Facilities at Universität Hamburg
Unikontor
The Unikontor at Allende-Platz 1 on the main campus is both an advice centre and a university shop. Here you can find information and orientation as well as souvenirs with the Universität Hamburg logo.
Language courses
Students at Universität Hamburg have a wide range of opportunities to learn new languages at the university or to refresh and expand their knowledge of languages they have already learnt. The University's free German courses are particularly interesting for Erasmus students. These courses take place twice a week for 90 minutes in several groups during the semester. Participation requires at least a basic knowledge of German. Regular and successful participation earns 8 ECTS points.
Erasmus students also have the opportunity to study other languages such as English, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Chinese and Latin at Universität Hamburg. If these language courses are completed with passed and graded tests, students can have the credit points (ECTS) recognised.
More information and further offers can be found at
www.uni-hamburg.de/allgemeinsprachen and
www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/sprachen-erleben/sprachenkompass and
www.uni-hamburg.de/sprachenzentrum
PIASTA
PIASTA is an initiative of the Department of International Affairs at Universität Hamburg and has set itself the task of supporting, advising and guiding international students at the university. For example, PIASTA organises an "International Welcome Week" for students at the beginning of each semester. In addition, a varied cultural programme is put together each semester, through which guest students can discover and get to know Hamburg and the surrounding area. Other services include a wide range of courses on academic writing, application and presentation seminars, the international PIASTA Café and much more.
Discounts with the student ID card
In Germany, students receive discounts in many areas, e.g. on admission to museums, the cinema or the theatre. As a rule, you have to prove your status as a student by showing your student ID card. This is issued and sent to every student by Universität Hamburg. Erasmus students receive the card on their first visit to the Erasmus office. It is therefore advisable to always carry your student ID with you and to enquire whether you can get a discount on activities, e.g. a visit to a museum.
When travelling outside Germany, the German student ID is not always recognised. It is advisable to obtain an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) before travelling. The ISIC is available from the AStA Infocafé, for example, costs 12 euros and is valid for one year.
Student Centre
The Student Centre is a central service facility of the University of Hamburg for prospective and enrolled students.
Prospective students can get information about the study programmes offered at Universität Hamburg, the application process, etc. For Erasmus students at the Department of Psychology, the Erasmus Office forwards the application documents to the Student Centre.
Enrolled students receive assistance with re-registration, applying for leave of absence, part-time student status and much more. Erasmus students who stay in Hamburg for two semesters must re-register at the Student Centre by the deadline (31 March for the summer semester and 30 September for the winter semester).
Libraries at Universität Hamburg
The university's largest library is the Staat- und Universitätsbibliothek, or Stabi for short. It is located on campus and has a large lending collection. At the same time, the library also has a large reference collection of books that cannot be borrowed but may be used in the Stabi reading rooms.
The Marta-Muchow Library also plays an important role for psychology students. As part of Universität Hamburg's library system, this library specifically provides psychological literature and is also located on campus.
Every student at the University can apply for a library card free of charge. Information on how to apply and a link to the application form can be found here.
Guided tours of the Stabi are offered regularly at the beginning of the semester. It is worth taking part in one of these tours to familiarise yourself with the Stabi and the catalogue system.
You can use the campus catalogue to search for books. There you can search online for specific titles, keywords or authors and view the location of the books on campus.
Student representatives at the Institute of Psychology
Wir als Fachschaftsrat sind eure regelmäßig gewählten studentischen VertreterInnen am Fachbereich – in den Gremien genauso wie in Einzelfällen.
Wenn ihr Unterstützung bei Problemen während eures Studiums braucht, dann sind wir eure Ansprechpartner. Ihr könnt uns jederzeit ansprechen, zu uns in die Beratung kommen oder uns per Mail anschreiben.
We, the Student Council, are your regularly elected student representatives in the Faculty - on committees and in individual cases.
If you need help with a problem during your studies, we are the people to contact. You can contact us at any time, drop by for a consultation, or send us an email.
Our duties and projects include:
- Representing you in committees and networking
- Email consultation (fsr-psychologie"AT"uni-hamburg.de)
- the email distribution list (register at mailman.rrz.uni-hamburg.de/mailman/listinfo/fsr-psychologie)
- Collecting examination protocols for diploma examinations, scripts and mock examinations
- the Study Abroad Group and meetings for students changing their place of study
- The "Research Day"
- University policy projects
- Representation at the annual student council conferences
and the Glühwein (mulled wine) Christmas Café and film nights in the Glaka, the rental of button machines and hopefully another Glaka party.
Link to the Website
Studierendenwerk
The Studierendenwerk Hamburg is a cross-university social organisation that supports students at Universität Hamburg with various services.
For example, the Studierendenwerk arranges rooms in its own student halls of residence and runs several canteens on campus where students can get reasonably priced meals. In addition, the Studierendenwerk offers extensive counselling services, e.g. for foreign students, on the subject of insurance or working while studying.
Hochschulsport
The University Sports Centre (Hochschulsport) offers the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports at a reasonable price. The programme is mainly used by students and staff at the university and ranges from sailing and various ball sports to swimming and strength training. Registration for the individual courses is always valid for one semester and is therefore also ideal for Erasmus students.
AStA
The AStA (General Students' Committee) is the student representative body and is elected every year. Eight "Referate" (thematically different departments) represent the interests of the students, offer counselling and advocate for the students of Universität Hamburg when dealing with the University, politics and the public.
The AStA offers a varied cultural programme every semester, which includes for example art, music, dance and theatre courses. Students enrolled at the university can take part in the programme at low cost.
Universtiy Congregations
There are a number of student congregations at the university. These offer students of different denominations the opportunity to make new contacts, receive spiritual support and practise their faith with like-minded people.
Choir, orchestra and Big Band of Universität Hamburg
Music enthusiasts can make music together in the university choir and orchestra. A programme is rehearsed each semester, which is presented at the end of the semester in a university concert in the Laeiszhalle - Musikhalle Hamburg. Students from all faculties can participate in both the choir and the orchestra. New members are accepted at the beginning of each semester after a short audition. However, anyone interested is free to attend the first two rehearsals to familiarise themselves with the orchestra, choir and conductor.
In addition to these two ensembles, there are other amateur orchestras in Hamburg that are happy to welcome new members. These include the Harvestehude Symphony Orchestra, the Junge Symphoniker Hamburg and the Symphony Orchestra Eppendorf. The prerequisite for participation is usually an audition.
Students who are looking for further opportunities to sing will certainly find what they are looking for in Hamburg. There is a whole range of different choirs that work on very different repertoires and sing at different levels. One example is the Hamburg Romantische Chor. A detailed list of Hamburg choirs can be found here.
Skyliner - The jazz big band of Universität Hamburg
"Skyliner" has been the Bigband of Universität Hamburg for more than two decades. Their arrangements and big band grooves are among the best in the city: a special mix of jazz, rock, pop and funk. Performances as a gala band (Uniball, Stralsund Theaterball) are just as much a part of the programme as contributions to the big band festival in the "Fabrik", at the Alstervergnügen, at the NDR (Sonntakte), at the Kieler Woche and at other events.
University Players
The University Players are a student amateur theatre project that has been in existence since 1980. The repertoire includes classics of English and American theatre as well as modern authors from the English-speaking world. The group normally puts on two English-language productions a year, one in January and one in June/July. The performances take place in the Audimax, the university's largest lecture theatre, and are very popular. Anyone with an interest in theatre, acting and all associated activities and tasks (e.g. set design, costume design, etc.) can take part. It is always a good idea to join the University Players at the beginning of a semester, as this is when the new rehearsal phase begins
Uni-Kino
Once a week, usually on Thursday evenings, the University of Hamburg hosts the university cinema, UniKino. In the university's largest lecture theatre, the Audimax, 1 to 2 films are usually shown each evening. The cinema evenings are closed events, by students for students and university members only, which is why admission is very cheap!
Tip:
The film "Die Feuerzangenbowle", a German classic in which the legendary Heinz Rühmann plays the leading role, is an absolute cult film. The film is shown every winter semester and, due to the high demand, several screenings per day. A genuine Feurezangenbowle is also served in the Audimax on this occasion. You should make sure you get tickets early, as the screenings are always sold out due to their popularity.
Central Student Advisory and Psychological Counselling (ZSPB)
The ZSPB is an organisation that supports students with any questions they may have during their studies. For example, various seminars and workshops are offered to develop personal skills and resources. Examples include learning and working techniques, free speech and stress management.
Psychological counselling is also offered. The psychological counselling team is made up of psychological psychotherapists. Students who find themselves in an acute crisis situation can get advice and support here.