The West Coast University of Applied Sciences (German name: Fachhochschule Westküste, Erasmus+ Code: D HEIDE01) offers a catalogue of modules taught in English each semester. The kind of subjects varies between the summer and winter term. You may choose the modules according to the requirements of your home university. In order to register, please include or add the modules to your learning agreement or list of subjects and upload them along with your application documents. You'll receive the link to our online application portal for exchange students once your international or ERASMUS+ coordinator has announced or nominated you towards us (the International Office).
The „German I“-Course (module 9735) is an obligatory course for all exchange students whose mother tongue is not German. Knowing the local language is an important key to understanding the culture of another country. "SWS" stands for the number of time units (one time unit equals 45 minutes) which is spent in class per week. If the credit number is high and the SWS amount is relatively low, the module contains a bigger larger amount of practical work and self-study time than other modules.

You can find the current module catalogue on our download page.

If you chose any language courses, you also have to consult the Language Department (German: Lisa Petersen petersen(at)fh-westkueste.de, English: Ciara Colgan colgan(at)fh-westkueste.de, Spanish: Paula Molina de Rohde molinaderohde(at)fh-westkueste.de) before attending the class. In some cases the language modules are electives for regular students and places available limited. Therefore you need to reserve in time.

Why choose Heide for my exchange semester?
Heide is situated at the West Coast of Northern Germany and is close to the North Sea and the UNESCO World Heritage Site National Park Wadden Sea. The fresh air and beautiful environment are is one of the reasons why many tourists are coming to the region every year. Our university has approximately 1.600 students who like the friendly, family-like atmosphere and the modern facilities as well as studying in mostly small or medium learning groups. To make you feel right at home, members from the student union, who are helping international students in their spare time, your course coordinators as well as the International Office will be right by your side during your stay.

I'm interested in studying in Heide. Where can I find useful information?
Exchange students are encouraged to read our Exchange Guide which is available on our download page at http://en.fh-westkueste.de/international/downloads/. It contains important information on how to prepare your application and your stay in Heide.

How to apply as an exchange student?
After being nominated to us you will receive the link to our online application portal for exchange students with further information about the next steps from us.
The nomination and application deadline for the winter term is the 15th July.
The nomination and application deadline for the summer term is the 15th January.
Students who don’t have an EU-citizenship or a permanent residence permit for the EU should submit their application as early as possible and also prepare the first steps with the local German embassy. The embassies in some countries are very busy.

Where can I find the semester dates?
The academic calendar is available in German and English. The German version is available at http://www.fh-westkueste.de/studierende/termine/ in the box „Semestertermine“. The list of semester dates in English is included in our fact sheet which can be downloaded from http://en.fh-westkueste.de/international/downloads/

How can I find a room in Heide?
Accommodation needs to be organized as one of the first things on your to-do-list. For international students we recommend strongly staying in the student dorm near the campus.
The application form for the student dorm is available at https://ipack.studentenwerk.sh/#admission. The website can be switched to English in the upper right corner. The deadlines are similar to our application deadlines.

Private housing offers aimed at students of our university are published on our website:
http://www.fh-westkueste.de/studieninteressierte/standort-heide/wohnen/ (German knowledge very useful).
You can also check on websites publishing private shared living possibilities. More guidance can be found in this brochure: studentenwerk.sh/file/stwsh_wohnungsbroschuere_eng.pdf. Keep in mind to check the conditions (furnished or not, length of contract, deposit) carefully!
Please do not come to Heide without having organized a place to stay beforehand. It is almost impossible to find a room within one day. And please do not forget to inform the International Office (international(at)fh-westkueste.de) about your arrival, so that we can plan your welcome meeting and get quick help for your first steps.

Should I sign any contracts without fully understanding them?
No! Contracts have a high legal relevance in Germany. Before you sign a contract (e.g. for rent or phone), please make sure to ask someone who speaks German fluently to understand the contract before you sign it. You could also ask for help at the International Office.

How does the grading system at West Coast UAS work?
Please don’t forget to include all subjects which you want to have listed in your transcript of records later on on your learning agreement or list of subjects. In some modules attendance is compulsory ("Anwesenheitspflicht”), so you would need to participate regularly to receive credits. Your course coordinators will show you how to register for exams after your arrival.

The grades awarded are converted into ECTS grades as follows:
up to 1.5 = A (excellent);
from 1.6 to 2.0 = B (very good);
from 2.1 to 3.0 = C (good);
from 3.1 to 3.5 = D (satisfactory);
from 3.6 to 4.0 = E (sufficient);
worse than 4.0 = F (fail).

You can find the complete examination rules and regulations here: https://www.fh-westkueste.de/fileadmin/Dateien/Hochschule/Rechtliches/Studierende/2022/Examination_Procedure_Regulations_2022-23.pdf

How to connect with other exchange students?
If you want to get connected during your stay with us, you can e-mail to the international department of the student union (AStA Auslandsreferat) at ausland(at)asta-westkueste.de. The student union will send information on their international events via e-mail or WhatsApp message and you can register for the mailing list.
We also offer a mentoring programme for international students called FHWconnect during which you are teamed up with a German student for your semester with us. Please e-mail to fhwconnect(at)fh-westkueste.de in case you are interested in taking part in the programme.

Where can I find information on studying in Germany?
In order to get a feel for what studying in Germany is like, can recommend the website www.study-in.de (available in German and English) and the blog https://www.study-in.de/blog/ in which International students from all over the world share their experiences about their time in Germany.