On the following pages you will find information about a number of care and counselling services at the universities that offer help and advice to international students. Finally there are tips about advice centres and institutions outside the universities.

Tutor Program of the Studentenwerk (Office of Student Services)

At each of the student residence halls in Osnabrück there are student tutors who have been designated to help foreign students with their questions or concerns.

Upon their arrival, the international residents are welcomed by the tutors in the residence hall. During this first orientation meeting, the tutors provide support and advice for the beginning of your stay. After that, they can also be reached by phone or email if you have questions or need help.

Whether you have concerns about foreigners’ rights or job-related problems, or if you need help with planning and organization—our tutors are there for you!
They can provide help when you have difficulties making contact,  give advice concerning your studies, and have addresses for the appropriate counselling and resource services. If you are apprehensive about bureaucratic matters and governmental offices, the tutors will give you support and if needs be they can accompany you on your visits to these offices.

The tutors come from different nations and speak a number of different languages; if necessary, tutors can help students from a different residence hall. The tutors’ contact information can be found on this website, under "Student Accomodation."

International Offices at the Universities

Your most important contact at the university is the International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt).

International Offices not only provide study-related advice, but also work on your behalf to find financial means of support and stand by your side when you experience problems in your studies. They also organize orientation events for freshmen, as well as academic and recreational events during the semester.

Please visit the websites of the International Offices at the universities below:
Universität Osnabrück
Hochschule Osnabrück
Universität Vechta

Curriculum Guidance Service of the Universities

The Curriculum Guidance Service (Zentrale Studienberatung, or ZSB) is the contact for all students of the universities of Osnabrück as well as for people interested in taking up a course of study.
The ZSB provides advice on which courses to take to earn your degree, as well as information on university admission criteria and admission restrictions. It also gives you information about what is involved if you change your university. In addition, you can address the ZSB with study-related problems and questions. This would include, for example, changing your major or minor subjects, financing your studies, contact problems, questions about jobs, and problems with your exams.

You will find detailed information on the Homepage of the ZSB.

Faculties/Departments at the Universities

If you have questions concerning your course of studies, you can also directly address the faculty / department where you are studying. Ask for the so-called Auslandsbeauftragte (staff in charge of foreign students). For information, please visit your department webpage on the website of your university. Please take note of the office hours.

The staff at the Curriculum Guidance Service (ZSB) can also tell you where the various departments are located.

Here are the university links:
Universität Osnabrück
Hochschule Osnabrück
Institut für Musik der Hochschule Osnabrück  
Hochschule Osnabrück Standort Lingen
Universität Vechta 
Private Fachhochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik Diepholz, Standort Vechta

AStA & Fachschaften (Student Union and Student Councils)

The Allgemeiner Studierenden-Ausschuss (AStA , or Student Union) is a body of the student administration elected by the students at their university. Many student unions have AusländersprecherInnen (Spokespersons for International Students) and / or AusländerreferentInnen (International Consultants) that help with foreign students’ special needs. The student unions also offer social advice. You will find further details on the (German) internet pages of the student unions:

AStA Universität Osnabrück
AStA Fachhochschule Osnabrück

More first-hand knowledge is available at the corresponding Fachschaftsrat (student council). The Fachschaftsräte are student representatives,  elected by the students in their respective field of studies at the university. The members of the student council volunteer their time to help other students. Usually the student council organizes "freshmen rallies”, or orientation events that provide a survey of the course of studies and the premises. During the office hours you can address your questions to the student council member that is responsible for you.

The student councils of the various universities can be reached via the respective student union, or AStA (see the list of links above).

Psychological and Social Counselling

The Psychosoziale Beratungsstelle (PSB) provides support for students of the universities of Osnabrück and Vechta who are experiencing anxiety or mental problems and conflicts. This includes exam and performance anxiety, work blocks, and other study-related crises. Of course you can also contact the PSB with personal problems that are not related to your studies. The PSB can help you with issues of self-doubt, insecurity, loneliness, interpersonal conflicts, problems with your parents or partner, as well as with psychosomatic troubles.

Here you can find out more about the PSB:
List of Help Topics
Address and Office Hours

Protestant Student Community (Evangelische Studierendengemeinde)

The Evangelische Studierendengemeinde (ESG) provides help and advice for international students who are experiencing difficulties in planning their studies and other aspects of their life. Besides providing counselling hours, ESG also organizes regular “International” events. For more information, please visit their website http://www.esg-osnabrueck.de/.

Catholic Student Community (Katholische Hochschulgemeinde)

The Katholische Hochschulgemeinde, located in the same building as the Evangelische Studierendengemeinde, also has counselling hours for students during the semester. You can find them in the StudiOS center at Neuer Graben 27, in room no. 19/306.  For more details, see Katholische Hochschulgemeinde Osnabrück.

Beyond the Universities

You can also get in touch with your contact person at the Ausländerbehörde.

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