Significantly more first-year college students than expected

Enrollment figures at the University of Siegen for the 2026–2027 winter semester have been significantly better than expected. More than 2,200 first-year students are beginning their studies in Siegen. As of October 12, 2026, the university has recorded a decline of just under 10 percent in the number of first-year students compared to the previous year. Due to the return to the G9 system in high schools, significantly fewer students are taking the Abitur this year; as a result, the university had anticipated a much larger decline of about 30 percent due to the “small Abitur class.” The trend among international students is particularly encouraging: Compared to last year, there has been an increase of about 18 percent, marking a new all-time high.

Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese: “We are very pleased that the number of our first-year students has developed so positively so far, despite the smaller high school graduating class. This is a positive sign for the University of Siegen. We are succeeding in continuing the upward trend from last year: As early as the 2025–2026 winter semester, we recorded a 10 percent increase in first-semester students. This encouraging trend confirms our efforts to offer young people an attractive and forward-looking range of degree programs.”

The total number of students currently (October 12, 2026) stands at around 13,000; compared to the previous winter semester (as of October 12, 2025), this represents a decline of about 3 percent. In addition to the decline in first-year students, this is also due to the fact that many students completed their studies in the 2025 graduation year and entered the workforce: 2,743 students successfully completed their studies (previous year: 2,703).

This winter semester, the campus will feel a bit less crowded due to the “small high school graduating class.” “This also opens up new opportunities and creates better conditions at the universities: For example, students this winter semester will have better chances of enrolling in their preferred courses—even in traditionally popular ones. At the same time, this creates additional leeway to further improve the quality of academic programs and strengthen individual student support. The University of Siegen is already very well positioned in terms of its student-to-faculty ratio, and we can now build on that,” explained Prof. Dr. Hans Michael Merzendorfer, Prorector for Academic Affairs, Teaching, and Quality Management. 

International Student Numbers at Record Levels

In terms of international students, the University of Siegen has once again—and by a significant margin—surpassed the all-time high set in 2025. At the start of the semester, the number of international students stood at more than 2,100, an increase of 18 percent compared to the previous year. By far the largest group of international students comes from India, followed by Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, and Bangladesh.

Popular Degree Programs and Improved Quality of Life

The program with the most first-year students at the University of Siegen is currently the Bachelor’s in “Social Work,” followed by the Bachelor’s and Master’s in “Elementary School Teaching” and the Master’s in “Computer Science.” When considering all teacher education programs collectively, teacher education is the clear frontrunner with by far the highest number of applicants. The program with the most applications is the Bachelor’s program in Psychology. More than 2,000 applications were received, and all 90 spots in both the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs were filled.

The university has already significantly improved the quality of life on campus. The LEOwiese on the Adolf-Reichwein-Straße campus has been redesigned and equipped with exercise facilities, seating, and a barbecue area. The “Grüne Mitte” near the former Haardter-Berg-Schule is now also complete. Recreational facilities for various ball games have been built here, and a 15-meter-long slackline has been set up. The “Grüne Mitte” is now open to all university members; the official opening will take place in June 2027.