Digital innovation: University of Marburg introduces digital student ID card!

Digital innovation: University of Marburg introduces digital student ID card!

On June 10, 2025, the digital transformation at universities in Germany will be further pushed forward. The Philipps University of Marburg has expanded its campus app to include the digital student ID card and the digital Germany semester ticket. This innovation represents a significant step in the digitalization of university services. As the University of Marburg reports, the app was introduced last summer and now allows students to conveniently use their student ID and Germany semester ticket via their smartphone.

The introduction of the digital student card is intended to facilitate internal communication between the university and students. In the summer semester of 2025, both the traditional paper ID and the digital tickets are valid at the same time, while from the winter semester of 2025/26 only digital versions will be offered. This measure completes a series of digitization initiatives at the University of Marburg and was implemented in collaboration with the University Computing Center and the Office for Strategic Digitization and Project Management.

Availability and use of the digital ticket

However, the use of the new digital offering is not mandatory; alternative non-digital solutions will continue to be available. In addition to the digital student ID, the Deutschlandsemesterticket will offer students digital mobility options, as is the case at other universities such as the TU Hamburg. From the summer semester of 2024, all TUHH students will receive a digital Germany semester ticket per semester, which is valid in all transport companies, but long-distance transport is excluded.

An important point is that the ticket is only issued digitally via web applications or wallet. Students without a mobile device can contact the General Student Committee (AStA) at TU Hamburg for support. In addition, STUDIS will no longer send semester documents by post, which further supports the digitalized issue of student ID cards and enrollment certificates.

Options for exemption from the semester ticket

For some students, an exemption from paying for the semester ticket is possible. As the Technical University of Berlin explains, severely disabled people who are entitled to transport according to SGB IX can, for example, apply for exemption from the semester ticket via the tuPORT platform. To do this, they must submit a medical certificate and, if necessary, upload the front and back of their severely disabled person's ID card.

Refunds can also be requested for unused months of the semester ticket. Students who cannot take advantage of the semester ticket offers for various reasons, such as stays abroad or in the event of illness, are also eligible here. Such regulations help to ensure the necessary flexibility for students during their studies.

The developments surrounding the digitization of the student ID card and the Germany semester ticket not only reflect the increasing technologization of the university landscape, but also the effort to meet the needs of students. The continuous improvement and expansion of digital offerings could permanently change the study experience in Germany in the long term.

The University of Marburg has introduced effective measures to optimize everyday student life in terms of mobility and administration. At the same time, the TU Berlin ensure that students are informed about necessary exemption options. Those too TU Hamburg actively participates in the introduction of digital solutions to meet the requirements of modern study times.