International students at LUBS

The University of Applied Sciences for Business and Society (HWG Ludwigshafen) offers an open and welcoming campus located in the heart of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region. Our campus combines a modern learning environment with a friendly atmosphere, making it the perfect place to study, connect, and grow.

The main campus is located close to the Rhine River and within walking distance of Ludwigshafen city center, offering easy access to stores, restaurants, and cultural attractions. You will find well-equipped lecture halls, modern seminar rooms, computer labs, and group study areas designed to support collaborative learning.

For students who enjoy relaxing between classes, the campus provides several green spaces and cozy seating areas. There is also a cafeteria ("Mensa") serving a variety of affordable meals, snacks, and drinks, as well as a café for a quick coffee break.

Discover HWG LU with our virtual reality tour. We invite you to immerse yourself in the virtual world of the University of Business and Society and get an overview.

How to get from Frankfurt Airport to Ludwigshafen:
The easiest and fastest way to travel from Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to Mannheim or Ludwigshafen is by long-distance train (ICE). The journey takes about 30 minutes.

• From Terminal 1, follow the signs for "Fernbahnhof / Long-Distance Trains".
• Do not follow the signs for "Regionalbahnhof / Regional Trains".

At the Fernbahnhof, you can take an ICE train directly to Mannheim Hauptbahnhof (Mannheim Main Station).

Ticket options:

• You can buy your ticket at the Deutsche Bahn ticket machines, at the Deutsche Bahn Reisezentrum (Travel Center) located at the station, via the DB website, or via the application DB Navigator.
• The price of an ICE train ticket from Frankfurt Airport to Mannheim generally ranges from 10€ to 30€. However, if you book well in advance, you may find one-way fares starting at about 7-10 €.
• Important: Make sure to book your ticket from "Frankfurt Flughafen" (Frankfurt Airport) and not from "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof" (Frankfurt Main Station).

From Mannheim Hauptbahnhof, you can easily continue to Ludwigshafen by local train or streetcar within a few minutes.

Way to the campus and train tickets:

If you live in Hemshof (northern city center) in Ludwigshafen, you usually take the rnv bus 80 (direction Mundenheim Bahnhof) to the stop "Ludwigshafen Hochschule". From there, it is only a one-minute walk to the campus.
For the way back, you take bus 80 in the opposite direction(BASF Süd) and get off at the stop closest to your home.

Please note: Due to ongoing construction work, changes on line 80 are expected to continue until February 2026.

• Students living in Prinzregentenstraße:
  Walk to the bus stop "Rhein-Galerie" and take bus 76 (direction Maudach) to "Ludwigshafen Hochschule".
  For the return trip, take bus 76 or 75 (direction Ludwigshafen Berliner Platz) back to "Rhein-Galerie", then walk to Prinzregentenstraße.
• Students living in Kanalstraße:
  Walk to the bus stop "Rohrlachstraße" and take either bus 80 (direction Mundenheim) or bus 75 (direction Rheingönheim Neubruch) to "Ludwigshafen Hochschule".
  For the way back, take bus 80 (direction BASF Süd) to "Marienkirche" and walk home from there.

Useful Apps

We strongly recommend using the following applications:

• DB Navigator - provides timetables and routes for public transport throughout Germany.
• myRNV - useful for local connections in Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, and the surrounding area.

We recommend purchasing the "Deutschlandticket". The Deutschlandticket is a monthly subscription for 58 € that allows unlimited travel on local and regional public transport throughout Germany.

What is included?

• All busesand streetcars (e.g. in Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Heidelberg).
• All S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains.
• Regional trains(RB, RE) in the whole country.
• It is valid across all federal states - you can use the same ticket in any German city.

What is not included?

• Long-distance trains such as ICE, IC, EC are not covered.
• Private long-distance bus companies (e.g. Flixbus) are not included.

How to buy it:

• Online in the DB Navigator App or on bahn.de.
• At a DB Travel Center (Reisezentrum), for example at Mannheim Main Station or Ludwigshafen Mitte/Berliner Platz.

Important to know:

• The ticket is usually a subscription (you pay monthly). You can cancel monthly if you do not need it anymore.
• It is a digital ticket available on your phone in the DB Navigator App or as a plastic card (depending on where you buy it).
• You must carry an official photo ID (passport, residence permit, or German ID card) together with your Deutschlandticket, as the ticket is personal and non-transferable.

Rental prices in Ludwigshafen and the surrounding areas vary depending on the size, facilities, and location. On average, you should expect to pay around €300-400 per month for a room in a shared flat.

• Additional costs for electricity, water, or heating (called Nebenkosten) may apply. Sometimes these are already included in the rent.
• Please note that many apartments or rooms are not furnished.

Useful Housing Platforms:

• Rooms in shared flats, studios, and apartments:
  • https://www.wg-gesucht.de/wg-zimmer-in-Ludwigshafen-am-Rhein.80.0.1.0.html
  • www.studenten-wg.de
  • www.wg-gesucht.de
  • en.wg-suche.de/find-apartment
  • https://www.immobilienscout24.de/Suche/de/rheinland-pfalz/ludwigshafen-am-rhein/wg-zimmer
  • https://www.the-fizz.com/studentenwohnheim/ludwigshafen/

• Studentenwerk Vorderpfalz - Student dormitories and housing support in Ludwigshafen and the region
  • https://stw-vp.de/de/wohnen/studentisches-wohnen/hei/

  • https://stw-vp.de/de/wohnen/zimmervermittlung/

• General platforms for housing in Germany:

  • www.immobilienscout24.de

• Further links:
  • https://lust-aufs-studium.hwg-lu.de/ueberzeuge-dich-selbst/wohnen-und-leben-in-lu-ein-ueberblick-was-ludwigshafen-so-lebens-und-liebenswert-macht
  • https://www.hwg-lu.de/international/auslaendische-studierende-an-der-hochschule/wohnen-in-ludwigshafen

Tips for finding accommodation:

• Start early: Housing is limited and demand is high, especially at the beginning of the semester.
• Deposit (deposit): Most landlords ask for a deposit of up to three months' rent. This will be returned when you move out, provided there are no damages.
• Furnished vs. unfurnished: Many flats are unfurnished. Check carefully if basic furniture (e.g. bed, wardrobe) is included.
• Rental contract: Always read the contract carefully before signing. Pay attention to the duration, cancellation period, and whether additional costs are included.
• Scams: Be cautious with offers that require you to transfer money before seeing the apartment.

Dates winter semester 2025/2026 (01.09.2025 - 28.02.2026)

Public holidays during the course period (according to the timetable) are:

• 03 October 2025 - German Unity Day
• 01 November 2025 - All Saints' Day
• 24-26 December 2025 - Christmas
• 31 December 2025 - 01 January 2026 - New Year's Eve / New Year

Dates summer semester 2026 (01.03.2026 - 31.08.2026)

Public holidays during the course period (according to the timetable) are:

• 03 April 2026 - Good Friday
• 06 April 2026 - Easter Monday
• 01 May 2026 - Labor Day
• 14 May 2026 - Ascension Day
• 25 May 2026 - Whit Monday
• 04 June 2026 - Corpus Christi

Semester fees:

For each semester, you are required to pay a semester fee in order to re-register for the following semester. The fee is usually around €150. Payment must be made within a specific time.

Further information can be found here.

Student Parliament (StuPa)

The Student Parliament (StuPa) is the highest decision-making body of the student body. It consists of representatives from all departments and defines the principles, goals, and budget of the student body.

The StuPa is responsible for:

• Electing the General Students' Committee (AStA)
• Monitoring the work of the AStA
• Electing an advisory member to the University Senate
• Delegating a member to the administrative board of the Studierendenwerk Vorderpfalz

In practice, the StuPa and AStA work closely together:

• The AStA implements the resolutions of the StuPa and carries out projects and campaigns.
• The StuPa monitors the AStA's work and can make adjustments if needed.

Together, StuPa and AStA represent the interests of students and work to improve student life at the university.

General Students' Committee (AStA):

The General Students' Committee (AStA) is the executive body of the student body. It is responsible for implementing decisions of the StuPa and for organizing student life on campus.

• The AStA is elected by the StuPa for one calendar year.
• It currently consists of a three-member board and up to ten representatives with specific areas of responsibility.
• Many additional students also contribute voluntarily in different departments.

Through this teamwork, the AStA offers a wide range of events, services, and support for students.

The AStA office is located in the basement of the A-building.

Find more information on both AStA and StuPa here.

HWG's location is ideal for exploring the region: the historic city of Speyer, the vibrant university town of Heidelberg, and the lively city of Mannheim are all just a short train ride away.

Affordable activities in Ludwigshafen am Rhein:

Ebertpark

A spacious city park with a rose garden, spring garden, mini golf, boules, playgrounds and a lovely park café. Ideal for relaxing in nature and picnicking, free of charge.

Peace Park

Central green space with a children's paradise, play and relaxation facilities - perfect for walks, free of charge.

Wilhelm Hack Museum

Modern art museum with works by Malevich, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Lichtenstein, Warhol - a cultural highlight. Discounted admission should be available on certain days/for certain groups (worth checking).

Maudacher Bruch

A diverse 523-hectare landscape conservation area with wet meadows, forests and historical finds - ideal for cycling or walking.

City walks & sights

Luther Fountain, Luther Church, City Museum - places of interest in the city center.

Rhine promenade with a beautiful view on Mannheim

A selection of museums in Ludwigshafen:https://ludwigshafen.de/leben/kultur/museen

Affordable activities in Mannheim:

Technoseum

Interactive technology museum - ideal for children and adults, with lots of hands-on activities and shows that demonstrate technology.

Mannheim Planetarium

Short, exciting shows - in English as well.

Luisenpark

Large city park with playground, petting zoo, aquariums, telecommunications tower and regular inexpensive or free activities (e.g. picnics on the Rhine meadows).

Water Tower & Mannheim Castle

Top destinations for a leisurely stroll through the squares and open spaces.

Herzogenriedpark & Neckarwiese

Perfect spots for relaxing, walking and picnicking by the water.

Other indoor activities for bad weather or action-packed experiences

Black light mini golf, laser tag, VR experiences, escape rooms, bowling, go-karting, indoor playgrounds.

Karlstern in Käfertaler Wald

A large playground, mini golf, wildlife enclosure, lake and free bird park.

A selection of museums in Mannheim:https://www.mannheim.de/de/kultur-erleben/museen-und-galerien

Explore the Rhine-Neckar region:

The location of Ludwigshafen is ideal for exploring the region:

• The historic city of Speyer
• The vibrant university town of Heidelberg
• The scenic Palatinate Forest - perfect for hiking and nature trips
• The Odenwald - a low mountain range with forests, castles, and hiking routes
• The famous German Wine Route (Deutsche Weinstraße) - well known for vineyards, wine festivals, and picturesque villages

All places can be reached easily by public transport.