The social contribution is a mandatory fee which has to be paid by every student for every semester they are enrolled at a universitiy.

It is used for financing all services of the Studentenwerk which you can find on this homepage, e.g. for building new halls of residence, for financing our cafeteria services, for our legal and psychotherapeutic counselling services (both free of charge), and many more. You can get more information on further services which we offer on this website by clicking on "services".

The German Studentenwerke are public bodies (AöR), which means that they are non-profit service and economic institutions. They are aimed at supporting students socially, economically and culturally.

To be able to do this they need money. The social contributions made by students amount to about 12 per cent of the required operating budget. The larger part, almost 70 per cent, is raised by the Studentenwerke themselves (figures: 2010). Find out more about the social contribution here.

We serve almost 40,000 students from all of the universities in Karlsruhe and Pforzheim.

In BAföG issues we additionally serve further universities. If you would like to know whether we serve your university, just click "I’m studying at" on the left. You will then get a list of all universities we serve. vou find all Universities we serve here (left side).

You need to fill in an application form for either Karlsruhe or Pforzheim. You can find the form under “accommodation” (click here) or get it in our department of accommodation affairs (Adenauerring 7, rooms Z05 and Z06, Karlsruhe).

At the earliest, six months before the date you would like to move in, as the application is valid for six months after it has reached the Studentenwerk. You can file an application or move into a room at any time throughout the year.

There is no easy answer to this question. You will have better chances if you are flexible concerning the different halls of residence. It is also advantageous if you are flexible concerning the date you would like to move in, as at the beginning of the semester there is always a lack of rooms. Best chances are in August or in February/March.

Our private accommodation service (free of charge) is located in the basement of the Studentenhaus (Adenauerring 7, Karlsruhe, Monday to Friday 7:00-17:00, Saturday 08:00-12:00). You can also visit this service here on the Internet (in German only).
Or just take a look in the local newspapers: "Badische Neueste Nachrichten", "Der Kurier", "Karlsruher Anzeiger", "SperrMüll".

Basically, you can apply no earlier than six months before you would like to move in. During the semester or at the beginning of the summer semester you will have better chances than just before the beginning of the winter semester. We generally recommend applying as soon as possible within the six-month period before you wish to move in. If in doubt, just give us a call at 0721 6909-192.

No. We do not use genetically modified products because we are critical of genetic engineering and consider the current state of research to be insufficient.

You can write us an email at verpflegung@studentenwerk-karlsruhe.de or contact Nicole Welz / Thomas Mosthaf (0721/6909-115).
You can also give us written feedback. Every cafeteria has feedback forms and a customer complaint/suggestion box.

Yes. All of our canteens offer at least one vegetarian meal. For detailed information please take a look at our menus under “meals.”

Yes, if the schedule permits. Student cultural groups, other recognized student groups and university institutions have priority.

We offer a Kindergarten on the Adlerstraße for children between the ages of one and six, and a day care facility for children between the ages of three and six on the Hertzstraße.

When you can no longer make use of our services, e. g. when you graduate or leave the university, or spend a semester abroad. We will refund the social contribution until a maximum of 40 days after the semester has started.

Students of all faculties, men and women, irrespective of their age.

Basically with all kinds of problems. If a matter is conceived as a problem this alone is a reason for doing something about it. If your own resources are not sufficient, it is sensible to look for help. Lack of self-confidence, having no partner, having difficulties with your partner, depression, difficulties with your family, friends, professors, etc., addictions, grief, fears, panic … there’s a long list. As already stated: if something becomes a problem, the PBS will try to help you, irrespective of how small and trivial your problem may seem to be compared to the problems of others. Our experience has shown that students’ problems differ in many respects to everyday problems.

Around 1000 students on average.

Psychological counselling is free of charge, as the PBS is largely financed through social contributions.

The PBS serves Karlsruhe University, the University of Education, the Universities of Applied Sciences (Karlsruhe and Pforzheim), the University of Design and the University of Music.

As a counselling service the PBS can adapt psychological and therapeutic methods to the wishes of the clients. Our staff is trained in different therapeutic fields: client-centred therapy (conversation therapy), behaviour therapy, psychodrama, creative therapy, hypnotherapy.

A conversation usually takes 45-50 minutes. Groups and conversations for couples and families take 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Under special circumstances and if desired the sessions might take longer; this will be arranged between you and our staff.

There are always alternatives. There are several counselling institutions and psychotherapists in Karlsruhe. The PBS, however, is adapted to the needs of students, is free of charge and, in contrast to other psychotherapists, there is no waiting time. The PBS can also provide you with information about other counselling institutions, therapy offers, etc.

Currently the PBS team consists of two men and four women. We will be happy to fulfil your wishes.

The PBS practices absolute data protection as psychologists are bound to professional discretion. Personal information is not given out to third parties – not even to relatives. All information is secured and locked. Only you can release us from professional discretion if necessary. There are, however, cases where psychologists have to abandon professional discretion. In case of immediate danger to your own life or the life of someone else, or if they have to appear in court – psychologists do not have the right to refuse to give evidence.

This question needs a longer discussion. In short: counselling does not last as long as therapy, is more based on problems and actions and your own initiative is required. Counselling and therapy basically differ more in form than in content.

This depends on your concerns. During the first session we will find out which possibilities you have. Usually there will be one appointment per week, the number of sessions varies.

Of course, if that is possible. Many people use their social contacts very effectively when it comes to problem solving. Only if these resources are not sufficient (or are not there at all) counselling becomes necessary.