Germany’s 57 Studierendenwerke (student services organisations) are key and indispensible guarantors of the German higher education system. They offer support and advice to some 2.8 million students at more than 300 higher education institutions in around 200 locations and take care of social, economic, cultural and health matters.

Their offer:

• makes a key contribution to increased equal opportunities in higher education,
   
• helps to improve the framework conditions for studying, thereby making studying more efficient and helping higher education institutions to develop their profiles,
   
• provides equivalent services for all students, regardless of the size, type or location of the higher education institution.

Service companies with social responsibilities

On the one hand, the Studierendenwerke work in accordance with modern commercial principles including market and customer orientation, staff qualification and development schemes and quality assurance. On the other hand, they provide public benefit and welfare services provided for in the German constitution and in state legislation. This is the why the Studentenwerke also provide not-for-profit services and are able to make homogeneous service offers, even at economically unprofitable locations.

Broad service offer

Studierendenwerke offer a wide range of services in the areas of university catering, accommodation, the financing of studies, child-care, advisory and counselling services, placement services and culture. The services are aimed at a diverse student body and take the needs of students with particular difficulties into account, for example students with disabilities or chronic illness, international students and students with children.

Economic factor

Due to the number of students that has increased heavily in recent years as well as new responsibilities, the Studierendenwerke, in their role as production, service and administration companies, are today comparable to medium-sized or large business enterprises in terms of size. In many regions, they are a key employer and economic factor.