Bonn Study Support Program “Be strong!”
The launch of “Be strong!” marks the start of the first-ever structured study support program at the University of Bonn. The “Be strong!” program is highly diverse, covers all phases of a degree program and will help you to find your way around your studies, acquire and consolidate specialist and methodological skills, and build up your own personal resources.
It will provide you with comprehensive, tailored support throughout your entire time as a student at the University of Bonn, from initial guidance in your first academic year through to your successful graduation.
“Be strong!” is an extracurricular program, meaning that you will attend these courses alongside those required for your degree program. Conversely, you cannot take courses from “Be strong!” that are already part of your degree program.
A program in three blocks
The program is divided into three central blocks that will support you in different ways:
Well-guided!
The “Well-guided!” block is all about giving you insights into various degree programs and research fields, a varied selection of courses, and the opportunity for personal reflection and taking stock of your current situation. These courses and wide-ranging advisory and counseling services will help you to reflect and focus on your choice of subject and can help you prepare for a change of subject.
Fit for your subject!
From preliminary courses, courses alongside your studies and interdisciplinary courses on the basics through to tailored additional services, the “Fit for your subject!” block contains courses and self-study activities to (further) develop your methodological and subject-specific skills and learn the fundamentals of your subject and techniques of academic working with the help of preliminary courses, courses on the basics and extra teaching.
Be empowered!
In the “Be empowered!” block, we offer you free workshops, coaching sessions and self-study activities to develop and improve your study skills, health, social interaction and planning for the future. These include time and self-management, learning strategies and exam preparation, all complemented by one-to-one advice. This will support and strengthen you as you build and expand your personal and interdisciplinary resources.
Latest news
You will need to register via BASIS if you would like to take part in the “Be strong!” study support program. For all the relevant information, look out for an email in mid-September or visit our web page below.
For any questions regarding the program that you would like to discuss beforehand, feel free to contact the office at bestrong@uni-bonn.de.
Semester program
You can pick the activities and services that best suit your individual needs, set your own priorities and get support or simply some suggestions for whatever you think will add value for yourself and your studies. Needless to say, the program and all its activities are free for you to take part in, with the “Be strong!” Office covering the costs.
You can find an overview of the program planned for winter semester 2026/27 in BASIS. The courses are arranged by field of study so that you can find your way easily around the various topic areas.
Details of the program for the current winter semester 2026 are also provided here.
You should be aware that, owing to the current focus chosen for “Be strong!” almost all the courses on the program for the semester will only be offered in German.
Who is the program designed for?
The program is open to and suitable for all students enrolled on undergraduate or postgraduate degree programs at the University of Bonn. Unfortunately, doctoral candidates are unable to take part in the program, as it is designed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Doctoral candidates are asked to contact the Bonn Graduate Center instead.
Most courses also require German skills at B2 level, although we do run a handful in English. International students can find a wide range of courses taught in English that the International Office organizes on its “Campus International” program.
Registering and signing up for courses
Keen to be part of “Be strong!” and take some courses?
Step 1: registration
Please start by registering for our program via BASIS. Once you have logged in, you will find a link to “Be strong!” on the landing page. Alternatively, you can click on the “Begleitprogramme” (“Supporting programs”) tab.
Only then will you have been admitted onto the program and be able to sign up for courses via BASIS. This can take up to a week because it involves a formal administrative process. Please bear this lead time in mind when picking courses you are interested in.
Registering is a bit like enrolling on an additional degree program. You will need to do this for your achievements in “Be strong!” to appear on your transcript of records. Because the study support program is extracurricular and you will be taking its courses alongside your studies, your performance in “Be strong!” will not affect your average grade in any way.
Step 2: signing up for courses
Once you have successfully registered, you will receive a confirmation email from the office.
You will also be able to sign up for “Be strong!” courses via BASIS as usual.
A few courses are not listed in BASIS. If you find some on our web page but not in BASIS, please contact the office at bestrong@uni-bonn.de.
The office can email you more information on the courses if you need any.
Recording attendance
Courses taking place in or after winter semester 2026/27 that you have booked via BASIS will appear on your transcript of records. Your performance on these courses will not affect your grades because they will not form part of your degree program.
If you attended courses in winter semester 2025/26 and/or summer semester 2026 or will be attending courses in winter semester 2026/27 that cannot be booked in BASIS, we will make a record of your participation on your behalf and provide confirmation of it provided that you attended the sessions regularly and played an active part in them.
These certificates of attendance will generally be issued at the start of the new semester. For example, if you begin the study support program in summer semester 2026, we will issue your first certificate at the start of the following semester, i.e. winter 2026/2027. You can also request a certificate of attendance from the office at other times if this is justified.
Students are also expected to be able to count “Be strong!” courses toward their (new) degree program in the future if the examination regulations permit.
In addition, the revision of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Hochschulgesetz, HG) is likely to allow an individual standard period of study to be extended under certain conditions, e.g. if additional interdisciplinary achievements are recorded. Assuming that the future legal regulation can be applied to the study support program, then an extension to the standard period of study for program participants from winter semester 2025/26 onward is expected to be possible retrospectively as well.
Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service
The Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service is the first port of call at the University for anything to do with studying. We provide information and guidance to current and prospective students in all matters related to choosing a degree program, getting started at university and managing their studies.
Don’t panic!? – Starting my studies at the Uni Bonn
“Don’t panic!? - Starting my studies at the University of Bonn” aims to empower you across disciplines right at the beginning of your studies! This includes comprehensive, general information across disciplines to help you successfully kick off your studies in the form of online presentations and open consultation hours as well as opportunities to get to know the Uni Bonn in a playful way on-campus or online and to connect with follow-students!
Push through Your Studies
The series of workshops is designed to help you grow your skills and abilities over the long term and strengthen your resources, ensuring that your time as a student is successful and focused on your health.
4 powers 4 you – more power(s) to you!
4 powers 4 you – more power(s) to you! offers flexible self-study an on demand courses – exactly when you need them.
Career Service
The Career Service provides a range of advice and support about choosing your career and applying for jobs.
Gleichstellungsbüro
With the workshop program, the office provides all members of the University of Bonn the opportunity to participate in workshops and training sessions aimed at developing their personal skills. Key focus areas include the supporting of women’s careers, self-assurance & empowerment, as well as gender competence.
International Office
The International Office coordinates the international activities of the University of Bonn, and acts as the central point of contact for international students and researchers – before, during and after their time at the University. It also provides support to students and researchers of the University of Bonn in all issues relating to international mobility and cooperation.
University and State Library
The Main Library and the MNL Branch Library offer various options to study or work in the library.
University IT and Data Center
The University IT and Data Center (Hochschulrechenzentrum, HRZ) is the central IT service provider of the University of Bonn
Hochschulsport
With their sport courses they support you continuously and easily in your learning.
Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit
The Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit supports and advises the Rectorate in the (further) development of concepts and strategies to promote equal opportunities and diversity, supports and networks organizational units, academics and staff of the University of Bonn in the planning and implementation of activities in the field of equal opportunities, identifies good practice measures, ensures their transfer and contributes to the establishment of an organizational culture characterized by mutual appreciation and recognition.
eLearning for Students
The university's information portals and digital services: GOsa, BASIS, eCampus (ILIAS), e-mail and more — various digital offerings are an integral part of your everyday study life. Here you will find a selection of offers and services available to you.
Healthy Campus Bonn
Please find more information on the webseite.
Contact
Dr. Anna Karin
Anna-Katharina Stelter