Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Student Programme 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we hope to provide information on some of the most common enquiries made by applicants for the DESY Summer Student programme. Please check if your question is already answered below before contacting the organizers.
In case you do not find an answer to your question, or the situation is still unclear, please contact summie-org@desy. Please be aware that during some periods it may not be possible to answer emails very promptly.
Eligibility
Am I eligible for the programme?
Please find the answer here.
Insurance
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, you do. Please find information about this supplied by the DESY International Office: Medical insurance
What is a liability insurance and do I need it?
Please refer to the following information supplied by the DESY International Office: Liability insurance
Visa
1. What has to be done in order to obtain a visa for Germany?
For all invited students coming from countries where a visa is required for entry into Germany:
Once you are invited to join the programme and have accepted this invitation, DESY will send an official invitation letter to you via courier (we need a postal address for this, no post-box, and a mobile phone number).
You need to present the letter to the German embassy in your country, together with a copy of your medical insurance policy.
Please arrange for a date at the German embassy ONLY when you have these papers at hand.
2. What kind of information do I have to forward for receiving my visa papers?
To ensure a smooth and fast forwarding of the invitation letter, we need your current address and a mobile number for the courier service to deliver the envelope.
Please, send the information to summie-org@desy.de once you are invited to join the programme and have accepted the invitation.
Duration of stay at DESY
The Summer Student Programme starts 22 July and lasts seven weeks until 11 September 2025.
Can I stay for a shorter period of time?We expect the summer students to stay for the whole period of time. The supervisors organise the summer student projects such that they match the duration of seven weeks.
However, for strong reasons there might be exceptions up to one week.
If you realise during your stay that you would like to continue working at DESY, contact your supervisor or the group leader.
Working hours
You have to work 39 hours per week.
University Credits
Can I gain European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) points for participating in the programme?
Yes, certification for ECTS credits can be provided, with participation in the DESY Summer Student programme being equivalent to 10 credit points.
Hostel accommodation
No, accomodation in the DESY Hostel will be provided free of charge for you. If you choose to take alternative accomodation options, you must pay for any costs yourself.
The DESY gate keepers can help you: During opening hours of the hostel service they will guide you to the hostel office; any other time of the day or night they will hand you the keys.
The rooms are furnished. You will find a bed (with blankets, bedsheets, towels), a desk, chair.
The DESY Hostel is meant for guests of DESY who come for short periods of work within DESY groups or at the DESY facilities and for meetings and conferences.
The DESY Hostel cannot house family or friends of guests or students. It is meant solely for people working at DESY.
Accommodation outside of DESY
Please find a list of hotels in the vicinity of DESY here.
Access to DESY
Can I enter/leave the DESY site any time during day or night?
Yes, the main gate at DESY is open 24 hours a day.