Ruhr-University Bochum

Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

Website: www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/
www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index_en.htm (English)

Information Sheet: 2021 Information Sheet

Videos: Youtube   

Description

Bochum has a population of almost 400,000 
inhabitants and is situated in the heart of the Ruhr Area, the economic nerve centre of western Germany. It is a very vivid city with a lot of cultural and sports activities, complemented by the large student population. In the city centre students find many bars in the famous Bermuda Triangle as well as shops and clubs.

Being an industrial town historically, Bochum also has a lot of parks and green spots. The University is located in the very south close to a little valley, not far from a lake: ‘Kemnader See.’ The cultural scene in Bochum is quite unique. Bochum has one of Germany’s best known theaters and there are various museums around.

Bochum is situated in one of the most densely populated areas of Europe. 5 million people live in the region, known as the Ruhr Area, named after a river that connects the cities. In less than half an hour you may reach Bochum’s neighbouring cities Dortmund and Essen that are worth a visit as well. Some of Germany’s biggest cities, such as Düsseldorf and Cologne are about a one-hour-trip by train away. Together with the rest of the Ruhr Area, Bochum was the host of the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

Bochum is a truly European city. Being located in the boarder triangle of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, cities like Brussels or Amsterdam are only about 200 kilometers away. To Paris and Berlin it is only about 450 kilometers.

Founded in 1962, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) was the first among those institutions of higher education built after World War II. With its 20 faculties, its 5,000 employees and over 34,000 students from 120 countries it belongs to the ten biggest universities in Germany. RUB knows how to excel – by means of outstanding research projects in many disciplines and due to a modern concept of degree programs. Furthermore, the university is one of the last eight candidates for the title “top university” in the German Excellence Initiative 2011. 

Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) is on its way to becoming one of the leading European universities of the 21st century. Almost all courses are offered on undergraduate as well as postgraduate level in more than 150 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs. Besides German, English is the second language on campus. RUB’s faculties offer various courses in English. In some international Master’s degree programs even all courses are held in English. From the first semester on, curricula at RUB focus on “research-based learning”. Our excellence programmes are recognised internationally: e.g. the Research School is a state-of-the-art international college for structured doctoral research in the life sciences, natural sciences, engineering, the humanities and social sciences.

Academic Orientation 

Course - German Intensive language course and cultural program for international students. Course fee  €360-. Before the winter semester starts: 3 weeks, starting in Mid-September 2013.

 

Orientation week for all international students.

Winter Semester - first week of October

Summer semester - first week of April  

Accommodation

For the duration of their stay in Bochum exchange students can rent a room in a residence hall directly with us at the International Office. Students will live in a single-room very close to campus. At the cheapest end of the scale they will share bathroom and kitchen facilities with other students on the same floor; at the top end of the scale they can have their own apartment with their own bathroom and kitchen. In some of the residence halls students share their apartment with up to four fellow students. Rooms cost approximately € 270 per month.

Link: http://international.rub.de/gaststudis/accommodation/index.html.en

Public Transportation

There is no need for a car. At the beginning of the semester all RUB students have to pay a Social Service Contribution Fee (approx. € 240 for six months) that includes a student ticket for all public transportation in the entire state of North Rhine Westphalia. When students wish to switch cities and visit interesting sites in for example Essen, Düsseldorf or Cologne they can easily go by train without paying any extra money. The metro directly connects Bochum’s city centre with the university campus. Within ten minutes students reach Bochum’s central station and downtown area. At night special buses (‘Nachtexpress’) connect the centre with the university.

What exchange students say about RUB

 Ruhr-Uni-Bochum is a really multi-cultural university and friendly to international students.”

“It’s a friendly city for foreigners, the university facilities are good and the study options are great.”

“The learning environment at RUB is serene. The university is internationally recognized which perhaps can enhance a student’s job prospects after completion. The opportunities, experience offered to students is noteworthy.”