Press release: Reaching and developing international talent early

No. 64 - 21.05.2026

Göttingen University “semester zero” in Chemistry and Physics for prospective students world-wide

Over the next four years, the University of Göttingen will receive funding of 500,000 euros for the project “Studienwege International – Göttingen MINT Journey for Internationals” from the Volkswagen Foundation and the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture. This project will enable the University to attract prospective international students with a good knowledge of German to the Bachelor’s degree programmes in Chemistry and Physics and to provide them with tailored support right at the beginning of their studies.

The focus is on a preparatory “Semester zero”, to give students a thorough grounding in language and organizational issues in Germany. The programme includes courses in technical German, the fundamentals of natural sciences, guidance on the requirements of university study, in addition to mentoring and advice services to support their transition into the first semester of their degree programme.

“This project means we can create a clearly structured pathway for international students into the Bachelor’s degree programmes in Chemistry and Physics which are taught in German. This has the added advantage of enhancing Göttingen University’s international profile,” says Professor Inge Hanewinkel, Vice-President for Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Internationalization at the University of Göttingen. “We want to reach out to international talent at an early stage, provide them with targeted support and enable them to get off to a successful start at our University.”

Contact:

Dr Heinrich Hagel

University of Göttingen

The International Office

Von-Siebold-Straße 2, 37075 Göttingen, Germany

Tel. +49 (0)551 39 21793

Email: heinrich.hagel@zvw.uni-goettingen.de