Financing for international students
In Germany, it is normal to work while studying and many students have a part-time job. Even as a foreign student, you are generally allowed to seek employment and have a part-time job during your studies and thus earn some extra money.
There are many ways to find a part-time job:
The Ruhr-Universität also runs an online job portal, where you can find jobs directly at the university, but also outside of it:
Students can get free assistance putting together a strong job application from the university's Career Service! (Webpage only available in German)
The pursuit of employment or a part-time job however, depends on your legal status in Germany. For more information on employment alongside your studies according to your specific status, please see below:
Students from non-EU member states with a visa/residence permit according to §16b are allowed to work 140 full days or alternatively 280 half days annually. Full days are counted as 8 working hours per day and half days are counted as 4 hours per day. Every student must be able to prove that he/she has not worked beyond this legal limit and must submit proof to the foreigners authority if necessary. Therefore, the following should be recorded (in written form) for all forms of paid employment:
This regulation does not apply to student (SHKs) and academic assistants (WHKs). They are allowed to work to a greater extent, but are obliged to inform the Foreigners' Office of their employment!
Important: The 140/280 day rule also applies to voluntary (even unpaid) internships!
An activity that exceeds the 140 full or 280 half days per year requires a work permit. This work permit can only be issued by the foreigners authority for a specific job offer.
Students from non-EU countries with another residence title please pay attention to the information in your residence document and inform yourself at the competent foreigners authority.
Students from EU member states (and EEA and Switzerland) are subject to the same regulations as Germans. During the lecture period, they may not work more than 20 hours per week. The 20-hour limit can be exceeded during the lecture period if the employment is "short-term", i.e. does not last longer than two months or is limited to 50 working days per year. During semester breaks, the weekly working hours are unlimited.
Whether and under what conditions you can work depends largely on your residence status. Therefore, please pay attention to the information in your residence document and inform yourself at the responsible foreigners' office.
