A Successful Start to the Winter Semester at Trier University

With great anticipation, the University of Trier has kicked off the 2025/26 winter semester, warmly welcoming all students, faculty, staff, and guests from the region to a lively start to the new academic year.

Around 2,250 new students have begun their studies at the University of Trier this semester - an increase of more than 12 percent compared to the previous year.

Counseling for first-year students during orientation days on campus.
Counseling for first-year students during orientation days on campus.

“We are delighted with these outstanding enrollment numbers and wish all new and returning students, as well as our staff, a successful and inspiring start to the semester,” said University President Prof. Dr. Eva Martha Eckkrammer. 

A Strong Signal for Internationalization

The rise in international student numbers is particularly encouraging: their share has grown from about 14 to 18 percent of the total student body.


“Our international students now come not only from neighboring countries - especially Luxembourg - but increasingly from around the world. Our English-taught master’s programs play a key role in this,” said Eckkrammer.


The University of Trier continues to attract international students through its English-language master’s programs such as Sustainability Management and Economics, Data Science, and Natural Language Processing.
 

New Format: “Official Semester Opening”

A highlight of this year’s semester start is the new event format, the Official Semester Opening, which will take place for the first time on October 22 at 6 p.m. in the Audimax and is set to become a regular feature of future semester kickoffs.


The event will include a panel discussion on “A Colorful or a Brown Future? Right-Wing Extremism in Germany and What We Can Do About It,” moderated by Thomas Roth, editor-in-chief of the Trierischer Volksfreund.


Panelists include Dr. Anna-Sophie Heinze, political scientist at the University of Trier; Natascha Strobl, Austrian author and political scientist; and Prof. Dr. Léonie de Jonge, professor of right-wing extremism research at the University of Tübingen. The evening will also feature the inaugural Uni Trier Awards, honoring outstanding achievements by students and researchers. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the City of Trier.


The event is open to the public - university members and external guests are warmly invited to attend. Admission is free. With this new format, the University of Trier sends a clear message of openness, dialogue, and civic engagement. 


“With the new Official Semester Opening, we want not only to give our students a great start to the semester, but also to make visible how dynamic research and teaching are at the University of Trier. We aim to build bridges - between academia and society, across disciplines, and beyond borders,” said President Eckkrammer.
 

Orientation Days: Getting to Know the Campus

One week before the start of classes, the traditional Orientation Days for new students took place. These sessions helped first-year students familiarize themselves with study organization, university services, academic advising, and campus life.

For the first time, the General Students’ Committee (AStA) took the lead in organizing the program together with the Central Student Advisory Service. Experienced students supported the newcomers, while open information booths and workshops offered opportunities to make first connections and feel at home on the campus. 

 

 

First-year students in the lecture hall at an introductory event.
First-year students in the lecture hall at an introductory event.
The new students in the lecture hall at an introductory event during the orientation days.
The new students in the lecture hall at an introductory event during the orientation days.
The first-year student support helps new students find their way around campus.
The first-year student support helps new students find their way around campus.
The first-year students were able to obtain advice and information at various stands.
The first-year students were able to obtain advice and information at various stands.
First-year students can get advice at the International Office stand.
First-year students can get advice at the International Office stand.
Counseling for first-year students during orientation days on campus.
First-year students in the lecture hall at an introductory event.
The new students in the lecture hall at an introductory event during the orientation days.
The first-year student support helps new students find their way around campus.
The first-year students were able to obtain advice and information at various stands.
First-year students can get advice at the International Office stand.
Counseling for first-year students during orientation days on campus.

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