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University of Siegen reverses trend in first-year students

André Zeppenfeld

At the start of the 2025/26 winter semester, the number of first-year students will rise to more than 2,500 - an increase of more than 11 percent. The university expects around 14,000 students in total.

Erstsemesterbegrüßung Wintersemester 2025/26 Audimax Universität Siegen

Full house: The Audimax was packed for the welcome of the new students in the winter semester 2025/26.

Attracting more people to Siegen - the University of Siegen achieved this goal in the winter semester 2025/26. The number of first-year students (first-time and new enrolments) rose by a whopping 11.4 percent to 2,515 - compared to the previous year's figure of 2,258 (as of October 13). After years of falling numbers of first-year students, the university has thus halted this trend and turned it around.

"I am very pleased that our efforts have been successful - from the marketing campaign, our new website and modern degree programs to the revitalization of the campus. We got to work and are very pleased with this result," said University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese.

For the final total number of students, the university is forecasting a level of around 14,000 students for the winter semester 2025/26 - compared to the previous winter semester, this would be a slight decrease of around 2.4 percent (in winter semester 2024/25, the final total number of students was 14,339 as of December 1, 2024). The main reason for this is the fact that many students have completed their studies and left the university: In the examination year 2024, 2,703 students successfully completed their studies.

"At the University of Siegen, students reliably graduate and then start their careers - that's very good. The numerically strong cohorts are now leaving the university, with fewer new students joining in the following years," explained Prof. Dr. Hans Michael Merzendorfer, Prorector for Studies, Teaching and Quality Management.

Together with the new Chancellor Iris Litty and the entire Rectorate team, Rector Reese wants to build on what has already been achieved: "The work continues, we have to keep the total number of students stable," said Reese. Iris Litty, who took up her post as Chancellor on October 1, said: "I am highly motivated and look forward to taking the University of Siegen forward in the coming years. With regard to the students, I would particularly like to advocate for the best learning and living conditions on campus and for the issue of mobility, i.e. the accessibility of the university by public transport."

International students at record level

In terms of international students, the University of Siegen has once again topped the all-time high set in 2024. The number of international students at the start of the semester is just under 1,869, an increase of 11.1 percent compared to the previous year. By far the largest group of international students comes from India, followed by Pakistan, Iran, China and Turkey.

Popular degree programs and more quality of stay

The most popular degree program at the University of Siegen is currently the Bachelor's degree in Social Work, followed by the Bachelor's degree in Primary School Teaching and the Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Looking at all teacher training courses together, the teaching degree is the absolute frontrunner with by far the highest number of applications. The Bachelor's degree course in Psychology is the most sought-after course. The University of Siegen has increased the number of places on this course from 60 to 90. All places have been allocated, with more than 1,500 applications.

The university is currently significantly improving the quality of life on campus. The campus should be a place where students and employees enjoy spending time. Sport is a very important element here, which is why the university has redesigned the LEOwiese on the Adolf-Reichwein-Straße campus and created new sports facilities. With volleyball and soccer, but also the loan of sports equipment for frisbee, Viking chess and more. New seating is also being added. Investments are also being made in the "Green Center" near the former Haardter Berg School. A volleyball court and a soccer pitch are being built here, and a 15-metre long slackline is also being installed.

New offers from the Studierendenwerk

The Studierendenwerk is launching new services in the winter semester. In the canteen on the Adolf-Reichwein-Straße campus there is an additional pasta offer (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), in the canteen on the Unteres Schloss campus there is a new salad bar. LEO on the Paul-Bonatz-Straße campus offers a hot lunch three days a week. And: The next Mensa party is coming up - on November 7, the Mensa on Campus AR will become a dance floor. Tickets can be purchased from Wednesday (October 15) at the Studierendenwerk catering outlets.

Erstsemesterbegrüßung Wintersemester 2025/26 Audimax Universität Siegen Markt der Möglichkeiten

Welcome in the Audimax

On October 13, the University welcomed the first semester students in the packed Audimax on the Adolf-Reichwein-Straße campus. University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Siegen's Deputy Mayor Jens Kamieth as well as the Studierendenwerk and the AStA warmly welcomed the "first-timers". "Today marks the start of a great new phase in your lives with new contacts in a new place. I wish you a great start here at the University of Siegen. Take advantage of the many opportunities offered by the university and get involved yourself to shape your studies according to your own ideas," said Rector Prof. Reese to the new students.

Erstsemesterbegrüßung Wintersemester 2025/26 Audimax Universität Siegen
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