TU Ilmenau welcomes its new students with a service point at the start of the winter semester 2025/26 and an introductory week. A week full of information, encounters and support should make it easier for first semester students to start their studies - and show them that they can quickly find a home in Ilmenau.
The new basis: Base Camp
The Base Camp in the Academic Service Center (ASC, Mensa building, Max-Planck-Ring 1, 1st floor) opens its doors on September 29. Until October 24, it will provide central support for all new Bachelor's and Master's students, from collecting the Thoska card and study and campus information to help with insurance and dealing with the authorities. The service, which was tested for the first time at the start of the summer semester 2025, is to be permanently established at TU Ilmenau with immediate effect.
International students in particular benefit from the services offered by Base Camp - whether questions about visas, residence permits or language support. "With Base Camp, we want to ensure that no one starts the semester with unanswered questions," says initiator and Vice President for Studies and Teaching Prof. Anja Geigenmüller:
And we want to show that we really live the welcoming culture, which is one of our university's core values.
Support from many volunteers
The Base Camp is run by staff from the Central Student Advisory Service and Orientation (ZSBO), the International Office (IO), the Academic Service Center (ASC), the Division Equal Opportunities, Diversity & Health (GDG) and helpers from the university's departments.
The Freshers' Week (ErstiWoche) begins on October 5 with a get-to-know-you barbecue. This is where the first-year students get to know their tutors for the first time - volunteer students who accompany the first-year students during Freshers' Week and beyond. The ErstiWochen-Orga (EWO), a division of the TU Ilmenau Student Council (StuRa), is responsible for organizing all events such as breakfasts and all afternoon activities. It is made up of motivated university students who volunteer their time to help the first-year students. During Freshers' Week, the EWO is supported by many associations on campus, such as Bergfest e.V., ISWI e.V., ILSC e.V. and SWING e.V. Freshers also get to know all the other associations and initiatives during Freshers' Week. They can also pick up a welcome pack with useful materials and small giveaways at the StuRa information stand in the canteen.
The official start of the Freshers' Week will be a welcome event on October 6 at 9:30 a.m. in the Audimax, the university's central lecture hall building. A panel discussion will address questions such as: How can I make the best possible start to my studies? This will be followed by introductions to the degree courses, campus and city tours, IT and library training and refresher courses in mathematics. Accompanied by their tutors from higher semesters, the first-year students not only learn how university works, but also how to organize themselves in their new everyday life.
The highlight of the introductory week is the ceremonial matriculation, the symbolic entry into the academic community of the university, on October 11 at 10 a.m. in the Audimax. The university management, representatives of the city of Ilmenau and the student body will welcome the new students and their families in a festive atmosphere - with cultural highlights and initial inspiration for the new phase of life.
Arrival made easy
In the evening, a tour of the student clubs organized by the ErstiWoche, a film evening with the university film club, the ErstiGameNight and, as a special highlight, a big GalaNight ensure encounters and lots of fun. "It's this mixture of information and free time that makes the ErstiWoche so valuable," says Kira Bayer, part of the ErstiWochen organization.
The extensive program is supported by dozens of volunteers like Kira and students from higher semesters who get involved as tutors or helpers. Many do this because they have had a good Freshers' Week themselves. "You just want to give something back," says Kira Bayer, as she knows from her own experience:
After Freshers' Week, you no longer feel like a stranger here - you already feel a bit at home.