National Code of Conduct
on Foreign Students at German Universities
The Preamble of the national Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities says:
"In adopting this “National Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities” the universities reaffirm their sustained interest in attracting and hosting qualified international students, doctoral students and (young) scientists and researchers. The Code of Conduct aims to establish a “set of common minimum standards” in the fields of “Information and Marketing, Admissions, Supervision, Support and Advice, plus Follow-up Services”, on which international students can rely. The guiding principle is, wherever possible, to grant international students1 the same rights as are available to German or EU students and, over and above this, to offer them the services and assistance that they particularly need as foreign guests. While the minimum standards defined in the following have already been introduced at practically all German universities, many higher education institutions offer services that extend beyond this, and will continue to do so."
1 Students who are foreign nationals and gained their secondary school-leaving certificate outside Germany and who are enrolled in a degree programme.
Important national sources of information for international students in Germany:
- German Rectors' Conference: Hochschulrektorenkonferenz HRK
- German Academic Exchange Service: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst DAAD
- Federal Ministry of Education and Research: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung BMBF
- Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs: Kultusministerkonferenz KMK
- Accreditation Council: Akkreditierungsrat
- German National Association for Student Affairs: Deutsches Studentenwerk
- Federal Union of International Students: Bundesverband Ausländischer Studierender
