The open telephone consultation hours are cancelled on 19 March and 2 April. The open office hours in the StuFaz are cancelled on 21 March. 

Social Counselling

The Social Counselling Service is to go for students who have questions concerning their studies, money, family. We offer individual counselling services free of charge and, if wanted, anonymous. Our counselors are bound to medical confidentiality.

Social Counselling of the Studentenwerk Leipzig

Studying places high demands on students, everyday student life might turn out to be a big challenge. You are not alone during difficult times in your life; Studentenwerk offers you free help and support.

Our Advisory Competence

We are your competent contact persons, if you have questions concerning the following issues:

You can approach us with other problems as well. Whether you think about commencing to study or already graduate and prepare for professional life – we answer your questions individually and can refer you to the proper authorities and persons.

Our counselling guidelines

  • We listen to you and your concerns.
  • We develop approaches to solving problems and perspectives together with you.
  • We inform you about social law claims and other offers of assistance.
  • We establish contacts for you to other counselling offices, assistance services, and authorities in charge, if necessary.
  • We want to encourage you to act as experts in your own interest.
  • Telephone Consultation without Appointment

    Open counselling is offered by telephone without an appointment. A conversation lasts about 20 minutes and allows you to get in touch with us quickly.

    • Tuesdays 9.00 to 11.00 a.m.
      • +49 1761 9659 674
  • Individual Counselling with Appointment

    For individual counselling, a personal appointment has to be booked in advance, which usually lasts around 50 minutes. Consultations can be held in English or German. You can book an appointment with our social counsellors using the online booking calendar with our social counsellors.

    Our Social counsellors have different areas of specialisation. You can consider this when booking an appointment. However, all counsellors will be happy to support you with your initial enquiry, regardless of their focus.

  • Office hours on-site without an appointment

    A brief consultation during the open office hours on-site lasts a maximum of 20 minutes and is intended to provide an initial overview of your concerns. Following the brief initial discussion, further consultation appointments can be scheduled.

    • Thursdays from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.
    • Student Family Center (StuFaz), Nürnberger Str. 42
    • Please note that there is no barrier-free access to StuFaz. A designated stroller parking area is available on-site. If necessary, please contact us via email, and we will arrange an appointment at another accessible counseling location.
  • Information Events

    Besides studying, there are other issues that occur in everyday life. There are various ways for students to finance their studies, one of the most common being taking a job. Also, when a child is born, this influences study planning or financing. Previous (financing-) plans have to be rethought. Likewise, studying can bring further challenges if a chronic illness or disability plays a role in daily life.

    That is why we offer regular information events on these topics. You can find an overview of the contents and dates in the overview of our events.

    If you are interested, please register using our online appointment tool.

  • Financial support for students
    • Hardship funds for students
      • Students suffering from an acute or temporary financial emergency through no fault of their own have, as a rule, the opportunity to apply for financial aid once during their studies. The financial support can be applied for as a interest-free loan without guarantee or as a grant.
    • Mensa children’s card and children’s plate
      • Studentenwerk Leipzig support students with children by means of the Mensa children’s card. This card entitles children of students of Leipzig’s universities, starting from the 1st birthday until they reach the age of 10, to receive one free warm meal per day and per child at the student restaurants run by Studentenwerk Leipzig.
    • Participation in cultural or sporting events
      • KulturLeben Leipzig & Region has been enabling people with particularly low incomes to participate in the cultural life in Leipzig and the surrounding area free of charge. The Social Counselling Service is social partner of the project and provides support for the application.
    • “Freitisch” voucher
      • Students facing a financial hardship they are not responsible for can apply for a “Freitisch” voucher at the Social Counselling service. This voucher is added to the current student card or Mensa card. With the help of the voucher meals and beverages can be purchased in the Studentenwerk’s Mensas and Cafeterias.​​​​
  • Your Feedback

    You had a consultation appointment with us? We would be pleased to receive your feedback on our counselling. Please fill out our short online questionnaire (maximum duration 2-3 minutes). Only with your feedback is it possible for us to further develop our services and, if necessary, adapt them to your needs. Thank you very much!

Our Team

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Aike Dägling

Social Counsellor & Contact Person for Students with disabilities/chronic illnesses

Mobile: +49 1761 9659 669

Write an email

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Jenny Wehling

Social Counsellor & Contact Person for students with child(ren)

Mobile: +49 1761 9659 674

Write an email

Jana Kuppardt

Head of Department & Contact for International Students

Phone: +49 1761 9659 673

Write an email

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Franziska Hülß

Social Counsellor for International Students at the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB)

Room 3.03
Wächterstraße 11
04107 Leipzig

Write an email

Personal office hours on site

Thursday
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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Annett Engelmann

Social Counsellor & Contact Person for Students with Children

Phone: +49 1761 9659 674

Write an email

Where to find us

Studentisches Familienzentrum (StuFaz)

Nürnberger Str. 42
04103 Leipzig

Personal office hours on site

Thursday
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Social Counselling at Studierenden Service Zentrum

Goethestraße 3-5
04109 Leipzig

Center for Social Services

Gutenbergplatz 4
04103 Leipzig

  • What do I have to keep in mind when taking a job?

    So many things, so this question cannot be answered here in an all-encompassing way. What you need to consider depends, for example, on your health insurance status, the contractual arrangement of the job(s) and your other student financing. Please contact us at the Social Counselling Office for advice.

    If you are looking for a student job, use our Student job office.

  • How do I find a disabled-friendly apartment?

    Studentenwerk offers various options of disabled-friendly housing; we have also assistant rooms for rent. If you are interested, please visit the disabled-friendly housing page or contact Aike Dägeling, one of or Counsellors, at sozialberatung@studentenwerk-leipzig.de.

  • I am planning a leave of absence – what should I keep in mind?

    As there are many things to be taken into account we recommend an individual consultation to find answers to all of your questions. For example, BAföG is not paid during a leave of absence, child benefit is only paid in exceptional cases, and there are many other things you should know.

  • What do I have to consider when I want to work self-employed alongside my studies?

    Many students work alongside their studies. Usually students want to earn some money with an activity that is compatible with studying. But pay attention: Interesting student jobs are often offered as activity of an independent character, e.g. honorary jobs, and there is a lot to consider here. In the information sheet you will find the most important general information on the topic without claiming it to be complete. If you have any further questions, you are welcome to make an appointment with our social counselling service for a personal consultation.

  • What is the difference between psychosocial counselling and social counselling?

    In general, you can say that psychosocial counselling deals with issues concerning the handling of stress and difficult situations in studies and everyday life, while social counselling deals with issues of financing optionsstudying with childrenstudying with chronic diseases etc.

    Many issues are in general relevant to social counselling and psychosocial counselling. The question, for instance, whether a leave of absence is reasonable due to a disease or great stress, does not only involve the aspect of how to benefit from that time to feel better and be able to study again (psychosocial counselling), but often also the problem of how to finance this period (social counselling). That is why psychosocial counselling and social counselling collaborate closely in many aspects – provided the respective student gives his or her consent.

    If you are not sure which of the two counselling services to contact (first), you can describe your problem and ask for our evaluation in an e-mail.