Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences
About
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Göttingen is a leading research and teaching institution in Germany and enjoys an excellent international reputation. More than 2,000 students from Germany and abroad are enrolled in eight different degree programmes. The Faculty's research objective is to address pressing issues for the future of agricultural science and to develop research-based solutions.
The faculty is divided into three departments: the Department of Crop Sciences, the Department of Animal Sciences, and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development. With over 40 scientific departments and institutes, the Faculty is a hub of interdisciplinary research and teaching, collaborating with leading national and international partners.
Research and study centres complement these:
- IfZ – Institute for Sugar Beet Research
- CBL – Campus Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use
- CiBreed – Centre for Integrated Breeding Research
- Interfaculty Institute for Ecosystem Modelling
- Interfaculty Institute for Agricultural Law
The Faculty boasts three cutting-edge experimental farms in the Göttingen area, spanning an impressive 1250 hectares. It also houses a state-of-the-art Laboratory for sensory analysis and consumer research. With over 40 scientific departments and institutes, the Faculty is a hub of interdisciplinary research and teaching, collaborating with leading national and international partners.
Living in Göttingen
Hardly any other German city of comparable size has so many universities and prestigious research institutions. Almost 50,000 people work here every day in research and education.
Here, you can look forward to a rich cultural life! Take advantage of the many recreational activities. Discover a friendly, lively city between the Harz mountains and the Solling range.
Student Life in Göttingen
Göttingen, the "small major city": Almost 120,000 inhabitants and 31,000 students. There is a lot going on in this university city full of tradition.
Eating, Living, Finances
- Cafeteria and gastronomy
- Accommodation for students
- Central Facility for Sports and Health
- Financing university studies and part-time jobs for students
Culture and Free Time
- Semester ticket for students
- Sports
- Festivals in Göttingen
- Cinema in Göttingen
- Music
- Cultural Centres
- Foyer International
- Theaters
- Museums / Drawing and Photographing
- Libraries
- Media in Göttingen
Going Out
- Universitätskirche St. Nikolai
- City event calendar
- Tours and leisure hints
Schools and family matters
- Kindergarten, Tagesbetreuung, Hort
- Schools
- Education: Courses outside the University
Letters of admission are sent out to students in the EU, EEA and foreign students with German university entrance qualifications
| For degree programmes with limited admission for the 1st first subject semester | |
|---|---|
| Starting in early August | for the subsequent winter semester |
| Starting early February | for the subsequent summer semester |
| For degree programmes with limited admission for higher subject semesters | |
| Starting mid-September | for the subsequent winter semester |
| Starting mid-March | for the subsequent summer semester |
| For Medicine and Dentistry (hochschulstart.de) | |
| Starting mid-August | for the subsequent winter semester |
| Starting mid-February | for the subsequent summer semester |
Letters of admission are sent out to non-EU or stateless applicants
| For all degree programmes | |
|---|---|
| Starting June | for the subsequent winter semester |
| Starting December | for the subsequent summer semester |
Visa and Residence Permit: Information for International Students
Before travelling to Germany, you should check what requirements apply for entry into Germany and your stay abroad. Should you require a visa, make sure you apply for it as early as possible. Processing times at embassies and consulates are often very long.
Before Arrival in Germany
What is a visa?
This visa is an entry permit which is valid from 3 months to 12 months. After your arrival in Germany, you will have to apply for a residence permit, which is generally valid for 1-2 years and can be extended until you have finished your studies.
It can sometimes take months for a visa to be issued, so it's important to apply early on even if you have not yet been accepted to a higher education institution. You can apply for a prospective student visa and convert it to a residence permit for studying once you are in Germany.
Do not enter Germany with a tourist visa (“Schengen Visa” only for a stay in Germany for up to 90 days)! It is usually not possible to extend this visa or change it into a student visa.
Who needs a visa?
Students from the European Union (EU) and those from the Schengen Area do not need a visa to enter Germany and may stay in the country for an unlimited time period.
Students who are non-EU citizens and not from the Schengen Area generally need a visa to enter Germany.
Where do I apply for a visa?
You must apply for a visa in person at a German diplomatic mission in your country (Embassy or Consulate). The Embassy or Consulate in the country in which you are a legal resident is responsible for issuing you a visa. They will provide you with the application documents in the national language that applies in that country. In general, you should hand in your visa application personally with all documents required.
In order to avoid time-consuming requests for additional information or documentation (document requirements can vary from country to country), you are advised to consult the website of the respective mission well in advance to find out about the visa procedure and about the documentation which has to be submitted. Make sure to apply for the correct visa, which is a study visa, since the purpose of your stay in Germany is to study.
Which documents are required?
The following documents are normally required for a successful visa application:
- Acceptance Letter from the University
If the University accepts your application for a place of study, you will be sent an acceptance letter by mail. The acceptance letter confirms that you have been offered a place of study. - Valid Passport
Your passport is proof of identification. This must be valid for at least three months at the time of the planned departure from Germany and must have been issued within the last 10 years. It is best to ensure that your passport is valid for your entire stay in order to avoid any bureaucratic obstacles. - Proof of Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory by federal law for all students attending German universities. Already, when applying for your visa and enrolling at the University, you will be required to show proof of health insurance. For the application process, we recommend applying for travel health insurance, which will meet the visa requirements. It should be valid for the first months of your stay in Germany until you have been issued a residence permit. Once you have arrived in Germany, you should apply for German health insurance for the entire period of your stay in Germany. Alternatively, you can do this even before arrival in Göttingen. Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle and All-OK offer a cost-effective solution that combines incoming health insurance with automatic transfer to German health insurance after entry. - Proof of Financing
When applying for a visa, you will need to prove that you have enough financial resources to pay for at least the first year abroad. Currently, you are required to demonstrate that you have 11,904€ (as of 01.01.2025) available to finance your studies. Proof of financing can be demonstrated by either presenting an account statement of a blocked account (Sperrkonto) or confirmation of financial support by a third party living in Germany. Please note that a part-time job is not sufficient for self-financing in Germany and will not be accepted as proof of financing. Make sure to inquire at the German embassy in your country as to which form of financial proof is necessary. Most international students show proof of financing by opening a blocked account with the required amount of financing. We recommend the following blocked account options, which are affordable and provided through Fintiba, Expatrio, Coracle and All-OK. - Proof of Accommodation
Before arriving in Germany, you should already make arrangements for accommodation for the first few months. A rental contract (be it a room in a shared apartment or a dormitory room) is sufficient. - Biometric Passport Photos
Entry without a Visa
Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the USA
Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the USA do not need a visa to enter Germany. But if you want to stay or work in Germany for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit. You can apply for this at the Immigration Office in Göttingen after you arrive, but it can take time and may delay your work start. If you want to start working as soon as you arrive, it is better to apply for a visa (National Visa/D-Visa) before coming to Germany. This is also necessary if you plan to work for less than 90 days (for example, for teaching).
Entry with a Visa
Nationals of other countries
Nationals of countries other than those stated above generally require a visa to enter Germany. For short stays of up to 90 days without gainful employment, there are exceptions for some countries. The Federal Foreign Office provides information on these exceptions.
A visa is typically issued only for a specific purpose of stay. A change of purpose can be very difficult and only possible in some specific instances.
Schengen Visa (C-Visa)
The Schengen visa (C visa) permits short stays of up to 90 days. During this time, you can move about freely in any of the signatory states of the Schengen Agreement (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland).
For a Schengen visa, you must prove that you are financially secure. You also need travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000. When applying, you may state “scientific work” or “research” as the purpose of your stay. Be sure to inform the embassy or consulate if you plan to do some fee-based work.
If you are accompanied by family members, we recommend that you apply for your visas together – even if your family members will be joining you at a later date. This will simplify the application procedure considerably.
Please note: Visa applications must be submitted in person at the responsible embassy or consulate. There may be long waiting periods for the necessary appointments. Make an appointment as early as possible and check the website of the embassy or consulate to find out which documents to submit with your application.
Exceptions to the visa requirements for short stays
For nationals of certain countries, it is possible to enter Germany without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days. Information on this can be found in the overview of visa requirements provided by the Federal Foreign Office.
Please note: As a rule, gainful employment is not permitted during visa-free entry. If you earn income during your stay, such as from fee-based work (e.g. lecture fees, etc), you should apply for a visa that permits gainful employment during your stay.
