In the canteens of the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg, cashless payment is preferred. It is available at all locations depending on your status group and helps reduce waiting times for all guests. You can use your student ID card, staff ID card, or the Mensa Card (used as a guest card at FHP) as payment methods. These cards can be conveniently topped up at designated top-up stations or directly at the canteen checkouts. However, topping up the card at the canteen checkouts is only possible at locations where cash payment is still accepted, currently at the University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg.
Please note:
On this page, you will find more answers to frequently asked questions about payment options in our canteens.
Our canteens offer three different price categories. The applicable category depends on your status group: students, staff, or external guests.
This category applies to students of all public universities affiliated with the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg (also available to students under the jurisdiction of the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg and Studierendenwerk Berlin through a cooperation agreement).
For university staff members (with appropriate proof).
This category applies to external guests.
Different payment methods apply in the canteens depending on your status group. The following overview shows which option is intended for each category:
Category | Means of payment |
Students | Student ID card with payment function |
Employees | Employee ID card (if with payment function) or cash |
External guests | Mensa Card for guests |
Please note the exception at the University of Potsdam:
Since staff ID cards with a payment function are not in use there, this group can only pay in cash. The staff ID must be presented in order to be charged the price of category 2. University members who have previously used a Mensa Card or guest card may continue to do so; however, the price for external guests (category 3) will automatically be charged.
You can obtain a Mensa Card from the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg at one of the three designated machines by paying a deposit of €5:
The Mensa Card can be used for payment in all canteens operated by Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg. This card is primarily intended for external guests, which means that the price for category 3 is automatically charged when using it.
At the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP), a guest card is used, which is issued directly by the university.
At the University of Potsdam, there are no machines for issuing the Mensa Card. However, both the Mensa Card and guest cards from other locations can be used. In both cases, the price for external guests will also be charged automatically.
The Mensa Card can be topped up at the top-up machines available in all facilities. You can also top up the Mensa Card at the canteen checkouts using cash but only at locations where cash payment is still accepted, currently at the University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg. We therefore recommend using the designated machines. These machines accept debit and credit cards from VISA and Mastercard.
A minimum payment of €10 is required for the initial top-up: €5 as a deposit and €5 as starting credit. Higher amounts can also be added, with a maximum of €50 per top-up. A maximum of €250 can be loaded onto the card.
At the University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FHP), separate payment card systems are in use. The Mensa Card can still be used in the canteens at these locations and can be topped up at the checkouts and at the machines.
At the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, the Mensa Card can also be topped up at the machine located next to the dish return area.
Make sure to fully remove your Mensa Card or your student/staff ID from the machine before inserting it again. After completing the top-up process, take the card out of the machine. If you do not remove the card within 30 seconds, it will be automatically retained by the machine.
We recommend noting down the card’s serial number (located at the bottom right on the front side) and keeping your receipts until you are certain that all transactions have been processed correctly.
The Mensa Card can be returned at the card machines. When returning the card, any remaining balance and the deposit will be refunded to the debit or credit card used. No personal data or usage profile is stored on the Mensa Card.
If you lose your Mensa Card, you can have the card blocked after providing the card number. Please send an e-mail to mensacard[at]stwwb.de. However, the cards and their credit balances are treated like cash, so there is no entitlement to reimbursement of the remaining balance if the card is lost. Blocked cards cannot be unblocked. Please check carefully whether you can still find the card before reporting the loss.
If your Mensa Card is not functioning properly, please fill out this form:
Payment of remaining credit when returning a defective Mensacard
Bring the form along with the defective Mensa Card to one of our cashout desks. The process will be completed within 10 business days. Any remaining balance and the deposit will be refunded to a bank account with IBAN.
For more information about the Mensa Card, please refer to the terms of use:
Terms of use: Mensa Card Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at mensacard[at]stwwb.de.
