FAQ for first semester students

After you have enrolled online at RUB, you will receive all information on the next steps by e-mail.

Simply subscribe to the RUB WhatsApp channel for first semester students

Click here to subscribe

You have 14 days after your enrollment to transfer the social contribution.

All students are obliged to pay the social contribution, which finances the Akademisches Förderungswerk, the student body and the semester ticket.

The social contribution for the winter semester 2024/2025 amounts to a total of 325.00 euros. This is made up of contributions for

• the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ) (e.g. for the canteen and halls of residence): 125.00 euros
  The Akafö runs numerous halls of residence and offers students a wide range of services and advice in addition to low prices in the cafeterias and canteen.
• the RUB student body (AStA): 23.60 euros
  With its share of the social contribution, the Asta supports student initiatives, finances student council projects and pays the salaries of employees of the student representation as well as expense allowances for speakers. The AStA's share also includes the contribution for the Nextbike bicycle rental service (1.50 euros) and for the theater flat rate at Schauspielhaus Bochum (1.00 euros).
• the semester ticket: 176.40 euros
  The semester ticket is based on the principle of solidarity and is therefore also paid for by students who do not use it at all: Just because all students pay the fee regardless of their use, the semester ticket is comparatively cheap compared to other VRR offers. The AStA negotiates the price with the transport companies.

The transfer data can only be accessed via eCampus.

Important!!! Please be sure to state your personal reason for payment (the reason for payment changes each semester), otherwise there may be delays in re-registration.

To eCampus

Students at the Ruhr-Universität live either in private accommodation or in student halls of residence. The latter are not offered by the university, but by Akafö, the student union of Bochum's universities.

Unfortunately, there have been repeated cases of fraud among international students looking for an apartment or room in recent months.

Therefore, please pay attention to the following:

• Make sure that the person or company renting the accommodation actually exists, for example by doing a Google search.
• Make sure that the accommodation really exists and that the description and photos match the address, for example on Google Maps (use Street View).
• Never send sensitive documents (passport, bank statements or similar).
• Never send a deposit in advance without having signed a contract.
• If it is a sublet in a hall of residence, contact the property management directly and ask whether the room will actually be rented out.
• Be particularly critical of offers on social networks.

You can find your personal data for the transfer in eCampus under Finances → "Notes on paying the social contribution".

Important!!! Please be sure to state your personal reason for payment when making your transfer (the reason for payment changes each semester), as otherwise there may be delays in re-registration.

After successful enrollment, your student ID will be sent to you by post.

Note: Always make sure that RUB has your current address, as RUB may have to send you important information by post.
After moving, you can update your address yourself via eCampus.

After you have transferred the social contribution (please note that it can take up to six days for the money to reach the RUB account), you can download your certificate of enrolment via eCampus .

After you have transferred the social contribution (please note that it can take up to six days for the money to reach the RUB account), you can retrieve the ticket via Ride Webapp. You can find the link in eCampus.

Further information about the ticket can be found here.

There are various contact points at RUB, depending on the issue and reason. The following page provides a practical overview.

This always depends on the subject you are studying. Many subjects (especially engineering and science subjects) have fixed timetables for their students, while in other subjects students have to create their own timetables. In the introductory events for the individual subjects, you will be taught step by step how to create your timetable.

List of all introductory courses

All information on the introductory events can be found on this overview page.

All information on the preliminary courses can be found on this overview page.

You can register for courses (such as lectures or seminars) via the RUB eCampus. All information on registration and creating your timetable can be found in the introductory events.

Yes, there are tutorials and FAQs for using the RUB eCampus.

If you have any questions, the helpdesk staff will be happy to help you.

All important information for registering for language courses at the Center for Foreign Language Education (ZFA) can be found here.

There is a placement test for some language courses, but not for others. The Center for Foreign Language Education has created a page with the most frequently asked questions about placement tests.

Detailed step-by-step instructions can be found on the page of the optional area.

Moodle is a digital learning platform that is used in many lectures, seminars and courses to provide important documents for participants.

The eTeam Digitalization in the eLearning department at the Centre for Science Didactics (ZfW) has provided instructions for using Moodle and advises on questions about digital tools for studying at RUB.