International students at the university

International students from non-EU/EEA countries (third countries) require a visa and proof of sufficient financial means. You can find a list of countries requiring a visa here.

The visa procedure can take several months - we therefore recommend that you apply for your visa in good time. You can usually make an appointment to apply for a visa before you receive your letter of admission. However, remember to bring your letter of admission with you to the appointment. Please contact the German Embassy in your home country as early as possible to find out what documents you need for your visa application, how much financial proof you need and what financing options are available for your studies in Germany.

Further information including step-by-step instructions on the student visa and proof of financial means can be found on the pages of MyGermanUniversity and "Studying in Germany". (The operators of the linked pages are solely responsible for their content).

Health insurance is compulsory for students in Germany. All international students who wish to study full-time at a German university must provide proof of valid health insurance.

Statutory health insurance (GKV)

Students under the age of 30 can generally join the statutory health insurance for students (Krankenversicherung der Studierenden - KVdS). This is offered by various health insurance companies (e.g. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Barmer, AOK, DAK, IKK, etc.). The monthly contribution is currently at least 140 euros, including long-term care insurance.

Statutory health insurance includes the following benefits, among others:

• Medical treatment and preventive medical check-ups
• Hospitalization
• Medication and vaccinations

You can find a complete overview of all statutory health insurance companies in Germany on the website of the GKV-Spitzenverband.

Please note: For part-time or part-time degree courses, different regulations may apply and student health insurance may not be available. Please contact your health insurance provider directly for more information.

Private or voluntary health insurance

After reaching the age of 30, the option of student health insurance ends. Students can then either voluntarily remain in the statutory health insurance scheme (under certain regulations) or take out private insurance. Please contact the health insurance companies directly for more information.

Information for specific student groups

Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland

Students who have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can use it in Germany.
Please submit your EHIC to a German health insurance company for verification. They will then confirm your insurance cover to the university electronically (M10).
However, the validity depends on the scope of benefits provided by your home insurance.

Students from non-EU countries

As a rule, students from non-EU countries must provide proof of German health insurance from the first day of their stay in Germany.
It is strongly recommended that you take out insurance before entering Germany in order to ensure complete coverage.

Important information

• Enrollment is not possible without valid proof of health insurance. Further information can be found here: https://www.hwg-lu.de/krankenversicherung
• Existing health insurance is a prerequisite for obtaining or extending a residence permit.
• Student insurance ends upon Degree or discontinuation of studies; please take care of follow-up insurance in good time.
• Contribution rates and additional contributions may change. Please contact the respective health insurance company to find out about the current conditions.

Advice and support

If you have any questions about health insurance, please contact Christina Paul (see contact details on the right) or the health insurance companies' advice centers directly. Many health insurance companies offer advice and information material in English and other languages.

Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG Ludwigshafen) offers an open and welcoming campus in the heart of the metropolitan area Rhine-Neckar. Our campus combines a modern learning environment with a friendly atmosphere - the ideal place to learn, socialize and grow.

The main campus is located close to the Rhine and just a few minutes' walk from Ludwigshafen city center. This means that stores, restaurants and cultural sights are easily accessible. On campus you will find well-equipped lecture halls, modern seminar rooms, computer rooms and group work areas that support collaborative learning.

For students who want to relax between lectures, the campus offers several green areas and comfortable seating. There is also a cafeteria ("Mensa") with a selection of inexpensive meals, snacks and drinks as well as a café for a short coffee break in between.

Discover HWG Ludwigshafen with our virtual 360° tour. Immerse yourself in the virtual world of the University of Business and Society and gain a first impression of our campus.

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

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

At the long-distance station you can take an ICE train directly to Mannheim main station.

Ticket options:

• Tickets are available from Deutsche Bahn ticket machines, at the DB Travel Center at the station, on the DB website or in theDB Navigatorapp .
• The price for an ICE ticket from Frankfurt Airport to Mannheim is usually between €10 and €30. If you book early, you can find one-way tickets from as little as €7-10.
• Important: Be sure to book your ticket from "Frankfurt Flughafen" (Frankfurt Airport) - not from "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof" (Frankfurt Main Station).

From Mannheim main station, you can take the regional train or streetcar to Ludwigshafen in just a few minutes.

How to get to the campus and tickets:
If you live in the Hemshof district (north of the city center), usually take the rnv bus 80 (direction Mundenheim Bahnhof) to the "Ludwigshafen Hochschule" stop. From there it is only about a minute's walk to the campus.

For the return journey, 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 to route 80 are expected until February 2026.

• Students who live in Prinzregentenstraße:
  Go to the bus stop "Rhein-Galerie" and take bus 76 (direction Maudach) to "Ludwigshafen Hochschule".
  For the return journey, take bus 76 or 75 (direction Ludwigshafen Berliner Platz) back to "Rhein-Galerie" and then go to Prinzregentenstraße.
• Students who live in Kanalstraße:
  Go 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 recommend the following apps in particular:

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

We recommend purchasing the so-called "Deutschlandticket". This is a monthly subscription for €63 that gives you unlimited use of local and regional public transport throughout Germany.

What is included?

• All buses and streetcars (e.g. in Ludwigshafen, Mannheim, Heidelberg)
• All S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains
• All regional trains (RB, RE) in Germany
• Valid in all federal states - you can use the same ticket in any German city

What is not included?

• Long-distance trains such as ICE, IC or EC
• Private long-distance buses (e.g. Flixbus)

How to buy the ticket:

• Online in the DB Navigator app or at bahn.de
• At a DB Travel Center, e.g. at Mannheim main station or in Ludwigshafen Mitte / Berliner Platz

Important information:

• The ticket is usually a subscription that must be paid for monthly. You can cancel it monthly if you no longer need it.
• It is a digital ticket that is displayed on your smartphone in the DB Navigator app or - depending on the provider - is available as a plastic card.
• You must have an official photo ID (e.g. passport, residence permit or German ID card) with you, as the ticket is personal and non-transferable.

Summer semester 2026 (01.03.2026 - 31.08.2026)

Public holidays during the period of the courses according to the timetable

• 03.04.2026 (Good Friday)
• 06.04.2026 (Easter Monday)
• 01.05.2026 (Labor Day)
• 14.05.2026 (Ascension Day)
• 25.05.2026 (Whit Monday)
• 04.06.2026 (Corpus Christi)

Dates winter semester 26/27 (01.09.2026 - 28.02.2027)

Public holidays during the period of the courses according to the timetable

• 03.10.2026 (Unification Day)
• 01.11.2026 (All Saints' Day)
• 24-26/12/2026 (Christmas)
• 31.12.2026 - 01.01.2027 (New Year's Eve/New Year)

Semester fee:

A semester fee must be paid for each semester (approx. €150) in order to re-register for the next semester. Payment must be made by the specified deadline.
Further information can be found here.

Student Parliament (StuPa):
The Student Parliament is the highest decision-making body of the student body. It is made up of representatives from all Departments and determines the principles, goals and budget of the student body.

Tasks of the StuPa:

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

In practice, StuPa and AStA work closely together:

• The AStA implements the resolutions of the StuPa and organizes projects and campaigns.
• The StuPa monitors the work of the AStA and can make adjustments if necessary.

Together, StuPa and AStA represent the interests of students and are committed to improving student life at the university.

General Students' Committee (AStA):
The AStA is the executive body of the student body. It is responsible for implementing StuPa resolutions and 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 officers with specific areas of responsibility.
• Many other students volunteer in the various departments.

Thanks to 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.
Further information on the AStA and StuPa can be found on the university website.

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

Inexpensive leisure activities in Ludwigshafen am Rhein:

• Ebertpark: large city park with rose garden, spring garden, mini golf, boules courts, playgrounds and park café - ideal for relaxing and picnicking, free of charge.
• Friedenspark: Central green area with play and recreation facilities, free of charge.
• Wilhelm-Hack-Museum: Museum of modern art with works by Malevich, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Lichtenstein and Warhol - a cultural highlight (reduced admission possible on certain days).
• Maudacher Bruch: 523-hectare nature reserve with wet meadows, forests and historical finds - ideal for cycling and walking.
• City center & sights: Luther Fountain, Luther Church, City Museum, Rhine embankment promenade with views of Mannheim.
  → Museums in Ludwigshafen

Inexpensive leisure activities in Mannheim:

• Technoseum: Interactive technology museum - ideal for young and old with experiments and shows.
• Mannheim Planetarium: Short, exciting shows - also in English.
• Luisenpark: Large city park with playgrounds, animal enclosures, aquariums, TV tower and many free activities.
• Water Tower & Mannheim Palace: Popular destinations for walks through the city center.
• Herzogenriedpark & Neckarwiese: Perfect for relaxing and picnicking by the water.
• Other indoor activities: black light mini golf, laser tag, virtual reality experiences, escape rooms, bowling, go-kart track, indoor playgrounds.
• Karlstern in Käfertal Forest: large playground with mini golf, wildlife enclosure, lake and free bird park.
  → Museums in Mannheim

Discover the Rhine-Neckar region:
Ludwigshafen's location is ideal for exploring the surrounding area:

• The historic city of Speyer
• The lively university city of Heidelberg
• The Palatinate Forest - perfect for hiking and nature excursions
• The Odenwald - with forests, castles and hiking trails
• The German Wine Route - known for its vineyards, wine festivals and idyllic villages

All places are easily accessible by public transport.