First Semester Guide

Table of Contents

General Introduction

Hello and congratulations on getting accepted by TUM! As students now studying in TUM Campus Heilbronn, we know how excited you may be about getting accepted by “the no.1 university in the EU” (yeah it’s actually just good marketing, but since it’s useful we’ll all stick with the term😉).

However, getting accepted is really just the first step, and there are tons of things to get done – sending your transcripts, dealing with the visa, understanding how the university works, learning about life in Germany… Moving to a new place (and for many of you, a new country) and spending a few years of your life studying there is no joke. Of course, the preparation can get anxious and confusing, and we, the writers, are international students who have experienced this firsthand before. Thus, we decided that we could offer some help and perhaps make your life easier, and this is how the idea of writing a student manual was born.

Before reading the manual, however, let’s clarify what this manual is for as well as how it is structured so that you can have a better understanding of whether it’s going to be useful to you, and how you should read it.

Concerning the purpose of this manual, it is mainly focused on informing you how to move to Heilbronn and settle in smoothly as a new student. We’ll cover all sorts of things from house hunting to student clubs, offering “insider tips” for student life here. It should be noted that some specific cases will not be covered (for example whether you need additional documents to open a bank account due to your nationality or whatever) as it is a general guide for all students in TUM Campus Heilbronn. For the same reason, the visa application process is not covered in the manual since it varies country by country. You should also note that academic issues like what courses to select or study program related information are not covered in the manual. If you have any problem related to academics, feel free to email your program’s student service or ask in the student group chat (will be shown below).

The structure of the manual is simple: the manual is divided into three main parts – pre-arrival, post-arrival, and after the first days. Under each part, respective themes and tasks that usually are done in this time are discussed (Of course, you can argue that a specific theme should fall into another category and not the one we have now, but please have a bit more tolerance as this is not a math textbook). Each main part has an introduction text which shows the themes in this part, so if you are unsure which part does your need fall, simply read the introduction texts.

Once again, welcome to TUM Campus Heilbronn, and we look forward to seeing you personally here!

Pre-arrival

“How do you eat an elephant?”

“One bite at a time”

The same logic applies when moving to a new country: there are certainly a ton of important things to be done, but don’t worry, we will cover most, if not all, of them out here for you. They are house hunting, renter insurance, blocked account, health insurance, packing, semester fee payment, communication channels in the university, and other sources of information in Heilbronn.

House Hunting

Despite more incoming students each year and constantly rising rents, Heilbronn’s housing market is still much better than big cities like Munich or Berlin. Nevertheless, it is always good to start your search early, understand your options, and be prepared with the right documents.

What kind of Housing is Available?

As an international student, you have several common options:

  • Public student dormitories: These are furnished, shared apartments owned by the Student Services Organization (Studierendenwerk) of Heidelberg in Heilbronn (the organization is from Heidelberg, but they help manage the public dormitories in Heilbronn). The dormitories are very cheap (between 266 and 387 Euros a month) in comparison to the others we’ll see below, but be aware that the competition is extremely high (it is almost impossible to apply and get an apartment directly, waiting list is the absolute norm), and that the living experience over there is not really positive (loud neighbors, sanitary issues etc.). You can find more information here, please make sure that the dormitories are in Heilbronn and not Heidelberg!

  • Private student dormitories: These are furnished apartment complexes specifically for students, usually managed by private corporations. Despite being more expensive (usually at least 500 Euros a month), many offer private rooms or studio apartments with their own bathroom and small kitchen (of course, shared apartments are also an option if you want cheaper prices). Some also include gyms, laundry rooms, study areas, or community events. Do note that competition is also fierce for these places and waiting for half or even one year to get a place is possible, unless you are willing to pay more for the more expensive rooms. Popular choices among students include:

    • W27
    • Rosenberg Quartier
    • ILive (three locations): Paulinenstraße, Campus Südbahnhof, Schmollerstraße.
    • Shareside
    • PUROpartment

    For W27 and Rosenberg Quartier, the information on the website may not be accurate; it is better to write them an email or visit them in person to ask about housing options. For other private student dormitories, check this list that the TUM Campus Heilbronn Student Services compiled.

  • Shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaft or “WG”): This is a popular choice among students. You rent one room in an apartment and share the kitchen and bathroom with other students. It’s usually cheaper than a private apartment, but it can also be harder to secure from abroad. The landlord can either be a corporate or a person, and the number of people in the WG usually range from just 2 to 12. Some WGs are not just open to students, so don’t be surprised if you find a diverse range of people there.

  • Private apartments: These are normal apartments on the market, and they are usually more expensive and might not be furnished. It’s common to find listings on websites like ImmobilienScout24, TUM Living, or advertised directly through student group chats (shown in the section: communication channels in the university). For apartments and WGs on the market, be sure to do extra research and verification yourself, as scams may happen.

    Do also note that no matter which housing you choose, in most cases you’ll also have to handle several fees like radio fee payment (Rundfunkbeitrag) or renter insurance (if needed) yourself. If the house is on the public market, you may also need to deal with the trash collection and a few other issues yourself. Be sure to contact the landlord and clarify everything. More information about this is in the second section: Post-Arrival.

The Typical Process

  • Start early: Try to start your search 1–2 months before your arrival in Heilbronn. Some dormitories have long waiting lists.

  • Compare what’s included: Always check if furniture, internet, heating, and electricity are included in the rent. Some providers advertise low base prices but add additional service fees.

  • Application documents: Housing providers often ask for:

    • A copy of your university admission letter

    • Sometimes a copy of your ID/passport

  • Contract and deposit: After acceptance, you’ll sign a rental contract. Most places require a deposit called “Kaution” (can vary from 1 to 3 months rent); note that the deposit cannot be higher than three months of cold rent (Kaltmiete, in other words the basic rent without heating etc.), which is returned at the end of your stay if there are no damages. Make sure to always send the deposit via bank transfer.

  • Registering your address (Anmeldung): After moving in, you must register your address at the Bürgeramt (city registration office) within two weeks. For this, you need a special document from your landlord called a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (confirmation of residence). Without this, you cannot register your address or open a bank account in Germany. More information about this in the section: Post-Arrival.

By planning ahead and understanding how housing in Germany works, you’ll be better prepared to find a safe, comfortable place to live—and focus on your studies and new life in Heilbronn.

Renter Insurance

Depending on the landlord and the type of renting you have, you may need a personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung) for your rent – it covers damages you accidentally cause to others or their property — for example, if you accidentally break your landlord’s furniture or flood the apartment below yours. It is often required (for example the three dormitories from iLive do so), and even if not, it is usually recommended. Common options among students here are GetSafe and Feather as they have English customer support. If you want to have more customization and find the most suitable provider, we recommend using the common comparison platform Check24.

In addition, there is also an optional Household Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung) – this protects your personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothes) in case of theft, fire, or water damage inside your apartment.

In both cases, the cost for such insurance should be around 2-7 euros/month.

Blocked Account, and who needs it

A blocked account is a bank account in Germany that blocks your funds (typically for one year), allowing you to withdraw only a fixed monthly amount. It serves as a proof of financial resources for your German student visa or residence permit application.

Not all international students need blocked accounts, mainly due to two reasons:

  1. If you are from the EU/EEA region or from several other countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia etc., your country already has special agreements with Germany that eliminates the need for proof of financial resources for studying purposes.
  2. If you can prove that your financial needs are covered via other means (like scholarships or a sponsor in Germany, e.g. A family member), then you don’t need to have one.

Usually, when opening a blocked account, one needs to put enough funding for one whole year into the blocked account, which will then be paid out monthly after you arrived in Germany. The average monthly fund needed is currently at 992 euros (adjusted every year to account for inflation).

Do note that the amount remaining in your blocked account can influence your residence permit duration during the application at the Foreigners’ Office in Heilbronn. If you already opened your account after arriving in Germany, then usually your residence permit would last for one year. But if you choose to not open it and just keep it frozen and instead rely on other means for funding, you can possibly get two years for the permit (another way is to have more funding in your blocked account).

There are a lot of choices for blocked accounts, ranging from ones given by traditional banks (Sparkasse, Volksbank) to modern fintech companies (Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle). Unless you have specific reasons, it is generally more advised to go with the fintech companies as they are cheaper, have less bureaucracy, and often give bundling offers which include health insurance (see next theme) and travel insurance all in one cheap package.

General requirements to open a blocked account include (but are not limited to):

  • a valid passport
  • a university admission letter (or conditional acceptance)
  • visa application documents (in some cases, not always)
  • proof of funds for the transfer.

For more information, check this website. There, you can find information about whether your nationality requires a blocked account or not, what the required funding for each month is, and some other details.

Choosing Health Insurance

Every person, including foreigners, is obliged to have a health insurance in Germany. Without health insurance, you will not be able to enjoy the free universal healthcare in Germany (looking at you Americans). If you are from the EU/EEA or your country has special agreements with Germany (like Turkey), then you don’t need to apply for health insurance in Germany. Otherwise, you need to look for providers: health insurance providers can be divided into two large groups: public and private. Here is a comparison table (generated by our good friend ChatGPT):

As you can see, private insurance is cheaper, but their coverage is usually not as wide as public health insurance. In addition, it might be more complicated when going to the doctors etc. For example, you may need to pay the expenses yourself first and then later ask to be reimbursed. Thus, it is generally advisable to go with public insurance. Also note that after you choose one of the types, it’s usually very hard to change to another type.

Most common public health insurance providers are TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse), Barmer and DAK. As mentioned above, fintech blocked account providers typically offer these services together with their blocked accounts, thus this part should be relatively straightforward as they can handle it for you (if you don’t need a blocked account, chances are that you don’t need to apply for a health insurance in Germany either).

What to Pack with Me?

Well, it’s mostly just common sense: clothes, study material, personal belongings, etc. Do note that winter in Heilbronn can get quite cold depending on where you are from, and it is a perhaps good idea to bring a down coat with you. Also, there may be some specific items that can be hard to find in Germany, an example is rice cookers and consider bringing medicine if you need them regularly as medicine without insurance coverage can be expensive (insurance is activated some time after you arrived in Germany).

Semester Fee

Every student in Heilbronn, regardless of what you study, has a fee of 85 euros to be paid to the university each semester (lucky enough, international students don’t need to pay tuition fee for programs in TUM Campus Heilbronn, as of WS25/26). The payment details are shown on the TUMOnline website, and they only accept bank transfers. If you don’t pay in time, you risk being exmatriculated from the university.

Here is how to find the payment details:

  • Go to TUMOnline, find this:

  • Then, you’ll see something like this:

Then just follow the instructions and transfer the fee. That’s it.

Communication Channels in the University

The students of TUM Campus Heilbronn organized various communication channels which could be useful. You can find firsthand news about events, people selling second-hand items, room rentals, and many more. If you have any questions, you can also ask on the channels, there are many fellow students who are more than willing to help:

WhatsApp group chats (most important):

Other Sources of Information Which Can Help Shorten Your Settling Time

TUM Campus Heilbronn and the Heilbronn City Government also have various sources of information which can be helpful, the following sources are recommended:

  • TUM Campus Heilbronn Student Newsletter: Monthly newsletter by the university which announces events on the campus and some other interesting and official news.

  • Heilbronn Newsletter: Organized by the city government; useful for knowing major events in the city, new policy changes, as well as the current situation of the city.

  • Heilbronn Digital (app): a source for events in the city; you can enter your personal preferences, and events which match your interests will show up.

Post-arrival

Assuming you completed the first part well, we’ll now focus on the tasks you should do after setting foot in Heilbronn. Many of them are crucial if you want to stay and live a good (and legal) life in Germany:

  • city registration
  • bank account opening
  • trash sorting, dealing with Foreigner’s Office
  • doctor appointments
  • common bills in Germany
  • navigation and buying a Deutsche Bahn year ticket
  • a SIM card
  • and the common stores and supermarkets in Heilbronn.

City registration (Anmeldung)

This would be the first point where everything starts when it comes to procedures in the country. The registration is a recognition of your legal address, which is the address where your legal documents will be sent to (e.g. residence cards if you need one, bank confirmations, bills, etc.). To do this, you’ll have to have your passport and an address confirmation from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Get an appointment beforehand from the city’s website, since you won’t have your residence permit in card form yet. After finishing this, you’ll get a confirmation paper from the staff. Keep this paper very carefully; you will need it for a lot of other things as well.

Bank Accounts

There are many banks in Germany, but here, we’ll divide them into 3 different types: the traditional banks, the corporate banks and the online banks.

  1. The traditional banks: These are the Sparkasse and the Volksbank, and in our specific case, the Kreissparkasse Heilbronn and the VR Bank Heilbronn - Schwäbisch Hall (long story short, the 2 separate banks merged). In this case, you’ll be limited to the customer support of the bank you registered to, both in person and online. This means, you can only contact the support of the KSK HN and the VRB HN-SHA, and no other Sparkasse or Volksbank can help you with your specific account. These banks combined have the largest system of ATMs in Germany.
  2. The private commercial banks: Some of the biggest players on this side of the business include Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, HypoVereinsbank (a subsidiary of the Italian UniCredit) and Targo Bank. These banks also offer a diverse product set with branches, however, the branches for these banks are usually a lot less common (there’s only 1 branch for each of the aforementioned banks in Heilbronn) but the advantage is that you are not locally limited. These banks have a decent amount of ATMs around the country, and some of them will allow cross-bank free cash withdrawals.
  3. The digital banks: This is usually where it gets tricky. There are two types of digital banks: the Fintech banks/neobanks and the digital traditional banks. The former are banks that have banking licenses but are not like traditional banks. Some of them have been in controversies, such as N26 who closed accounts of their customers without notice in 2022, and could still be going on. The digital traditional banks are those such as 1822direkt (subsidiary of the Frankfurter Sparkasse), ING (German division of the Dutch bank) and comdirect (subsidiary of Commerzbank). These banks do operate similarly to the private commercial banks in terms of product offering, but just like the neobanks, these banks do not have a branch system.

That was quite a lot of words, but sometimes it just comes down to preference. Some other things to take into consideration include the fact that some places do not have card payments, or if they do, they only accept the German Girocard (which can be used to pay anywhere in the EU).

Speaking of Girocard, these are direct debit cards that are issued by a lot of German banks, either by default with your account or at a fee (for the digital banks). These are usually co-branded with either Mastercard or Visa to enable worldwide payment support. However, the transition to the main brands has been quite limited and slow, especially with the private banks, even until now after the death of Maestro in July 2023. Most Sparkasse and Volksbank have changed over. Credit cards are also available as an option, either free with the account or for an additional yearly fee. Providers outside traditional banks are also available, including American Express, Hanseatic Bank and Barclays. These cards are then bound externally to your current account, meaning they will have to be managed externally. Note that American Express is usually not accepted in Germany, like in many other places.

Trash sorting

Germany is one of those quirky countries that cares about sustainability and requires you to sort the trash. Of course, one can remain ignorant and choose to ignore the guidelines for Mülltrennung (trash-sorting), but then one will get a hefty fine. And sometimes the city will straight up refuse to take out the trash, and it will stay right outside one’s apartment complex for weeks. Doesn’t sound all that nice, eh? So, let’s see how to avoid that.

In general, the trash in Germany is separated into 6 main categories:

  • Plastic → yellow bin
  • Paper → usually blue bin
  • Glass → for each type of class there’s a separate bin, they’re usually stationed throughout the sleeping neighborhoods or at the trash room near apartment complexes
  • Bio → usually brown bin
  • Residual → usually black bin
  • Pollutants → these are special, and it’s better to look up where they should go individually. For us students, the most relevant are batteries, these can be thrown out at almost any grocery store at the designated stands.

They all go in separate bins. The color of the bins may vary from place to place, so just read what’s written on the bin or memorize what happens in your town specifically.

There are also a few other types of trash, like large sized waste (fridges, couches, tables, washing machines, etc.) and they go to designated places that you’ll have to look up online. You can either request a “Sperrmüllabholung” (collection of bulky waste) or you need to take your them the bulky waste space yourself.

Light bulbs and the like simply go to the hardware stores (Baumarkt). Small electronic devices like laptops, tablets and phones can go to the stores that sell them (to get some points or a discount on a new device) or to the special stations for electronic waste, and it is better to look it up online.

Also, most plastic, glass bottles and metal cans have a deposit (Pfand). These have a marking and can be brought to some grocery stores or drink stores to return the money for the deposit.

[!TIP] In general, here are a few nice articles about sorting trash in Germany: https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/umwelt-haushalt/abfall/muell-richtig-trennen-gelber-sack-restmuell-papier-oder-wohin-sonst-10580 (German)

https://www.simplegermany.com/trash-guide-germany (English)

Dealing with the Foreigners’ Office (Ausländerbehörde)

The Ausländerbehörde (ABH), or in English, the foreigner’s office, is the place you’ll be reporting to besides the Bürgeramt (the citizen’s office). This is the place you’ll be getting your residence permit and renewing it (every 1–2 years).

The process is usually very simple, and it involves mostly just getting the required information and paying for it on the spot. The documents you need for getting your card for the first time or renewing them are on the city’s website, but the gist of it is that you need the following:

  • Your Meldebescheinigung (the address registration paper)
  • Your statutory health insurance confirmation (you can usually get this from your provider’s online portals)
  • A balance sheet of your blocked account (must be less than 1 year old)
  • Your passport (of course)

Something seems to be missing, isn’t it? Oh yes, a biometric photo. Since May 1st, 2025, there is now a new system for submitting biometric photos to governmental agencies. This involves either going to the photo booths at the office of the ABH (with a 6 Euro fee that you pay after getting everything done), or from certified companies that offer this service, including private photo studios or even a supermarket called dm Drogeriemarkt. You’ll be prompted to give a date as a code for the governmental agencies to find your photo for use on your residence permit.

Getting an appointment is usually not easy, since you might need to wait for months at a time before getting an appointment that will fit with your visa’s expiration date. There are two options to getting an appointment: through email or through the official appointment booking website. If you can’t find an appointment date you want on the website, you might be able to consult the ABH through email whether they still have slots left, or if you will have to camp on the appointment booking website. Since you might be getting a new card, pick the “Erteilung Aufenthaltserlaubnis” option. If your card is about to expire, choose the “Verlängerung Aufenthaltserlaubnis” option.

Once you get your appointment, it’s time to wait for the day to arrive. You would need to print everything out beforehand, so do have that prepared. If you don’t have a printer at home and don’t want to spend money, you can (technically) use the public printers in the buildings, and the locations are pretty close to the ABH that you can walk there within 15 minutes. The fee can be paid either with your Girocard or with cash, whichever one you prefer. Usually, the wait times would vary anywhere between 3 and 8 weeks for your card to arrive. However, do note that when the card arrives, the city government won’t notify you, and it is up to you to guess when it arrives and book a corresponding appointment to pick up the card.

Check your mailbox often, since there will be a piece of document that will be sent through physical mail before the card itself arrives. This is your PIN, and it is used for when you authorize online checks for service portals, for example. On this paper is your temporary 5-digit PIN (that you should change to a 6-digit PIN) that you will be prompted to change later, and a word. This word is important when you somehow got your card stolen or if you lose it somewhere, since the operator on the phone will ask for it if you call the emergency locking number 116116 (also applies to Girocards if you lost them as well).

To pick up your card, just book an appointment on the same website earlier, but this time choose the “Abholung Aufenthaltserlaubnis” option. These are almost always available during the office hours of the ABH.

Doctors and their appointments

Germany and doctor appointments were always surrounded by a thick mist of myths. Some say German medicine is like a panacea and can heal everything, others say it’s the worst system in the world and is absolutely useless. The truth is, it’s neither. It is a bit confusing though, so we’re going to elaborate on how to deal with it in this section.

So, provided you already have health insurance (Krankenversicherung) of some kinds, how do you make an appointment? Well, there are two main methods: online and via phone.

  • Online appointment: by using an app for appointments (like Doctolib or Jameda). You will need to register there and provide your health insurance details, then you’ll be able to look up doctors in any area you need and book an appointment. The only caveat is that not every doctor is registered on these platforms, and many times those that are registered may not provide the service of online booking (especially for new patients). So, this method works nicely in big cities; smaller towns may force you to use a second method.
  • Phone appointment: you search for a clinic you need by looking online or at one of the apps mentioned above, get their phone number, and call them to make an appointment. The caveats: you most likely will have to speak German, and you’ll have to make a call…

Now, you have an appointment, what is next? Well, you show up for it with your insurance card (and some med documents, if you need your practitioner to know about a pre-existing condition) and approach the registry to start the process. Arrive 10–20 minutes before your appointment (especially if it’s your first one). For the first appointment you’ll need to fill out some documents (anamnesis), which may take some time, so keep in mind. After finishing the initial setup, you’ll have to wait a bit, and the nurse will call you in when the doctor is ready for you. Mind that your scheduled time may differ significantly from the time you’ll be checked in, as the clinic is an unpredictable place, so if you have any plans for that same day, take into account that the visit may take a lot of time.

All the Common Bills in Germany

Now, if you somehow managed to rent an apartment in Germany (which is tough, so congrats on accomplishing this!), you’ll most probably have to pay some bills. Yes, many landowners (Vermieter*in) will give a contract that includes everything in it and call it “Warmmiete”, but others may only offer “Kaltmiete” contracts, which will mean that you’ll have to pay for everything yourself. Sometimes the landlord will pay for part of the bills and the rest will be up to you.

What bills do you have to pay?

  • Electricity: this is the bill that is most paid by the renter, rather than the landowner. There are many multiple electricity providers, and their tariffs may vary based on the number of people living in the apartment. To choose the best provider for yourself, just use the fan favorite website Check24. There you find comparisons of everything. You find the provider you like and go to their website to sign up for their services. You always can call/email them for some help if you don’t quite understand something, and since these are usually big companies, they might have English-speaking customer service.

  • Water: This one is supposed to be included in the contract with all the other Nebenkosten unless you are the property owner (in this case I doubt you need this manual).

    [!TIP]
    Every year, somewhere from December to February, there will be a water check. The municipality will send staff to check the sensors that record your water usage. You’ll need to be present during the checkup or arrange for someone else to let them in and supervise the process.

  • Wi-Fi: this one is pretty easy, just find the provider, sign up for their services, be present for the installation, enjoy the Wi-Fi, or have the bill included in the Nebenkosten of your contract.

  • Hausverwaltung/Hausmeister: this is the service of the apartment complex, like taking care of the staircase room, electricity in the corridor, the common garden (if you’re that fancy), etc. These guys are also will be your first go-to helpers if something breaks in your apartment.

  • Radio and TV (ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio): this is a fee so that everyone in Germany can enjoy radio and TV regardless if you actually use it. Even if you don’t have a radio or a TV you still pay for it, don’t argue. The price is around 18 euro per apartment a month (but you can choose the payment frequency), so if you’re living with your friends - one person pays, and the rest just pay them back. For more info, refer to the official website. Usually, as you move in, you’ll receive a letter from ARD, ZDF that will ask you to provide the payment info. Just follow the instructions and sign up for the payments. (More info can be found here and here)

And that would be it for the most common bills. You’re all set and may continue onto the next part of the manual!

In general, navigation in Germany isn’t too confusing if you know the tools and the rules. The rules are easy: you always need a ticket. As a student, you can get a monthly pass D-Ticket JugendBW for 39 euros (as opposed to 58 euros for Deutschlandticket). This ticket allows you to use any regional transport. So, buses, regional trains, trams, S- and U-Bahn. Everything except for high-speed ICE trains and long-travel buses like Flixbus.

To buy this ticket, simply go to DB website that sells the tickets. You will need to log in fill out the payment data and upload some documents. Alternatively, you can use the SWHN app to get the ticket (usually it will be a physical card that you’ll need to show/scan upon request, and you’ll receive it via post or will need to pick it up at the ABO-Center). The document you’ll need is the one that proves that you’re a student:

  • Confirmation of enrollment, that can be found in your personal section on TUM online under “Documents”

You’ll be required to send the confirmation upon ordering the ticket and after some review you’ll receive a confirmation letter with the card (or an online notification). Beware though, you must order the ticket before the 15th of the current month to be able to use it next month (this applies to the discounted ticket, the regular Deutschlandticket can be bought at any time, but is valid only for the current calendar month).

The tools are also easy: most of the time you’ll be using Google/Apple Maps, they work just fine navigating around the cities. But to plan trips between the cities (especially when you need to take a train) use Deutsche Bahn app (DB Navigator). If you’re logged in, you can save the trips and get notified of any changes. You can also buy tickets there (if you don’t have any monthly passes or need an ICE ticket).

In case and you know the routes, but need the bus schedule in Heilbronn - use the HNV app or the Stadtwerke Heilbronn App, it’s pretty straightforward to use, put the origin, put the destination and enjoy knowing when the bus comes (although, most of the time you just approximately know how late it is).

Buying a SIM Card

With internet connection being as important as food and water these days, it’s imperative that you find a suitable SIM card option in Germany. In general, there are four categories of SIM card options in Germany: SIM cards sold in normal stores like Aldi and Lidl, SIM cards in the stores of telecommunication companies SIM cards sold online and then mailed to you, and eSIMs.

SIM Cards You Can Buy in Normal Stores (Supermarket SIMs)

Examples: Aldi Talk (Aldi), Lidl Connect (Lidl), Penny Mobil (Penny), NettoKom (Netto) Pros: Cheap, easy to find, no contract. Cons: self-installation, might not work for students of some nationalities (bureaucratic and technical issues) Steps:

  1. Get a SIM card from any supermarket like Aldi, Lidl, or Penny and ask for their SIM card starter pack (usually €10–15).
  2. Follow the instructions inside to register the SIM online (German law requires ID verification, you’ll need your passport and a German address).
  3. Verification is often done via a quick video call (show your ID to a staff member via your phone camera), although for some nationalities it is required to verify at a post office.
  4. Once activation is confirmed (usually within 1–24 hours), you’re ready to use it.

Buying and Activating SIM Cards Directly in Telecom Company Stores

Big 3: O2, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom (Telekom)

  • Pros: Great for better coverage, advice in-person, and instant activation; suitable option when you first arrived in Germany – you can change later anyway
  • Cons: more expensive
How to get one:

  1. Go to a branded shop (O2, Vodafone, Telekom – all have stores in Heilbronn city center near the big church). Ask for a prepaid SIM or a long-term contract (you can also ask about student deals).

  2. Show your passport/ID and provide your German address; the staff will handle registration on the spot. They insert/activate the SIM for you right there; you leave with a working SIM immediately.

  3. Buying SIM Cards Online (Physical SIM by Mail) Examples: O$_2$, Vodafone, Telekom, or discount brands like SIM.de, winSIM, happySIM, fraenk Pros: Convenient, often cheaper monthly deals, no need to visit a store. Cons: harder to manage if you just arrived in Germany; for discounted brands: less coverage and contract options compared to the big brands How to get one:

  4. Visit the provider’s website (e.g., SIM.de, o2.de, vodafone.de) and choose a prepaid plan or a fixed contract.

  5. Fill in your details (name, address, payment method).

  6. The SIM arrives by mail in a few days.

  7. Complete ID verification online (video call or at a post office via PostIdent).

  8. Insert SIM into your phone – usually active within hours of verification.

Buying an eSIM (Digital SIM – No Physical Card)

Examples: Airalo, Ubigi, Vodafone eSIM, O2 eSIM

  • Pros: Instant setup, no mailing delays, great for new arrivals or short stays.
  • Cons: Works only on newer phones (check your phone settings under “Mobile/Cellular Plans” for eSIM support); can be more expensive than physical SIM cards.

How to get one:

  1. Choose a provider/app that offers eSIM (Airalo for instant travel SIMs, or O2/Vodafone if you want a German number).
  2. Buy the plan online and receive a QR code via email or app.
  3. Scan the QR code with your phone to install the eSIM profile.
  4. Activate mobile data and start using it right away (ID verification may still be needed for German numbers, but it’s done online).

Common Stores and Shops in Heilbronn You Should Know

As shops in different countries all have different names and areas of sales, here is a list of the common shops you should know, in case you need anything. Note that the grocery shops and supermarkets aren’t covered here, as we made them into a separate section (after this section).

List of the stores:

  • OBI – Large DIY store for tools, gardening supplies, home improvement. (one located directly beside the Etzelstrasse Lecture Halls)
  • Hornbach – Another big DIY store for construction, tools, paint, and garden equipment.
  • Toom Baumarkt – Smaller DIY store, like OBI.
  • DM / Rossmann – Drugstores for toiletries, household cleaning, some snacks and cosmetics. (one located directly beside the Etzelstrasse Lecture Halls)
  • H&M – Affordable clothing for men, women, and students.
  • C&A – Budget-friendly clothing.
  • Sports shops (Decathlon, Intersport) – Sportswear, shoes, accessories.
  • MediaMarkt/Saturn – Electronics, computers, household appliances.
  • Conrad – Electronic components, tools, hobby electronics.
  • Müller – Mix of cosmetics, stationery, household items, snacks, some clothes.
  • Depot/Butlers – Home décor, small furniture, kitchen items.

Supermarket Choices and What They Typically Sell

Buying groceries is a must for a student, and there are many supermarkets in Heilbronn which have different advantages and disadvantages. Here is a comparison chart which highlights the similarities and differences among Lidl, Edeka, Aldi, Kaufland, REWE, and Netto, the six most popular supermarket choices for not only students but also people living in Heilbronn in general:

In general, Lidl, Aldi, and Netto are very popular with students as they have a range of discounts. Ones like Kaufland offer more options for products. There is an Aldi beside the L Building in the Bildungscampus, and a REWE directly below the lecture halls in Etzelstrasse, making them convenient choices if you want a quick meal or snack in between your lectures.

First days

After surviving settling all the things down, it’s time to get involved deeper into the community here and start focusing on your studies. To ensure everything is done smoothly, we wrote about the following topics: essentials of TUM Moodle and TUMOnline, events in the city and in the university, campus structure, student council participation, volunteering opportunities, and things to be aware when using campus facilities.

Essentials of Moodle and TUMOnline

Many new students are super confused about the difference between Moodle and TUMOnline (for Information Engineering students, there is also Artemis, but the professors and TA’s will help you with that as the semester starts). Thus, it is important to make things clear:

TUMOnline is for organizational issues regarding the university and program itself, while Moodle is for the course content and organization issues within the course. For example, you pay your semester fee and register for courses and exams (very important – course and exam registration are separate in German public universities!) in TUMOnline, but you get your slides and exercise sheets, as well as ask questions in TUMoodle, in the respective course pages on Moodle. Both have a lot of functionalities and buttons, but usually only 10-20% of them are useful on a daily basis to us. Here is an overview of them for both sites:

Concerning TUMOnline, its key functions are:

  • Course registration: Sign up for lectures, seminars, and exams.
  • Calendar: View your weekly class schedule.
  • Personal data management: Update your address, student ID photo, etc.
  • Transcripts and grades: Access your grades and download certificates (e.g., student certificate, transcript of records).
  • Messages: Receive official university notifications concerning organizational issues.
  • Student ID card management: View card status and print replacement documents.

Among all the fancy buttons, the 4 below are used the most frequently in the semester (they are listed as favorites here – you can mark that by clicking the star icon shown when you hover your arrow on a button).

  • “Courses” allows you to see all the courses and their descriptions and registration details, as well as all the courses you’re personally enrolled in.
  • “Calendar” allows you to check when you are having lectures and tutorials (although it can be inaccurate sometimes if the schedule’s change is not synced in TUMOnline, thus always double-check with course instructor and on Moodle).
  • “My Studies” shows your current progress in studies, average grade, all the available modules you can take in your degree, and registration for courses and exams.
  • Finally, “Exam” shows all the information related to the date, registration, duration etc. of exams.

For a deeper look, you can also attend the TUMOnline introduction offered by the Student Service at the beginning of each new school year. You’ll be notified via email about this.

For TUM-Moodle, its key functions are:

  • Lecture materials: Access lecture slides, readings, and videos.
  • Assignments: Submit homework and projects.
  • Quizzes/Tests: Participate in online quizzes or practice exams.
  • Forums: Communicate with instructors and classmates.
  • Course announcements: Stay updated on important course-specific info.

When you sign up for a course in TUM, you will automatically be registered on the moodle page for that course as well.

(this is the Student Council’s page for Moodle – not all pages are actually courses, some organizations are also there simply due to convenience)


Click the blue text, and you will see all the materials related to the course that the instructor uploaded.

Events in Heilbronn and at the TUM Campus in Heilbronn

Events are usually announced via the channels stated above in the Pre-Arrival part, so stay tuned to this news!

Common events organized or collaborated with TUM Campus Heilbronn include Hackathons (such as the annual Future City Hackathon), company and start-up fairs/talks (such as Heilbronn Slush’D and TUM Campus Heilbronn’s own career fair), Learning with Legends, Fireside Chat, Dragon Boat Race (in the summer semester), orchestra and plays in collaboration with the Heilbronn Music School and Heilbronn Theater, and many more events in different fields.

Common events organized by the city of Heilbronn include the annual Christmas market in December, Light Festival (Lichterfest) in June, and some other fairs related to cultures, food etc.

Subscribe to the Heilbronn Newsletter to keep up with the latest events!

Campus Structure and the Most Important Buildings

Bildungscampus is not that big, but it can be quite confusing as we are not the only university on campus. In fact, we are part of a cluster of numerous universities, institutions, and organizations on campus. Thus, you don’t need to know all the buildings on campus to have lectures and tutorials. For the campus structure, the Schwarz Group already made a 3D map, and we will use the map to show you the most important buildings you should know:

  1. Bildungscampus 2 (more commonly: D Building): includes Student Service Center, printing room, numerous lecture halls (mostly for management lectures and electives/seminars), and the offices of many professors and researchers.
  2. Bildungscampus 9 (more commonly: L Building): includes campus card (for everything on campus) and TUM Student Card (for exam related matters) validating machines on 0th and 1st floors respectively; printing room on 1st floor; a few lecture rooms as well; normal TUM students have no access to other floors.
  3. Bildungscampus 15 (the library): the campus library shared among all universities.
  4. Weipertstrasse 8-10: lecture hall for both CIT and Management students; as well as an open space for studying shared with the 42 Coding School.
  5. Etzelstrasse 38: main lecture halls for both CIT and Management students; it’s located in a mall on the 1st floor.

Gym Options

Heilbronn offers several gym options that are affordable and student-friendly. As an international student, it’s important to understand how gym memberships in Germany typically work before signing a contract.

Chains like McFit are popular among students because they are quite affordable (new members usually have discounts) and offer modern equipment. Membership at chain gyms often allows access to multiple branches across Germany, which can be useful if you travel.

Things to beware of when signing up for gym membership contract in Germany

Choose your contract duration carefully

  • Many gyms offer 12-month or 24-month contracts. Shorter contracts (monthly cancellation) are available but often more expensive. Always check the minimum contract period (Mindestlaufzeit).

Monthly fees

  • Student-friendly gyms like McFit typically range between 20–35 € per month without discount. Premium services charge 40–60 € depending on services included. Some gyms also charge a one-time sign-up fee (Anmeldegebühr) or a regular training/service fee (Trainings- oder Servicepauschale).

SEPA Direct Debit (German bank account required)

  • Most gyms require a German bank account and automatically withdraw the monthly fee. This means you should open a German bank account before signing up (see above for how to open a bank account).

Cancellation rules

  • Pay attention to the cancellation period (Kündigungsfrist). Many contracts require cancellation several weeks before the contract ends. Also, if you forget to cancel in time, the contract may automatically renew.

University Sports

In case you want something more than going to the gym, TUM Campus Heilbronn also offers a Sports Pass which allows you to try dozens of different sport clubs in Heilbronn for free. The options range from basketball to judo, and in addition we also have our own football (soccer) team. You can get your Sports Pass in the Service Center in the ground floor of the D Building, and feel free to ask the people for the details on how to use this pass.

Participating in the Student Council

Get Involved: Join the Student Council! As a student here, you’re invited to take part in shaping your university experience through the Student Council (SC in further text).

What is the Student Council, and why should you join?

The Student Council represents the interests of all students on campus. It’s a vibrant community where you can:

  • Meet other students
  • Organize and attend events
  • Make decisions on student-related matters
  • Take on leadership roles
  • Help shape campus life – academically and socially!

Everyone is welcome to join and participate!

Meetings

There are general meetings and department meetings regularly. For detailed information, see the Student Council website.

Stay Connected

  • Website: https://hn.fs.tum.de
  • Instagram: @tum.fs.hn
  • Contact us anytime at:

We’re excited to meet you – see you at the next SC meeting!

Volunteering opportunities

If you want to be more connected to the local community and get to know more friends through volunteering, we highly recommend the Volunbee project. This project serves as a matching platform between TUM Campus Heilbronn student volunteers and organizations such as the voluntary fire brigade Heilbronn (Freiwillige Feuerwehr Heilbronn) and TEDxHHN.

Additional notes

Concerning the kitchen at the D Building: Previously, due to irresponsible use of the kitchen, some equipment is damaged or had serious sanitary issues, and the kitchen was forced to shut down for a while. This semester, the kitchen is going to be opened again, and it is imperative that students keep the kitchen clean and follow the instructions shown in the kitchen. Please clean up after using the kitchen, and bear in mind that if we don’t use the kitchen properly, we will lose the right to access it.

Concerning the printing rooms in D Building and L Building: Please just use the white printer on the desk that is connected to the PC; do NOT start unplugging cables or moving other printers. Also, please do not waste paper (such as printing whole lecture scripts), and remember to clean all the trash prints you have!


About the writers

Tzuhung Lin (William): William enrolled in winter semester 2024 as a Bachelor Information Engineering student, and being an avid reader and writer, he is the chief editor of the student manual. Apart from his interest in math and computer science, he also has a wide range of hobbies like studying history, cooking, and travelling.

Konstantin Čolović: Konstantin is a 3rd semester Bachelor Information Engineering student, and also Head of the University Politics Department at the Student Council. A math nerd and politics enjoyer, he wishes you two things: to enjoy university life and to join the Student Council.

Moris Libman: Partially local creature of 5th BIE semester. Event manager at the Event Department of SC. Artistic nerd, casual DnD enjoyer and a bookworm.

Bao Lam Bui: 5th semester BIE student, secretary of the SC, FPS gamer and one of the very few Vietnamese person in HN.

For feedback or suggestions regarding the manual, feel free to e-mail contact@hn.fs.tum.de. We appreciate your participation and help!

Last modified on April 8, 2026
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