As stress in students has increased in the last years, factors predicting stress need to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to replicate previous findings using the demand-control model and to examine the role of emotional distress in a transactional model (inspired by Lazarus' transactional stress model). "Stress, mental health, demands and control" and several "additional attributes" were assessed. Different multiple linear hierarchical regressions were examined. The demand-control model explained a total of 55% in variance (including "depression" and "anxiety" as confounding variables). The transactional model explained a total of 62% in variance. All in all, the predictive validity of the transactional model exceeded that of the demand-control model in predicting students' perceived stress. Especially intraindividual aspects like self-efficacy, coping and resources are of relevance for student interventions.