Pros & Cons

This is – by its nature – heavily opinionated. Take the following with a big grain of salt.

General

IMAPP is quite young. On one hand, this gives the professors (and, consequently, you) some freedom, on the other hand, organizational matters are usually tedious, procedures are unclear, and official communication is lacking at times.

lectures & exams
- Some professors are difficult to work with; it often boils down to their idea of “respect”
- Unfamiliar handling of exams: You have to take numerous exams in a short time, but you only need to pass “on average” (see here for details) and some are “just math”, so don't require a profound understanding of the subject. You can retake exams of your choice if your GPA is below the passing limit, until it isn't.
on campus
- Long breaks (~2 hours) between lectures without good spots to work
- Few places in the library have chargers or allow for collaborative work
- Crowded canteen with hardly enjoyable, yet cheap food
  - Note: Another spot is currently being renovated, so it might be less crowded soon
outside university
- Accommodation difficulty level: medium
- You are surrounded by a nice landscape
  - Few people outside IMAPP speak English (and many aren't quite cooperative if you don't speak French)
  - Few cities with active nightlife in the region

This is written from a German's (obviously biased) perspective (for now).

on campus
- More options for food that actually tastes okay, at comparable prices
outside university
- Accommodation difficulty level: easy
  - Except if the Studierendenwerk doesn't send you an offer. In this case, do contact them – they might have messed something up!
- Many people speak English; hardly anyone will judge you for not speaking German
- Being in the Ruhrgebiet means you have many large cities and possibilities nearby – and public transport is included in your semester fee!

This is based on what last year's students told us.

Last updated 11 months ago

Was this helpful?

France

lectures & exams

Some professors are difficult to work with; it often boils down to their idea of “respect”
Unfamiliar handling of exams: You have to take numerous exams in a short time, but you only need to pass “on average” (see here for details) and some are “just math”, so don't require a profound understanding of the subject. You can retake exams of your choice if your GPA is below the passing limit, until it isn't.

on campus

Long breaks (~2 hours) between lectures without good spots to work
Few places in the library have chargers or allow for collaborative work
Crowded canteen with hardly enjoyable, yet cheap food
- Note: Another spot is currently being renovated, so it might be less crowded soon

outside university

Accommodation difficulty level: medium
You are surrounded by a nice landscape
- Few people outside IMAPP speak English (and many aren't quite cooperative if you don't speak French)
- Few cities with active nightlife in the region

Germany

This is written from a German's (obviously biased) perspective (for now).

on campus

outside university

Accommodation difficulty level: easy
- Except if the Studierendenwerk doesn't send you an offer. In this case, do contact them – they might have messed something up!
Many people speak English; hardly anyone will judge you for not speaking German
Being in the Ruhrgebiet means you have many large cities and possibilities nearby – and public transport is included in your semester fee!