FAQs and legal information

Why are study service fees being charged now?

Especially the international degree programmes offer the opportunity to study at a university in Germany without in-depth knowledge of German and thus qualify efficiently for the German and international labour market. The range of English-language Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes at OTH Amberg-Weiden aims to train and integrate students for the German and regional labour market – of course, also including the German taught study offers.

For foreign students from countries outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), it is a challenge to find their way around a German university. Many questions and uncertainties arise before and during their studies. This is associated with increased counselling and support costs. The service fee serves to provide international students with a good start to their studies and optimal support during their studies. It finances the expansion of integrative measures and the preparation for a successful career start in Germany.

Please note that the service fee does not include a complete support in finding accommodation. OTH Amberg-Weiden does not have its own halls of residence and cannot provide flats for international students. We can only help you with tipps finding accommodation on the private housing market. Please do your own research and apply for a place in a hall of residence from various providers.

Who has to pay the fees?

Students who come from a country outside the EU/EEA, who start their studies from the winter semester 2024/2025 and for whom no exception applies, have to pay the fees.

All students who were already enrolled in one of these degree programmes before the winter semester 2024/25 do not have to pay fees for their further studies in this degree programme.

Who does not have to pay the fees?

In accordance with Section 12 of the Statutes on the Levying of Fees and Charges at the Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden (GebEntS), the following persons are exempt from the service fee:

Students who started their studies at OTH Amberg-Weiden before the winter semester 2024/2025.
Persons with German citizenship
Persons with the nationality of another EU or EEA country
Persons with the nationality of another country with which a corresponding agreement has been concluded
Persons with a domestic higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) or an undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor) - Studienkolleg does not count as a domestic higher education entrance qualification!
Persons with an established domestic connection (i.e. persons who have lived in Germany for at least 5 years and have been legally employed or at least one parent has lived in Germany for a total of 3 years during the last 6 years before the start of the semester and has been legally employed)
Persons who have their habitual residence in Germany and are recognised outside of Germany as refugees within the meaning of the Geneva Refugee Convention and are not only temporarily entitled to reside in Germany
long-term tolerated persons with permanent residence in Germany and at least 15 months of uninterrupted, legally authorised or tolerated residence
Persons who are enrolled as students at another university with which a corresponding cooperation agreement exists
Exchange students at OTH Amberg-Weiden
Students and applicants for continuing education programmes at OTH Amberg-Weiden
Visiting students of OTH Amberg-Weiden
Early (school)students at OTH Amberg-Weiden

Exemption can only be granted to persons who provide OTH Amberg-Weiden with all the necessary information at the time of enrolment. To do this, please upload the application with the relevant supporting documents to the OTH Amberg-Weiden application portal. If an exceptional circumstance arises during your studies, the corresponding application for exemption must be submitted using the application form by the following application deadlines: 31 August for the winter semester and 15 February for the summer semester.

Who can apply for a waiver of study service fees?

In accordance with § 16 of the statutes for the collection of fees and charges at OTH Amberg-Weiden, the following persons may apply for a waiver:

Students who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in an emergency situation after commencing their studies, as a result of which they are unable to pay the service fee
Students whose graduation is jeopardised by a particular case of hardship or by the personal care of children or close relatives
Asylum seekers without an established domestic connection and with a special protection quota of more than 50%.

By when and in what form must the request for exemption from study service fees be submitted?

The application for a waiver in accordance with § 16 of the Statutes on the Levying of Fees and Charges of OTH Amberg-Weiden must be submitted as follows:

Application is made electronically via the applicant portal (upload line "Application for waiver of service fee")
Application deadline 31 August for the winter semester and 15 February for the summer semester
Required documents: completed and signed DOWNLOAD Request form, suitable supporting documents in German or English or with officially certified translation into German or English

It is not possible to apply for an exemption from the regular semester fee.

What happens if the fee is not paid?

Students who do not pay the fees due on time will not be able to attend courses or take the associated examinations. They will not be enrolled or will be de-registered at the end of the semester.