At Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) the semester fee is officially called the social contribution (Sozialbeitrag). For the winter semester 2026/27 it is EUR 380. The university announced the amount on 14 July 2026 in a notice on re-registration and named a payment deadline.
Short answer: The social contribution of Ruhr University Bochum for the winter semester 2026/27 is EUR 380 in total: EUR 226.80 semester ticket, EUR 130 for the Akademisches Förderungswerk (AKAFÖ), the student services organisation, and EUR 23.20 for the AStA (general student committee). According to the university’s notice of 14 July 2026, the transfer had to reach the university by 28 August 2026.
The key points at a glance
- Total: EUR 380 for the winter semester 2026/27.
- Of this, EUR 226.80 semester ticket, EUR 130.00 AKAFÖ and EUR 23.20 AStA.
- The payment had to reach the university by 28 August 2026.
- The source is the RUB notice of 14 July 2026. We found no second primary source in our review.
- The ticket makes up about 60 percent of the total.
How is the social contribution in Bochum made up?
The university describes the contribution in a notice with four references to re-registration for the winter semester 2026/27. The breakdown is brief but complete: three items that add up to exactly EUR 380. For an overview of the city, see the guide Studying in Bochum: Costs, Housing and Semester Fee 2026.
| Item | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Semester ticket | EUR 226.80 | about 60 percent |
| AKAFÖ (student services organisation) | EUR 130.00 | about 34 percent |
| AStA | EUR 23.20 | about 6 percent |
| Social contribution total | EUR 380.00 | 100 percent |
The shares are our own rounding. Apart from these items the notice names no further fees.
What is included in the semester ticket?
The ticket share of EUR 226.80 corresponds to the amount usual across North Rhine-Westphalia for the Germany semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket). Other universities in the state show the same amount for the same semester, for example Duisburg-Essen and Bielefeld. Arithmetically that is EUR 37.80 per month. The guide Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs explains how to weigh the ticket against other options.
Until when did you have to pay?
The RUB notice names 28 August 2026 as the date by which the payment had to be received for the winter semester 2026/27. It gives no information on a grace period or late fees. If you missed the deadline, call the Student Administration Office and have your matriculation number and transfer receipt ready. The general consequences are explained in the guide Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| University notice | 14 July 2026 |
| Payment received by | 28 August 2026 |
| Grace period | Not stated |
How do you calculate it?
Assumption: you are enrolled full time and have no ground for exemption. Then you transfer EUR 380. Over six semesters that is EUR 2,280, or about EUR 63.33 per month of a semester. Compare the amount with your re-registration notice before you send the transfer.
How does Bochum compare within NRW?
For the winter semester 2026/27, Bochum at EUR 380 is above Duisburg-Essen (EUR 367.80) and Bielefeld (EUR 351.65). The gap comes almost entirely from the contribution to the student services organisation, which is highest in Bochum at EUR 130. All three universities pay the same ticket share. More universities are listed in the Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities overview.
| University | Ticket | Student services | Student body | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruhr University Bochum | EUR 226.80 | EUR 130.00 | EUR 23.20 | EUR 380.00 |
| University of Duisburg-Essen | EUR 226.80 | EUR 125.00 | EUR 16.00 | EUR 367.80 |
| University of Bielefeld | EUR 226.80 | EUR 106.00 | EUR 18.85 | EUR 351.65 |
The difference between Bochum and Bielefeld is EUR 28.35 per semester, which is EUR 56.70 per year.
What does the fee cost over your studies?
Assumption: the amount stays at EUR 380. Over six semesters you then pay EUR 2,280, of which EUR 1,360.80 goes on the ticket, EUR 780.00 to the AKAFÖ and EUR 139.20 to the AStA. Whether the ticket is worth it for you depends on your journeys. Commuters from the Ruhr area in particular benefit more than students who walk to campus.
When should you transfer the money at the latest?
28 August 2026 was a Friday. Because the receipt of payment is what counts, a transfer made on the Friday itself is risky, since banks post it on the next working day depending on the time. Allow one to two banking days and keep the payment reference from the portal ready. If you have missed the deadline anyway, the guide Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences describes the usual consequences.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AKAFÖ?
The Akademisches Förderungswerk is the student services organisation for Bochum. It runs canteens and student halls of residence, among other things. Its contribution here is EUR 130.
Do I pay an administrative fee?
The RUB notice names none. It lists only the ticket, the AKAFÖ and the AStA.
Is the ticket valid across the whole country?
It is valid as the Germany semester ticket for local transport. The exact area of validity follows from the conditions of the transport operators.
Why is the source in English?
The university published the notice on its English-language news page. As far as we have checked, the figures are identical to the German version.
What should I do if my portal amount differs?
The amount in your portal is the binding one. Ask the Student Administration Office before you transfer.
What you should do now
- Check your amount in the RUB re-registration portal.
- Compare it with the EUR 380 and ask if it differs.
- Note the deadline for the next semester, about two weeks before the closing date.
- Keep the transfer receipt.
Related guides
- Semester fee at Uni Kassel 2026/27
- Studying in Bochum: Costs, Housing and Semester Fee 2026
- Semester Ticket and Germany Ticket: Student Travel Costs
- Semester Fee Deadline: Re-enrolment and Consequences
- Semester Fees by University: Data for 30 Cities
Sources: Ruhr University Bochum: 4 things students need to know about re-registration, 14 July 2026
Stand: October 2026. This guide provides general information and is not individual advice.
