International Guide
Welcome to the TH OWL
The International Office of TH OWL is excited to welcome you to OWL! On our page, we provide you with a first orientation on moving to Germany and starting your studies for a succesful first semester with us. You will find relevant information about studying and living in OWL, how to becoming involved on campus and the different support services the TH OWL provides. Of course, if you have any additional questions, you can always contact us. Just reach out!
As a new student, TH OWL provides many orientation services for you that you should be aware of. Not all programs and services are published on the International Office sites, but you can discover all the programs and offers on the Studienstart an der TH OWL website.
Your Guide to TH OWL
| Topic | Date | Time | Location | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museum & Life Music in the Garden | 18 July | 17.00 – 20.00 h | Museum “Hexenbürgermeisterhaus”, Breite Straße 17 – 19 Lemgo | Join us for a guided tour of the Hexenbürgermeisterhaus museum and discover its fascinating history. After the tour, you are invited to a relaxed get-together in the museum garden, featuring a BBQ and live music. |
| Campus Tour Detmold winter semester 2026 | 29th September 2026 | tba | Detmold Campus Meeting point: Entrance hall of Building 2 (with Cafeteria) | Discover the campus and its most important services. Join us for a common lunch at our cafeteria. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, learn more about the university. |
| City Rallye Detmold winter semester 2026 | tba within the orientation week 28th Sept. - 2nd October | tba | Detmold City Centre | Join us for an interesting City Rallye in Detmold and get to know the location of your studies better. |
| Campus Tour Lemgo winter semester 2026 | tba within the orientation week 28th Sept. - 2nd October | tba | ||
International Lunch Meet Ups
| tba | Cafeteria Lemgo | Take a break, grab your lunch, and join us for a relaxed get-together! This meet-up is open to everyone – no agenda, just good conversations and new connections | |
| Day trips | tba | |||
| Late Arrival Welcome Day winter semester 2026 | tba in October or November | Campus Lemgo | A welcome event for international students who arrive later in the semester. Join us for a campus tour, a short welcome ceremony, and a shared lunch to get to know the university and fellow students. | |
| Workshop Intercultural Competence - winter semester 2026 | tba | |||
| International Days | tba | Lemgo & Detmold | Tba |
Looking for fun ways to connect with fellow students? Our winter semester program is packed with exciting events - from Game Nights and Hiking Tours, to Concerts, Halloween and Christmas parties, Advent Surprise, Diwali Celebration, political debating, Santa Claus events etc.
Interested in joining? Contact us at kerstin.rosemann@th-owl.de to get all the details and stay updated.
Social Engagement Program
The social engagement program is offered by the International Office of TH OWL and honors international experience and commitment for supporting international students by awarding an official certificate.
The program‘s goal is to broaden the awareness of cultural diversity at TH OWL to all members on campus and the surrounding community. It is aiming at supporting new international students with their daily study life at the university as well as during their stay in Germany. All participants will obtain an official certificate appreciating their readiness for social engagement. The certificate can be used for future job or scholarship applications. EU and non EU students can complete the certificate.
Interested students need to register for the program by emailing the International Office and submitting their participants form. The program can be started in either the Winter or Summer semester.
The program is based upon a social credit point collection (SCP)* consisting of a minimum amount of 30 SCP which should be achieved. In order to obtain SCP, participants need to perform social engagement activities according to a catalogue which lists the various options. Participants can choose freely from different activities according to their own interests and abilities. In case participants collect more SCP than needed, this will be mentioned explicitly on the certificate.
At the end of the program term, participants will need to hand in a short report about their personal experience.
Please find more information on our information sheet.
Info Sheet Social Engagement Program
Buddy Program TH OWL
The TH OWL Buddy Program connects TH OWL students (national or international) with new exchange or degree seeking students.
The target of this program is to support the new student settling into the German culture, the new living environment, the new university and to be a first contact person on “eye level“.
The Buddy Program should encourage the contact between international and German students as well as the intercultural exchange at TH OWL. The Buddy Program is essentially based on the voluntary commitment by TH OWL students. By the way, the Buddy Program is also a module within the IO Social Engagement Program worth 20 Social Credit Points (SCP). Earn another 10 SCP by offering an additional activity and you can earn our Social Engagement Program certificate on top of your Buddy Program Certificate!
Please read about detailed information in our information sheet.
Interested in joining the TH OWL Buddy Program? Please let us have your filled registration form by email to internationaloffice(at)th-owl.de.
Registration form for the Buddy Program
Overview of current activities by our Buddy Team
| Event | Date | Time (CET) | Location | Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking Tour Externsteine - Altenbeken | 25 October 2025 | tba. | tba. | Join our hiking tour, bring suitable clothes, shoes and – if you like some snacks for a picknick on the way. Detailed info regarding meeting point and time, registration and more info on the tour will be communicated by email to all students well in advance |
| Hiking Tour Norderteich | 2 November 2025 | tba. | tba. | Join our hiking tour, bring suitable clothes, shoes and – if you like some snacks for a picknick on the way. Detailed info regarding meeting point and time, registration and more info on the tour will be communicated by email to all students well in advance |
| Welcome Party & Life Music | 10 October 2025 | 17.00-02.00 | AStA Büchse Lemgo | Join us for a vibrant Intercultural Welcome Party full of music, dance, and celebration! What to expect: Live Music & Performances by our Indian students, delicious food and drinks – open to all students |
| Halloween & Diwali | 31 October 2025 | 18.00-02.00 | AStA Büchse Lemgo | Double the fun, Double the Lights! Get ready for a magical evening where spooky meets sparkling: Halloween & Diwali Party, a one-of-a-kind celebration that combines international traditions with the richness of Indian culture. |
| Bowling Detmold | 14 November 2025 | 18.00-22.00 | Skyline Bowling Detmold | Looking for a fun evening with friends and fellow students? Come along to our Bowling Night in Detmold. No experience needed, just bring your good mood |
| Excursion to Christmas Market Münster | 13 December 2025 | 09.00-20.00 | Münster | Get into the festive spirit and join us for a wonderful day trip to Münster. We’ll spend the day exploring the magical atmosphere of its famous Christmas Market. Time to stroll and try local food and drinks |
| Kläschen & Game Night | 6 December 2025 | 18.00-22.00 | Lemgo Downtown & Büchse | Join us for a cozy evening at the Lemgo Christmas Market, enjoying a warm drink and the holiday atmosphere. Afterwards we’ll continue with a fun Game Night on campus – the perfect chance to relax, play, and spend time with friends |
| Topic | Date | Time (CET) | Format | Language | Link/Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Arrival Online Q&A Session for International Students (session 1 of 5) Have questions about accepting your admission offer or preparing for your studies at TH OWL? Join our Online Q&A Session on Wednesday, 15 July, at 12:00 p.m. (CEST). The International Office will answer your questions about enrolment, visa, accommodation, health insurance, travelling to Germany, and more. The session is the first event in our Pre-Arrival Online Info Session Series. Find the schedule, Webex links, and more information here: https://www.th-owl.de/international/ | 15 July 2026 | 12:00 p.m. (CEST) | online | English | Webex: Protected link to webex.com |
Welcome I.O. & Peer–to–Peer (session 2 of 5) - Late Arrival, Visa, Residence Permit Start your journey at TH OWL! In this interactive session, you'll get to know the International Office, important support services, and our Buddy Team. Experienced international students will share practical tips for studying and living in Germany, while we provide essential information on visa procedures, arrival, and your first steps at TH OWL. Ask your questions and connect with fellow students in a welcoming atmosphere. You can download the presentation here: open | 22 July 2026 | 12:00 p.m. (CEST) | online | English | Webex: Protected link to webex.com |
| Navigating Your Start – Housing & Arrival Preparation (session 3 of 5) Prepare for your arrival in Germany! This session covers the key steps before and after your arrival, including accommodation, important formalities, and practical tips for settling into life at TH OWL. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions and exchange with the International Office. You can download the presentation here: open For any questions please contact us. | 29 July 2026 | 12:00 p.m. (CEST) | online | English | Webex: Protected link to webex.com |
Starting Your Studies at TH OWL – Program-Specific Q&A (session 4 of 5) Start of Studies – Program Information Session Get programme-specific information for MID, MIT, SLDD, MAE, and General Engineering on course registration, timetables, orientation activities, and important deadlines. We will also explain the possible academic implications of a late arrival and answer your individual questions to help you start your studies smoothly. You can download the presentation here: open | 26 August 2026 | 12:00 p.m. (CEST) | online | English | Webex: Protected link to webex.com |
Student Health Insurance (session 5 of 5) Health insurance is mandatory for studying in Germany. In this online session, experts from Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) will explain everything you need to know about student health insurance and the enrolment process. You will learn about different insurance options, how the digital notification procedure works, and what steps need to be completed before and after your arrival in Germany. The session includes a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to clarify individual questions regarding your insurance status and enrolment requirements. | Tbd | Tbd | Tbd | Tbd | Tbd |
The Studierendenwerk Bielefeld offers student residences for which you can apply. We generally recommend that international students look for suitable accommodation as early as possible.You can find more information about this under the following link:
In addition to student residences, it is also worth looking for suitable offers in the region on private platforms. As part of the pre-arrival infosessions we also offer more information on housing (see above).
Many of the departments and the International Office offer introductory events for first semester students before the start of lectures to help them get started. We therefore recommend that you arrive before the start of lectures so that you don't miss these events and use the opportunities to network with fellow students.
Take a look at the maps of the campus locations for an initial orientation at the locations. Especially as a first semester student, it can be difficult to find the location of rooms for your lectures. We therefore recommend to use the university's room search function. You will also find info points at all locations, where you can also get assistance for any kind of questions.
The Studierendenwerk Bielefeld offers meals, drinks and snacks in the canteens and cafeterias at all three campuses, which you as a student can purchase at reduced prices.
In general, you can find information and tips on all sorts of topics in the TH OWL A to Z overview. If you have any further questions, you can of course get in touch with your department or the contact persons at the service points. If you do not know who to contact, you can also get in touch with the general student service of the TH OWL.
The International Office team supports student life at TH OWL by integrating international students and by building bridges between German and foreign cultures. Within the frame work of our Buddy and Social Engagement Program, all students are welcome to become an active part in giving new students a smooth start on campus and in town. Furthermore, there is the LEI team – the Local ERASMUS Initiative - focussing on our exchange students from our partner universities.
There are many offers, that these initiatives and groups provide and that you can join while studying at TH OWL. Please feel welcome to check out student activities such as sports, hiking tours, cultural events, game nights, excursions, parties, movie nights or special workshops.
The TH OWL offers German courses with different focuses for students. Under the following link you will find an overview of the current offers:
We also offer other foreign language courses at our university. Further information can be found under the following link:
As a student of the TH OWL you have various departments that you can contact for support with different issues.
The Central Student Advisory Service is an institution independent of the faculties and examination offices and offers services for study orientation, in the beginning and course of studies as well as in case of doubts about studying or dropping out.
The Enrolment Office is your contact for all matters relating to application and enrollment. But also if you need support during your studies with vacation semesters, exmatriculation, etc., please contact them. Please note: For Uni-Assist applicants, the International Office takes care of enrollment and is available as a contact.
S(kim) is a central point of contact and performs the tasks of a university library, a media/computing center and a teaching/learning center. Their areas of responsibility are divided into four thematic areas: Infrastructure, Applications, Teaching & Learning and Library. All four areas are additionally rounded off with the framing area of support/assistance, i.e. their service points.
The Skim documentation provides you with important information and easy-to-understand instructions on various IT-related topics (e. g. KIS Portal, Semesterticket etc.)
The General Student Committee (Asta) is run by students and acts as a representative of student interests vis-à-vis the university. The Asta is represented at all three campuses and is available to you as a contact partner for matters that go beyond the department's responsibilty. They also organize a lot of social activities for students, which are of course also open to international students.
The Family Service answers questions about the compatibility of family and studies or career (childcare, financing, caring for relatives, etc.). It also works to develop a family-friendly infrastructure.
The equal opportunities team consists of the Central Equal Opportunities Officer and her deputies, the Equal Opportunities Office, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the employees who are responsible for implementing measures to promote equal opportunities.
The University Foundation has set itself the task of promoting the development of the Ostwestfalen Lippe University of Applied Sciences and supporting the training of talented young people in the degree programs established at the university both ideally and materially.
In the chart below you can find links to the individual departments' website, as well as the responsible examination office and the Student Councils.
Financing your studies plays a major role in preparing for your studies. On the link below you will find information on some scholarship opportunities.
Refugees who want to start or continue their studies at the TH OWL are very welcome! We provide individual consultations, course offers and workshops. For more information, please check the following website:
During your studies, you must watch out for some dates and deadlines that are relevant to you, e.g. for re-registration for the next semester, lecture periods, etc. You can find an overview on the Dates and Deadlines website.
As an international student, you may not be familiar with all public holidays in Germany. Good to know: There are uniform public holidays throughout Germany, but there are also specific public holidays that only apply in certain federal states. The TH OWL facilities are closed on public holidays in NRW. The following link will give you an overview of the public holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The TH OWL is also active on Social Media! There you will find information on current events and posts relating to the university. Take a look at the accounts or, even better, follow them so that you don't miss anything.
Instagram TH OWL
TikTok TH OWL
X TH OWL
Besides the International Office of the TH OWL has its own Instagram Account to keep you updated on all important news and events: