10/09/2026 | Press Release

Record Number of International Students and New Programs

With the proportion of international students rising once again to 17 percent and several newly restructured degree programs, the University of Kassel is kicking off the 2026/27 winter semester. According to preliminary data, more than 4,400 first-year students have chosen to study at the university in northern Hesse. The total number of students stands at around 20,600. More than 200 first-year students chose one of the newly introduced or revised degree programs.

Image: Milan Soremski.

Next Monday (Oct. 12), the University of Kassel will begin the new academic year. According to preliminary enrollment figures, 4,420 students will begin their studies in their first semester at the University of Kassel (previous year: 4,771). The total number of enrolled students currently stands at 20,591 (previous year: 21,107). One reason for the slight decline is the lack of a high school graduating class in neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia due to the return to the G9 system there.

All available enrollment figures are preliminary and are expected to rise slightly in the coming days. The final figures as of the reporting date will be available at the end of November.

Strong Growth in International Students

The number of international students is growing particularly rapidly: 3,560 students hold a foreign passport (previous year: 3,333). The proportion of international students thus stands at 17 percent—higher than ever before. The three most common countries of origin are India (408), Pakistan (328), and Syria (265). This trend also continues among the group of so-called “foreign students for educational purposes” (students with a university entrance qualification obtained abroad): Their number rose from 2,573 the previous year to 2,759.

“The fact that the proportion of international students at our university has reached a new high is an important affirmation for us,” explains the university’s Vice President, Prof. Dr. Rita Borromeo Ferri. “Our new, specifically English-language and interdisciplinary degree programs in particular demonstrate how well this initiative is resonating: They solidify the University of Kassel’s position as an international destination for young talent.”

Adaptation and Further Development of the Academic Programs

To respond to changing demands, the University of Kassel is continuously expanding its portfolio. Among the new programs this winter semester are the Bachelor’s program in Educational Science with integrated sustainability studies and the Master’s program in Sustainability and Postcolonial Studies: Gender, Nature, and History. In addition, the Kassel School of Art is offering the Bachelor’s program in Design for the first time.

The Master’s program in Computer Science has undergone a curricular realignment: Instruction has been fully transitioned to English, though students can still choose German-language modules in selected areas. The program has been very well received: At the start of the semester, 121 students enrolled—the vast majority of whom are international students. 

“Universities face the challenge of continuously reviewing their academic offerings and adapting them to social and technological changes,” adds Borromeo Ferri. “The ongoing development of our academic offerings is a key component in ensuring the long-term appeal of the University of Kassel, even in a changing environment.” 

 

What does this mean in summary?

  • Record high for international students: 17% of students (3,560 people) come from abroad—more than ever before (main countries of origin: India, Pakistan, Syria).
  • Preliminary figures: The University of Kassel is starting the new academic year with 4,420 first-semester students and a total of 20,591enrolled students.
  • The NRW Effect & New Degree Programs: The slight decline in first-semester students is primarily due to the return to the G9 curriculum in neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW); at the same time, newly restructured programs such as the English-language Master’s in Computer Science are seeing very high demand.