“Today marks the start of a new chapter in your lives! Many new opportunities, but also challenges, await you – particularly at a time when it is becoming all the more important to be able to distinguish truth from nonsense, and reasoned arguments from inflammatory slogans. Together with you, we want to advance academic study and scholarship, and work every day to make the world a little better. Join us in taking responsibility – for yourselves, for others and for our society,” emphasised Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Birgitta Wolff as she welcomed the new students.

Smaller school-leaving cohort presents an opportunity for students

This year’s start of the academic year is taking place under unusual circumstances: due to the return to the G9 system, the number of A-level graduates in North Rhine-Westphalia is significantly lower. Consequently, the number of first-year students will also decline. At the start of the semester, the University of Wuppertal is welcoming 1,567 students in their first university semester and 3,071 first-year students in their first academic semester. At the same time last year, the figures were 2,476 and 4,022 respectively. The figures relate to different categories: the first academic semester includes students enrolling at a higher education institution in Germany for the first time. The first academic semester also includes students who are starting a new degree programme after changing their subject. By the end of the data collection period on 1 December 2025, the previous year’s figures had risen even further.

To mitigate the effects of the so-called ‘white cohort’, higher education institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Science, had been promoting the region as a study destination in the run-up to the survey. The state-wide campaign focused on the diversity of the higher education landscape, excellent research and the transfer of knowledge to business and society. The University of Wuppertal also took part in this.

The decline observed so far is in line with the universities’ preliminary local forecasts. As enrolment, lottery and waiting-list procedures are still ongoing, it is not yet possible to conclusively assess the success of the university’s own and state-wide measures. The lower numbers of first-year students have no impact on the University of Wuppertal’s core funding. Furthermore, the current ‘freshers’ have access to the same range of degree programmes and seminar options as in previous years.

More scope for students – studying in a more personalised way and graduating successfully

On the contrary: from the University of Wuppertal’s perspective, the current situation opens up new and lasting opportunities for students. “Smaller cohorts allow for more interactive learning opportunities and a more intensive exchange of ideas,” emphasises Prof. Dr Susanne Buch, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching. “We intend to make the most of this opportunity this semester: after all, a good start to one’s studies is an essential foundation for future academic success.” The latest figures also demonstrate that the University of Wuppertal offers the best possible conditions for a successful degree: a new record of 3,133 graduates was reached in 2025.

The University of Wuppertal supports its students with a wide range of information and advisory services – from the university app and the WhatsApp channel for first-year students to personalised advice from the Central Student Advisory Service. Individual support is provided by the central workshops, which specifically teach the necessary basics and thus ease the transition from school to university. The aim of this comprehensive range of services is to reach students at an early stage and to provide them with the best possible support throughout their studies.

A festive welcome for the new students

A varied programme awaited the first-year students at this year’s welcome event. Following a welcome address by Vice-Chancellor Birgitta Wolff, the host duo – Franziska Hilger, a PhD student at BUW, and Dennis Fink, Head of UniSports – welcomed the eager students.

A film entitled ‘If Only I’d Known’ gave the first-year students a humorous and practical insight into everyday student life. In addition, the film “Places to Be” showcased special locations in the Bergisches Land region. Furthermore, the Central Student Advisory Service, the student representatives, the General Student Committee (AStA) and the workshops introduced themselves and their support services. The Science Slam with Marcus Weidemann combined science and entertainment. The UniChor and a hip-hop show featuring Derya Kaptan once again provided musical and dance highlights. The event concluded with an active break organised by UniSport.

Get your studies off to a good start with Welcome Week

The first-year welcome event marked the start of ‘Welcome Week’, during which numerous other information, orientation and social events await new students.

Important information on starting your studies and the Welcome Week programme can be found at: BUW Welcome Week Guide