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The Dean of Studies welcomes the new students (Foto: Laura Elpers | Universität Osnabrück)

Start of the 2025/26 winter semester: Osnabrück Biology welcomes its new students

The start of the 2025/26 winter semester marked the beginning of biology studies at Osnabrück University for many students. We are delighted to have welcomed around 280 new Bachelor's and Master's students this year. The introductory week included various information events and a diverse programme organised by the Biology student council.

15.10.2025

With great enthusiasm, around 280 students began their biology studies at Osnabrück University in the 25/26 winter semester. Among them were around 170 people who started a research- or teaching-oriented bachelor's degree program (Single-subject Bachelor, Dual-subject Bachelor, Bachelor of Education and Teaching or Bachelor of Vocational Education). Others, however, were already a step ahead and started a Master's degree program. More than 70 of them were enrolled in a teaching-oriented program (Master of Secondary Education (Haupt- und Realschule), Master of Secondary Education (Gymnasium) or Master of Vocational Ecucation), while the rest had opted for one of our research-oriented, English-language Master's programs („Biology“ or „Nanosciences“).

Information events and social activities

This year, first-year students were once again able to start their studies with an exciting and varied introductory week. In addition to a welcome address by the Dean of Studies, Prof. Dr. Michael Hensel, the schedule included various information events tailored to the respective degree programs, presented by the student advisors Dr. Lars Langemeyer and Dr. Oliver Ambrée, as well as the study program coordinator Dr. Laura Elpers. First-year students in the international Master's programs in Biology and Nanosciences additionally received a detailed overview of the various divisions, their respective research focuses and the content of their teaching from the biology lecturers.

Welcome address to new Master's students by Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Michael Hensel (Foto: Laura Elpers | Universität Osnabrück)

The biology student council provided fun and variety in the form of game afternoons, city tours, café and pub crawls, and a communal breakfast. This allowed the new students to get to know not only the Westerberg campus and the city of Osnabrück, but also their fellow students, both national and international.

Embroidered lab coats for Bachelor's students

There was a novelty this year in the welcome address to Bachelor's students: normally, the Dean of Studies does not stand in the lecture hall wearing laboratory clothing during the welcome address, but this year Prof. Dr. Hensel made an exception. The reason: he presented the students with new lab coats embroidered with the Osnabrück Biology logo. These were distributed to first-year students in the Bachelor's programs for the first time this winter semester – made possible by study quality funds – to ensure safety in the upcoming laboratory practicals.

Left: Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Michael Hensel presents the embroidered lab coats to first-year students. Right: The student council hands out the lab coats to the new Bachelor's students (Fotos: Laura Elpers | Universität Osnabrück)

Welcome, dear students!

The Biology department in Osnabrück warmly welcomes all new students. We wish you a successful and exciting start to your academic life – and are confident that you will find the ideal conditions for your personal and academic development here!

We remain available to answer any questions you may have about studying. You will find all important contact details on our website.