Study

Freiberg is home to the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), which conducts teaching and research in the following subject areas:

• Mathematics/Computer Science

• Natural sciences

• Engineering sciences

• Geosciences

• Materials science

• Economics

Research at TUBAF focuses in particular on sustainable energy and resource management. It is a university with a long tradition and is one of the oldest universities in Germany. Around 4,300 people are currently enrolled. The TUBAF website can be found here.

Mittweida is home to the Hochschule Mittweida (HSMW), one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Saxony. It offers a wide range of Bachelor's and Master's programs in various disciplines. The university is particularly active in the fields of

• Engineering sciences

• Applied computer and life sciences

• Industrial engineering

• Social work

• media

The HSMW is characterized by its practice-oriented education, which is supported by close cooperation with industry and the use of modern laboratory and production facilities. The university currently has around 6,300 students. The website can be found here.

In Germany , the state provides financial support for initial training at vocational schools, colleges, academies and universities if parents are unable to finance the training. Certain foreign groups of people are also entitled to what is known as BAföG (short for Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz). Half of this is paid out as a grant, which does not have to be repaid, and the other half as an interest-free loan. Half of the loan must be repaid, up to a maximum of €10,000. The maximum BAföG rate per month is currently €992 (winter semester 2024/25).

In principle, only foreign nationals who are allowed to stay in Germany on a long-term basis or have the prospect of staying permanently receive BAföG. This includes, for example, people with a permanent right of residence, a permanent residence permit or a settlement permit. A temporary residence permit, such as for the purpose of studying or vocational training, is usually not sufficient.

BAföG is also available:

• recognized persons entitled to asylum,

• recognized refugees under the Geneva Refugee Convention,

• persons entitled to subsidiary protection,

• holders of a residence permit in accordance with § 24 AufenthG and

• tolerated persons who have been in Germany legally, permitted or tolerated for 15 months without interruption.

You can find out more about BAföG here. Contact persons for BAföG in the district of Central Saxony can be found here.

Scholarships are another way to finance your studies. These are offered by political or church foundations, trade unions, companies, state institutions and private sponsors. Some of these are also open to foreign students.

The Free State of Saxony, for example, provides financial support for high-achieving foreign students at Saxon universities, particularly in the STEM fields, with the help of the Georgius Agricola Scholarships. There are 3 types of scholarships:

• The basic scholarship is aimed at first-year students from the so-called DAC countries (a list of DAC countries can be found here available here) to enable people from developing countries to study.

• The merit scholarship is for high-achieving students from the 3rd semester or in the Master's program.

• The business scholarship provides financial support for an internship at a company in Saxony.

Details on the Georgius Agricola Scholarship can be found here.

The Federal Government also supports talented and capable students regardless of their origin with the so-called Deutschlandstipendium. In addition to academic performance, social commitment plays a role in the awarding of the scholarship. Half of the scholarship is funded by the federal government and half by private donors. The universities in Central Saxony, TU Freiberg and Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, also offer the Deutschlandstipendium. You can find out more about the Deutschlandstipendium here read more.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) also offers funding opportunities for foreigners who want to study, research, do an internship or learn German in Germany. DAAD scholarships are primarily aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree, doctoral students and postgraduates and are awarded for study and research stays at universities and non-university research institutions in Germany. Internships are also funded under some programs. You can find out more here.

International students may work up to 140 full or 280 half days per year without the approval of the Federal Employment Agency or Aliens Office. A half day is defined as a maximum of 4 hours of working time, more than 4 hours as a full day.

Alternatively, the working time can also be calculated per week: You may work up to 20 hours per week during lecture periods. These are assessed as 2.5 days of working time. You can also work full-time during the semester break. However, only 2.5 days of working time per week will be calculated.

Internship semesters are not counted towards the working time quota.

In addition, the following jobs are permitted: as a research or student assistant at the university, in the student union or in the student representation (AStA/STURA) or jobs that are very closely related to your studies, e.g. at an institute. As long as your studies are not at risk, you can work for an unlimited period of time.

The statutory minimum wage also applies to students. It does not apply to compulsory internships and internships that last up to three months.

ATTENTION: A voluntary internship is counted as work, even if it is unpaid. Full-time internships are counted as 2.5 days per week during the semester break.