Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we answer the most frequently asked questions concerning all things PCS and will continuously add to the list. Please scan and read through these first, before you reach out. Many questions can already be answered here. If you still cannot find an answer to your queries, you are welcome to reach out to us via our central e-mail-address.
General questions
All info on enrollment requirements and processes can be found on this website in the tab "Application and Enrollment."
No, the start of the study program is always the winter semester.
No, there aren't any as the whole study program will be in English. There is however an English language requirement. You can find more information in the tab “Enrollment”.
To help familiarize yourself with the German language, a compulsory German A1 class is built into the study program.
You can send us e-mails in either English or German.
You can find the enrollment certificate online in the Campus Portal. After logging in, you will find your enrollment certificate in German (Studienbescheinigung) and in English under 'Meine Bescheide' --> 'Studierendenstatus'.
Student ID and semester ticket are available exclusively online through the TU app.
We recommend that you start looking for accommodation in and around Dortmund as soon as possible. One possible source is the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, which offers a limited number of student residences near the campus. You can find more information here. In and around Dortmund there are additional student accommodations provided by private companies. Keep in mind that you will not be the only person looking for an accommodation so it makes sense to look for a place to live early.
After registration make sure to check your university inbox frequently. You can get your e-mails forwarded to a private account if you think that you will not frequently check your university inbox. However, it is important that you use ONLY your uni versity e-mail address for internal communication.
You can find more information here.
If you have such questions, please check the International Office website to find out who your contact person is.
For IT questions please contact the IT and Media Centre of the TU Dortmund University (ITMC). You can contact the ITMC via the Service Desk.
Course Selection
If you want to attend class, you have to register for it in LSF before the start of the term. Usually, this is possible at the beginning or middle of the semester break until shortly before the term begins. For first-semester classes, the registration period sometimes reachers into the winter term. The exact registration period will be in the LSF information. So, make sure to frequently check LSF. In LSF, you can also check your registration status. Be aware that successful registration for a class does not automatically entail registration for course work or module exams. You must register for these using BOSS. Please check our Documents and Guides tab where we will add guides on how to use LSF and BOSS.
If you have missed the registration deadline due to circumstances beyond your control, please contact the lecturers of the relevant classes and ask if you can still join the class. The lecturers will have to decide whether they can still register you manually. Manual registration will no longer be possible if a course has progressed too far or has reached maximum capacity.
Language Classes
No, you won’t have to. If you already have German language proficiency, you instead complete Module L-b.
To receive your credit points in that particular compulsory elective module, you instead register (1) for another language course, that is either a higher-level German class or any other language class that is not English, and (2) participate in a German or English writing lab at the university language center.
You can find more information on all language courses on offer here: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/language-courses/language-offer/
For more information on placements and certificate requirements please click here: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/language-courses/placement/
You can find more information on the writing lab here: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/writing-lab/about-the-writing-lab/
To be able to register you need to have an active university ID (“UniAccount”) and sign in here: https://cms.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/fs2/Anmeldung/start_eng.php
Once you have done that you can scroll through the page to find the specific course (the German A1 class is called “Deutsch A1 PCS”) or use the search function. After selecting the German A1 course or any other language class you click the registration button. You will receive an automated registration confirmation.
For further information on the registration process please click here: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/language-courses/registration-info/
Because the German A1 course is a beginner class only, a prior placement test won’t be necessary (this is also the case for all the other A1 courses offered at the TU Dortmund).
Here is a guideline in which cases it is necessary to take a placement test before enrolling in a German language class: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/language-courses/course-placement/german-as-a-foreign-language/
If you can show proof of your language proficiency with a language certificate you won’t necessarily need to take a placement test.
You can find further information on placement tests and certificates here: https://fs.zhb.tu-dortmund.de/en/language-courses/placement/