The library is located at Tiefenbronner Straße 65. There are various workspaces for studying – most of them with an amazing view on Pforzheim city. Your student ID card entitles you to borrow books from the library. Please also don’t forget to return all books before the borrowing time expires to avoid fees! You can access the free Wifi with your student username given by Pforzheim University. Opening hours during the holidays may differ from those during lecture periods (Opening hours during the lecture period: Mo - Fr 9 - 24 h, Sa 10 - 24 h; Opening hours during the leture-free period: Mo - Sa 11 -23 h).
Pforzheim University’s canteen (“Mensa”) and cafeteria offer a wide range of meals, snacks, beverages and coffee. The bar “Chicco di Caffè” invites you to enjoy coffee specialities and relax. You can pay with your student ID card. You can upload money on your student ID card on the terminals in the entrance area of the canteen or the terminal in the W1 complex, which is located next to the snack machines at the end of the hall. Using the Autoload function, your student ID card will be automatically refilled at the Mensa/Cafeteria cash registers when your balance is low. Autoload also gives you an overview of your spending. You can find more information at the Studierendenwerk.
Every week the changing lunch offer is published online.
Pforzheim University is home to many student organizations. Get involved and build a network of contacts and to actively participate in shaping student life in Pforzheim. The following organizations are available for students of all degree programs:
- AStA: The elected members represent the students of Pforzheim University; among others, it organizes events and the sport program
- Commeo e.V.: Organizes events (e.g. “Newieparty”, orientation week) at Pforzheim University: Instagram (commeo_pf) und Facebook (commeo e.V.)
- ESN: Offers events and meetings for international and German students
- Campus X: Organizes career events for students
- Gemini e.V.: Takes care of the incoming interntional students, offers the buddy program
Further initiatives can be found here.
Our student initiative Gemini e. V. offers a buddy program. Within the buddy program new international students and local students are matched. You will receive a personal buddy who will assist you with getting to know the university. In order to receive a buddy, you will have to fill out a form that Gemini sends out before the beginning of the semester. In addition to the buddy program, Gemini offers several excursions and organizes meetings with international and German students.
In the university's online portal, you can download your confirmation of enrollment for the respective semester after successful enrollment/re-registration. After entering your login details, you will find them in the “Notices/Certificates” section on the right-hand side. You can also apply for a leave of absence or exmatriculation there. If you move during your studies, change your telephone number or private e-mail address, please update the corresponding changes in the system.
In the Studi-Cockpit you can register for exams, view your grades and download exam certificates. The navigation at the top of the page will also take you to the lecture schedule (LSF) or to the online portal for re-registration.
Every student at Pforzheim University benefits from free bus and train rides in and around Pforzheim. Your student ID card serves as a ticket (Studiticket), is strictly personal and non-transferable. If you travel beyond the boundaries of the included tariff zone (VPE network), you will only require a valid ticket from the respective stop at the end of the tariff zone to your destination. Until you receive your student ID card, you can use the VPE (Verkehrsverbund Pforzheim-Enzkreis) with your admission letter in combination with your ID card or passport.
In addition, you have the possibility to purchase the Studikarte of the KVV (Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund) and the Anschluss-StudiTicket of the VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart), if you regularly travel beyond the limits of the VPE network in the direction of Karlsruhe or Stuttgart.
With the D-Ticket JugendticketBW, you cannot only get to campus in a climate-friendly way and travel throughout Germany in your free time, but also benefit from a discounted purchase price. The D-Ticket JugendticketBW is available to students from Pforzheim University up to the age of 26 for 419 euros per year. The D-JugendticketBW is valid on local public transport in all transport networks in Germany and allows students to use local transport anywhere in Germany for less than one Euro per day. The D-Ticket JugendticketBW is valid on all buses and trains (2nd class) on local public transport in Germany. This includes all IRE, RE, RB, S-Bahn, trams/light rail and buses. The ticket is not valid on long-distance trains (e.g. ICE, EC, IC, Flixtrain, TGV) and long-distance buses. The D-Ticket JugendBW is an annual subscription. It runs for at least one year. Once the first year is over, you can cancel the ticket on a monthly basis.
If you are 27+ years old, you can purchase the discounted Deutschlandticket at a price of 53.50 euros per month.
Further information can be found here.
Train recommendation (Stuttgart and Karlsruhe)
A useful trick that students use to travel to Stuttgart and Karlsruhe is using the IRE trains to Vaihingen an der Enz (for Stuttgart) or Wilferdingen-Singen (for Karlsruhe), and then buying a day-ticket for the respective city (you do not need to leave the train). The day-ticket allows you to use all types of public transport (buses, metro, trains, etc.) in all zones of the city and it is valid until 6 a.m. the next day. There is also a group day-ticket, that is valid for up to 5 people. This option is cheaper than buying a train ticket from Pforzheim to Stuttgart or Karlsruhe.
Experience the city of Pforzheim
Pforzheim may not win any beauty awards, but as we all know, it's the inner values that count, and the city has more to offer than you might think. From interesting museums, leisurely pedal boating on the Enz, getting creative at EMMAs, a visit to the Wildpark, free concerts at the Schlosspark Open Festival, surfing on the blackforestwave, a spectacular view of the rainforest at the Gasometer, open-air movies and a spring festival ("Pforzheimer Mess") to a Christmas market with an ice rink for skating, there is an exciting cultural program for every season. Check the website of the city of Pforzheim for current events in the city area.
With its jewellery, watch, and silver goods industries Pforzheim is known as the “Goldstadt” (“City of Gold”). Pforzheim offers cultural highlights. We have listed some must-sees, but of course, there is a lot more to discover!
- Schmuckmuseum (Jewellery Museum). The Jewellery Museum is the only museum in the world with a specialization in the history of jewellery. Visit the museum to find out more about Pforzheim’s jewellery history and discover jewellery collections from all over the world. As there are multiple changing exhibitions over the course of the year, there is a lot to discover!
Address: Jahnstraße 42, 75173 Pforzheim - Technisches Museum (Technical Museum). The museum documents the history of Pforzheim’s jewellery and watchmaking industry. The museum is located in the beautiful building of the former Kollmar & Jourdan jewellery factory.
Address: Bleichstraße 81, 75173 Pforzheim - Pforzheim Gasometer. Inside the industrial monument a 360° panorama is displayed over 3.500 m². Every few years, another fascinating panorama is being shown. Visit their homepage to find out which panorama is currently on.
Address: Hohwiesenweg 6, 75175 Pforzheim - Theater Pforzheim. The theater offers a wide range of opera, theater and ballet shows. Student discounts are available – you won’t want to miss this!
Address: Am Waisenhausplatz 5, 75172 Pforzheim - Kulturhaus Osterfeld (Osterfeld Cultural Center). The cultural center is an important cultural hotspot in Pforzheim! Visit the cultural center for comedy shows, concerts and contemporary exhibitions.
Address: Osterfeldstraße 12, 75172 Pforzheim - Kupferdächle. Every week a wide variety of events takes place in Kupferdächle: Poetry and newcomer slams, open stages, acoustic and karaoke evenings, quiznights, concerts, presentations of an open theatre group, art and music groups and workshops – often with small or free admission.
Address: Kallhardtstraße 31, 75172 Pforzheim
Cafés
- Café Roland (Café and Bar). A special feature in the city and very popular is Café Roland. Roland Müller, former head of the examinations office of the school of design, is a legend and the namesake of the café in the old Alfons Kern Tower. Students and residents of Pforzheim are involved in the non-profit association Café Roland e.V. and run the café on a freelance basis. Café Roland is, so to speak, the second living room for many creative people in Pforzheim. Exhibitions, lectures or other events take place there.
- Caphe an der Enz. Beautifully located right on the banks of the Enz river, excellent coffee specialties.
- Café d'Anvers
- Café Damals
- Café und Bistro Prosa
- Cafébar Mokka (Café and Bar)
- Art Café Pforzheim
- CaféFleck. Tucked inside Thalia bookstore, this cozy café is a haven for book lovers and study sessions alike. Whether you're sipping a smooth cappuccino, flipping through a fresh read, or catching up on notes, the warm and quiet atmosphere sets the perfect “I’m totally being productive” vibe.
- Café Opera. Located near the theater, this elegant café offers a relaxed atmosphere and a nice selection of cakes and drinks.
- Café Elemenz. A stylish café and lounge with modern vibes, perfect for brunch or a casual meet-up.
Restaurants
- Platzhirsch (home-style cooking & beer)
- Kuperhammer (home-style cooking, Biergarten)
- Hans im Glück (Burger)
- Brasserie (home-style cooking & Greek)
- Lehner's (home-style cooking)
- Oh Zoe (Asian cuisine)
- Dean & David (A classic on the go, healthy bowls, wraps, and smoothies)
- Wok on Fire (nice prices, Asian mixed food)
Bars
- Ozon
- Lehner's (cocktails dice)
- Irish Pub (karaoke and quiz night)
- Mauritius (Pizza, Pasta and cocktails)
- Chillers (American Tex-Mex food and cocktails)
Clubs
- Sägewerk
- Salt & Pepper
- Wildpark. The Wildpark is located next to Pforzheim University (campus of the Business School and the School of Engineering). It hosts more than 70 different types of wild animals and an animal farm.
Address: Tiefenbronnerstraße 100, 75175 Pforzheim - Enzauenpark. The park offers a lot of space for various activities – sports, relaxing or having a beer in the beer garden. Between April and October around 100 events are offered.
Address: Hohenwiesenweg 34, 75175 Pforzheim - Gate to the Black Forest. Pforzheim is the perfect starting point for exploring the Black Forest. One of Germany’s most important hiking trails, the Westweg (285 km), starts in Pforzheim. Several other hiking and cycling trails lead through Pforzheim as well. Associations as the Tourism Association of the Black Forest offer information on various tours and trips from Pforzheim to the Black Forest.
- Wallberg. Originally, the Wallberg was a natural elevation, which, however, was heaped up with 1,650,000 m³ of rubble from the city after it was destroyed in World War ll. Now it is an incredible viewpoint where you can see the entire city and its surroundings!
Tip: The sunset!
If you're planning a trip in the nearby area, here are a few recommendations:
- Tree Top Walk in Bad Wildbad
- Thermal Bath in Bad Wildbad
- Thermal Bath in Bad Liebenzell
- Monbachtal. Hiking in a romantic gorge
- Maulbronn Monastery
- Tiefer See. Swimming lake
- Karlsruhe. Karlsruhe is located only 30 kilometers away from Pforzheim, only 20 minutes by train. It is one of Baden-Wuerttemberg’s biggest cities and is definitely worth a visit. Go visit Karlsruhe castle, the zoo and the various museums!
- Stuttgart. The capital city of Baden-Wuerttemberg is only 45 kilometers away from Pforzheim, only 30 minutes by train. Enjoy the various cultural offers of Stuttgart by visiting theater, ballet and opera shows or one of the many museums and galleries. Visit Stuttgart’s famous zoo and botanic garden, the “Wilhelma”, or the great TV tower. Enjoy Stuttgart’s nightlife in one of the several bars or restaurants.
- Heidelberg. About an hour north, this romantic town is a favourite among international visitors with its famous castle, beautiful river, historic university drinking pubs and modern shops.
- Strasbourg and Alsace region. Strasbourg – the capital of the Alsace region – has a lot to offer its visitors. In addition to the unique cityscape with Strasbourg Cathedral, the city‘s museums and gardens are also highly recommended. It is about 100 km away from Pforzheim, only 2 hours by train. The Alsace region attracts visitors with its half-timbered houses, wine and fine cuisine. The region of vineyards, forests and the Vosges mountains is rich in scenic diversity and is always worth a trip.
Students of Pforzheim University can choose from a wide range of sport offers. Normally, the courses are instructed by students from Pforzheim University. You can find the latest sport program here (available only in German): asta-pforzheim.de
In addition, there are 120 various sports clubs in Pforzheim that you could join.
Another possibilty is to go to a gym. Most of them have special offers for students:
What else you need to know when coming to Pforzheim
The region of Baden-Württemberg (where Pforzheim is located) is the proud birthplace of Spätzle (soft egg noodles), Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli), and the legendary Black Forest Cake (the one with cherries, cream, and a splash of cherry schnapps). Even the pretzel has its own Swabian twist here!
With over 14,000 small distillieries the Black Forest has a very high density of distilleries. Locals distill everything from cherries (Kirschwasser) to pears and plums, often using recipes passed down for generations.
The region also boasts a proud beer tradition, especially in the south. From crisp Pilsners to smooth Weißbier, there’s always something brewing. Many towns even have their own local breweries – perfect for a post-hike refreshment.
One of the first things you’ll hear in student housing or shared flats is “Nachtruhe”, which can be translated as “quiet hours.”
It’s a legally recognized quiet time, usually from 10 pm to 6 am, when loud music, vacuuming, parties, or even overly enthusiastic phone calls are a no-go.
Fun fact: Some places even have Mittagsruhe (midday quiet hours) around lunchtime. So if you’re planning to test your new speakers or host a jam session, maybe check the clock or your housing contract first.
Moving to a new country is exciting, but it can also feel like landing on another planet. The good news? Culture shock is totally normal, and there are ways to make it less shocking.
Please take the following tips into account in order to make your landing as smooth as possible:
- Take it easy and don’t be hard on yourself, it is brave enough that you are crossing boarders and want to enjoy new opportunities.
- Try to learn the language and have words and phrases of different thematics so that you are always able to communicate in a certain context.
- Through the language you can get to know a culture, also read some history and fun facts. There are a lot of great videos where you can learn things about countries that you never imagined.
- Stay curious and avoid strict comparisons; expect things to be different, not wrong.
- Build your bubble. Find a mix of local and international friends. It feels like home — and keeps your mind open and growing.
