Starting Your Studies

Source: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/during-your-studies/starting-your-studies/starting-your-studies Parent: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/studying/application-admission-and-enrollment/enrollment

Great to have you on board with us!

Starting university is a personal and unique experience – a new chapter in life that can be exciting as well as opening up a myriad of new opportunities. Embarking on your studies marks a new chapter in your life that will differ in many aspects from your usual ways of living and working. We want to help you get ready for the transition to university studies in a positive and systematic way and make sure you independently co-shape your start into your studies.

Don’t panic!? - Starting my studies at the University of Bonn

“Don’t panic!? - Starting my studies at the University of Bonn1” aims to empower you across disciplines right at the beginning of your studies!\ This includes comprehensive, general information across disciplines to help you successfully kick off your studies in the form of online presentations and open consultation hours as well as opportunities to get to know the Uni Bonn in a playful way on-campus or online and to connect with follow-students during a workshop!

Study Compass

Pick up your personal printed copy of the Study Compass (available in German only) at the Studying at the University of Bonn info box and other pick-up boxes containing the Study Compass now. (Google Maps2).

You can also acquire a copy of the Study Compass from your responsible examination authority3 or your subject-specific study advisory services/degree program management4 during their opening/office hours.

Studienkompass (13.2 MB, PDF) (available in German only)5

01.

Checklist for starting your studies

What do I need to know before my studies begin? Who can help me with which questions? What are the key things I need to or should do to get off to a strong start to my studies?

Go to checklist6

02.

Subject-specific preliminary courses

Preliminary courses support new students in their transition from school to university and help close any knowledge gaps before the first semester begins. They are also a good opportunity to get to know your future fellow students.

To the Preliminary Courses7

03.

Orientation Weeks

During orientation weeks, you receive all subject-specific information as well as opportunities to settle in socially. You also get to know representatives of your degree program(s) as well as fellow students.

Go to Orientation Weeks8

04.

Connecting

Together we’re less alone—and a shared study experience is also a better one!

Find out how connecting with other people is a chance to acquire valuable experience, get involved in a variety of ways and build and hone your skills!

Go to Connecting website9

05.

Welcoming First-Semester Students

At our Welcoming First-Semester Students event across degree programs you’ll receive an official welcome, have the chance to look into the various offerings at our University and you can get to know fellow students and departmental student councils.

Go to Welcoming First-Semester Students10

06.

Study financing | Living in Bonn

You want to learn more about financial support options? We’ve put together information on topics such as BaföG and scholarships.

Go to Study Financing11

Interested in living and studying in the Federal City of Bonn? We’ll show you what accommodations are available and give tips about looking for an apartment.

Go to Living in Bonn12

Starting your studies interview with bonnFM

In an interview with campus radio station bonnFM, we talk about the support services offered by the Central Study Advisoryand Counseling Service (ZSB) for first-year students and all students. So: Don't panic!? Just tune in and listen! (In German language)

0:00 0:00

Studienberatung zum Studienstart Bild © BonnFM

Bonn Study Support Program “Be strong!

“Be strong!”, the first structured study support program to be offered at the University of Bonn, launches in winter semester 2025/26. The “Be strong!” program is highly diverse, covers all phases of a degree program and will help you to find your way around your studies, acquire and consolidate specialist and methodological skills, and build up your own personal resources.

More13

4 powers 4 you – more power(s) to you!

Our “4 powers 4 you – more power(s) to you!” program offers numerous free self-learning and on demand courses for successfully mastering studies in the areas of #SkillPOWER, #HealthPOWER, #SocialPOWER and #FuturePOWER.

4 powers 4 you14

RessourcenStark durchs Studium

The “RessourcenStark durchs Studium” (“Push through Your Studies”) series of workshops is designed to help you grow your skills and abilities over the long term and strengthen your resources, ensuring that your time as a student is successful and focused on your health.

RessourcenStark durchs Studium15

Podcast "Studierendenfutter"

Our “Tips for starting university” series on timetables, learning strategies and support offers tips and tricks to help you get through your first semester! (Only available in German).

Listen to podcast16

Welcome Days for international students

With the Welcome Days we would like to welcome all new students and doctoral students from abroad to Bonn and facilitate a successful start of their studies. You will find all important information on this page.

Learn more17

During your studies

Navigating the formalities, settling into university life, planning the start to your studies – you will find tips on ideal organization of your studies and additional information and advice here.

Continue18

Counseling & service

You still have questions but don’t know who to ask? This overview will help you navigate key topics and contacts.

Continue19

University life

Your studies have started, and now it’s time to discover your lovely new university city on the Rhine. Comprehensive information about university life can be found in this section.

Continue20

International Study Programs in Bonn

You are an international undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral student interested in studying at the University of Bonn? International Study Programs in Bonn can provide support and advice. Our pages contain information on the various programs and formalities involved with studying for an undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degree at the University of Bonn.

Go to Portal for International Students21

Study and Internship Abroad

There are many ways to make a stay abroad part of your studies: through spending a semester abroad in Helsinki, doing an internship in Chile or carrying out research for a thesis in Africa. International Outbound Mobility advises and supports you in your individual plans, while of course bearing in mind the current restrictions.

Study and internships abroad22

Uni Bonn to Go! Install the Actionbound app and get started.

Welcome to the University of Bonn! Take part in a virtual tour of the University by using the Actionbound app on your smartphone! Various tours as well as QuickStart instructions can be found on the Youth University Portal.

Uni Bonn to go!23

Veranstaltungen der Zentralen Studienberatung

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/veranstaltungen/fuer-eltern-studienorientierung-informiert-begleiten)24

Für Eltern: Studienorientierung informiert begleiten24

Meckenheimer Allee 166, ...

06:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Der Übergang von der Schule zur Universität oder in die berufliche Ausbildung wirft oft viele Fragen auf: Welche Studiengänge gibt es? Was bedeutet der NC? Wie ...

Wednesday Mar 25, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/veranstaltungen/studienfach-und-hochschulwechsel-onlinevortrag-mit-fragerunde)25

Studienfach- und Hochschulwechsel (Onlinevortrag mit Fragerunde)25

Online (Zoom)

03:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Onlinevortrag mit Fragerunde: Der Vortrag der Zentralen Studienberatung bietet einen Überblick über wesentliche, mit einem Studien- und Hochschulwechsel ...

Thursday May 07, 2026](https://www.uni-bonn.de/de/veranstaltungen/master-oder-nicht-master-was-kommt-nach-dem-bachelor)26

Master oder nicht Master: Was kommt nach dem Bachelor?26

Online (Zoom)

09:30 AM - 01:30 PM

Ihr Bachelorstudium nähert sich dem Ende. Stehen Sie vielleicht vor folgenden Fragen: Was kann und will ich mit meinem Bachelor machen? Soll ich direkt in den ...

Contact Information

Central Study Advisory and Counseling Service

zsb@uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-7080

Students from Germany

International Service Point

international@uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-5544

International Students