Bielefeld
Survival Guide

Frauenhaus Bielefeld
24-hour emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Phone: +49 521 177 376 (24/7 emergency hotline)

AWO Frauenhaus
Alternative women's shelter operated by Arbeiterwohlfahrt.
Phone: +49 521 5 21 36 36

Mädchenhaus Bielefeld e.V.
Counselling, refuge and support for girls and young women (aged 12+) with and without disabilities who have experienced sexualized, physical or psychological violence, or forced marriage.

National Domestic Violence Hotline (Hilfetelefon)
Phone: 08000 116 016 (24/7, free, anonymous, multilingual)

Telefonseelsorge (Telephone Counseling)
Phone: 0800 111 0 111
0800 111 0 222
116 123
(24/7, free, anonymous; different numbers for different regions/services)
Online chat and email counseling also available

Nightline e.V. Bielefeld
Student-run telephone counseling service by and for students.
Anonymous listening service for study-related problems, personal crises, and everyday concerns.
Phone: 0521 106 30 48 (Available during term time evenings)

Student Counseling (Psychosoziale Beratung)
University psychological counseling service for students
More information available through AStA or university health services

Emergency Psychiatric Service
For immediate psychiatric emergencies, call 112 or contact your local emergency room

The International Office provides support for international students, doctoral candidates and international researchers with matters such as enrolment, accommodation, visas, counselling, exchange coordination, allocation of scholarships, and German summer courses. Among many other things they also advise students, who are planning to go abroad. They should be one of your first points of contact!

The International Office also runs the International Mentoring Programme, which matches international students with mentors, who will be able to help with all sorts of matters regarding you settling at Bielefeld university.

The AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss) is the elected student government at Bielefeld University and represents the interests of all students. It advocates for students in university committees, supports political participation, and works to improve study conditions. The AStA also coordinates student-led initiatives, autonomous departments, projects, and working groups.

AStA offers various services including social and legal counselling, support with BAföG and financing questions, guidance for international students, and help with administrative or housing issues. It also manages the semester ticket framework, supports student initiatives, organizes events, and provides information on student rights and campus life.

AK Asyl is an independent organization that supports refugees and other people with a migration background. They cooperate with the AStA but are not part of it.

Counseling at University (Beratungscafé): AK Asyl offers residence permit counseling at the AStA's Beratungscafé on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room S1-212 at Bielefeld University. This is their main point of contact for students.

Main Office Services (Friedenstraße): AK Asyl's main office is located at Friedenstraße 4, 33602 Bielefeld, where they provide comprehensive counseling services:

• Social and Residence Law Counseling
• Asylum Proceedings Counseling
• Psychosocial Counseling for Survivors of Trauma, Displacement and Torture
• Counseling for Unaccompanied Minor Refugees (UMF)
• Medical Aid for Refugees (Medizinische Flüchtlingshilfe)

ESN Bielefeld (Erasmus Student Network) is a student-run organization that supports international students and promotes intercultural exchange. ESN organizes events, trips, meetups, and community activities to help students connect, make friends, and experience student life in Bielefeld and beyond. ESN works on a volunteer basis and is part of the international ESN network with sections across Europe.

ViSiB (Association for the Support of International Students in Bielefeld) is a non-profit association dedicated to supporting international students and visiting academics at Bielefeld University and Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI).

Emergency Financial Support: If you find yourself in financial distress, ViSiB provides emergency support for registered international students. This assistance helps bridge temporary financial gaps during your studies, ensuring you can continue your academic journey without disruption.

ViSiB-Böllhoff Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to outstanding international students at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (HSBI) who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and social commitment. The scholarship recognizes students who excel both academically and contribute to their community.

Graduation Scholarship: These scholarships are available for international students who are about to complete their BA/MA degree or state examination at both universities. These scholarships support students in their final academic phase. Application periods are advertised annually by the universities' International Offices.

ViSiB Award: Each year, ViSiB honors international students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and social or intercultural commitment with an annual award of €750. One award is given per university—one for Bielefeld University and one for HSBI. Candidates can be nominated by teaching staff or lecturers. The awards are presented at ViSiB's summer party during a special ceremony.

Company Tours & Networking: ViSiB organizes company tours that connect international students with regional businesses and employers in the Bielefeld area. These tours provide valuable insights into local career opportunities and help you build professional networks. You'll be informed about upcoming tours via email, and they're excellent opportunities for networking with both local companies and fellow international students.

The ZSB (Central Student Advisory Service) offers counselling on choosing a degree programme, organising your studies, doubts about studying, exam anxiety and other personal or study-related issues.

The ZAB supports students with disabilities or chronic illnesses, for example with compensation for disadvantages, barrier-free study organisation and assistive devices.

The Language Centre (FSZ) is a central institution supporting your language and communication skills in your field of study. Learn more on the FSZ website. Contact: fsz-sekretariat@uni-bielefeld.de, Tel: +49 521 106-67962.

How to Register for Courses: Simply add FSZ courses to your personal timetable in the eKVV course catalog. For French and Spanish at intermediate levels and above, you'll need to take a C-Test placement test to be assigned to the correct course level. However, you can always start at A1.1 (beginner level) without any prior knowledge. Courses follow the CEFR framework (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), with some levels subdivided into .1 and .2. You can register for as many courses per semester as you like, but note that A1 courses are extremely popular and spaces are limited and automatically allocated. Starting from B1 level, you can usually expect to get a place. However, if you register for multiple A1 courses in Spanish or French, you might only get one or even none. Higher levels generally have sufficient capacity. If you need a course for ECTS credits or to prepare for a semester abroad, you can request priority—ask the coordinators or instructors. Pro tip: Talk directly to the instructors—either before the course starts or on the first day of class. Many students don't show up to the first session or drop out after the first week, so spaces often become available. If you really want to take a specific popular language like Spanish, consider self-studying to A1/A2 level first, then applying for a higher-level course where spaces are more likely available.

Earn UNIcert® certificates to officially document your language proficiency. Connect with language partners using the Tandem Board. Ellipsis offers free English writing consultations for academic work via Zoom or email (ellipsis@uni-bielefeld.de).

For HSBI Students: If you're a student at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, check the separate HSBI course offering.

Career Service: More information coming soon.

The Hochschulsport (University Sports) offers a wide range of sports courses, most of them free of charge. You can sign up weekly or, for some courses, at the start of the semester for the whole term.

There is also a gym on campus. If you are an international student, especially one who is only at Bielefeld University for a short period (e.g. as an exchange student), it is worth asking directly. You may be able to get a spot more quickly than regular students.

Browse all courses and register here: Sports Programme & Registration.

• Approximately 344,000 inhabitants.
• Districts: Brackwede, Dornberg, Gadderbaum, Heepen, Jöllenbeck, Mitte, Schildesche, Senne, Sennestadt, Stieghorst.
• Good transport network: Siggi bikes, e-scooters; university easily accessible by tram and bus.
• Approx. 10 minutes from Bielefeld Central Station to the university by train.

• Base rent (Kaltmiete): approx. 5.78–10.30 € per m² based on the rent index.
• Operating/ancillary costs to landlord: Approx. 2.17 € per m² (e.g. rubbish collection, water, caretaker, garden maintenance, council tax, stairwell cleaning, sewage, heating).
• Additional costs (not payable to landlord): broadcasting licence fee, electricity, gas, internet.

Accommodation options are usually either a room in a shared flat or your own flat.

In a shared flat (WG), you have your own room and share the common areas (bathroom, kitchen, living room) with other flatmates. Shared flats are very common in Bielefeld. They are an affordable option and allow you to quickly get in touch with other people.

Rooms/flats can be unfurnished, partially furnished or furnished. In Bielefeld, rooms/flats are usually unfurnished or partially furnished. You will therefore probably need to buy furniture.

Flats are offered by private landlords, commercial providers or non-profit organisations (e.g. Studierendenwerk).

If you pay the semester fee at Bielefeld University and are registered as a student/doctoral candidate, you can apply for a place in a student dormitory. You may even do so before you arrive in Germany. As proof of matriculation, you can upload your letter of admission or letter of invitation to the website of the student dormitory.

The following student dormitories are available in Bielefeld:

• Studierendenwerk
• BGW
• Campus Westend
• Rotunda Westfalica
• Hollensiek
• Studentenwohnen

You can find current private rental offers in Bielefeld on the following commercial and external search portals:

• WG-Gesucht
• Neue Westfälische
• Westfalen Blatt
• Immoscout

You may also try finding private rental offers via the WhatsApp groups of the ISR and the ESN.

If your studies or research stay in Bielefeld is limited in time or you only want to book short-term accommodation for the first few weeks of your arrival, the following guest apartments are available for international academics on the campus of Bielefeld University:

• Boarding House Campus
• ZiF (Center for Interdisciplinary Research Guest Apartments)

Reservation requests and bookings for guest apartments in the ZiF are made via the host institution/AG and via the ZiF. The ZiF apartments are not available to employees of Bielefeld University.

Additionally, the following hotels, hostels and holiday apartments are available in Bielefeld:

• Hotels
• Jugendherberge
• Ferienwohnung
• Airbnb
• Immoscout (filter "befristet" and "zur Zwischenmiete")
• WG-Gesucht (filter "befristet" and "zur Zwischenmiete")

A housing association is a legal entity and usually owns several properties. They do not operate profit oriented. As a tenant, you become a member of the housing association, acquire shares, can voice your own ideas and help shape processes in various areas at meetings. Housing associations have waiting lists for apartments. Therefore, you should register as a person interested in renting at a housing association as soon as you arrive in Germany.

The following housing associations exist in Bielefeld:

• Freie Scholle
• BGW
• LEG
• GSWG Senne
• GBB Brackwede

• Accept the offer from the shared apartment/landlord as soon as possible.
• Arrange an appointment with the landlord and, if needed, the previous tenant to sign the tenancy agreement, receive the key, and obtain the landlord’s confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
• Pay the deposit and set up a monthly standing order from your account to pay the rent.
• Register electricity, gas, and internet with external suppliers (you can directly ask neighbours and/or previous tenants about possible suppliers).
• Register/change your new address at the registration office within 14 days after moving in.
• Inform all institutions about your new address (e.g., university, banks, insurance companies).
• Consider whether you need furniture or other household items and, if so, buy them.
• Ask friends and colleagues for help with the move.

In Bielefeld, in addition to traditional shops, there are also many opportunities to buy furniture and other household items second-hand and thus at a lower price:

• Recyclingbörse
• Brockensammlung Bethel
• Flea markets
• Kleinanzeigen (ehem. eBay Kleinanzeigen)

If you are buying a large piece of furniture, you can ask the seller if they can deliver it to you for a fee. If delivery isn’t available, renting a van is another option.

IKEA Bielefeld offers a wide selection of affordable furniture and household items. You can reach IKEA by taking bus line 44, which operates in a circular route. The line is accessible from the central hub at Brackwede Kirche station, which you can reach by train. When planning your journey on mobiel.de, search for the stop IKEA.

Tenancy law is very complicated. If you have any problems when or while renting an apartment, you can get legal advice. Possible examples of problems that may arise include:

• You do not receive a service charge statement (Nebenkostenabrechnung) or it is incorrect.
• Your rent increases.
• Your tenancy contract has been cancelled.
• Your deposit is not returned.
• You have mold in your apartment.

It is therefore important that you get legal advice and find out about your options:

• AStA Bielefeld (General Students’ Committee)
• Verbraucherzentrale (Consumer Advice Centre)
• Private lawyers for tenant law
• Mieterschutzbund / Mieterbund OWL (tenants' association); membership against a monthly fee gives you information and legal support.

• Private landlords and roommates in Bielefeld usually want to meet prospective tenants in person. Finding an apartment from abroad is often difficult or impossible; consider booking a hostel, hotel or holiday apartment for your first month.
• Meeting a landlord: be professional, polite, punctual and prepared (bring documents).
• WG-Casting (meeting possible future roommates): be yourself, friendly and laid-back; try not to oversell yourself, but appear reliable, responsible and tidy.
• Beware of online scams; never transfer money before you have seen or inspected the apartment.
• Consider liability insurance and/or household insurance; they cover damage to the flat and your belongings.
• Landlords care what you’re doing in Bielefeld and how you’ll finance the rent; include a brief self-introduction.
• If you have a tenancy agreement, pay rent on time; for defects, inform the landlord and allow repairs—don’t just withhold rent, or you risk termination.
• Most buildings have house rules (quiet hours, cleaning of common areas); read them early and ask your landlord or neighbours if unsure.
• Parties/barbecues may be fine depending on the neighbourhood; for larger, potentially noisy parties, notify neighbours in advance to avoid issues.

Signing up for the International Mentoring Programme will provide you with a student at Bielefeld University as a mentor, who may help you with the process of finding accommodation, picking up your keys, meeting your landlord, inspecting possible apartments, etc.

You may also always contact the International Office and the ISR for further help and information.

Most housing websites are in German; use a browser add-on to translate pages into English. For emails to landlords, consider writing in German with tools such as DeepL.

It may also be advisable to look for housing in the areas and cities around Bielefeld.

Living in student accommodation can also be an attractive option for students with children. At Wertherstraße 148, a hall of residence run by the Studierendenwerk, single parents with children are given priority.

If you are looking for a nursery, there are three nurseries run by the Studierendenwerk in the immediate vicinity of the university and the Studierendenwerk halls of residence.

Contact: Family Service.

Several student residences run by the Studierendenwerk Bielefeld have barrier-free flats or apartments.

If you would like to apply for a barrier-free place in a student residence, we recommend contacting the Studierendenwerk's housing and room agency in advance to clarify your personal needs and possible available options.

Halls of residence run by other providers and the general housing market also offer barrier-free housing options. If you already have a flat and need to make adjustments, you can contact the housing advice service at Bielefeld City Council for support.

Qualification and Scholarship Programmes
Scholarships and study funding programmes promoted by the International Office for qualified students.

Graduation Scholarship (Bielefeld University)
Financial support for students in the final phase of their studies at Bielefeld University.

DAAD Scholarships
Government-funded scholarships for international students, researchers and graduates to study or conduct research in Germany.

Deutschlandstipendium / Germany Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship providing €300 per month, awarded by German universities to high-performing students, including internationals.

Social Scholarship (University-based)
Financial support for students in social or economic hardship, offered directly by universities or student services.

University Society Scholarships
Scholarships funded by university support associations or alumni networks for enrolled students.

Protestant Student Community (ESG)
Local scholarships and emergency funds for students active in Protestant student communities.

Catholic Student Community (KHG)
Financial support and small scholarships for students involved in Catholic student communities.

Scholarships for Students with Refugee Background
Targeted funding programs for students with refugee status studying at German universities.

ViSiB Emergency Aid
Short-term financial assistance for international students in acute financial emergencies.

ViSiB Short-Term Scholarships
Temporary scholarships for international students facing unexpected financial difficulties.

Financial Support from Studierendenwerk
Emergency funds and social support programs offered by local student service organizations.

More information coming soon.

Unlike in party-based political systems, university governance in NRW is organised by institutional role, not by political party. Every member of the university belongs to one of four legally defined status groups:

• Professors (Hochschullehrerinnen)
• Academic Staff (Akademische Mitarbeiterinnen)
• Technical & Administrative Staff (Mitarbeiterinnen in Technik und Verwaltung)
• Students (Studierende)

Elections are held separately by group, and seats in governing bodies are allocated based on group membership. In purely academic matters (like exam regulations or degree programmes), professors are legally required to hold a majority. This structure shapes every governance decision at the university.

University governance operates through three types of structures:

Organs (Organe) are the legally established governing authorities with formal decision-making power. The main ones are: the Executive Board (Rektorat), the Rector (Rektorin), the University Council (Hochschulrat), the Senate (Senat), and the University Election Assembly (Hochschulwahlversammlung).

Collegial Bodies (Gremien) are multi-person groups that make or advise on decisions, for example the Senate, Faculty Councils (Fachbereichsräte), and the University Election Assembly. Some are also organs; others are sub-structures.

Committees (Ausschüsse) are sub-bodies created by a parent body for specific tasks. They may have delegated decision-making powers. Examples include the Budget Committee (Haushaltsausschuss) and Appointment Committees (Berufungskommissionen).

Advisory Commissions (Kommissionen) are usually advisory only. They prepare decisions but have no independent authority of their own.

The Executive Board (Rektorat) is the central executive authority of the university, comparable to the university's government. It manages all matters not explicitly assigned elsewhere by law. In practice, it is the strongest operational authority.

It consists of the Rector (Rektorin) as chair, the Chancellor (Kanzlerin), and one or more Vice-Rectors (Prorektorinnen).

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic development of the university
• Budget management and financial administration
• Structural and personnel decisions
• Implementing decisions of the Senate and University Council
• Legal oversight over faculties
• Annual accountability reporting

The Rector represents the university externally, exercises domiciliary authority, and oversees academic obligations. The Chancellor heads the administration and can raise a suspensive veto against financially problematic decisions.

How are they elected? The Rector and Chancellor are elected by the University Election Assembly (Hochschulwahlversammlung). Vice-Rectors are elected on the proposal of the Rector.

The Senate is the central academic self-governing body, comparable to an internal academic parliament. It represents all four status groups and is where major academic decisions are made or prepared.

Key responsibilities include:

• Adopting and amending the university constitution (Grundordnung)
• Issuing and amending regulations, e.g. exam regulations (Prüfungsordnungen)
• Issuing framework regulations for studies and exams
• Issuing statements on the Development Plan, Economic Plan, and budget distribution principles
• Approving planning principles and structural decisions
• Participating in the University Election Assembly (Hochschulwahlversammlung)

In key academic matters, professors are legally required to hold a majority within the Senate.

The University Council (Hochschulrat) is an external supervisory and advisory body. Unlike other university bodies, its members are predominantly external, coming from fields such as business, academia, and civil society.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advising the Executive Board on strategic matters
• Approving the university's Economic Plan (Wirtschaftsplan)
• Discharging the annual financial statements (Jahresabschluss)
• Participating in the election of the university's leadership

The University Council provides strategic oversight but does not manage the university operationally.

The University Election Assembly (Hochschulwahlversammlung) is a joint body made up of the members of the Senate and the University Council. It has one crucial function: electing and dismissing the Rector and the Chancellor.

This makes it one of the most powerful instruments in university governance, as it determines who leads the institution.

Faculties are the decentralised level of university governance, each responsible for a specific academic field.

Each faculty has two key organs:

• The Dean (Dekanin) leads the faculty and is responsible for teaching, personnel, and budget at the faculty level.
• The Faculty Council (Fakultätsrat) is the faculty's governing body. It decides on degree programmes, exam regulations, and internal faculty matters. Like the Senate, it is composed of all four status groups.

Every enrolled student automatically becomes part of the Student Body (Studierendenschaft). This is not just a symbolic membership. It is a legally recognised, financially autonomous, self-governing entity. The Student Body represents student interests both within the university and in society at large, promotes political education, and supports the social, cultural, and economic interests of students.

OmU (Original mit Untertiteln): Original version with German subtitles.

OV (Originalversion): Original version (no subtitles).

Arthouse Kinos Bielefeld

Arthouse Kinos Bielefeld operates two independent cinemas in Bielefeld: Kamera Cinema and Lichthaus Cinema. Both cinemas regularly show films in OmU (original with German subtitles) in various languages including English, French, Italian, and many others, making them ideal for students wanting to watch international films. Check the programme table to find current showings filtered by OmU.

Cinemaxx Bielefeld

Cinemaxx Bielefeld is a multiplex cinema with a variety of films. English-language films are shown here as well, but they're relatively rare (usually only a few per week). To find movies in English, go to "Alle Zeiten" (All Times) and filter by "Sprache Englisch" (Language English) in the filter options.