The DZHW's nationwide study on the living and study conditions of students

From May to September 2025, the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) conducted the second nationwide online survey, 'The Student Survey in Germany'. Around one million students at over 200 universities in Germany are invited to participate, including all students at TU Darmstadt.

Dropout Survey in winter semester 2024/25 completed!

The survey of former students who did not finish their studies at TU Darmstadt between October 2022 and September 2023 was completed in mid-February.

The aim of the Dropout Survey was to gain valid information about the reasons for dropping out and the future careers of the former students.

Many thanks to the 257 participants who took the time to share their experiences and perspectives!

What is the survey about?

'The Student Survey in Germany' is a survey conducted every four years that provides comprehensive insights into the reality of life, economic situation, study conditions and social attitudes of students. The results are highly relevant for:

• education policy and university development

• student services and counselling centres

• science and the public

FAQ about the Student Survey in Germany

Perhaps you recently took part in the TU Student Survey on study conditions. The aim of this survey was to further develop teaching and degree programmes at TU Darmstadt.

The DZHW Student Survey, on the other hand, is a nationwide study that focuses on socio-political issues – e.g. social background, employment during studies, housing situation, educational pathways or political attitudes of students.

Our university also benefits from participating:

  • The results provide valuable comparative data to further improve the study environment at TU Darmstadt.
  • The student services organisation can use the data to plan its services more effectively.
  • The results are fed into the HEADS portal (Hochschul-Exzellenz- und -Anforderungs-Daten-System, University Excellence and Requirements Data System) – a central data platform for university research in Germany. There, survey data is linked with other sources (e.g. official statistics) to enable in-depth analysis.

More about the HEADS portal

Background to the study

The Student Survey in Germany is a nationwide trend study that provides a comprehensive picture of the situation of students. Since 2021, it has combined three previous surveys:

  • the Social Survey,
  • the Konstanz Student Survey, and
  • the study “best – beeinträchtigt studieren” (best – studying with disabilities).

Some of the respondents are also included in the European EUROSTUDENT study.

The DZHW is responsible for the scientific management of the study, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and supported by the German Student Union (DSW).

More information from the DZHW