You may have many questions at the beginning of your studies. How do I get to the campus? How can I borrow literature? How can I pay on campus? The first answers to these questions have probably already arrived in the mail. Once you have enrolled, you will receive your student identity card. For a carefree campus life, make use of the other card-shaped helpers as well.

The student identity card

How do I get the card?

Your student identity card will be sent to your home by post along with your study documents before the semester begins.

Why do I need this card?

Your student ID confirms that you are enrolled at the University of Bremen during this semester. Your student ID shows, among other things, your faculty and your registration number. Some institutions and companies will grant you discounts when you are enrolled at the University of Bremen and present your student identity card. By showing your student ID, you can also take advantage of the cultural semester ticket (Kultursemesterticket) discounts. You will also need your student ID when you collect your library card and Mensacard. The student ID card also serves as a voting ID for the student council elections.

The semester ticket

How do I get the card?

The link to the Germany semester ticket (Deutschlandsemesterticket) will be emailed to your university account before the start of the new semester. You can access it on the RIDE Campus website, and then save the ticket in your digital wallet as a “pkpass” file or directly to your Google/ Apple Wallet. You can access and present your ticket while traveling using either the website or your digital wallet. Printouts of web/wallet tickets are not intended and are unlikely to be accepted. Chip cards are available for students who do not have a mobile device. These can be applied for on the AStA website.

Why do I need this card?

In conjunction with a photo ID, the Deutschlandsemesterticket allows you to use public transportation in Germany. This includes buses, underground trains, commuter trains, trams, and regional trains. It also includes a few individual ferry and cross-border connections, but it is advisable to verify these with the respective providers in advance. The Deutschlandsemesterticket does not include free bike transportation in any of the trains mentioned, nor does it provide access to long-distance transportation. Long-distance transportation includes FlixBuses and FlixTrains as well as ICE and IC/EC trains. Additionally, please take note that you are only allowed to sit in second class. The AStA (students’ union) provides further information about the ticket and current area of validity.

The library card

How do I get the card?

The library card must be applied for using an online form on the Bremen State and University Library (SuUB) website. You can collect the card in the Central Library on Universitäts-Boulevard, the Branch Library for Engineering and Social Sciences, the Branch Library for Economics and Nautical Sciences, or the Branch Library in Bremerhaven. The card is valid for 12 months but can be renewed. It is not possible to collect the card in other branch libraries. You will need your national identity card and student ID to collect your card.

Why do I need this card?

With the library card, you can borrow books from all SuUB locations. The central lending desk features self-service borrowing stations, where you can check out books independently. Simply insert your library card into the slot of the borrowing station and follow the instructions on the display. SuUB is currently changing its lending process; more information about this can be found on the SuUB website.

The Mensacard

How do I get the card?

You will need to collect your Mensacard in person. This can be done at the service points in either the university campus or Neustadtswall dining hall (Mensa) of the Studierendenwerk (student services organization) Bremen. To collect your card, you will need your national identity card and student ID, as well as five euros for the deposit and at least five euros for the initial balance. The Mensacard is a prepaid card. You can top up using cash or by EC card at the machines in the university’s dining halls (Mensa) and cafeteria. All top-up machine locations can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerk.

Why do I need this card?

The Mensacard allows you to make cashless payments at many places on campus. You can use it to pay at the Studierendenwerk’s dining facilities, at vending machines, the washing and drying machines in the residential complexes, and at the printers and photocopiers in the libraries of the SuUB.

Further information is available from the Studierendenwerk.