University of Kassel starts the winter semester with new courses of study

"You are studying in a vital city at a vital university," said University of Kassel President Prof. Reiner Finkeldey, addressing the new students. "Be very welcome and take advantage of the opportunities that will be available to you in the coming years. Kassel is an exciting city and our university is on the move." 

The university's dynamic development is represented, for example, by the new offering of a bachelor's degree program plusMINT, he said. In this Hessian pilot program, young first-year students get a taste of various STEM subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) "on a trial basis" and take earned credits with them into a subsequent degree program. Just under 70 students are part of the first cohort.

Also new: At the request of the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, the university has expanded its offerings in the area of teaching at elementary schools. The number of first-year students increased by a good 30 in the 2019/20 winter semester, to just over 240 now. 1,386 people applied for these study places. The largest number of applicants was again for the bachelor's degree program in social work (1,520 to 330 places). 

According to preliminary figures, a total of 25,010 people are studying at the University of Kassel this winter semester. The number of newly admitted students (first-time and new enrollments) is 4,532. 5,365 of the now registered students are in their first semester (2018: 5,693). Thus, the general trend of slightly declining first-semester numbers continues in Kassel. 3,340 of all students are international students, which corresponds to a share of 13.4 percent. All figures now available are preliminary. Exact data is expected in mid/late November. The lecture period officially begins this Monday.

In the foreseeable future, the range of courses offered to students will expand as new professorships are established. A few weeks ago, the University of Kassel was extremely successful in a nationwide program to promote tenure-track professorships, acquiring 13 new professorships. This will enable the university in northern Hesse to strengthen focal points in research in the departments, but also in teaching, and to further improve student support.

The university is also continuing to drive digitization forward: with immediate effect, students' Campus Card will also be valid as a student ID and semester ticket. The previous paper-based IDs are being replaced. 

A separate building for students, which will be inaugurated in a few days, has a nationwide pilot character. The university converted an industrial monument on campus for around 7.3 million euros. In the future, it will house the AStA, as well as student initiatives and an event center.

Contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de