Changing courses

We strongly recommend obtaining advice from the IBZ before changing courses. Before you can change courses, you must again apply for admission from the Zulassungsstelle (admissions office). The minimum requirement is that you are qualified for the new course and can demonstrate you made an effort on the previous course.

Legally, changing courses means a change in the purpose of residence. It must therefore be applied for from the Ausländerbehörde. It is always approved within the first 18 months of study, thereafter only if the university certifies that the total duration of study will not be extended by more than 18 months. If this requirement is not met or if you attempt to change courses again, it may only be approved if the study programme can be completed within a total period of residence of ten years.

Gainful employment during study

Employment not exceeding 90 working days or 180 half days per year (= up to 4 hours a day) is exempt from the need to obtain a work permit, i.e. it is implicit in the issue of a residence permit.

Employment exceeding this time limit must be individually approved by the Ausländerbehörde before it begins. Permission can only be granted if the Informations- und Beratungszentrum (university information and advice centre) certifies that the employment will not be a major obstacle to or delay completion of study and the Agentur für Arbeit (employment agency) offers the prospect of a work permit after examining the relevant labour market and the number of hours you intend to work.

Changing the legal status of residence costs € 25.-. No gainful employment is permitted during the preparatory German course.