Accommodation Services

New incoming students will be fully assisted with finding accommodations in Offenburg or Gengenbach. Depending on capacity, students will be placed in a student residence or in private housing. For students at the Gengenbach campus, there are no student residences available, so private housing will be arranged.

Student Residence

Accommodation services for the student residences are provided by the Studierendenwerk Freiburg, or SWFR. The SWFR is responsible for 247 bedrooms in three different locations in Offenburg. These residences differ in price ranging from € 189 to € 302, which usually includes all utilities.

Private Housing

In private accommodations you will have the opportunity to learn about German culture and lifestyle and to practice your German language skills. Such accommodation is provided in Offenburg/Gengenbach and close surroundings.

Rent prices for private accommodations typically range from € 300,00 to € 400,00, which may or may not include utilities. Also, there is normally an additional security deposit made at the beginning of your  stay. The accommodations vary in size. It may be a one room apartment, a flat with several rooms or a house with several rooms. All accommodations are fully furnished and include a bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and all the pillows, blankets and bed linens needed during your stay. Usually there is a washing machine, or you can use the machine of the landlady/landlord.

Buddy Program

In the context of the buddy program, incomings receive support from the senior students (buddies) during their first days in Gengenbach. Buddies maintain email contact before and after your arrival in Gengenbach, so that you can ask important questions in advance. Upon your arrival in Gengenbach, buddies pick you up at the train station and accompany you to your accommodation. They help you to with questions about studying, housing and living in Gengenbach. They will provide general assistance with enrollment, immigration office and opening a bank account.

Summer Language Course

Offenburg University offers a summer language course “German as a foreign language” one month before the start of the winter semester The course fee of EUR 380.00 includes instruction and excursions.

This intensive summer course offers both introductory and advanced classes in German language and culture. All classes are taught by experienced German teachers.

Based on an ini­tial place­ment test, stu­dents are di­vided into small level groups (beginner, intermediate and advanced) of about 12-16 participants. There are six 45-minute lessons per day, Mon­day through Fri­day. The course concludes with a final exam, and par­tic­i­pants re­ceive a cer­tifi­cate.

Orientation Events

At the beginning of the semester, several orientation events are held for international and exchange students, where they get to know the campus, professors and lecturers and fellow students, and have plenty of opportunities to clarify any remaining questions about their studies at Hochschule Offenburg.

For all new students, an Introduction Day is held the day before the beginning of classes, including a welcome address by the Rector. New Master's degree students also meet for several orientation days at a special retreat, often in the Black Forest or at Lake Constance.

You will be notified about all relevant orientation dates and locations before your arrival.

Cultural Program

Offenburg University encourages international students to immerse themselves in German daily life and culture. The International Center offers an eclectic cultural program, which includes excursions to local sights and attractions as well as farther trips to places in Germany, Switzerland and France.

If you wish to participate in any one of the following activities, be sure to observe the deadlines for those that require registration. Such events are on a first-come, first-served basis, so that students who do not register in time may have to be turned down.

Senior Service

The members of the Senior Service are local citizens interested in fostering intercultural understanding, and they work on a voluntary basis. Organized city tours and informal get-togethers give students the opportunity to discuss topics of everyday life in Germany and Offenburg. Students may also be invited into the Senior Service members' homes or attend cultural events with them. The Senior Service may sometimes be able to help you in locating internships or even in finding a job. And of course you'll also have the opportunity to practice your German language skills while participating in these activities.