International

Office

University of Applied Sciences

General study information for foreign study applicants

What is a Fachhochschule?
A Fachhochschule is a German institution of higher education which offers highly practice-oriented education
and training. Tight organisation of the degree courses, teaching in small groups and a choice of subjects
which is oriented towards the necessities of professional practice, permit shorter average studies. Besides
teaching, also research projects are carried out at Fachhochschulen. The range of subjects offered is
directed particularly towards the needs of professionals with a practical and academic education in
engineering, in business administration, in design and in the social services.

The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule Nürnberg, University of Applied Sciences

Education has a long standing tradition in Nürnberg. Melanchthon, Leibniz, Hegel, Ohm and many other
scholars acquired knowledge and taught in this city. From 1833 to 1849, the eminent physicist Georg Simon
Ohm was the appointed professor and president of the "Polytechnical School". The engineering branch was
then established in 1971. Since 1983, the university has been bearing his name in his honour. Georg-Simon-
Ohm-Fachhochschule Nürnberg is the largest higher education institution in Nürnberg and is one of the
largest Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany. It has approximately 8500 students, 260 professors and
300 part-time lecturers from industry and commerce.
The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule Nürnberg offers a science-based, application-oriented education. It
is active in industrial research, development and technology transfer. It is also strongly involved in the field of
continuing education.
Two characteristics identify the University's educational concept:
a focus on practical application of the subjects taught
individual monitoring of students, achieved by teaching in small groups

A practical focus, and lectures in small groups lead to tightly organised and compact studies. A degree
awarded by the Georg-Simon-Ohm University of Applied Sciences Nürnberg enables our graduates
worldwide excellent professional prospects and career opportunities.

Duration of studies
The standard period of studies required for an academic degree at the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule
is 8 semesters for Diplom degree courses; 7 semesters for Bachelor degree courses (with the exception of
Architecture which lasts at least 6 semesters) and 2 – 4 semesters for Master degree courses. An academic
year consists of 2 semesters. The winter term begins on October 1 until March 14, and the summer term
starts on March 15 until September 30. Beginners are only allowed to commence their studies in October.

Strong emphasis on practice

In most of our degree courses, one or two practical semesters have to be spent in industry or public
administration. Vocational practice is therefore put to direct use over a substantial period of time, in order to
accumulate a broad experience and special skills.
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Degree Courses
The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule offers a wide range of degree courses. Applicants can choose
courses from 4 different study directions, depending on their interests and inclination. These courses include
Engineering, Economics, Social Services and Design.
Currently we offer the following degree courses:

Bachelor Degree Courses:

• Applied Chemistry
• Architecture
• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Design
• Electronics and Information Technology
• Information Management
• Information Technology (No study beginners as of winter semester 2007/08)
• International Business
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Precision Engineering/Mechatronics
• Process Engineering
• Social Work
• Utility Engineering

Diplom Degree Courses (No study beginners as of winter semester 2007/08):

• Applied Chemistry
• Architecture
• Business Administration
• Civil Engineering
• Communication Design
• Computer Science
• Electronics and Information Technology
• Information Management
• International Business
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Media Design
• Media Technology
• Precision Engineering/Mechatronics
• Process Engineering
• Social Work
• Utility Engineering

Postgradual Master Degree Courses:

• Business Administration (as of SS 08)
• Energy Management and Energy Technology (joint study program with University of Applied Sciences
Ansbach, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, Regensburg, planned as of SS 08)
• Construction and Design in Architecture
• New Materials, Nano- and Production Technology (as of SS 08)
• International Civil Engineering (as of SS 08)
• Building Services Engineering (joint study program with University of Applied Sciences Munich)
• Computer Science
• International Business
• Mechanical Engineering
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• Information Management
• Systems Engineering (as of SS 08)
• Social Work

Further training: Master

• Counseling
• Facility Management (joint study program with FH-Munich, currently as distance studies)
• International Business Administration (Corporate Master Program for Financials)
• International Business Administration (Master Program Intensive)
• International Business Administration for Non-Financials
• Software Engineering and Information Technology
• City. Space. Society/ Integrated Urban Development (planned as of WS 07/08)

Further training: Certificate

• Further training to become counselor (studying while working)
• Facility Management (studying while working)
• Rating Analyst
• Software Engineering
• Acquisition and Supply Chain Management

Degrees Awarded
Depending on the degree program, graduates will be awarded a Diplom, Bachelor or Master degree.

Language of instruction
With the exception of the study program International Business and other postgraduate course programs, the
language of instruction for most of our lectures is German. A good knowledge of German is therefore
imperative. Prior to admission, you must provide proof of one of the accepted German certificates. We
therefore would advise you to learn enough basic or intermediate level of German before you leave for
Germany. It would make it easier for you to attend advanced language courses in Germany.

Tuition
Since summer semester 2007 our University charges tuition fees of 500€ per semester (except for
postgraduate programs). Additionally, students are required to pay 42 € as contribution fee to the
Studentenwerk (student services organisation) and 50 € as administration fee per semester.

Insurance
- Health insurance: All students (up to a max. age of 30) are subject to compulsory health insurance. You
must pay your premiums to the health insurance scheme before registration. Students over 30 years of
age are strongly advised to insure themselves with a private health insurance company.
- Accident insurance: All registered students are insured against accidents at the university on the way to
or from there by the statutory accident insurance scheme.
- Liability insurance: During your studies, students are bound to pay for any personal damage or damage
to property caused by them. It is therefore advisable to insure yourself against damage caused by you.
Registration forms can be obtained in our Studienbüro.*)

*) “Studienbüro” is the student office which is in charge of all matters concerning application, admission, enrolment, examination and
compulsory internships.

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Admission requirements for foreign study applicants

All foreign study applicants who would like to study at the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule Nürnberg
have to fulfil specific entry requirements before they can be admitted, i.e. your academic qualification
obtained in your home country should be considered equivalent to a German Abitur (the German
qualification for admission to higher education). As well as this, you also have to provide a proof of your
German language proficiency test for admission to higher education (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den
Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber – DSH) or equivalence. In addition, proof of a pre-study
practical for the duration of at least 6 weeks has to be submitted prior to admission for the degree courses
civil engineering, mechanical engineering and utility engineering.
The following documents are therefore required for admission:
• Acknowledgement of qualification for admission to institution of higher education
• Proof of DSH or alike
• Pre-study practical with relevance to the degree courses civil engineering, mechanical engineering and
utility engineering

Please note: Our study program “International Business” has different admission requirements.
For details please refer to: www.fh-nuernberg.de/ib

Qualification for admission to institution of higher education

How to obtain the acknowledgement of qualification for admission?

1) Through the recognition of educational qualifications obtained in home country

The academic achievements of your home country can only be considered as qualification for admission if
they have been accredited by the “Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle”. If you intend to study at one of the
Fachhochschulen in Bavaria, the “Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle für den Freistaat Bayern” is responsible for
the accreditation of your educational documents:

Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle für den Freistaat Bayern

Pündterplatz 5
D-80803 München
Tel. +49 (0)89 383849-0
Fax. +49 (0)89 383849-49
E-Mail: zastby@zast.bayern.de

Further information and application forms for the accreditation are obtainable at: www.stmuk.bayern.de/zast

After checking the documents, the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle für den Freistaat Bayern will inform the
applicants about the result of the accreditation:
Either applicants receive the acknowledgement of qualification for admission to higher education
(Nachweis der Qualifikation für ein Studium an den Fachhochschulen in Bayern), but have to pass the
DSH prior to admission,
or
Applicants receive the acknowledgement of qualification to sit for the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP
assessment test) or to participate in the FSP-preparatory course. This means that applicants have to
pass the Feststellungsprüfung which also includes the DSH before they can be admitted. This group of
applicants are urgently advised to take part in the preparatory course offered by the Studienkolleg
Coburg. Please refer to topic “preparatory course”.
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2) Foreign study applicants can also obtain the acknowledgement of qualification for admission if
they pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP).

FSP-preparatory courses prior to studies

Feststellungsprüfung and preparatory course at Studienkolleg Coburg

If you receive an acknowledgement from the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle that you need to pass the
Feststellungsprüfung prior to your studies, this means that your academic background does not meet the
admission requirement. Applicants who must take the FSP are urgently advised to take part in a preparatory
course. The Studienkolleg Coburg offers preparatory courses for foreign study applicants who would like to
study at Fachhochschulen in Bavaria. These courses generally last 2 semesters. Please contact the
Studienkolleg Coburg directly regarding the preparatory courses:
Studienkolleg Coburg
Friedrich-Streib-Str. 2
D-96450 Coburg
Telefon: +49 (0)9561 42706-0
Fax: +49 (0)9561 42706-20
E-Mail: studienkolleg@fh-coburg.de

Application forms for the preparatory course at the Studienkolleg Coburg can be downloaded at:
www.sk-coburg.de

Feststellungsprüfung at the Studienkolleg Coburg

The FSP will be held at the end of the preparatory course. Also study applicants who need to pass the FSP,
but have not taken part in the preparatory course, are allowed to sit for the examination. Application forms to
participate in the FSP can also be downloaded under: www.sk-coburg.de
For detailed information please contact the Studienkolleg Coburg. A pass in the Feststellungsprüfung is
equivalent to the qualification for admission to higher education. This allows the students to be able to study
the desired subject at the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule Nürnberg. Please note that our validity of
admissions restrictions also applies here.

DSH-preparatory course at the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule

We offer DSH-preparatory courses for foreign study applicants who have received the acknowledgement of
admission to institutions of higher education from the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle and intend to study at our
Fachhochschule. The DSH-preparatory courses last 1 - 2 semesters depending on the level of already
acquired German proficiency. Applicants are urgently advised to attend these courses, so that they are well-
prepared to sit for the examination. The course participants will be registered at our Fachhochschule. They
can use the university facilities (computer centre, library, cafeteria etc.) and take part in the counselling
activities of the International Office (www.fh-nuernberg.de/io/ct).
Please note that applicants have to sit for the entry test before they can be admitted to take part in the
preparatory courses. Very good basic knowledge of the German language is required in order to pass the
entry test. We advise you to acquire your basic German language knowledge in your home country before
coming to Germany. For more information about our DSH-preparatory course please refer to:
http://www.fh-nuernberg.de/institutionen/language_center/00/page.html

Proof of German Language Proficiency

One of the following language certificates will be accepted for admission:
“Zeugnis der Deutschen Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang” (DSH level 2 for all degree
courses, DSH level 1 only for the degree course Design)
• TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache – level 4 for all degree courses, level 3 only for the degree
course Design). For more information please refer to: www.testdaf.de
• “Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung” of Goethe Institute
• “Großes deutsches Sprachdiplom” of Goethe Institute
• “Kleines deutsches Sprachdiplom” of Goethe Institute
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• “Prüfung zum Nachweis deutscher Sprachkenntnisse” (PNDS)

• Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz - Zweite Stufe -
• Deutsche Sprachprüfung II des Sprachen- und Dolmetscherinstitutes in München
• A Degree in the studies of Germanistik in your home country
• German as native language
• German schools in foreign countries

Pre-study Practical (Vorpraktikum)

Besides the above-mentioned entry requirements, a completion of a vocational pre-study practical (at least 6
weeks) with relevance to the degree courses civil engineering, mechanical engineering and utility
engineering is also required before you can be admitted. Practical activities, vocational training or work
experience can be recognised. However, experience gained must be related to the study subject.
Confirmation or testimonial from your employer must be translated into German.

Enrolment process
Application
Foreign study applicants should submit the university application within the following period of time:
May 2 till June 15 of each year for the winter semester
December 1 till January 15 of each year for the summer semester
With effect from May 2005, applicants are requested to apply online under www.fh-nuernberg.de. All relevant
information concerning application and admission can be obtained under www.fh-nuernberg.de/fhn/
studienbuero. The application form will be available on our above-mentioned web site around the end of
April/end of November. Please complete and submit the application form online, have the completed
application form printed and send it together with the following required documents to our Studienbüro not
later than June 15 for the winter semester and January 15 for the summer semester respectively:
• Verified copy of your qualification for admission to higher education (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung)
from the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle or certificate of your Feststellungsprüfung
• Proof of DSH or alike
• Proof of your pre-study practical (this applies only for the study programs civil engineering, mechanical
engineering and utility engineering)

Important for all study beginners for the winter semester:

If any of the above-mentioned documents are missing at the time of submitting your application, you can
hand them in later. Please observe the deadlines as follows:

- Acknowledgement of qualification for admission to higher education from the Zeugnis-

anerkennungsstelle or certificate of FSP by July 27
- Proof of DSH and proof of pre-study practical can be submitted at the time of enrolment.

Please also note that study beginners can only start with their studies in winter semester.

Admissions restrictions
Currently we have admissions restrictions for the following study programs for all study applicants:
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Information Management
• Social Work
• Mechanical Engineering

If you intend to study any of the above-mentioned study programs, you need to provide us your average
grade which will be determined by the “Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle” during the process of accreditation.
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Degree courses without admission restriction but with assessment

• International Business

Degree courses without admission restriction but with aptitude test

• Architecture
• Design

Enrolment
After your application, you will receive a notification of admission (Zulassungsbescheid) from our
Studienbüro around the middle of August. The notification of admission states also the deadlines for
enrolment and the documents you have to submit at the time of enrolment.
Enrolment usually takes place around September 15, just before the winter semester begins.
Please note: If any of the required documents for admission is still missing at the time of enrolment,
the notification of admission you receive in August will then be not valid.

Whom to contact:
For enquiry, application, admission, enrolment, examination and internship
Studienbüro
Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule
D-90489 Nürnberg
Office hours:
Mo., Tue., Wed., Fri.: 9:00 – 12:00
Tue., Thu.: 13:00 – 15:00

For advising/counselling foreign study applicants of the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Fachhochschule

International Office
Ms Hayer
Prinzregentenufer 41, Room: 2.47, 90489 Nürnberg

Office hours:
Mo. 9:30 – 11:30
Wed. 9:30 – 11:30
The International Office is responsible for advising and counselling foreign students during the entire period
of studies. Orientation and subject-related programs are organised for new students at the beginning of the
term with the aim to help them to get to know the Fachhochschule, other fellow students and the new
surroundings. It is advisable to contact the International Office right after the enrolment. Other cultural
programs such as excursions, cultural evenings, visits of museums etc. are offered during the semester
period. Please visit our web site under the topic “Come-Together” where you can find current cultural
programs and activities for international students: www.fh-nuernberg.de/io/ct

How to find us:

Both the Studienbüro and the International Office are located in the Prinzregentenufer 41,
S Building.

IO/Hayer July 2007