Central Student Advisory Service

If you would like to study but are unsure about the direction to take, uncertain about which study program suits you, and find it challenging to decide given the vast array of subjects, there are various options that can help you. You can either make use of counseling formats where you engage in direct conversations with study and career advisors, and/or you can use online tools designed to assist you in navigating through the jungle of study offerings to find the right path for you.

BEST Seminars

The statewide BEST training is aimed at providing optimal support for personal study and career choices. The decision-making training is designed for students of general and vocational high schools.

During the two-day BEST seminars offered throughout Baden-Württemberg, specifically trained teachers, study, and career advisors work with participants on methods for career and study choices. More information can be found at bw-best.de.

Workshops for Study Orientation

As part of events for prospective students, we regularly organize workshops for study orientation. If you are interested, simply check hs-aalen.de/events to find out when the next study information days or campus days are taking place, or send us an inquiry via email to studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.

Individual Counseling

We are happy to provide you with individual advice and support you in finding a path that suits you. Simply book a counseling appointment through our Appointment booking tool.

Utilizing Online Tools

Online, there are various ways to gather information about study programs and their contents, as well as to assess which educational path aligns with your preferences. Online tools include orientation tests, the aim of which is to provide you with ideas about apprenticeships or study programs that could match your preferences and interests.

• Information about courses of study throughout Germany can be found at hochschulkompass.de.
• An orientation test, designed to help filter out study programs that match your abilities and interests, is available on was-studiere-ich.de.
• With Check-U, the employment agency offers an exploration tool for training and studies based on a two-hour personality test, at the end of which six suitable training paths or study programs are suggested. More information can be found here.
• Short, informative study orientation videos (1min30) for 61 study programs can be found here.
• Information and sample tasks from 49 different study programs in Baden-Württemberg can be found here.
• Currently, all universities and colleges are building so-called OSA platforms to help you self-assess if a study program truly aligns with you and your interests. Therefore, it's worth doing a simple internet search to find out if there are already OSA pages for the study programs that interest you.

Would you like to know what you can study at Aalen University?

A first overview of our study offerings can be found here.

Information about the Application Process

Are you considering applying? Wonderful, we look forward to it!

More information about the application process at Aalen University and the necessary requirements can be foundhere.

If you have further questions, it's best to reach out directly to the Department for Student Services.

If you already know what you want to study but need more information, you're in the right place with the academic advisors of the individual study programs! You can find their contact details on the pages of the respective study programs under "Contact."

General Study Counseling

We, at the Central Student Advisory Service, support you with all general concerns regarding the choice of studies and university life.

Are you unsure if university is the right path? Are you contemplating which study program suits you? Are you wondering how to finance your studies? While the internet provides a wealth of information on these and similar questions, the study counseling service adds significant value:

• You're not alone! Together, we can discuss your individual questions.
• You gain an overview! We can compare study offerings, discuss financing options, and provide you with essential additional information.
• You see new perspectives! We can weigh your decision together and talk about your instincts.

Counseling is available online (via email, chat, or Zoom) or in person at the university.

To schedule a counseling appointment with us, it's best to use our Appointment booking tool or send us an email at  studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.

Together, we can find a solution that suits you!

For many students and prospective students, the question arises: How can I finance my studies? Can I take advantage of government funding? Do I have a chance at a scholarship? And how and where can I apply for it?

You can find initial information below. For further questions, we are happy to assist you with individual guidance! You can schedule an advisory appointment with us at any time through our Appointment booking tool.

Student Financing with BAföG 

The government's student financing program, BAföG, is designed to help young people finance their education that corresponds to their abilities and inclinations. Students receive BAföG when their own financial means, as well as those of their parents or spouse/partner, are not sufficient. Student BAföG is usually granted as half grant (= gift) and half interest-free loan. The total maximum amount to be repaid from the loan is 10,010€.

If all the requirements of the Bundesausbildungsfördergesetz (BAföG) are met, students have a legal entitlement to receive BAföG payments. The amount of support depends on individual circumstances.

Online Tools for BAföG Requirements and Calculation

You can determine if you are eligible for BAföG, for example, using the website of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. There, you can find all the necessary requirements, links to (non-binding) BAföG calculators, and information on the BAföG application.

Information Events by the BAföG Office 

At least once per semester, staff from the BAföG office inform students of the university of Aalen about funding options and application procedures. We will notify you in advance by email to your student account about the events, which usually take place online.

Student Financing with Scholarships – not just for geniuses! 

Contrary to common belief, scholarships are not only for highly gifted individuals. For many scholarship providers, volunteer work or advocating for certain social values is particularly important. Germany has a large scholarship landscape, including the 13 scholarship foundations, the Detuschlandstipendium, and over 2,000 smaller scholarship providers.

Given this variety, it's worthwhile to take a closer look at the respective offers and requirements! You can find an initial overview of various scholarship providers here. A database for finding suitable scholarship providers, for example, is offered by e-fellows.net.

Student Financing with Student Jobs 

Many students work part-time while studying to earn some extra money and gain initial professional experience. You can find out the rules you need to consider on the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Helpful information is also available on the website of Studierendenwerk Ulm. Offers for student jobs at the University of Aalen or local companies can be found among our career opportunities.

Student Financing with Student Loans

For more information on when and how to take out a student loan, visit the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Helpful information is also available on the website of Studierendenwerk Ulm or, for example, on the website of Arbeiterkind.de.

Becoming a parent or caring for a child during your studies is a beautiful but not entirely easy challenge.

We are more than happy to provide individual guidance at the Central Student Advisory to help you and your child/children navigate through your studies. Simply use our Appointment booking tool or email us at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de. If you are pregnant, it is advisable to bring a copy of your maternity pass or a medical certificate of your pregnancy to the consultation so that we can fill out the official notification form for the Maternity Protection Act together.

MATERNITY PROTECTION ACT NOTIFICATION FORM (0.3 MB) 

Below, you will find initial information on organizing your studies during pregnancy, parental leave, or during periods of childcare.

IMPORTANT: General information on

• Maternity Protection
• Parental Leave
• Financial Support (Parental Allowance, Child Benefit, BAföG, Housing Allowance, Scholarships, etc.)
• Childcare
• Changing and Nursing Facilities 

can be found on the Equality page at family-friendly-university (subsections "Child and Studies," “Family-friendly offers for parents," and "Consulting and Support Services").

INFORMATION ON STUDY ORGANIZATION 

Leave of Absence Semesters 

Students can take leave during pregnancy, parental leave, or due to the care and upbringing of a small child. Leave of absence semesters are counted as university semesters, but not as specific subject semesters. During leave of absence semesters due to parental leave, you are allowed to attend lectures and take exams because these are not regular leave of absence semesters (cf. LHG §61). However, there is generally no BAföG entitlement during leave of absence semesters.

If you wish to request a leave of absence, you can contact the Studierendenservicecenter.

Important note: Keep in mind that during a leave of absence semester, you generally do not have a right to BAföG. Furthermore, if you continue studying during a leave of absence semester, you also do not have a right to government assistance for citizens (Bürgergeld) – more information can be found on the website of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk. Due to these regulations, it's worth considering together whether a leave of absence semester is a sensible solution in your case or what other (financial) options are available.

Exams During Maternity Leave or Parental Leave

General information on student maternity leave and parental leave can be found on the Equality page at family-friendly-university - child and studies.

Maternity protection periods interrupt any deadlines set by the study and examination regulations. In addition, specific special regulations apply. For example, exams can be taken during this time despite being on leave of absence. At the same time, you can withdraw from all exams during maternity protection. If you couldn't withdraw from your exams in a timely manner, they will not be graded, provided that maternity protection is proven.

Deadlines for parental leave must also be considered upon request. For this, it is necessary that the responsible examination board is informed of the planned duration of parental leave no later than four weeks before the start date of parental leave. This information must be provided in writing, and the necessary documents must be attached.

Important note: The processing period for the bachelor's thesis cannot be interrupted by parental leave.

Further details on the mentioned points can also be found in your respective study and examination regulations.

If you have any questions, we are here to help. Simply book an appointment through our Appointment booking tool or send us an email at studienberatung@hs-aalen.de.

Physical and mental impairments as well as chronic illnesses can make studying conditions challenging for students.

The Central Student Advisory Service can provide information on the study conditions at Hochschule Aalen before you start your studies. We also happy to provide you a tour of the university.

Prof. Dr. Markus Weber serves as a contact person for students with impairments for their specific information, counseling, and support needs.

Prof. Dr. Markus Weber

Program: User Experience

Room: G1 1.28b, Anton-Huber-Straße (Burren), Building 1

markus.weber@hs-aalen.de

Helpful Information

You can find helpful tips and information for students with impairments on the website of Deutsches Studierendenwerk and studis online.

Scholarships

Some scholarship providers specialize in supporting students with impairments. Information can be found...

As of June 2023, HS Aalen itself awards five scholarships to support female students. The scholarships are for Bachelor's and Master's students who successfully study a STEM (MINT) subject under challenging conditions, such as due to illness and disability, caring for their own children, caring for dependent family members, work-related to their studies, family background, belonging to a marginalized group, a migration background, etc. More information can be found on Equality.

Accessible University:

Information on the accessibility of the city of Aalen can be found in the guide "Aalen for All," which you can download here.

Would you like to study part-time?

Aalen University offers several part-time Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, which you can find here.

In this context, it is also worth taking a look at the diverse academic continuing education programs offered by the Graduate Campus.