With its various social services, the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg provides the framework for successful studies. We take care of more than 30.000 students at universities in Potsdam, Brandenburg an der Havel and Wildau. No matter whether it is about offering a healthy lunch, providing affordable accommodations, helping with BAföG applications, giving advice in difficult times or helping to find a job - we are here to support you!
The Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg is responsible for:
Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Technische Hochschule Brandenburg
ESAB Fachhochschule für Sport und Management Potsdam (BAföG only)
Theologische Hochschule Elstal (BAföG only)
HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam (BAföG only)
Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane (BAföG, job placement service, social- and psychosocial counselling servic only)
Fachhochschule XU Exponential University of Applied Sciences (BAföG only)
University of Europe for Applied Sciences (BAföG, job placement service, social- and psychosocial counselling servic only)
Gisma University of Applied Sciences (BAföG only)
University of Applied Sciences Döpfer (BAföG only)
GU German University of Applied Sciences (BAföG only)
On the basis of the Regulation on the Establishment of Studentenwerke dated September 18th 1990, we started our work as the Studentenwerk Potsdam on January 1st 1991. We are an institution under public law with the right to self-government. Our institutions and bodies are: The Board of Directors, the Managing Director, the Staff Council and the Canteen Committee.
Our first headquarter was located in the Breite Straße 9-11. We then moved to the Friedrich-Ebert-Straße and finally found our current location in the arcades of the main station in Potsdam (Babelsberger Straße 2).
The history of the first German Studentenwerk goes back to the year 1921.
We regularly engage in dialogue with university members, students, and other stakeholders in various bodies and committees.
The Board of Directors advises and decides on matters of the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg that are of fundamental importance unless otherwise provided for in law or the statutes. It is in particular responsible for:
Voting Members of the Board of Directors
Members of the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity
Managing Director of the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg
Peter Heiß
Meeting of the Board of Directors in 2025
Next meeting:
24.11.2025
Deadline for student project applications:
13.10.2025
The Studentenwerk sets up the Canteen Committee and created a body that brings together guests of the canteens and the producers of the meals. This group discusses current issues such as food safety, the selection and quality of meals, the purchasing management and any requests and suggestions.
The Canteen Committee meets once every semester, when convened by the Managing Director. It consists of members of the student parliaments and the AStAs of the universities, other employees and the canteen managers of the university locations, the head of the university gastronomy and central purchasing.
Chair: Manuela Jannasch
The staff council is the representative of the totality of all employees. Its task is to represent their interests and concerns. Therefore, its seven members are always engaged in a constructive dialogue with the management if internal processes of the Studentenwerk are concerned that affect regulations on services and working relationships. The Staff Committee holds ordinary meetings regularly to discuss issues such as new hires, the removal of time limitations and internal processes.
The staff council can be contacted by e-mail.
On the one hand our activities are financed by our own earnings from the canteens and residential halls; on the other hand we are financed by the financial assistance from the state of Brandenburg and by the semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") of the students.
The money is used to finance the core tasks of the Studentenwerk. In addition, it it used to finance activities and projects for social, health, sports and cultural services, contributions to associations and the students accident insurance for leisure time, the loan funds of the Studentenwerk Potsdam (hard case loans, graduate loans) and grants for students who are involuntary in need. When and where these contributions have to be paid and who is exempted from the obligation to pay the contributions is specified in the contribution regulations of the Studentenwerk Potsdam.
Every student, who studies at a university within our area of responsibility pays a contribution of 80 € per semester. This will be collected by the responsible university when you matriculate, re-register or take a leave of absence.
What do we spend your money on? And what do you get out of it?
With your contribution you pay for our service which is equally beneficial for all students. We fulfil our social mandate with the services we offer.
Find out more:
Your contribution goes to:
You want a refund of the semester contribution or be exempt from the duty to render recoupment charges? Please contact our social counselling service.
When developing its internationalization strategy, the Studentenwerk Potsdam identified four guiding values in the context of intercultural and international affairs. They serve as orientation for our daily work, but also as a basis for strategic decisions.
The guiding values are in line with our social mission and reflect the fundamental values and ideas of the Studentenwerk Potsdam:
Regarding tendering and the award of contracts we, as a public-law institution, we comply with the relevant public procurement and contracting regulations.
Our actual tenders you will find at Vergabemarktplatz des Landes Brandenburg.
Currently advertised:
VgV-Ausschreibung:LL 14/09/25: Unterhalts-, Grund- und Glasreinigung in verschiedenen Objekten des Studierendenwerks West:Brandenburg
Joanna Oergel (for services and supplies)
Anett Wallasch (for constructions)
