The University of Greifswald will welcome its freshers at an opening ceremony on 12 October that will be subject to strict hygiene regulations. As it currently stands (as of 9 October 2020), 1999 freshers have enrolled for a degree course in Greifswald. Winter semester’s teaching commences with the traditional ceremony, which is to be broadcast for the first time as a livestream on the University’s website. In spite of the restrictions caused by COVID-19, the new students were introduced to the University last week.
About 30 % of the new enrolees come from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Students from former West Germany make up around 35 % of the freshers and a little more than nine percent come from Berlin. Many of the students also come from neighbouring federal states with 226 from Brandenburg, 147 from Schleswig-Holstein and 134 from Niedersachsen. 143 international students with foreign nationalities have enrolled as freshers. Currently 10,230 students are enrolled at the University. This includes around 750 students from a total of 93 countries.
The number of students at the University of Greifswald will increase slightly in the coming weeks. This is due to the fact that several students have not yet re-registered for their course. Furthermore, enrolments are still taking place for certain degree courses with admission restrictions. This year, the teaching period for students starting their first semester of Human Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology (B.Sc.) and Dentistry does not start until 2 November 2020. The reason for this is the postponement of the application periods as a result of COVID-19.
‘At first we were worried that we would not be able to hold the figures we have been able to achieve in the last few years due to the pandemic. We are therefore all the more thrilled that we are again able to greet around 2000 new students this year. This high demand spurs us on to provide our students with attractive degree courses,’ says Rector Prof. Dr. Johanna Weber.
In addition to Medicine and Dentistry, Psychology and Human Biology were particularly popular amongst the degree courses with admission restrictions. Law and Political Science are two of the degree courses without admission restrictions that were highly sought after. Primary Education is a new degree course starting this semester. 75 students have enrolled for the teacher-training degree.1
The Students' Union (AStA) provided an extensive welcoming and information programme for the new students in spite of the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were supported by tutors from the faculties. On top of sessions for getting to know fellow students that were subject to face masks and the observance of sufficient distance, this year saw several online offers that were helpful for adapting to the special circumstances.
Further Information
1 Further details are available in an additional press release.
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