Update on the Deutschland-Semesterticket – April 2024

Contrary to earlier information from the VBB and payment service providers, we do not need an app for the ticket. We sent a circular email to all students at the end of March with instructions on how to obtain the ticket. The access link with further information is provided there. You can also find the access link and instructions in the LSF in the tab on the left under “Deutschlandsemesterticket”. An analog version, e.g. chip card or similar, will NOT be available in the summer semester 2024.Contrary to earlier information from the VBB and payment service providers, we do not need an app for the ticket. We sent a circular email to all students at the end of March with instructions on how to obtain the ticket. The access link with further information is provided there. You can also find the access link and instructions in the LSF in the tab on the left under “Deutschlandsemesterticket”. An analog version, e.g. chip card or similar, will NOT be available in the summer semester 2024.

For the first time on 10 March (and daily from then on), the university administration will share your data with the VBB service provider. This is necessary in order to digitally verify your eligibility and create a personalized digital ticket. You can object to this data transfer (opt-out), but this means that you will NOT be able to use the purely digital ticket, as there is no analog version without data transfer. Nevertheless, you are still obliged to pay the fee of €176.40, as the Deutschlandsemesterticket is also a solidarity model. This means that all students who are generally entitled to the ticket according to the contract with the VBB (who cannot be exempted otherwise) must pay the Deutschlandsemesterticket, regardless of whether they are traveling on foot, by bike, by car or by train.

Now that we have signed the contract, we finally know the reasons for exemption over which we had no influence. These are as follows:

1. Severe disability
2. Health reasons, use of public transport not possible
3. Illness that entitles you to a leave of absence
4. Internship semester outside the area of validity
5. Semester abroad
6. Thesis semester outside the area of validity
7. Late enrollment (more than 1 month after the start of the semester)
8. Leave of absence after the start of the semester
9. Exmatriculation after the start of the semester

It is now possible to apply for exemption from the Deutschlandticket Uni (semester ticket) at Student Services. However, we must point out that the processing of these applications can take some time. We therefore ask for your patience.

You can find the current form for the exemption in the LSF under the tab “Applications and forms” and under the name “Application for exemption from the semester ticket”.

More information on the reasons for exemption:

• Stay abroad: for students who spend at least three consecutive months of the respective semester outside the area of validity of the Deutschlandsemesterticket (Germany) due to their studies, an internship semester, a semester abroad or as part of their final thesis.
• Double enrollment students who are enrolled at two universities with a Deutschlandsemesterticket can be reimbursed at one university,
• Illness/ exmatriculation: for students who are demonstrably enrolled more than one month after the start of the semester, are exmatriculated in the current semester, withdraw their enrolment, are granted a leave of absence with retroactive effect in the current semester or are demonstrably so seriously ill in the current semester that they would be entitled to a semester of leave,
• (Temporary) disability: for students who are unable to use public transportation due to their disability. This also includes temporary disabilities if they also exclude the use of local public transport for the semester. The requirements must be proven by a medical certificate
• Simply not using the Deutschlandsemesterticket does not constitute an exemption!
  The purchase of a private or job ticket does not constitute an exemption!

These conditions were specified by the transport association and could not be influenced by us:

• Guest students and secondary students within the meaning of the relevant Higher Education Act
• Students who are exclusively enrolled in an evening, online or distance learning course without compulsory attendance (“distance learning students”). Dear distance learning students who were previously entitled to the “old” semester ticket and have therefore already paid the full semester fee including the ticket price: The money you have paid in excess is not lost and can simply be credited for the following semester. You do not have to do anything. If you urgently need the money you have paid in excess, you can also have it refunded.
• Severely disabled people who are entitled to transportation in accordance with SGB IX and can prove that they are in possession of the supplementary sheet to their severely disabled pass and the corresponding token
• Students on part-time degree courses
• Students who can prove that they are taking a semester off or a semester abroad
• Students who are not members of the student body
• Students who are enrolled on supplementary, additional or postgraduate courses or who are taking part in continuing education courses and doctoral students

The following degree programs are not entitled to the ticket

• Master Project Management and Data Science
• Master Business Administration and Engineering
• Master MBA&E Life Science Management
• Master Professional IT Business & Digitalization
• Distance Learning Business Administration
• Distance learning program industrial engineering
• Distance learning program mechanical engineering
• Master Real Estate Management

Note for part-time students

In previous information, part-time students or students with a maximum of 15 ECTS per semester were exempted from the obligation to obtain credits. However, as this regulation is based on the ECTS requirements of the respective study regulations, this regulation does not apply at our university.

The number of ECTS per semester therefore has no effect on the semester ticket. Part-time students are therefore generally obliged to pay for the Deutschlandsemesterticket.

The VBB refuses to grant you an exemption. We are currently working on a solution to cushion cases of social hardship. We ask for your patience!

In the coming months, we will enter into negotiations with the VBB for the next semester to negotiate improvements for you, such as an analogous solution.