University of Applied Sciences Munich

Germany, officially known as the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country located in Central Europe. It is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and strong economy. Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and is famous for its technological advancements, automotive industry, and contributions to the fields of science, philosophy, and music. It is home to picturesque landscapes, historic cities like Berlin and Munich, and world-renowned attractions such as the Brandenburg Gate and Neuschwanstein Castle. Germany is also recognized for its commitment to renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The country plays an integral role in the European Union and NATO.

The city of Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its beautiful architecture, fine culture, and the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration. Munich's cultural scene is second to none in Germany, with the museums that possibly outrank Berlin in quality. Although heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall.

Munich is a major international center of business, engineering, research and medicine exemplified by the presence of two research universities, a multitude of smaller colleges, headquarters of several multinational companies and world-class technology and science museums like the Deutsches Museum and BMW Museum. It is Germany's most prosperous city and makes it repeatedly into the top 10 of global quality-of-life rankings. Munich's ability to stay at the forefront of technological developments and maintain its cultural heritage is often summarized in the characterization as a city of "laptop and lederhosen".

Munich has a continental climate. The city's altitude and proximity to the Alps mean that precipitation is high. Rainstorms can come violently and unexpectedly. Heavy rainfall is rarely seen in the winter, which lasts from December to March. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of −2°C. Summers average 24°C in the hottest months. The summers last from May until September.

HM is the second largest university of applied sciences in Germany. Staff the university are committed to their guiding principle: “transforming knowledge into know-how and learners into leaders.” HM regularly performs outstandingly in the national rankings and the European Commission’s rankings. The university is a sought-after collaboration partner for many industry, political, and civil-society institutions, giving students the opportunity to apply their studies outside of the classroom. The university is at the heart of Munich, meaning that students can easily access diverse leisure activities and a rich cultural and social life.

Courses in English

There are a large number of courses held in English in all main subject areas. For a complete overview of courses offered in English click here.

Language Courses

• HM offers German language courses throughout the semester. Incoming students need to contact the lecturer before the start of the course and go to the first lesson to secure their place. For a list of courses click here. 
• HM also offers a pre-semester preparatory German language course. The course duration is 2 weeks and consists of 20 hours of instruction/week. Courses contain 20-25 students. Students are first placed in a course based on the language level information provided in their application, then the appropriate level is determined based on an assessment test at the start of the course.

HM has 14 Departments:

• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical, Automotive, and Aeronautical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Technical Systems, Processes and Communication
• Computer Science and Mathematics
• Geoinformatics
• Engineering and Management
• Business Administration
• Applied Social Sciences
• Design
• General and Interdisciplinary Studies
• Tourism
• Munich Center for Digital Sciences and AI

The European academic structure varies from the North American system. Courses completed at a European exchange partner will not be transferred back to the U of L on a course-for-course basis. Rather, students will be required to successfully complete a certain number of ECTS (European Transfer Credit System) credits to earn U of L credit equivalency. Typically, a full course load is 30 ECTS, and 6 ECTS = 3 U of L credits.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Canadian students do not need a visa to enter Germany. If you are staying for longer than 90 days, it is MANDATORY to apply for a study residence permit within 14 days of arrival at the Foreigners Office. There is an application fee of €100 (2023) to obtain a residence permit.

For further information, visit HM's website or the City of Munich's website.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting Germany, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Munich is a very popular city in Germany. Finding accommodation is difficult but not impossible. Universities in Munich do not own residence halls and do not provide students with rooms, but HM gives assistance in searching for accommodation. Start your search for your accommodation early. If possible, try to arrive in Munich a few weeks before the semester starts to view apartments. Keep in mind that during Oktoberfest (end of September) hostels, hotels, etc. are very crowded and not affordable.

Students' Union Residence Halls

• Cost: €270-500/month (2023)
• The SU (Studentenwerk München) provides exchange students a limited number of "service package" rooms
• Single rooms with simple furniture, shared kitchen, and shared bathroom (mixed gender). There can be up to 10 students sharing an apartment.
• HM is easily reachable by public transit from almost all residence halls
• Students can apply for a room during their exchange application process. Placement is awarded through a lottery. Given the limited availability, only about 30% - 50% of exchange students receive a room.
• Students must be under the age of 30

Private Accommodations

• Cost: flat-sharing - approx. €400-600/month, private run residence halls - approx. €400-600/month, single-apartment - €500-800/month (2023)
• The majority of students rely on private accommodation
• HM provides a number of resources to find private housing in their housing brochure
• HM also provides tips for avoiding scams on their website

Arrival Information

Student mentors offer pick up for exchange students at either the airport or train station through the Welcome Service.

In Munich

Students can buy a "Deutschland Ticket" for a discounted amount of €29/month (2023). The ticket can be used 24/7 in public transportation all over Germany. It is valid on buses, trams, suburban trains, subways etc., including regional trains (ex. RE, RB). It is not valid on any highspeed trains (ex. ICE, IC, EC). The ticket is a subscription, so, students have to actively cancel the subscription when they leave Germany again. The ticket can be bought through the MVV website.

In Europe

For those planning a lot of travel throughout Europe, it is recommended to buy a Eurail pass. The pass must be purchased before going to Germany.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY to obtain sufficient health insurance to enrol at the university and apply for a residence permit. You can choose to opt into the German statutory fund or obtain private insurance.

If you choose to obtain private insurance from a Canadian company, a German health insurance company must verify that it is sufficient before HM's Orientation Days. They will send the proof of insurance digitally to HM, but please request a digital confirmation for yourself.

If you choose to opt-in to the German statutory insurance, the cost is approximately €100/month (2023). The German state health insurance provider will send proof of insurance digitally to HM, but please request a digital confirmation for yourself.

For more information about health insurance, view HM's Health Insurance Document.

In comparison to other German cities Munich is a fairly expensive city. HM estimates students will need approximately €850-1,000/month (2023) for basic living expenses (rent, food, transportation, insurance, phone). For more information about the cost of living, visit their website.