Events & recreational activities

This online information event provides an overview of the pension system in Germany and Europe. You will be given an introduction to pension provisions in Europe and the information portal “FindyourPension.eu”. Experts from the German Pension Insurance (DRV) will present key facts about the statutory pension scheme, including entitlements and refund options. The session will also cover occupational pension insurance with VBL, the supplementary pension institution for public sector employees in Germany. The event concludes with a Q&A session, offering you the opportunity to ask individual questions.

Date: Tuesday, September 08, 2026, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Cost: free of charge
Speakers: VBL (Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder)
Target Audience: International Researchers with employment contract
Language: English
Registration: FULLY BOOKED

The event is aimed at welcoming you to Ruhr University Bochum and helping you settle in after your arrival. In addition to a welcome address by the Rector, the Welcome Centre and other relevant representatives from the university and the city of Bochum will introduce themselves. Find out who can assist you with your questions and concerns so that you are well prepared for your stay at RUB and in Bochum.

We look forward to meeting you!

Date: Monday, November 09, 2026, 11 a.m. - 12 noon
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Saturday, November 07, 2026 via our registration form

This event is aimed particularly at our new, international PhD students. Together with the RUB Research School, we will give you an overview of our services. While the Research School will support you especially with your academic questions during your stay, the Welcome Centre mostly advises on bureaucratic matters like visa or residence issues, health insurance, registration matters, etc.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form of the Research School

The International Office at Ruhr University Bochum is organizing an information session on naturalization in cooperation with the Naturalization Office of the city of Bochum. Staff from the Naturalization Office will explain the basics of naturalization requirements and the application process and will be available afterward to answer questions.

Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Format: In-person information session, HZO 60
Cost: Free
Registration: via the registration form

This online information session is intended for international researchers who are dealing with questions related to tax law, in particular income taxation.

During this session, our expert will provide an overview of key topics, including:

• When income tax liability arises in Germany
• How income from research activities conducted in Germany is taxed
• Whether international researchers are required to file an income tax return in Germany
• Important considerations for married couples working in different countries

This session is designed to offer general guidance and to provide a clearer understanding of the German income tax framework in the context of international research.

*Please note: This event is for informational purposes only and cannot replace individual and comprehensive advice from a qualified tax advisor.

This event is organized as part of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

The event will be held in English.

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2027, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Cost: free of charge
Registration: by Thursday, January 14, 2027 via our registration form

The Welcome Session is an online event designed to inform you about the first steps in Germany. Topics that are relevant for many researchers before the start of their stay and during the first weeks in Germany will be explained. You will also have the opportunity to ask general questions about your research stay at RUB and about life in Germany. You are welcome to attend a Welcome Session before your arrival, alternatively, we recommend that you attend the first Welcome Session after your arrival. The sessions are offered on a monthly basis.

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Sunday, November 08, 2026 via our registration form

Upcoming dates: December 10, 2026; January 18, 2027

The campus tours are an exclusive offer as part of the onboarding of new employees at RUB. With lots of information about the history and architecture of RUB, new employees explore some of the most interesting stations on campus – including the Audimax with the largest organ of its kind in all of NRW. The tours last about 90 minutes, this specific one will be in English. Registration is required due to the limited number of participants.

This event will be in English.

Date: Thursday, November 05, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Format: guided Campus Tour
Costs: free of charge
Registration: via the registration form of RUB's service-portal until October 23, 2026. (If you don't have access to the service-portal, you can register via e-mail as well: zekiye.eken@uv.rub.de.)

Visit Bochum’s Christmas Market with the Welcome Centre Team! The contemplative lights will bring us into Christmas mood, sweets and Christmas drinks will help. We will stroll around Bochum’s Christmas Market and the Medieval Market. There will be enough time for snacks, drinks and small purchases. Together we will wave to the flying Santa Claus. Hopefully, he will make all of our Christmas wishes come true!

Date: Wednesday, December 02, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Costs: free of charge
Registration: by Monday, November 30, 2026 via the registration form

If you have come from abroad to teach and/or do research in NRW, particularly if you have not yet fully mastered the German language, some things in the work area may not be easy to understand. To support you and in order to prevent difficulties based on lack of knowledge, the Staff Council of UDE would like to inform you in English about your rights and obligations as an employee.
The following topics will be addressed in a short presentation: Staff categories, employment contracts, job descriptions, working hours (overtime, extra work, home office), teaching loads, leave, public holidays, interruption of work (temporary absences, maternity leave etc.).
There will also be room for your individual questions afterwards.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Monday, September 07, 2026, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Monday, August 31, 2026, via the Registration form

Germany has a reputation for having one of the best social security systems in the world. At its core, the social security system is based on five pillars: health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and accident insurance.

But how does the system actually work? Which insurances are available for international researchers? What differences apply to researchers with a work contract and those with a scholarship? What are the benefits of statutory health insurance? What do you need to consider when seeing a doctor? Which additional private insurances are beneficial for international researchers? All these questions will be addressed in this information session. Furthermore, the event will provide time to address participants' individual questions.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, via the registration form

A variety of institutions with diverse objectives and interests characterise the German research landscape. In this seminar, participants will learn about the German higher education system, non-university research institutions as well as possible entry positions and support structures for (international) junior scientists. In addition, the seminar will also present career prospects in Germany beyond research positions.

The event will be in English.

This event is organized by our partners of the NRW-Event-Alliance.

Date: Tuesday, December 08, 2026, 10:30 a.m. - 12 noon
Format: online via Zoom
Costs: free of charge
Registration by: Monday, December 07, 2026, via the registration form