We are here to assist you with preparations for your arrival in Leipzig!
As we want to prepare as best as possible for your arrival, we need some more information from you. Please complete this arrival confirmation form (mandatory for all students) and one of our team members will be in touch with further instructions.
You’ll need to label your luggage, pack all necessary belongings and bring along important documents including your completed immunization forms, medical records, prescriptions, academic transcripts, and your passport and student visa. You should also carry important bank documents and copies of any agreements for accommodation.
Leipzig is located directly in the transition zone from the oceanic to the continental climate zone. The seasons are characterised by differences in temperature and weather. The summers are warm and hot, the winters are cold and frosty. Temperatures between -2° at night and 4° during the day are normal from December to February. Spring comes to Leipzig in March. In summer (June to August) it is usually 24°-30°. Autumn begins in Leipzig in September. The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 6° and an average minimum temperature of -5°. It rains more or less throughout the whole year.
As the weather in Leipzig differs according to the season you would need both light and warm clothing, as well as waterproof/wind-proof jackets. The dress code on campus is informal. We advise you to bring clothing appropriate for professional and special social functions as well.
Avoid bringing excess items that can be purchased once you arrive. Listed below are items students suggest you bring because of expenses and for convenience:
You will need bedding and personal items, but it is best to purchase them after you arrive.
Most importantly, don’t worry if you discover that you’ve forgotten to bring something with you. There are plenty of shops nearby if you need some unexpected essentials.
Before you leave, make sure that your phone is unlocked to international providers.
It’s best to purchase a new mobile phone SIM card when you arrive in Germany, as using an international phone number will have high costs. Every provider offers a range of data plans that you can use to access online sites. There are two types of mobile phone accounts you can choose from:
Take time to research the providers with the best customer ratings before committing to a phone plan. Once you’re enrolled at your campus, you’ll have free Wi-Fi access, so you’ll be able to use messaging apps on your phone at no cost.
For Germany there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Germany operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
You should bring a travel adaptor to make sure that your laptop and phone chargers are compatible when you first arrive.
Leipzig, when compared to other German cities such as Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt, is much more affordable when it comes to cost of living (accommodation, food shopping, going out etc.). You can enjoy your student life here without having to miss out on any of the buzz or culture. Find more information on estimated student expenses.
While you can pay by card in various shops, restaurants and coffee shops, you will need cash when visiting places like Farmer’s Market, buying a famous ‘bratwurst’ on the street or a coffee in the park. It is always good to have some cash on you. There is a cash machine on the ground floor in Strohsack Passage.
Once you have arrived in Leipzig and registered with the City of Leipzig, we would advise you to open a German bank account (Girokonto). In Germany, it is common to use your debit card as not all stores or companies will accept a Visa or Master card. Once you have opened a German bank account, you will be able to withdraw money from your banks’ ATMs (Geldautomat) without being charged. You can also perform other monetary transactions after you have opened your account. Especially in small restaurants or for daily purchases (bakeries, supermarkets etc.) only cash and on occasion debit cards are accepted in Germany. Transportation tickets can be purchased using cash or your debit card. A German bank account will also be needed as some health insurance companies or landlords may insist on the direct withdrawal of payments from your German bank account.
Opening a bank account in Leipzig can be done either online or in person (usually by appointment). There are many different banks in Leipzig to choose from among them Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse, Commerzbank and many more. There are also online bank providers such as DKB, comdirect, N26 and ING DiBa which usually offer phone support only. One advantage is that they offer free cash withdrawals from other banks’ ATMs as well.
If you have only limited knowledge of German or an English description is not available, it might be advisable to open an account in person. While not all bank employees will be comfortable conversing in English, bigger banks usually have at least some employees fluent in English, so asking for an English-speaking employee is recommendable.
Documents you will need include:
As a Lancaster University Leipzig student, you might qualify for a student bank account, so make sure you will bring your Lancaster University Acceptance Letter with you when opening a bank account. Two aspects you should pay attention to before signing a contract is whether there is a minimum amount that needs to be deposited into your account every month and whether the bank allows overdrafts.
In case you misplace your bank card, or it gets stolen, make sure you call your bank immediately and report your loss. Every bank also has a 24-hour emergency number for an incident like this.
