Information for Your start at Work
The UniAccount is the user ID that members and affiliates of the University of Freiburg can use to log in to all central IT services. You can manage your data via the MyAccount portal.
If you have already received your user ID and initial password from your institution, log in to the MyAccount portal, activate your account and change your password.
If you have not yet received a password, click on “Register” on the MyAccount homepage and fill in the relevant fields.
Your email address must also be activated in the MyAccount portal. To ensure that you can be contacted by email right from the start, it is important that this is done as early as possible.
Log in and select ‘Mail & lists administration -> Uni-Mailaccount’ from the menu, then choose your Uni-Mail address. If your institution operates its own mail server, MyAccount will inform you of the specific application procedure.
The University of Freiburg publishes a wide range of regular newsletters. Log in to MyAccount, go to ‘Mail & lists administration -> Mailing lists’ and select the newsletters you would like to subscribe to.
Important newsletters:
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For everyone: Rundblick (in German)
The University of Freiburg’s main newsletter is the “Rundblick”, to which you are also welcome to submit articles. You can find further information on this via this link (information in German, please use the chatobot in the intranet for information in English).
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For doctoral candidates
Subscribe here or in MyAccount to the GraCe newsletter for doctoral candidates to stay up to date with the latest offers for doctoral candidates.
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For postdoctoral researchers
To stay informed about offers for postdoctoral researchers at the University of Freiburg, subscribe to the CARD newsletter via this link.
Newsroom
You can also find the latest news from the UFR in the Newsroom.
The intranet is the central digital platform for employees to exchange information and to promote collaboration and communication within the university.
The intranet features “Service A-Z”, a comprehensive information platform that explains all key processes within the Central University Administration. There you will find detailed service articles, documents and forms on various topics.
The articles in Service A-Z are usually available in German. You can obtain information in English via the chatbot.
In addition, some documents are also available in English.
On the intranet, you will also find an internal news portal, applications for job vacancies or reporting sick leave, as well as all forms and documents available for download. There is also a sharing section with groups for networking, the option to post notices, Kanban boards and a survey tool.
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Unicard
Employee card, payment card for mensa, cafeterias and photocopies, library card, access card for buildings and rooms – all this is the UniCard. (Information in German, please use the chatbot for information in English).
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Keys / Access to buildings
Information about keys and building access. (Information in German, please use the chatbot for information in English).
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Internet, Wi-Fi, VPN, telephone technology
Information about the Freiburg University network, Wi-Fi and VPN, as well as telephone/VoIP, can be found on the website of the University IT Services (“RZ”).
HISinOne is the central campus management system at the University of Freiburg for application management, student administration, examination management, event management and room management.
ILIAS is the central learning platform of the University of Freiburg and offers a wide range of options for designing courses with e-learning elements.
SuperX is the central information system of the University of Freiburg, which accesses the data stocks of central IT systems, aggregates them, prepares them in a user-friendly manner and makes them available via a web browser. SuperX contains data on students and examinations, staff, jobs and finances.
Holidays and other absences are requested and approved via this application.
The HISinOne campus management system allows you to find contact details for members of the University of Freiburg.
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a global, non-profit organisation that the University of Freiburg has joined. In 2022, the Rectorate decided that the collection of ORCID iDs is mandatory for all persons publishing at the University of Freiburg. In addition, the German Research Foundation (DFG) expects researchers to have an ORCID iD.
Business trips can usually be funded by your institution (faculty/department) or by external funding. Information on requesting and approving business trips can be found in the Service A-Z.
If your role allows, the University of Freiburg generally offers the option of working from home to a certain extent. You can find further details and the applicable regulations here:
The letter confirming your appointment contains important information regarding your remuneration.
The University of Freiburg is part of the Baden-Württemberg state administration; your salary is paid by the Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung (LBV). After your appointment, you will receive documents by post from the LBV containing your personnel number and the contact details of the relevant contact persons there, for questions regarding your salary, social security and income tax.
The company pension VBL is a supplementary pension scheme, membership of which is compulsory for employees. Exceptions apply to academic staff.
You can find further information on the VBL website.
Living in Freiburg
Welcome to Freiburg – Germany’s southernmost city, located between the Rhine Valley and the slopes of the Black Forest, with a vibrant cultural landscape and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a colourful university town.
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Freiburg im Breisgau
Learn more about the unique quality of life in Germany’s Green City
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Living in Freiburg
Comprehensive information and tips on the website of the city of Freiburg (in German)
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Freiburg – a vibrant place for diverse people and needs
Information, advice and contact points for various target groups (in German)
Freiburg is a popular place to live, which is also reflected in the housing market. Finding suitable accommodation can therefore be challenging. We have compiled a list of local internet portals for you. It is also advisable to search on the common national internet portals.
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Housing service by the International Office
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Accommodation provided by the University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg offers a limited number of flats for employees and visiting scholars.
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Housing section of the Schwarzwälder Bote (regional newspaper)
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Housing portal of the Badische Zeitung (local newspaper)
Moving with your family can be challenging. To help you and your family settle in quickly and enjoy life in Freiburg from the start, we have compiled a concise list of the most important information.
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UFR Family Service
Information about living with children in Freiburg, childcare, schools and the family-friendliness of the UFR
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Your child is ill?
Information on exemption from work due to illness of your own child (in German, please ask the chatbot for information in English)
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Family-friendly environment at the UFR
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With family in Freiburg
Information for parents on the website of the City of Freiburg (in German)
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Caring for relatives
Information on the topic of “Responsibility for caring for relatives”
Everything you need to know to get around Freiburg and the surrounding area – whether on foot, by bike, by bus and train, or by car.
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Mobile in Freiburg
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Mobility and Transport
Website in German
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Job-Ticket and Deutschland-Ticket
All employees of the University of Freiburg are eligible for a subsidy towards the monthly JobTicket BW and Deutschlandticket Job travel passes.
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JobBike BW
You can lease a JobBike BW via the LBV customer portal: here you will find details of the ordering process, a benefits calculator, a dealer locator and further detailed information.
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Parking at the UFR
Information in German
The University at a Glance
Learn more about the history, the present and the strategy of the University of Freiburg.
Quality, responsibility, openness – these three values are at the heart of the mission statement that guides the University of Freiburg in all its actions and activities.
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Governance
The university’s governance structure comprises central bodies such as the Rectorate, Senate and University Council, which are responsible for strategic direction and key decision-making processes.
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Administration
The central university administration is a service provider and partner for all members of the university. Here you will find an overview of the divisions and departments.
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Faculties
With its eleven faculties, the University of Freiburg offers a broad, interdisciplinary spectrum of high-quality research and teaching.
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Scientific and Central Facilities
Here you will find an overview of the most important scientific and central facilities.
The University of Freiburg’s corporate design enables you to communicate professionally. It can be used for all media and serves as a uniform visual guideline for internal and external communication.
The University of Freiburg is actively committed to an equitable, inclusive and discrimination-sensitive university culture. In doing so, we focus on gender equality as well as inclusion, anti-racism, educational equality, religious, sexual and gender diversity, protection against age discrimination and the interconnectedness of these dimensions.
Get to know the University of Freiburg on a virtual campus tour.
Our site maps and information about buildings will help you find your way around with ease.
Services, Contact Points and Facilities
Its light-filled glass architecture makes our University Library one of the most modern and largest university libraries in Europe and one of the architectural landmarks of the University of Freiburg. As a modern research and learning library, it offers academic literature and electronic resources as well as individually tailored services for research and teaching as well as personal advice and support for all university members.
University IT Services (Rechenzentrum ‘RZ’) is the central IT service centre at the University of Freiburg. The IT infrastructure forms the central foundation for excellent research, international networking and future-oriented teaching. Researchers have access to powerful computing, storage and network resources at all times, which can be used flexibly. Secure communication solutions and collaborative tools enable a networked, flexible workplace.
With individual lectures, lecture series, readings and concerts, the Studium Generale offers a wide range of offerings from various disciplines for both university and non-university audiences, encouraging exchange and discussion. (The website is in German, but there are also events in English).
There is a varied sports programme for all members of the university – from fitness and cardio training to ball sports and much more.
The University of Freiburg supports you as a researcher in shaping your individual career path. Our programmes help you develop your professional skills and provide guidance on careers in research as well as opportunities outside academia. All our services are tailored to your specific career stage.
Centre for Advanced Researcher Development (CARD)
CARD offers all postdoctoral researchers, including professors (R2-R4), tailor-made services for their respective career stages. These range from onboarding services, skills development, coaching and mentoring programmes to counselling services.
CARD is part of the Department of Equity, Diversity and Academic Personnel Development. We believe that actively shaping career paths and the conditions of work in academia is a key step towards producing a culture of vibrant diversity in our university. As the department of the Vice Rector for University Culture, in the units Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Academic Personnel Development we are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive and antidiscriminatory university culture, in order to offer attractive conditions for studying, careers and work.
Graduate Centre (GraCe)
GraCe brings together all the resources and services available to PhD students (R1), ranging from onboarding and networking events, through qualification workshops, coaching and counselling, to financial support opportunities and an ombudsman service.
GraCe is part of Freiburg Research Services. Its services are designed to help PhD students reflect on their goals, identify their strengths and make well-informed decisions. Through the qualification programme, PhD students can develop the skills they need for a career both within and outside academia.
The Department of Strategic Personnel Development supports and develops staff in administration, services and technical roles (Verwaltung, Service und Technik – VST). With innovative measures and practice-oriented projects, we create opportunities for personal and professional development – contributing significantly to the collective success of our university.
The Interne Fort- und Weiterbildung (IWB, Internal Training and Further Education) plans and organises a comprehensive programme for your professional development. The programme and the registration button can be found in the HISinOne system, the University of Freiburg’s central campus management platform. HISinOne also supports your own event management: you can use it to plan an event or a meeting yourself and book a room.
Coming from Abroad? Information for Internationals
Moving abroad can feel overwhelming. We have compiled a list of links to help you settle quickly in Germany – and especially in Freiburg.
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Living in Germany
Information by the Federal Government
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Integreat App provided by the City of Freiburg
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Information for migrants on the website of the City of Freiburg (in German)
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Contact points, counseling centers, and networks for internationals
List of links on the website of the Equal Opportunity Representative for Academic Staff and Students (Gleichstellungsbeauftragte) of the UFR.
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Welcome Center Südlicher Oberrhein
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Mobility
Are you starting a new chapter in Freiburg with your family? Our list of links offers practical tips for living in Germany and settling in Freiburg as a family.
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Family Service of the UFR
Information about living with children in Freiburg, the university’s services, and childcare and schools in Freiburg.
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Family life in Germany
Information provided by the Federal Governement about financial support for families, child care, and the school system in Germany.
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Checklist “Pregnancy / Maternity protection / Parental leave / Parental allowance“ for Public Employees
From labour contracts to sick leave and vacation policies: some useful information about working in Germany.
The staff council represents the interests of all employees and offers advice.
There are two different types of positions at German universities: employees and civil servants.
Employees are employed by the state of Baden-Württemberg and sign an employment contract with the university based on the collective agreement for the federal states. The collective agreements are negotiated between the employers’ associations (e.g. TdL = Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder) and the employee representations. Employees in the public sector are subject to social security contributions (pension, health, nursing care and unemployment insurance).
Civil servants have a public-law relationship of service and loyalty to their employer (civil service relationship). The right to employ civil servants is held by, among others, the federal states, municipalities and other corporations, institutions and foundations under public law.
Civil servants do not sign an employment contract, but are appointed by being presented with a certificate of appointment. The rights and obligations of civil servants are regulated by laws, ordinances and regulations. The rule is that civil servants are appointed for life. This provides a high degree of security, and dismissal is only possible in the event of serious violations of their duties. Civil servants do not pay social security contributions (e.g. pension, unemployment or statutory health insurance). They must take out private health insurance which covers a fixed percentage of the healthcare costs incurred and are supported by their employer in cases of birth, illness, nursing care and death. (‘Beihilfe’). Upon retirement, they receive a state pension. Civil servants are required to work slightly longer hours than employees (41 hours vs. 39.5 hours).
There are also temporary civil service positions, where the civil service status ends after a specified period (e.g. junior professorship or Akademischer Rat/Akademische Rätin auf Zeit). In this case, it is important to consult the HR department for information on the implications for future pension entitlements and health insurance.
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Work contracts and labour law in Germany
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Occupational Safety and Health Information sheet for employees
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Extract from the Collective Agreement for Public Employees of the German Länder (TVL) and the special regulations for employees at higher education institutions
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Template employment contract of the UFR in English
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Information sheet on secondary employment
The Fixed-Term Academic Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz/WissZeitVG)
The Fixed-Term Academic Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz) is a German law that regulates fixed-term employment contracts and working conditions in the academic sector.
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Salary, taxes & social security in Germany
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Company pension VBL (German website)
The company pension is a supplementary pension scheme, membership of which is compulsory for employees. Exceptions apply to researchers.
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Company pension VBL: information for researchers (in English)
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Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung (LBV)
The University of Freiburg is part of the state administration of Baden-Württemberg. The salary is paid by the Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung (State Office for Salaries and Pensions). Many administrative forms are available in English.
The General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG) is a German law that aims to “prevent or stop discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation”.
protect is the advice and support service against discrimination and abuse of power at the University of Freiburg. It is free of charge and confidential and offers advice and support to all members of the University who have experienced or witnessed discrimination or abuse of power and want to challenge it.
If you are ill you do not have to work. You must inform your institute or department immediately—usually by phone before 9 a.m. on the first day of illness—and give an estimate of how long you will be absent.
If the illness lasts more than three calendar days you need a medical certificate. For employees with statutory health insurance the HR department will obtain the certificate electronically from the insurer; privately‑insured staff must submit the paper certificate themselves by the next working day.
You are entitled to continued payment of your salary (Entgeltfortzahlung) for up to six weeks. After that period you may receive a sickness‑benefit supplement from your health insurance, which can top up the statutory sick pay to roughly your net salary, depending on your length of employment.
Freiburg is an open city with an international university atmosphere. English is widely spoken – especially in research, where it is often used as the working language. Nevertheless, German is essential for feeling comfortable and coping with everyday life outside the campus. It is also important at the university in various respects, such as teaching, committee work or administration. Learning German is highly recommended, at least for anyone planning a longer stay in Germany. Here you can find an overview of various options and offers for learning German.
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Learning German
Information provided by the Federal Government
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Sprachlehrinstitut SLI
At the university, German language courses are offered by the Sprachlehrinstitut SLI (Language Teaching Centre).
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Graduate Centre (GraCe)
For doctoral candidates, the Graduate Centre (GraCe) offers German language courses.
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Centre for Advanced Researcher Development (CARD)
Postdoctoral researchers can contact the Centre for Advanced Researcher Development (CARD) at kursprogramm@zv.uni-freiburg.de.
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Volkshochschule
German courses at the Volkshochschule Freiburg.
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List of further language schools in Freiburg
Academic Time at the University of Freiburg: c.t. / s.t.
Times for courses at the University of Freiburg are usually indicated with c.t. or s.t.
- c.t. (cum tempore, Latin for ‘with time’): the course begins 15 minutes after the full hour (14:00 c.t. = 14:15)
- s.t. (sine tempore, Latin for ‘without time’): the course begins exactly on the hour (14:00 s.t. = 14:00)
If the time is given as 14:00 to 16:00 c.t., the course therefore lasts from 14:15 to 15:45, i.e. 90 minutes (2 x 45 minutes). An academic hour is therefore usually 45 minutes. This also corresponds to the duration of a German school lesson.
SWS/Semesterwochenstunde (semester hours per week)
Your teaching load is usually specified in semester hours per week (SWS). One semester hour per week (SWS) corresponds to 45 minutes per week.