Contact
International Office Support
Departmental Advisor
Navigating Hard Times During Your Studies / Support for Students in Crisis Situations
Global events, political unrest in your home country, natural disasters, or sudden personal emergencies can deeply impact your well-being and your ability to study. The University of Ulm stands in solidarity with students facing these extreme challenges.
What kind of crisis are you facing?
1. Academic & Study-Related Issues
Current Notices
1. Academic & Study-Related Issues
If your academic progress is affected by a difficult situation, there are ways to adjust deadlines, exam requirements, or your study plan. The university offers several support options to help you continue your studies under challenging circumstances.
Leave of Absence (Beurlaubung)
You can apply for a leave of absence for an important reason (e.g. severe personal or family crisis). During a leave of absence you retain your student status but are not required to sit exams.
Applications must be submitted to the Studiensekretariat (Student Administration) before the semester deadline.
Exam & Thesis Extensions (Fristverlängerung / Nachteilausgleich)
If you cannot meet deadlines due to acute psychological distress or external circumstances, contact your Prüfungsausschuss (Examination Board) or Studienfachberatung as soon as possible.
Deadline extensions and hardship regulations (Nachteilsausgleich) exist precisely for situations like these.
Central Student Advisory Service - Uni Ulm
The Central Student Advisory Service offers support for all those seeking advice on site, by telephone, video conference (Zoom) or email. Our services are aimed at pupils, students and other people seeking advice, who can contact us at any time.
Academic Advisory Service - Uni Ulm
The academic advising service assists with subject-specific questions related to the field of study (structure and content) and is responsible for inquiries with a primarily discipline-related focus. It provides advice on the feasibility of the study program, the selection of elective modules, or the specific features of the degree program (internships, mobility modules abroad, etc.).
Please arrange an individual consultation appointment via email or telephone.
2. Psychological distress / Crisis in Home Country
If you are experiencing emotional distress or are affected by a personal or global crisis, support is available. These situations can impact both your wellbeing and your studies, so it is important to seek help early.
Psychosocial Counseling Center (PBS) - Studierendenwerk Ulm
The PBS offers psychological counseling for students in difficult life situations.
Consultations are confidential and available in German and English. No referral needed.
External support (Ulm & Germany)
Additional help is available outside the university, especially if you need support beyond campus services or outside office hours.
3. Financial Support
If you are facing financial problems during your studies, there are the following support options available.
Tuition Fee Exemption (Härtefallantrag)
International students paying the €1,500 Baden-Württemberg tuition fee can apply for an exemption in cases of sudden, severe financial hardship (Erlass wegen besonderer Härte).
This is processed by Dezernat I (Central Administration).
4. Visa & Residence Permit / Living in Ulm
Important
If your student status changes in any way, you are responsible for informing the local authorities. Please note that changing your study programme and/or study plans (for example, taking a leave of absence from the university) can have an adverse effect on your residence permit. Moreover, your residence permit for studying loses its validity as soon as you exmatriculate from the university.
Visa & Residence Permit Information
Full guidance on residence permit requirements for students, including what to do when circumstances change unexpectedly. The IO can provide supporting documentation.
Ausländerbehörde - City of Ulm
Registrations office / foreigners registration office - Universität Ulm
Housing, Insurance, Banking, Daily Life
Further Information
Menschlichkeit Ulm e.V. is a registered non-profit, charitable, and non-partisan association based in Ulm. The organization brings together motivated and proactive individuals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to putting humanity into practice in tangible ways.
Menschlichkeit Ulm e.V. provides various forms of support to refugees from Ukraine.