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For First-Year Students

Welcome to the University of Mannheim! On this website, you will find everything you need to know and prepare for the start of your studies: Orientation events, funding options, student ID card, finding your way around campus and much more.

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Everything You Need to Know about Enrolling

From applying for enrolling—we explain step by step how to get started with your studies and what you need to bear in mind.

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Credit: Anna Logue
Orientation Events

At the orientation event of your school, that will take place before the lecture period starts, you will learn more about studying at the University of Mannheim.

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Credit: Anna Logue
International Students

You are an international student at the University of Mannheim and you have questions? The International Office team supports all international students.

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Studying under Special Circumstances

Support for students with children, students caring for a relative, students with a chronic illness or disability.

Checklist for first-year students

All information on the individual programs, program-specific orientation events, contacts and important documents, such as the examination regulations are available on the websites for first-year students of the individual schools.

  • After admission: first steps

    • Submit enrollment forms
      By enrolling you are accepting your study place at the university and you will receive a student ID number. Read more on our “Enrollment” website.
    • Read the information on your program
      There are important documents, such as the examination regulations and the module catalog, for your program which you need to read to plan your degree. For more information, please see the informations for first-year students of the schools and the student portal.
    • Mark your calendar for the orientation events
      In the first few days of your studies, the university organizes various orientation events to help you find your feet at the start of the first semester. Usually, these events take place in the week before the lecture period begins.
    • Check lecture and semester dates
      The fall/winter semester begins on August 1, with lectures starting at the beginning of September. The spring/summer semester begins on February 1, with lectures starting in mid-February. You can find an overview on the Lecture and semester dates page.

  • Getting Started: Living in Mannheim

    • Financing
      Financial support through BAföG, scholarships or jobs for students – there are a number of options when it comes to financing your studies. To find the right financing option for you, you should look into the various options early on and learn about requirements and deadlines.
    • Find a place to stay
      The Studierendenwerk Mannheim manages around 3,000 rooms in 17 residence halls that are spread out over the entire city. Tip: You do not have to be enrolled to apply for a spot at a residence hall – it pays to be quick! Find out more about the different neighborhoods of Mannheim and their characteristics.
    • Get to know the public transport
      With the JugendticketBW, the Deutschlandticket or the VRN Nextbike you can use public transport. VRN-Website (only in German)
    • Find your way around campus
      Get to know the university and its facilities. For example, on our campus tour (online) or a tour of our libraries (online).

  • Getting Started: Setting up the IT infrastructure

    • Apply for and activate your ecUM
      The ecUM, short for electronic card University of Mannheim, is your student ID, your library ID and cashless payment method all in one. As soon as have been enrolled, the card will be created and sent via mail to your German address. Please activate your ecUM to use it in the University Library.
    • Setting up your Uni-ID and password
      You will need your Uni-IDUni-ID for your e-mail account, the library and for accessing the information portal Portal² and the e-learning platform ILIAS.
    • Set up the client for access to the university network on your computer
      On campus, you can use the Uni-ID to connect to eduroam, the university’s wireless access. In order to access the university network from your home, you need to install the VPN client.
    • Set up Office 365 for students
      Students have two options for using Office 365.  You can use a free online version under the Microsoft 365 agreement for students or an installed version for which you have to pay an annual fee of EUR 3.99 (Install Office 365)
    • Further assistance
      Please contact the University IT if you have any questions on the IT Services for Students.

  • Starting your studies: Our orientation week

    • Go to orientation events
      Orientation events help you find your way around the university and campus life. They also are a good opportunity to get in touch with people.
    • Go to the orientation week
      At the orientation week for first-year students (Erstiwoche) , organized by AStA, students get to know each other in an informal way through joint activities.
    • Set up your course schedule and register for courses
      Take a look at the course catalog and select your courses for the first semester. You can register for your courses on the student portal Portal². The orientation events will provide some guidance for setting up your course schedule. Also, the departmental student committees can help.
    • Register for tours and introductory courses offered by the University Library 
      The University Library offers a variety of tours, courses and learning videos for subject-specific research competencies.
    • Register for sports courses
      The Institute of Sports offers a wide range of sports courses. Most of the courses are free of charge.
    • Register for language courses, computer courses
      Studium Generale offers a wide range of extracurricular classes: language classes, IT classes, communication or presentation classes.
    • Get involved and meet new people
      Members of a departmental student committee or student organization are actively shaping life at university. They meet at regular intervals to organize events and presentations.

  • Study successfully: Passing examinations

    • Stay up-to-date
      The university informs students about any news relevant to their studies. Please check your e-mails regularly. For current information, please refer to the website of the University of Mannheim and the newsletters on our programs.
    • Read the exam regulations
      There is an examination regulation for each program, which outline the coursework and examinations to be completed by students. This document also contains information on examination deadlines, circumstances in which an examination can be re-taken, the number of ECTS credits required to start the final thesis, and the exact degree awarded.
    • Gather information about exam registrations
      You need to register for exams during the semester. The requirements and conditions for registration, withdrawal, late registration, change in registration are different for every program. Exam registration is done via Portal².
    • Learning and study techniques
      Learning and study techniques help you to master your studies successfully. In addition to a wide-ranging course program, students can also receive individual support in one-on-one sessions.
    • Studying the Healthy Way
      We want to encourage you to take care of yourself during your studies. If you ever feel tired or run out of steam, we are here for you with our support and counseling services.
Icon: laptop with doctoral cap on screen

To help you study successfully at the University of Mannheim, we recommend that you use a laptop.
If you are unable to purchase your own laptop, you can also borrow mobile devices from the university.

ecUM
The student ID card of the University of Mannheim
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Map of the campus
Help for finding the right room
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The ABCs of studying
University terms you need to know
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Financing
More about scholarships, BAföG, etc.
Eating and drinking
Mensa, cafés, etc. at the University of Mannheim
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Who is responsible for what
The central institutions of the university
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Credit: Studio Garage
Studying the Healthy Way

We would like to encourage you to take good care of yourself while pursuing your degree. If you ever feel your strength and energy waning, we are here for you with our support and counseling services.

Vier Studentinnen und ein Student sitzen gemeinsam an einem Tisch. Sie unterhalten sich. Vor ihnen liegen Getränke, Karteikarten, Notizblöcke und ein Laptop.
Credit: Anna Logue
Student Organizations and Committees

The student representatives (AStA or departmental student committees) or the more than 50 student organizations offer the possibility for commitment alongside your studies. Be a part of it!

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