Nice to have you here! The Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg welcomes all international students in Potsdam, Wildau and Brandenburg an der Havel.
Studying in Germany is exciting but at the same time can be challenging, too. We want to make it easier for you to arrive so that you can fully focus on your studies. Here, you can find out what we do at the Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg and how our offers can support you during your studies.
Do you already have a specific question? Take a look at our FAQs, maybe it's already there!
There are many questions associated with studying that are not addressed in lecture halls and seminar rooms. The Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg is there to answer them:
The Studierendenwerk West:Brandenburg follows the principle of solidarity: from students for students. For this reason, the semester fee includes a contribution of €80 for the Studierendenwerk.
This money is channelled back to students through our services, for example through fair meal prices in the canteen, in the form of financial aid for students in need or through affordable accommodation in the residence halls. In this way, we provide targeted and needs-oriented support for students in this important phase of their lives.
Please familiarize yourself with some information, e.g. on housing eligibility, housing types and locations:
Please note: This application is only valid for program students of the University of Potsdam and the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. It is only valid for the semester applied for. Duplicate applications will be automatically deleted. Students from private universities are NOT eligible to apply for student housing.
Your application is complete when you have filled in the online application form for a place in a hall of residence with all the necessary information.
The following documents must be uploaded:
The certificate of enrollment can be submitted upon arrival.
Once your application has been received, it will be checked and compared with the information provided by the International Office of the University of Potsdam or the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. This may take some time. We therefore ask for your patience!
You will then receive an automatic confirmation.
If you are not entitled to reside or have not been registered by the International Office, you will receive a rejection by e-mail. Your application will then be canceled.
The allocation of places in halls of residence begins approx. 10-12 weeks before the start of each semester.
As soon as we can make you an offer for a place in a hall of residence, you will receive this by e-mail.
Would you like to accept the offer? Then please confirm it within three days. You will then receive further information on signing the contract and collecting the keys by e-mail. You will also be asked to pay a reservation fee.
If you do not accept our offer within the specified period, the offer will expire. Your application will be deleted.
Once you have paid the reservation fee (which will be converted into a deposit), you will receive a copy of your rental contract by e-mail.
The contract is usually signed on the Welcome Day in Potsdam. You will receive further information in advance from the International Office or on site from the Studierendenwerk.
Would you like to live in one of our halls of residence?
Fill out the online application form for your university location in Potsdam now:
Our residence halls for students are furnished, affordable and located close to the university. You can apply for a place in the residence hall one semester in advance. Please read the allocation directive and the FAQs. Students of private universities can NOT apply for a place in the residence hall.
We offer a complete bedding set for our international program students in all residence halls. It consists of high-quality materials, is pleasantly soft and easy to care for, and includes the following items:
The full set can be purchased for 85 €. If you are interested, you can get in touch with your clerk at the Studierendenwerk or with the International Office.
A healthy, sustainable and varied range of food awaits you in our canteens and cafeterias. Whether locally or internationally inspired, vegan/vegetarian or hearty - there is something for every taste. We mark our dishes with symbols, e.g. for vegetarian and vegan dishes. The symbols also tell you whether the dish contains pork, beef, poultry or alcohol.
To ensure that the Mensa remains a place for everyone, we offer our dishes for students at a low student price. And in case you don’t have time for a lunch break with your fellow students and friends, you can always have the food to take away!
Studying costs money, which is why international students often look for a part-time job. You can find answers to the most important questions about jobbing and information about other funding options in our social counseling service.
The DSW has summarized everything international students need to know about financing their studies in a concise YouTube video: "Tips for international students – How do I finance my studies in Germany?".
Want to get started right away? You can find suitable part-time jobs on our student job placement service, and with a bit of luck even for English-speaking students!
Studying is not always easy, we know that too. Whether you have private problems or worries during your studies - we are there for you with our counselling services.
We offer free, anonymous and confidential counselling in English or German, by video, by phone and in person on site!
You can find further helpful information on the page of our Social Counselling department. You can also contact us directly.
Get in touch with our psychosocial counselling office
Get in touch with our social counselling office
... there are special tutors in the residence halls who help with questions and make it easier to settle in? Together with the residence worker, they support good coexistence and a sense of community in the residence hall.
... a lot of international students live in our residence halls? A great opportunity to find new friends from all over the world!
... we are constantly striving to create new places in the residence halls? We want to build more than 800 new residence hall places by 2028, including more than 400 in Golm.
... international students can also receive BAföG in certain cases? Contact our BAföG Office for counselling on your individual situation.
... there is no meat in our canteens every week on Veggie Wednesday? We want to promote a vegetarian and vegan diet that is good for your health and sustainable for our climate and our planet.
... the Studierendenwerk supports cultural events? International students can also apply. It is important that the event is organized "by students and for students". We are happy to answer your questions!
... we have a strategy for internationalization? With the help of the strategy, we want to respond more specifically to the needs of our international students!
Perhaps you have already been in contact with your university's International Office - if not, it's worth a visit! The International Offices answer questions from international students and also provide counselling on studying abroad.
Did you move to Germany to study? This short film from the International Office of the University of Potsdam shows you how to get off to a good start.
International Office of the University of Potsdam
International Office of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
International Office of the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
International Office of Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences
International Office of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
One thing is particularly important for a successful degree course: making new friends!
They help you settle in and together you can discover your new city, prepare for exams and overcome homesickness. With friends, your time in Potsdam, Wildau and Brandenburg an der Havel will be a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Universities often offer buddy programs to make it easier to meet new friends.
Buddy-Program of the University of Potsdam
FHP Buddy-Program of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Buddy-Program of the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Buddy-Program of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Do you want to get an overview first? There are numerous websites that provide information about the higher education system and studying in Germany.
For students in Brandenburg, we particularly recommend the following page:
"Studying in Brandenburg" (German only)
A-Z- guide by the German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) for your studies in Germany (DE | EN)
Guide by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) for your studies in Germany (DE | EN)
The page of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) explains how the German education system is built (DE | EN)
Independent information platform on studying in Germany (DE | EN)
