Deutsches Studentenwerk (DSW) is the German national association of all student services organizations in Germany. DSW is a non-partisan, non-profit organization promoting and advancing student services in Germany. Students are at the core of all activities. This is reflected in strong representation of students in all relevant bodies of the organisation. DSW thrives for the social and economic support of all students in Germany, working to improve non-academic support in order to allow students to focus on their intellectual development. It is active in all relevant fields such as student housing, healthy and affordable food, counselling, study financing, child care and integration of foreign students.
In Germany, there is one local Studentenwerk in each university town or city in Germany, providing services to the students of all higher education institutions in the metropolitan region. The 58 local student services organisations – the Studentenwerke (STW) - perform public responsibilities related to the economic, social, health-care and cultural support to all students.
The main objective of the Studentenwerk organizations is to contribute substantially to the realization of equal opportunities. In collaboration with universities and city administrations, the Studentenwerk organizations strive to improve the social framework for higher education.
On the international level DSW maintains regular cooperation with partners in Europe and overseas in order to exchange experience and staff, facilitate dialogue and learn from each other. The Studentenwerke are also strong partners for international cooperation. Many of them provide special services for foreign students, offer activities in international affairs and participate in bi- and multilateral programmes.
Services offered to students:
a) Catering service: restaurants, cafeterias and coffee bars on campus and in the city
b) Accommodation: affordable, modern student housing (flats, shared housing, family apartments)
c) Administration of study financing under the Federal Educational Assistant Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz, BAföG)
Apart from these three fields of activities, the majority of the Studentenwerke offer additional services like counseling for psychological problems, as well as social and legal counseling, offer advice and support centres for students with disabilities, and maintain facilities for students with children (day care centres for children). Sometimes, the Studentenwerk also provides health services, insurance for students, cultural activities etc.
Furthermore they offer specific support schemes and counseling to students from abroad, ranging from reserved places in student housing to integration measures and help in making contacts with other international and German students. Regarding housing for foreign students, the STW often have special agreements with the university to offer places for students within academic international programmes.
Important notice: The Studentenwerke or DSW do not administer scholarships for students from abroad, this is the duty of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) or other sources.
Links
Find your local Studentenwerk: http://www.studentenwerke.de/main/default.asp?id=10100
DSW Brochures: http://www.studentenwerke.de/main/default.asp?id=02201
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): http://www.daad.de/en/index.html
German rectors’ Conference (HRK): http://www.hrk.de/de/home/home.php
DSW International Students: http://www.internationale-studierende.de/en/home/
Bildungsserver: http://www.bildungsserver.de/start_e.html
Federal Ministry for Education and Research: http://www.bmbf.de/en/index.php
Uni-Assist: http://www.uni-assist.de/english.html
