More than 6,700 new students have begun their studies at Leipzig University this winter semester 2025/26. This number is expected to increase by the enrolment deadline of 1 November 2025. On Wednesday, 16 October, the new students will be officially welcomed into academic life at a formal enrolment ceremony in the Gewandhaus.
In recent weeks and months, Leipzig University has received around 39,000 applications for admission - about 1,800 more than last year. Compared to 2024, slightly fewer new students have been enrolled. This is partly due to a reduction in available places in some degree programmes and to the University’s more selective admissions approach. Overall, Leipzig University has around 30,000 students in the winter semester 2025/26, 11.1 per cent of whom come from abroad.
A particularly large number of places were allocated in teacher training (over 1,100), Law (750) and Medicine (340). As such, Leipzig University makes a key contribution to public services of general interest; corresponding study programmes are governed by target agreements between Leipzig University and the Free State of Saxony.
Once again, the Psychology bachelor’s programme was particularly popular with applicants this year, with almost 3,700 applications, or 57 applications per place. The master’s programme in Global Studies was also in high demand, with around 1,600 applications, or 48 per place.
Studying at Leipzig University in high demand
Professor Brigitte Latzko, Vice-Rector for Talent Development: Study and Teaching, says: "Leipzig University has a diverse and attractive range of study programmes. The high number of applications shows how strong the demand for studying at our university is - both in popular subjects and in smaller, more specialised disciplines."
New bachelor’s programmes introduced this academic year include: Archaeology, Languages and History of Early Cultures; German-French: Language, Literature and Culture; Exercise - Health - Rehabilitation; and Sport Science: Exercise - Training - Performance. Students were also able to enrol for the first time in a teacher training programme for Oberschulen (secondary schools) with special needs teaching, offered in cooperation with Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.
The enrolment process is still ongoing, so the number of students will increase slightly. Final figures will be collected on 1 November 2025.
Formal academic induction
Around 1,700 first-semester students are expected to attend the enrolment ceremony, which will be held at the Gewandhaus on 15 October at 3pm. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by student Elisabeth Neumann, with musical entertainment provided by the University Music ensembles.
The Rectorate, headed by Rector Professor Eva Inés Obergfell, and Saxon State Minister of Science Sebastian Gemkow will take the opportunity to welcome the newly enrolled students. Members of the Student Council (StuRa) will also speak, as will the Managing Director of the Studentenwerk Leipzig, Dr Andrea Diekhof. Vicki Felthaus, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Youth, Schools and Democracy, will also attend as the City of Leipzig’s representative. After the enrolment ceremony, the Rector will invite all new students to the Moritzbastei.
Only newly enrolled students and invited guests are eligible to attend the ceremony. Other people are welcome to watch the live stream in the Paulinum - Assembly Hall and University Church of St. Paul.
