Ten Tips for First-Year Students in Germany

The first year of university is many things. Exciting, challenging, scary. Whether you've lived in Germany all your life or are moving to the country to study, there are a few things you need to know and a few things you need to do before starting your first semester at a German university.

 

Some of them are fairly basic like familiarizing yourself with the campus or knowing where the library is, while others can get a little more complicated. Did you know that you have to renew your student ID every semester, once you've successfully registered? We have compiled ten important tips for you to keep in mind during your first year studying in Germany.

 

Familiarize yourself with the Campus

 

You don't want to be desperately searching for your lecture hall five minutes before class starts, and all the room codes can easily get confusing. Familiarizing yourself with the map of the campus is a good idea. Look at where your classes are, and if possible, visit them in advance of your first day.

 

Most German universities implement a digital campus portal where students can log in, select their subjects, schedule their exams, and get in touch with faculty and staff. If you have any questions about BAföG, semesters abroad, semester tickets, etc., the Student Union will be happy to help you. In case you have not yet figured out which university you want to apply to and for which degree program, the DAAD website has a My Guide portal you can use to consider options based on interests, language preferences, and more.

 

Finding accommodation

 

Finding accommodation in Germany is not very easy, and we recommend giving yourself at least 6 months time before you move to find a place. The good news is that there's plenty of websites that can help you with your apartment search.

 

• WG Gesucht - Free to use and frictionless, you can both search for and advertise rooms on WG Gesucht. It is best suited for shared living, but also covers studios and 1BHK apartments. You can filter according to a large list of metrics such as size, neighbourhood, number of flatmates, duration, and more. (Also try: WG-Suche).
• Immoscout24 - One of Germany’s leading online platforms for real estate, ImmoScout24 offers a wide range of listings. It has an user-friendly interface and some interesting features like price comparisons and neighbourhood insights to help you make a well-informed decision.
• Studentenwerk - Studentenwerk is university-specific accommodation that falls under the umbrella of the Student Union at unis. Sign up as soon as you're enrolled, because the apartments and rooms are usually priced very reasonably and the demand is, understandably, high. Studentenwerk accommodation tends to mostly be for a limited duration.
• Ebay Kleinanzeigen - Kleinanzeigen is a very popular online marketplace where users can buy, sell, or swap. Best known for furniture, cars, electronics, and job postings, you can use this site to also find a place that suits you.
• Meinestadt - Available as both an app and a web platform, Meinestadt is a German-only resource for apartment hunting across the country.
• Facebook groups - Seems like Facebook is still going strong when it comes to apartment hunting in Germany. Members can use these groups to search for and advertise accommodation.

 

Public Transport Card

 

Public transport in Germany is a major advantage for students, offering affordable and reliable connections across cities and regions.

 

Most universities provide a *Semesterticket*, included in student fees, which grants unlimited travel on buses, trams, and regional trains within a specific area. The price varies depending on region of residence, and is usually priced between 200 to 300 euros. In case public transport is not covered in your mandatory semester fees, you can opt for the Deutschland Semesterticket. You can purchase a monthly or yearly subscription, and freely access all forms of public transport not just in your city or state but across the country. It is currently priced at 29.40 euros/month but is set to increase to 34.80 euros/month from the winter semester of this calendar year.

 

Another alternative available to people in Germany is the Deutschlandticket. Priced at 58 euros a month since January 2025, the Deutschland ticket is valid for all public transport (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, RB, buses) in all of Germany.

 

For more details, you can check your university's official website or resources like the Deutsche Bahn and city-based local transport associations.

 

Hochschulsport

 

Sport is a good way to counteract all that sitting and staring at the computer.

 

Registration for university sports always takes place before the semester begins, which means that theoretically your sports class could clash with your other courses. It's a bit of a hassle, but you can usually find someone to take your place in such cases. Popular courses fill up within two minutes of registration opening, so being quick is of the essence.

 

Get a Mensa Card

 

A Mensa is the German equivalent of an university cafetaria. To make use of your uni's mensa services, you need to first get a Mensa card. Simply head to the closest canteen (usually operated by Studierendenwerk), pay a small refundable deposit to receive the card, and use it!

 

• Locate a Studierendenwerk Canteen - Your first step is to find a Mensa or canteen that uses the Mensa Card system. You'll usually find one on or very close to campus.
• Go to a Cash Register - Visit the cash desk or checkout counter at one of the Studierendenwerk's facilities.
• Provide Proof of Status - You will need to provide documentation that confirms your status as a student at the university. A student ID or enrollment cert should be sufficient.
• Pay the Deposit - You will be required to pay a small deposit to receive the card. The deposit will be refunded when you return the card.
• Top Up Your Card - You can add money to your Mensa Card at top-up machines located in the canteens.

 

Applying for a Library Card

 

As a first-year student in Germany, the library will probably be one of your most frequented locations for the duration of your study. Applying for a library card is a no-brainer and is a fairly simple, online process conducted via the campus portal of your university.

 

The documents required to fill out the form include a valid Student ID, a valid passport/German national ID, and proof of residence.

 

Study Support

 

When exam season approaches, it's important to be well prepared. Studydrive lets you access and share a large variety of study notes and exam papers, communicate with your fellow students, and be part of a 3M-strong student community across Germany and Europe.

 

Go to Studydrive

The online learning tool "Quizlet" allows users to learn easily with the help of games, flashcards, quizzes, and learning sets. The platform is free and suitable for all age groups. Furthermore, the interactive app covers numerous modules or subject areas such as math, languages, etc. and can be used with Google Classrooms.  Evernote is an online service available as a free app for browsers and smartphones. With the app, users can create, collect, and save notes and documents, including embedded graphics, at any time. This information is stored on the platform and can only be deleted by the user. The app can also be used offline. The notes remain stored in the Evernote cloud.  

 

Find more recommendations for study support here.

 

On-Campus Extracurriculars

 

The opportunity to gain practical experience and language skills alongside your studies is available on campus. If you want to be prepared for a job beyond just theory, or simply want to get involved out of charity, then you should join student organizations. There is a huge variety of organizations with a wide range of focuses and areas of responsibility where you can gain experience and meet like-minded people.

 

At the beginning of the semester, there are often information days. Various student clubs and organizations introduce themselves at booths and are available to answer questions. Another option is get-together evenings, where these groups open their doors to newcomers.

 

You can learn new languages in one of the language courses at the Language Center or simply in an elective module that you can choose each semester. Language skills are especially helpful if you're planning a semester abroad and want to improve your chances of getting a place at the partner university by obtaining language certificates. And again – the variety is often enormous. Take the opportunity to try out Chinese or Romanian for free.

 

Working Student & Part-time Jobs

 

Part-time and working student jobs are a popular option for both international and local students in Germany. Working alongside your studies is good for financial support, certainly, but also elevates your CV considerably.

 

The options are plentiful, you can find positions within the uni, in retail and hospitality sectors, or in more career-oriented arenas. Keep an eye out for Werkstudent positions in companies!

 

Balancing studies with work can definitely be a challenge, but a majority of university students in Germany opt to do this. There are some conditions - werkstudent positions usually call for 16-20 hours of work a week. Here's a list of websites you can use to make the job hunt easier:

 

• LinkedIn
• Xing
• Stepstone
• Meinestadt
• Indeed

 

F&B and Sightseeing

 

There's plenty to do as a first-year university student aside from studying. Exploring food, drinks, and sightseeing is a big part of student life, especially when you’re new to Germany.

 

Discovering local cafés, bars, and restaurants is a great way to connect with friends and experience German culture firsthand. Think traditional bakeries, airy beer gardens, cool nightclubs, and European architecture!

 

Discounted student tickets for museums, galleries, and cultural events makes it even easier to dive into your new environment. Balancing studies with a bit of exploration helps you build a stronger connection with the city and meet like-minded people.

 

Here are some useful apps to get started:

 

• Too Good To Go: Perfect for a student budget. This app lets you buy unsold food from restaurants and bakeries at reduced prices.
• HappyCow: Great for finding vegetarian and vegan dining options wherever you are in Germany.
• Google Maps: Essential for navigating public transport, discovering new areas, and finding nearby attractions.
• GetYourGuide: A handy app for booking sightseeing tours, museum tickets, and experiences at student-friendly prices.
• Yelp: Useful for checking reviews and recommendations on restaurants, bars, and local spots in your city.
• DB: In addition to your semester ticket, you can use the DB app to book trains to cities, towns, and villages within and beyond Germany.