FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions as well as further information on studying at Trier University. Please note that this page is continuously under construction and will be updated regularly.
 

Covid-19

Trier University provides here the lastest information and answers important questions concerning the effects of Corona virus on University operations. 
Further information on coronavirus in Germany and Trier can be found on the following pages:

Visa

Do I need a visa to enter Germany?
Depending on your nationality, a visa is required to enter Germany. Therefore, please inform yourself about the valid entry and residence regulations at a German diplomatic or consular representation in your home country. You can apply for a visa at the competent German mission in your home country.

The visa is issued depending on the reason for stay. Make sure that you apply for a visa to study. When applying for a visa to study, you must present, among other things, the letter of admission from Trier University.

Important: Expect a processing time of several weeks, possibly even several months, and apply for your visa early! If you do not require a visa for your entry and are not an EU citizen, you must still apply for a residence permit after your arrival. Please make absolutely sure that you can prove that you have the necessary financial means before your arrival!
 

Arrival

What is the best way to travel to Trier?
You can reach Trier in many ways. There are several airports in the region. The airports

  • Frankfurt (Main)
  • Luxembourg
  • Cologne/Bonn

are particularly suitable if you are travelling from North America, South America, Asia, Oceania or Africa. For shorter flights, you can also use Frankfurt (Hahn) and Saarbrücken airports. Trier is also easy to reach by train. You can find out about connections and ticket prices on the Deutsche Bahn website. Another option is to travel by long-distance bus. You can find more information about travelling to Trier here.
 

Registration (Trier City)

How do I register at the Citizens' Registration Office of Trier City?
The International Office will assist you in registering at Trier City during the Orientation Programme.
Please note: If you are not taking part in the Orientation Programme, you must register on your own and make an appointment for this in good time at the Citizens' Registration Office of the City of Trier.

What do I have to do after registering?
After resgistering at Trier City, you must register your accommodation in Germany with the Contribution Service. You can find more information about the Contribution Service and registration in this guide.
 

Health Insurance

Do I have to take out health insurance?
For your stay in Germany and for enrollment at Trier University, you need to have sufficient health insurance coverage. This is the case if

  • you have a German statutory health insurance (e.g. AOK, Barmer, DAK, TK or another statutory German health insurance) or
  • you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (valid until the end of your stay in Trier!) or
  • there is a social security agreement between your home country and Germany through which you are insured (Turkey or Serbia).

► In these 3 cases you are sufficiently insured for enrolment at Trier University.

If you do not have insurance as described in points 1-3, you must in any case take out German health insurance before your arrival in Trier. Private or statutory health insurance from your home country will not be recognised. You will receive exact information about which health insurance is applicable for you during the application process. Please do not take out health insurance for your stay beforehand.


What is the difference between statutory and private health insurance?
There are two types of health insurance in Germany: statutory and private health insurance. As a rule, statutory health insurance is cheaper. You can get statutory health insurance at a favourable student rate as long as you have not exceeded the age of 30 (or the 14th semester of study). Although the monthly premium is cheaper than with private health insurance, you have to pay for all medical services (and medication) yourself in advance. You can only settle your expenses with the insurance company afterwards. In addition, there are different levels of personal contributions to consider.
 

Opening a Bank Account

In order to be able to handle your payment transactions (e.g. transferring the monthly rent) smoothly and inexpensively, you should open a current account at a Trier bank on your own. In Trier's city centre, but also near the university, you will find branches of almost all large and well-known German banks, as well as some foreign banks. Please note that you must open the account yourself! Unfortunately, the International Office cannot recommend a bank or accompany you to open a bank account. Please check whether it is possible and advisable to open a bank account with a German(!) online bank before you arrive in Trier.

Documents you need to present when opening an account:

  • Identity card or passport
  • Registration certificate from the residents' registration office
  • German tax identification number
  • If applicable, certificate of enrollment from Trier University (can be found on PORTA under: My Studies > Student Services > Requested Reports / Reports).


Important:
It can take up to two months to open a bank account. Therefore, make sure that you bring enough cash with you and/or have access to your home account, especially for the first few weeks in Trier.

Attention:
You cannot pay with a credit card everywhere in Germany.
 

Studying and Living at Trier University

Is there a food service at the university?
Trier University has several canteens and cafeterias. Currently, the Mensa Tarforst at the University (Campus I) offers food from 11:30-14:45 on Mondays through Fridays and the Mensa Petrisberg (Campus II) offers food from 11:30-13:00 on Mondays through Fridays. Cafeteria forU (Campus I) is open Monday through Friday from 08:00-14:30 and Bistro A/B (Campus I) is open Monday through Friday from 09:00-16:00. You can only pay with TUNIKA or EC card (not with cash).


Where can I get information about the courses offered during the semester?
You can get information about the courses offered via the pages of the subjects/departments or via PORTA. An overview of the ECTS Coordinators of the subjects/departments can be found here. There are no special course lists at Trier University for exchange students only, but you can choose your courses from the general course catalog (PORTA). Please note that the current courses for the next semester can only be found in the course catalog approximately 2 months before the start of the lecture period. You do not need to log in to PORTA to search for courses.


What is PORTA?
PORTA is the integrated campus-management-system of Trier University. Via PORTA you can sign up for and/or off of classes. You also find information on classes, your grades and further documents about your studies such as your certificate of enrolment. 


Where can I find my certificate of enrollment?
You can find your certificate of enrollment (called "Immatrikulationsbescheinigung" in German) on PORTA under: My Studies > Student Service > Requested Reports / Reports.


How do I search for courses on PORTA?
Here  you will find instructions on how to search for courses on PORTA.


How and when do I sign up for courses?
You can sign up for courses on PORTA after having succesfully enroled at Trier University and after having received your ZIMK login credentials. Please also note the registration periods for courses here or in the basic data of the class on PORTA. You will not be able to sign up for a class outside of the registration period. Here you will find an explanation how to sign up for your classes in PORTA. After having signed up for courses, your data will be exported to the StudIP system within one day.


How do I access the university's management systems?
You can access the university's management systems from the university's website, where you find links to PORTA, StudIP, your Mail account and the library’s search Portal "TRICAT".


What is the TUNIKA and what do I need it for?
The TUNIKA (Trierer Universitätskarte = Trier University Card) is your student ID card which you will get after successful enrollment at Trier University. The chip card contains your name, your matriculation number, your library number as well as the study period for which you are enrolled and re-enrolled. The TUNIKA provides access to various university services (library, sports and fitness center, Mensa/cafeterias etc.). Your TUNIKA is also a bus and train ticket within the boundaries of the "Verkehrsverbund im Raum Trier" (VRT). You can pay with your TUNIKA in the Mensa/cafeteria, at vending machines and in order to print on the multifunction devices on campus. The TUNIKA is also your library card to borrow books and opens access to the PC Pools. In addition, your TUNIKA is also a cultural semester ticket. Detailed information on the various functions of the TUNIKA can be found here.


Where can I get more information about student life in Trier?
On this page you will find information about life in Trier such as mobility, food, student financing, uniSPORT and other freetime activities.
 

University Library

How is the library open?
The university library on Campus I is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 24:00, Saturdays from 08:00 to 19:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 15:00. The library on Campus II is open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 21:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00. 


What am I allowed to take into the library?
Please note that you are not allowed to take jackets and bags into the library. If you want to go into the library, you can keep your jacket and bag with a padlock in a locker on the ground floor of the Library Central and in front of all entrances to the library. You can purchase a lock from the Studierendenwerk in the Mensa, in the AB Café (if open) or from "Elektro Spang" in the "Treff".


Discover the library
Here you can find short tutorials with tips and instructions on what the library has to offer. Some tutorials are also available in English or with English subtitles. It is recommended to work through the topics in the order given.