Institutions and Services at Universität Hamburg
Unikontor
at Allende-Platz 1 on the main campus is the place to go for information and directions as well as University of Hamburg merchandise.
Language Classes
There are several opportunities for students at Universität Hamburg to learn new languages or
revive and expand their language skills. Erasmus students might be interested in the free German language classes provided by the university. These classes take place twice a week during the
semester, last 90 minutes, and are taught in several groups. In order to participate, students must have a basic knowledge of German. Participants receive as well ECTS credits as grades upon
successful completion of the class.
The German classes are not the only ones available to Erasmus students. There are other programs providing classes in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Chinese, Latin, etc. ECTS credits are available upon successful completion of these classes as well.
More information available at:
https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/allgemeinsprachen
https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/piasta/sprachen-erleben/sprachenkompass
PIASTA
PIASTA is a project of the university’s international office that strives to support, advise, and
accompany international students at Universität Hamburg. Their services include the “International Welcome Week” at the start of the semester, a cultural program providing insight into Hamburg and its surroundings, classes covering academic writing, job applications, and presentations as well as the international PIASTA-Café and much more. You may as well find an "Incoming yBudd" who could support you during your stay.
Reduced Student Prices
Many businesses and institutions provide lower prices for students, especially tickets for museums, cinemas, and theatres. They usually ask for proof in the form of a student ID, so we recommend to always carry it with you and ask about student prices, when you go exploring. Every student at
Universität Hamburg is provided with a student ID that they receive via post. Erasmus students
receive their student IDs on their first visit to the Erasmus office.
German student IDs are not always recognized abroad, so you might consider getting an
International Student ID Card (ISIC) . They cost 12 Euros, are valid for one year, and are available, e.g. at the AStA Info Café.
Campus Center
The Campus Center provides an array of services for prospective and current students at the
university.
Prospective students receive information and support concerning picking a course and the
application process. In the case of Erasmus applicants, the Erasmus office at the Institute for
Psychology will forward their application to the Campus Center.
The Campus Center provides support to current students concerning re-enrollment, leave of
absence, part-time studies, and many other issues. Erasmus students who are in Hamburg for two semesters must re-enroll with the Campus Center before the deadline (31 March for the summer term and 30 September for the winter term).
Libraries at Universität Hamburg
The university’s largest library is the “Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek”, usually abbreviated to “Stabi”. It is located on the main campus and has an extensive collection of media both to loan and to use in the reading rooms.
Students of psychology will often find themselves in the Marta Muchow Library , which houses a large collection of psychological literature and is also located on campus. It is a part of the university’s library network .
A library card is available to all students free of charge. Information and sign-up is available online .
The “Stabi” regularly offers tours , especially at the beginning of the semester. They provide a good opportunity to get to know the location as well as the library’s catalog systems .
We recommend the “Campus-Katalog” to find books in the university’s collections. The online database can be searched for e.g. titles, authors, and keywords and provides information on where to find each title in the university’s many libraries.
Student Representatives at the Institute for Psychology
The “Fachschaftsrat” (FSR) is a group of student representatives from within the institute that is elected at regular intervals to advocate for students’ interests in the relevant committees as well as in individual cases.
The FSR is available personally or via email to help with study-related questions and problems.
They provide:
- representation in the relevant committees and networking
- email consultations (fsr-psychologie@uni-hamburg.de)
- informational mailing list (sign up at mailman.rrz.uni-hamburg.de/mailman/listinfo/fsr- psychologie)
- archived lecture notes, mock exams, and minutes of examinations
- meeting groups for international students and transfer students
- “Day of Research”?
- projects relating to university politics
- representation at the yearly conference of student representatives
- social events (Christmas party, movie nights etc.)
- badge maker available to loan
Find more information on the FSR’s website.
Student Services
The “Studierendenwerk Hamburg” provides students in Hamburg with a number of social services, like student accommodation, cafeterias, and counselling, e.g. concerning insurance and
employment as an international student.
Sports at Universität Hamburg
The “Hochschulsport” (university sports) provides a variety of opportunities for physical activity. Students and members of the university can participate in courses that range from sailing to ball games to swimming to strength training. Sign-up for sports classes takes place every semester and is thus also suitable for Erasmus students.
Student Council (AStA)
The AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss – General Student Council) is elected yearly and
consists of student representatives that work in the students’ interest, offer advice, and mediate between student and the university, politicians, and public. It consists of eight distinct departments that are each dedicated to a specific cause, e.g. gender equality, finances, queer issues etc.
Each semester, the AStA offers a wide variety of cultural classes and workshops (e.g. dance, music, art, theatre, languages). Students can participate in this “Kulturkursprogramm” for a reasonable fee.
Student Congregations and Religious Communities
There are a number of student groups of various faiths , where students have the chance to
connect, find support, and practice their faith within a community of like-minded people.
Musical Ensembles at Universität Hamburg
The university’s choir and orchestra offer interested students the opportunity to sing and play
music together. The ensembles rehearse a new program every semester and present it at the Laeiszhalle (concert hall in Hamburg) at the end of the semester. Students of all disciplines are
welcome to audition at the beginning of the semester and visit the first two rehearsals to get acquainted with the group and director.
In addition to these ensembles, there are several amateur orchestras in Hamburg that welcome new member, e.g. the symphonic orchestra in Harvestehude (Harvestehuder Sinfonieorchester )
, the Young Symphonics (Junge Symphoniker), and the symphonic orchestra in Eppendorf
(Sinfonieorchester Eppendorf).
Students looking for additional opportunities to sing will surely find something among the variety of choirs in Hamburg. There is a wide range of repertoire and required skill level on offer. Find a list of choirs in Hamburg here .
Skyliner - Universität Hamburg’s Jazz Big Band
“Skyliner” has been the university’s big band for more than twenty years. Their arrangements and big band grooves are among the best in the city: an eclectic mix of jazz, rock, pop, and funk. They perform as a gala band at events like the University Ball or the theatre ball in Stralsund as well as at big band festivals (at Fabrik), cultural events (Alstervergnügen, Kieler Woche) and on the air at the local broadcaster NDR.
University Players
The University Players are an amateur student theatre project that has been active since 1980. Their repertoire encompasses English and American classics as well as modern pieces. Their two yearly productions each span a semester and premiere at the end of January and in June/July respectively. Everyone who is interested is welcome to participate in the production, be it in front or behind the scenes. Auditions for acting roles take place at the beginning of the semester.
UniFilm
Once a week, usually on a Thursday evening, the “uni cinema” shows one or two films in the biggest lecture hall on campus, the Audimax. These events are exclusively for students and members of the university, which is why admission is very affordable.
Don’t miss out on the yearly showing of the classic German film “Die Feuerzangenbowle”. On one day each winter term, UniFilm runs the film and serves the eponymous punch. Because of the high demand, there are multiple showings on the day, which are nonetheless almost always sold out – so get your tickets early!
Central Counselling Services
Universität Hamburg offers advising and counselling to prospective and current students through different services .
Academic Advising
The Center for Academic Advising advises secondary school, prospective and enrolled students on all matters related to studying at Universität Hamburg. This includes questions about program
curricula, various application procedures as well as academic guidance and organizing your studies.
Psychological Counselling
During their time at university, many students experience periods of personal strain or emotional crisis that they cannot always master on their own. Students with problems in their academic or personal lives which are negatively affecting their ability to learn, work, write, speak or take exams, or students struggling with loneliness, depression and anxiety can turn to our psychological
counselling services.