Over 5,200 first-year students at KIT

More than 5,200 new students are beginning their studies in the 2024/25 winter semester at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). KIT traditionally greets them and their families at a welcoming ceremony for first-semester students, which is taking place this year on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Audimax on KIT’s Campus South (Straße am Forum 3, building 30.95). The event will also be streamed live.  

The welcoming ceremony for the first-semester students will be streamed live here: https://www.cse.kit.edu/welcome24

“Teaching is a core element of life at KIT since our 22,200 students account for two thirds of the KIT family. Even during their studies, our students have a unique opportunity to work on exciting research projects and contribute to solutions for pressing problems facing society while developing their own ideas,” said Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT. “It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome more than 5,200 new students to KIT, and I wish them a good start in this new phase of their lives.”  

44 Bachelor’s and 59 Master’s Degree Programs at KIT

The number of first-semester students at KIT, including those beginning master’s degree programs, will exceed 5,200 in the 2024/25 winter semester; the total number of students will be over 22,200 (as of October 16, 2024). Registration and wait-list procedures are still in progress; the reporting date for student statistics is November 30. Students at KIT can choose from among 44 bachelor’s and 59 master’s degree programs.

Student Involvement at KIT

One of the ways to ease the start at KIT is the orientation phases (O-phases) organized by student representatives of the departments before the beginning of the semester. Campus life at KIT is enriched by more than 90 student associations for culture, sports, politics and much more. At the welcoming ceremony, KIT honors many students for their outstanding efforts in these associations, in the departmental student representations, and in the General Students Committee.

Tips for New Students on YouTube: “How to Ersti”

In a series of videos, KIT students answer questions for beginning students, such as what they can use their student ID for or what they can find in the Study Portal. They also provide suggestions and information about studying, leisure activities at KIT, life in Karlsruhe, or working during one’s studies. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk9Jc1t-Cx0UBpAHvgFDOsYM459EN5k2W

“KIT – That’s Why” Shows Why Studying at KIT Is Special

What makes KIT special and what it means to study at KIT are the subjects of a new five-part video series called “KIT – That’s Why” with segments on the KIT campus, digitalization, energy, mobility, and sustainability and the climate.

“KIT – That’s why” video series

And “Infos zum Studienstart” (a German-language brochure in postcard format), which includes the most important things to know about beginning studies, key institutions, and services and counseling available at KIT, is handed out at the welcoming ceremony.

Information Stands in the Audimax Lobby

Various KIT institutions, student associations and partners will present their offerings and answer questions at stands in the Audimax lobby starting at 5:00 p.m. and online on the day of the event at https://www.cse.kit.edu/english/4987.php. A selection of products from the KIT Shop will also be available, including new sweatshirts and T-shirts, Christmas stockings, and sustainably produced and practical study aids. All of the products are also available at www.kit-shop.de/en/.

KIT Backpack for First-semester Students

First-year students can pre-order the KIT backpack at a special price online at https://www.cse.kit.edu/english/4987.php and buy it at Welcome Day on October 24, 2024, in the Audimax lobby on KIT’s Campus South starting at 9:30 a.m.

Online Dossier with Information for Starting Studies

To keep new students from becoming overwhelmed by questions such as how to organize their studies, where to get counseling, how to get involved in campus life, or what sports and cultural activities are available, a dossier entitled “Starting Your Studies at KIT” provides a clear and compact summary of the most important information at https://www.kit.edu/study/start-of-studies.php.

Program for 2024 KIT Welcome Event

Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Audimax, Straße am Forum 3, building 30.95, KIT Campus South – and streamed live online

Moderator: Ina Kruwinnus

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.