More first-year students at the University of Kassel

After years of falling student numbers, a trend reversal is emerging according to the so-called key date figures. According to these figures, there will be an increase of 5.3 percent in first-semester students (students in their first semester) in the winter semester 2024/25, namely 4,652 compared to 4,416 in the previous year. As a large number of students completed their studies at the same time, the total number of enrolled students fell once again to 21,352 (21,898, a decrease of 2.5 percent). The number of students in the standard period of study remained practically constant at 12,735 (12,744). The number of "Bildungsauslaender", i.e. people with a non-German higher education entrance qualification, also increased to 2,344 (2,270).

"Overall, this is a pleasing development," commented University President Prof. Dr. Ute Clement. "We also see the first fruits of our work in modernizing the range of courses. In the medium term, the rising number of first-year students will also have an impact on the total number of students."

With 85 enrolments in its first year, the special education course has far exceeded expectations. The new minor in sustainability has also been well received (around 50 enrolments). In the coming year, up to ten further sustainability-related subjects will be launched; the university is accompanying this with a nationwide marketing campaign.

With a view to the ongoing negotiations for the funding of Hessian universities from 2026, Ute Clement added: "It is our task as a university, especially in these times, to make people an offer. During their studies, our graduates not only receive the tools they need to pursue successful careers in the turbulent times ahead. We are also offering them the opportunity to actively shape the transformation towards greater ecological, economic and social sustainability. We are counting on the state of Hesse to continue to provide us with sufficient long-term funding for this in the future. We must not cut back on education, especially during the crisis."

Press contact:

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communication and Marketing
Phone: +49 561 804-1961
Email: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
www.uni-kassel.de