Faculty of Natural Sciences
*Orientation semester

Orientation courses

*Orientation semester

During the summer semester Ulm University offers a general orientation programme to new students as preparation for their undergraduate studies.

Our orientation semester is for you if you are interested in studying at Ulm University, have a higher education entrance qualification (usually Abitur) and have not been previously enrolled at a German higher education institution. The actual decision of which degree programme you want to study can wait until the winter semester.

More about the course

Throughout the orientation semester you will attend subject-specific courses and sit respective examinations. Your exam results can be credited towards your subsequent studies if you wish. Concomitant support measures, courses on self-management and how to organise your studies as well as individual advisory services help you make a well-founded choice of study and prepare for the demands of a university education.

Please note that attending the orientation semester does not grant you any benefits in regards to the admission to restricted degree programmes!

Academic Degree

Orientation courses

Type of Study
  • full-time
Start of Study
  • each summer semester
Course Language
  • German
Admission Requirements
  • no previous enrolment
Enrolment

Information for enrolment

Standard Period of Study

1

Start only in the summer semester

Preparation for the orientation semester

Are you planning to study a natural science subject such as Mathematics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering or Computer Science? Then we recommend completing the following online courses to refresh your school knowledge:

Study. Orientate. Decide.

Get to know the university and its study/degree programmes. Gain an insight into everyday study life and make the right study decision. Start your degree programme well prepared and without losing time thanks to recognition of service performances.

Benefits

  • Individual semester plan compiled from a catalogue of recommended lectures and events.
  • Attendance of further courses from the catalogue of lectures possible on request.
  • Advice and support in selecting suitable courses from the Student advisory services if required
  • Participation in regular specialist courses together with students from the respective study/degree programmes
  • Participation in examinations that can be recognised for a later degree course
  • Starting your studies with a self-determined workload

Participating study/degree programmes

Useful information

Prerequisites:

  • Higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) regardless of grade, with unrestricted admission
  • No study experience (previously enrolled at a German university for less than 3 months)

Organisational matters:

  • Enrolment possible from mid-January to the end of March.
  • Lectures start after Easter.
  • Notes: Participation in the orientation semester is not associated with a bonus for admission to a study/degree programme with restricted admission.

Finances:

Procedure

  • From mid-January (until the end of March): Enrolment
  • Creation of an individual timetable (if required, advice and support from the academic advisor). Catalogue of recommended courses available from mid-March.
  • Lectures start in mid-April (no Whitsun holidays)
  • Participation in examinations (normally from the last week of lectures)
  • Certificate of attendance and transcript of records after successful completion of the orientation semester.

Transition to a degree programme

If you would like to take a study/degree programme at Ulm University after the orientation semester, please note the following:

  • by 31 July: Application for study/degree programmes with restricted admission
  • Notes: Participation in the orientation semester is not associated with a bonus for admission to a study/degree programme with restricted admission.
  • By 30 September: Application for a study/degree programme with unrestricted admission
  • Change to the desired study/degree programme for the winter semester (if with restricted admission after corresponding admission)
  • After the change: Application for recognition of the examination achievements made in the orientation semester

During the orientation semester, you will take part in subject discipline courses (or precisely indicate: lecture tutorial etc.). Successfully completed examinations can be credited towards a later degree programme at Ulm University. Accompanying support measures, courses on learning organisation and individual student advisory services will help you to cope with the demands of university studies and make an informed choice of course.

Routes abroad

A great way to broaden your horizons in a discipline is to study at a foreign university. Ulm University students can apply for one or two semesters abroad at numerous universities, both throughout Europe as part of the ERASMUS programme and outside Europe. If lectures are not required, internships and theses at other universities are also possible.

Ulm University has exchange agreements with over 100 universities in 26 countries.
International Office

 

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