What on earth should I study? For many high school graduates, this is not an easy question to answer. In order to ease this dilemma, Ulm University will be offering an orientation semester for the first time this summer. The focus will be on the so-called “MINT” subjects (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and engineering). While these programmes do offer particularly good career perspectives, many new students approach them with inaccurate perceptions.

In the time between finishing school and starting university, new students now have the opportunity to try out different fields - in maths, technical and natural science subjects, and economics - in order to find the right field for them. “During the orientation semester, students may attend lectures and write exams. Wherever possible, performance certificates will be credited to a future study programme”, explains Professor Irene Bouw, vice president of teaching and internationalisation.

In individual student advising sessions, participants will receive support in selecting lectures and creating custom course plans. In addition to the academic offers available from the instructors, student guides will also be offering support in the form of courses on the subjects of getting organised and student orientation.
The orientation semester is part of the project UULM PRO MINT & MED, which is intended to help new students master the transition to university. It is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the scope of the Teaching Quality Agreement.
Since 2015, a language and culture “pre-semester” has been available for international students at Ulm University as well – independent of the new orientation semester – which also includes German courses designed to prepare participants for studying at a university.