First-Semester-Students' Welcome
The official welcoming event for First-Semester-Students at the University of Bonn
© BF/Uni Bonn

First-Semester-Students' Welcome 2025

First- Semester Welcome 2025

Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube

Live Stream (EN) 2025

Bild © Universität Bonn / YouTube

A report on the 2025 First-Semester Students’ Welcome

The University of Bonn celebrated its traditional First-Semester Students’ Welcome on October 8, which offered them no end of things to see and do. As well as providing information, the emphasis was mainly on making new contacts so that the new students could get the latest chapter in their lives off to a successful start.  

Every year, the University of Bonn greets its new students with a truly special event, the First-Semester Students’ Welcome, which is all about getting their studies off to a good start. Interest was so great that the official welcome given by Klaus Sandmann, the Vice Rector for Teaching, Learning and University Development (standing in for the Rector), and Sean Bonkowski, President of the General Students’ Committee, in the main auditorium was also broadcast in the lecture halls next door, on a big screen in the Arkadenhof and via a livestream. 

On the stage, representatives from the Rectorate and the wider University talked about the areas they are responsible for as well as presenting opportunities for the new students to get involved themselves. The speakers covered numerous aspects of University life, including sustainability, diversity, internationalization, musical activities, student services and support. 

The info market in the Arkadenhof enabled the guests to find out about the activities of the many University- and student-run organizations, from student councils and University Sports through to counseling and advisory services and initiatives. Anyone who was interested could also join a guided tour of the University Main Building and take part in hands-on activities run by the departmental student bodies. The day culminated in a lively party in the University Main Building that gave the new students the chance to come together and celebrate. 

“Our First-Semester Students’ Welcome marks the start of a completely new chapter in these people’s lives,” says Professor Klaus Sandmann. “So we make a point of taking the time to say a proper hello to the new students and make it easier for them to settle in here. I'm delighted that there was so much interest and I'm sure that the new freshmen will start their studies with motivation, curiosity, and enthusiasm."

Click here to see the first photos!

Welcome to the University of Bonn! 

Dear First Semester-Students,

It is my distinct pleasure as rector to welcome you to the University of Bonn — a University of Excellence with over 200 years of proud history. You are now one of roughly 40,000 students here at our university. Welcome!

You are beginning your studies at the University of Bonn in (at least) one of our seven faculties, each offering a broad palette of degree programs. Many of our departments have earned a stellar reputation in comparisons with both national and international competition. In part this reflects our Excellence Strategy, which has successfully secured eight Clusters of Excellence for our institution, more than any other German university. Yet it is not just the strength of our sciences that makes Bonn so special. This place, this haven for academia is extraordinary in its own right: Bonn is a city of great history and promising present and future…

In addition to world-famous scientists and thinkers, one of the greatest musicians of all time was born here: Ludwig van Beethoven. In Bonn, in the heart of Europe, the Basic Law was also passed, the best constitution that has ever existed on German soil. As a university, we therefore see it as our particular responsibility to promote the values of democracy, freedom and enlightenment and to stand up for fundamental values such as equal opportunities and diversity. As the German city of the United Nations, where the UN Climate Change Secretariat is based, as well as numerous globally active organizations and companies, Bonn also has a very international character. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a special greeting to the students among you, who are coming to us from all over the world! I am sure that you will all quickly settle in and feel at home in Bonn on the Rhine. There is a great variety of university and non-university cultural and leisure activities on offer for you!

We want to give you, the first semester students, the opportunity to get to know our university, your lecturers and fellow students personally. Because we know how important direct contact is, especially at the start of your studies. You can find all the information about your studies on the university website under "Studies". There you will also find a wealth of further information and advice from your faculties and departments.

And now it’s time to wish you all a great and successful start to your academic pursuits at the University of Bonn. 

Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Hoch
Rector of the University of Bonn

Impressions of the First-Semester-Students’ Welcome 2024

Erstsemester Welcome 2024

Bild © Universität Bonn/Marc John

Info-Tip:

A student wearing a yellow sweater, headphones and a big smile is working on her notebook. In the picture’s background a white window and one of the University’s main building’s towers can be seen, with the Study Compass’ cover displayed on the right side.
© Bosse & Meinhardt

The "Starting Your Studies"-Portal

The Central Student Advisory and Counseling Service's (ZSB) "Starting Your Studies"-portal provides all info you might need for a successful start to your studies. The ZSB is your first point of contact for all questions about studying.
Here you can get consultation, a checklist for starting your studies and the Study Compass!

View across the Hofgarten-lawn to the University’s main building.
© Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn

The Student Registry's Service-Hotline

Do you have questions about current application, enrollment and/or admission procedures for your studies and would like to clarify them quickly by phone? The Student Registry's Service Hotline is there for you!
The service hotline is available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 12 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm, at +49-(0)228/73-4464 and -4491.

The University’s Information Center with its counter and shelves filled with info material as well as the Uni-store.
© Barbara Frommann/Uni Bonn

Infopoint of the University of Bonn

You have questions about the university in general? You are looking for a contact point for a specific problem? You would like to buy university apparel or accessories? Just contact our Infopoint! You will find us at our new location at Poststraße 26. There you will also find the university store. University apparel and accessories are also available at our online store.

Welcome Days for international students

With the Welcome Days we would like to welcome all new students and doctoral students from abroad to Bonn and facilitate a successful start of their studies. You will find all important information on the International Office's Welcome Days-page.

Welcome Days
© Lukas Ullrich, KLEINLAUT

Student Representative Bodies participating in the First-Semester-Students' Welcome

The AStA's info booth at the First-Semester-Students' Welcome event in 2019
© Barbara Frommann/Uni Bonn

Meet the General Students’ Committee AStA

Three members of the Student Council of Medicine - one dressed in a white lab coat - are smiling at the camera
© Student Council of Medicine

Get to know the Student Councils

A picture of Campusradio bonn.FM's crew
© bonn.FM

Find out more about Campusradio bonn.fm

© Barbara Fromman/Uni Bonn

Information Fair for First-Semester-Students

As a part of the First-Semester-Students' Welcome Event, the University of Bonn offers an information fair. There you can meet representives of central university institutions and members of student organizations.

A list of the participating institutions of the 2024's Information Fair for First-Semester-Students can be found below.

Additionally, all information about various counseling and service offers provided by central university institutions can be found on the Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service's webpage.

  • Alumni NetworkAStA of the University Bonn
  • Amnesty International Students Group Bonn
  • AStA-Kulturticket / Department of Culture and Student Initiatives
  • Campusradio bonnFM
  • Career Service
  • Catholic university parish Bonn
  • Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service
  • City of Bonn - Office of Economic Development
  • Connexxion, christian student group
  • European Commission / Europa-Punkt
  • Forum of Music of the University of Bonn
  • Gender Equality Office
  • Healthy Campus Bonn
  • Infopoint
  • International Office
  • Language Center
  • litterarium & atelier
  • Protestant Student Parish
  • Queer-Department of the General Students Committee
  • RCDS Bonn ring Christian democratic students
  • Studierendenwerk
  • Sustainability at the University of Bonn
  • Transfer Center enaCom
  • University and State Library Bonn (USL)
  • University IT and Data Center
  • University of Bonn Foundation
  • University Sports
  • Universitätsgesellschaft
  • Vice Rectorate and Staff Unit for Equal Opportunity and Diversity
  • various student councils and representatives of the faculties

Follow the University of Bonn on Social Media:

Contact person for the First-Semester-Students' Welcome

Avatar Hufschmidt

Lena Hufschmidt

+49 228 73 3075

Rectorate Event Management Team

Dechenstraße 3-11

53115 Bonn

© Jürgen Hofmann
Avatar Demant

Friederike Demant

+49 228 73 7787

Rectorate Event Management Team

Dechenstraße 3-11

53115 Bonn

© Jürgen Hofmann
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