In recent weeks and months, Leipzig University has received more than 37,000 applications for admission. This is around 2,000 fewer applications than the previous year. Similar to previous years, more than 7,000 new students are taking up their studies. This means that Leipzig University will have a total of over 31,000 students in the winter semester of 2024/25. Some 11.7 per cent of all students come from abroad.
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our first-semester students, and I am delighted to see them start a new chapter in their lives at our university,” says Rector Professor Eva Inés Obergfell. “You have chosen to study at one of the strongest research universities in the whole of Germany. As a university, we stand for tolerance, open-mindedness and diversity of perspectives. We invite all students to make a constructive contribution to society, both in their studies and away from lecture theatres and laboratories.”
Moderate decline in applications received
The number of places awarded was particularly high in courses related to public services of general interest. There are target agreements between Leipzig University and the Free State of Saxony in these areas. Some 1,300 new students have enrolled in teacher training, 780 in law and 590 in the four medical degree programmes.
“We are pleased that Leipzig University, with its wide range of subjects and attractive environment, is known beyond the region as a great place to study and is still very popular,” says Vice-Rector for Talent Development: Study and Teaching, Professor Roger Gläser. “Many German universities have seen a decline in the number of applications, due in part to demographic change. This decline is comparatively moderate at our university.” Commenting on the continued decline in applications for teacher training degrees, he says: “We have been able to fill most of the teacher training places, but given the shortage of teachers, the decline in interest in teacher training and the teaching profession in recent years is not a good sign. As a university, we are trying to actively counteract this through a number of measures.”
Psychology in demand again
The Psychology bachelor’s programme was again particularly popular with applicants this year, with almost 3,900 applications, or 58 applications per place. The master’s programme in Global Studies, for example, also received a high number of applications, with 30 applications per place, as did the bachelor’s programme in Communication and Media Studies, with 13 applications per place.
New this academic year is the bachelor’s degree programme in Mathematics. More than 100 new students have enrolled on this course this winter semester, significantly more than on the previous Diplom course.
The enrolment process is still ongoing, so the number of students will increase slightly. Final figures will be collected on 1 November 2024.
Formal academic induction
Around 1,700 first-semester students are expected to attend the enrolment ceremony, which will be held at the Gewandhaus on 16 October at 3pm. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by current student and student ambassador Elisabeth Neumann, with musical entertainment provided by the University Music ensembles.
The Rectorate, led by Rector Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, will take the opportunity to welcome the newly enrolled students and introduce itself. Members of the Student Council (StuRa) will also speak, as will the Managing Director of the Studentenwerk Leipzig, Dr Andrea Diekhof. Law professor Elisa Marie Hoven will give a personal speech to the new students to set the tone for this new phase of their lives. The City of Leipzig will be represented by Heiko Rosenthal, Mayor of Leipzig for Environmental Affairs, Order and Sport. After the enrolment ceremony, the Rector will invite all new students to the Moritzbastei.
Only newly enrolled students and invited guests are eligible to attend the ceremony. Other guests can watch a live stream in lecture theatre 8. Members of the press wishing to attend are requested to register at the entrance to the Gewandhaus by 2.45pm at the latest.