Social Counselling for International Students at the HGB

We are here
for you.

For international students at the Leipzig Academy of Visual Arts (HGB), there is a special Social Counselling Service that answers questions ranging from orientation at the place of study to the topics of residence and financing.

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All opening hours of the social counselling

International students of the Leipzig Academy of Fine Arts (HGB) as well as prospective students of the HGB from abroad can take advantage of this special counselling service on social, personal and economic issues. Individual counselling is free of charge and takes place in a protected setting. It can be conducted in English, French or German. Anonymous counselling is also possible. Counselling with translation is possible on request.

Events of the Social Counselling

Events for international Students

What we advise on

Questions about the right of residence in Germany
Access to studies (orientation and referral counselling)
Communication with authorities, health insurance companies, landlords
Working while studying (types of jobs, e.g. mini-jobs, working students, self-employed; social security contributions and taxes; work permit)
Licence Fee (Rundfnkbeitrag ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio)
Orientation on changes in study status and effects on study financing (e.g. leave of absence, exmatriculation due to family requirements, chronic illness, transition from study to work)
Health insurance
Checking possible claims to social benefits (prerequisites, information on the application process, e.g. for housing benefit, child benefit, ALG II)
Counselling and orientation in difficult life situations (information on specific services offered by universities, municipal institutions and counselling centres in Leipzig, e.g. if you have doubts about your studies or are planning to drop out)
Counselling on financial aid from the Hardship Fund of the Studentenwerk Leipzig (to bridge a financial emergency)
Advice on studying with a child (e.g. financing, organising studies, finding a day care centre)
Advice on studying with a diseases or chronic illness (e.g. financing, organising studies, compensation for disadvantages)

Contact

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

Book an individual counseling appointment

Personal office hours on site

Thursday
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

E-mail Distribution List for International Students

You don’t want to miss any news and events of the Studentenwerk Leipzig for international students? Then you can subscribe to our e-mail distribution list. To do so, please send an e-mail to sozialberatung@studentenwerk-leipzig.de. You can unsubscribe at any time by sending a short e-mail to the same address.

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Question and Answers

Do I have to register at the City of Leipzig at the beginning of my studies?

You can find all the important information about this on the official page for the City of Leipzig.
Do I need health insurance?

According to German law, all students, including international students, studying at a university in Germany need statutory or private health insurance. In order to register at a university in Leipzig, you need your health insurance certificate and must present it for enrolment. Sufficient insurance cover is very important so that you do not have to bear the costs yourself in the event of, for example, a necessary operation, required psychotherapy or the birth of a baby in hospital. This can be very expensive. Therefore, inform yourself very well about what your chosen health insurance company will cover and do not immediately take out the cheapest health insurance.
Where can I find support in case of study difficulties, personal conflict situations or psychological stress?

The Psychosocial Counselling Service of the Studentenwerk Leipzig offers support. The offer is confidential, free of charge and is adapted to their individual needs.
What is the difference between Social Counselling and Psychosocial Counselling?

In general, it can be said that Psychosocial Counselling deals with issues around coping with stress and difficult situations in studies and everyday life, while Social Counselling deals with issues around financing options, studying with a residence permit, studying with a child, studying with a chronic disease, etc.
In principle, there are many concerns that are relevant to both Social Counselling and Psychosocial Counselling. For example, the question of whether a semester of leave due to illness or heavy stress makes sense includes not only the aspect of how to use the time to feel better and ready to study again ( Psychosocial Counselling), but often also the question of financing during this time ( Social Counselling). For this reason, Psychosocial Counselling and Social Counselling work closely together on many issues – provided the consent of the student concerned.
If you are unsure which of the two counselling services you should visit (first), you are welcome to send us an email to sozialberatung@studentenwerk-leipzig.de and ask for an assessment.
You can also have a look at our video below.

Franziska Hülß introduces herself and her counselling service

To the video