Loneliness at university affects more students than most people expect. In the first semesters, familiar structures from school, training or home fall away, and new contacts do not form on their own. This guide explains how loneliness differs from simply being alone, which everyday measures help, and where you can turn when the strain lasts.
Short answer: In a nationwide survey by the Techniker Krankenkasse (fieldwork 5 to 22 January 2026, published 15 October 2026), 25 percent of students said they feel lonely at least sometimes, and 4 percent often. Recurring groups, mentoring at your university, the student counselling service and, if the strain persists, a medical or psychotherapeutic assessment all help. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points
- Being alone describes a situation. Loneliness describes the distress when wanted contacts are missing.
- In the survey, 25 percent of students feel lonely at least sometimes and 4 percent often (status: October 2026).
- The survey names the start of studies as a phase in which loneliness can increase.
- Fixed appointments such as student council groups, study groups, university sport or mentoring create regular contact.
- Lasting low mood, sleep problems or withdrawal are a reason to seek medical help.
What loneliness at university means
Loneliness is not a personal failure, and it is not a sign that you chose the wrong course. It describes the feeling that relationships which matter to you are missing, regardless of how many people are around. Many students go through a phase with little exchange, especially after moving to a new city or leaving an established circle of friends behind. It becomes a problem when the feeling lasts for weeks, shapes your daily routine and leads to withdrawal.
Living arrangements make a noticeable difference in the survey. The table below shows the share of respondents who feel lonely often or sometimes:
| Living situation | Share who feel lonely often or sometimes |
|---|---|
| Student residence hall | 43 percent |
| Shared flat | 34 percent |
| Living alone | 29 percent |
| With parents or relatives | 23 percent |
| With a partner in the household | 17 percent |
By type of study, full-time students show the highest value at 28 percent, and distance learners the lowest at 12 percent. According to the published analysis, the survey finds no statistically significant differences by field of study, gender or region. The figures describe a sample of 1,000 students aged 18 and over. They are not an official figure for all universities.
Why the first semesters are especially vulnerable
The start of studies brings many changes at once: a new city, new fellow students, unclear procedures and often less contact with people from home. The Techniker Krankenkasse names the start of studies as a phase in which loneliness can increase and proposes mentoring programmes for first-year students. If your university does not list such offers, ask the student advisory service or your student council.
Loneliness often affects studying as well. Without a study group, students tend to follow a plan less consistently and ask less often when something remains unclear. Exam pressure then weighs more heavily. Tips for reducing pre-exam pressure are in the guide Prüfungsangst überwinden (in German).
Which help works in everyday life
- Groups with a fixed date: study groups, the student council, university sport or volunteer projects create repetition, and repetition is the basis of friendships.
- Mentoring or buddy programmes run by your university, if your location offers them.
- Conversations with the psychological counselling service of your university when everyday pressure grows. The guide Psychologische Beratung an der Uni describes what is available.
- The student counselling service of the Studierendenwerk for questions about daily life and strain. Details are in Sozialberatung des Studierendenwerks (in German).
- Psychotherapeutic help if loneliness goes together with lasting low mood. A starting point is Psychische Gesundheit im Studium.
How to find offers at your university
Which offers exist depends on the university and the location. This order helps you get started:
- Search the websites of your university and the Studierendenwerk for the terms mentoring, start of studies, counselling and university sport.
- Attend the introduction week and note the names of the student council, the study advisory service and student groups.
- In the first lecture weeks, speak to one person from your study group directly, for example about studying together on a Thursday evening.
- Ask the study advisory service whether there are first-year groups or mentors.
- Keep going: an offer usually only works after several sessions. One evening that does not suit you says little about the rest.
Overview of contact points
| Contact point | What it is for | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Student council (Fachschaft) | Contacts in your subject, information about exams and procedures | Organisation differs by department |
| Psychological counselling of the university | Conversation when you are strained or unsure | Appointments and offer depend on the university |
| Social counselling of the Studierendenwerk | Questions about daily life, finances and strain | Responsibility depends on the location |
| University outpatient psychotherapy clinic | Treatment if psychotherapy is wanted | Access and procedure differ by location |
When you should seek help
Loneliness alone is not a medical emergency, but it can be a sign of a developing depression. See a doctor in good time if the feeling lasts for several weeks, if sleep, appetite or concentration suffer, or if you withdraw for long periods. Information on the signs is in the guide Depression im Studium. The guide 116117 psychotherapy referral explains how to arrange treatment through the 116117 service. In an acute danger to yourself or others, call the emergency number 112 immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is loneliness at university normal?
The survey shows that a substantial share of students feel lonely at least sometimes. The feeling is therefore widespread, but that is no reason to ignore it. What matters is whether it strains you and whether it lasts for a long time.
How do I bring up loneliness with friends or family?
A concrete sentence often helps more than a general question. You can describe what is missing, such as regular plans or someone to study with, and say which format suits you. People who know you can then support you more precisely.
Can psychotherapy help with loneliness?
Psychotherapy addresses complaints that limit daily life, such as lasting low mood, anxiety or social withdrawal. An initial conversation or the psychotherapy consultation hour clarifies whether it suits you. The route is described in the guide Psychotherapeut finden.
Are there offers for international students?
This depends on the university. Ask the International Office or the study advisory service whether there are buddy programmes, language tandems or groups for international students. Such offers are not organised the same way everywhere, so direct contact is worthwhile.
What to do now
- Note since when you have felt lonely and in which situations it is strongest.
- Sign up for a recurring group within the next two weeks, for example a study group, the student council or university sport.
- Contact the psychological counselling service or the study advisory service if the pressure continues.
- If low mood lasts, book a medical assessment before the strain grows.
Related guides
- Psychische Gesundheit im Studium
- Freunde finden im Studium (in German)
- Depression im Studium
- Sozialberatung des Studierendenwerks (in German)
- Beratungsstellen für Studierende (in German)
Sources: Techniker Krankenkasse, survey “Wie geht’s Deutschlands Studierenden?”, fieldwork January 2026, published 15 October 2026 (status: October 2026). Further reading: Strategy of the German Federal Government against Loneliness, Federal Ministry (in German).
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
