in Möchengladbach and Krefeld.
In addition, there are student residences that are rented out by private companies.
The AStA of the HSNR offers further information and advice on this and also arranges private rental offers via the notice board.
Click here for information and offers from the AStA:
https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/studierende/angebote-rund-um-das-studium/#c89742
The Deutsches Studierendenwerk offers tips and information on finding accommodation:
https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/wohnen/tipps-zur-wohnungssuche
→ As soon as you have a German address, please inform the student office immediately.
The HSNR awards the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.
You can find further options for financing your studies here.
Looking for the right counseling center? Our counseling navigator will help you find it.
