Start of Studies - International Degree Programmes
Welcome to Faculty 09! Here you will find the most important information and dates for the start of the winter semester 2026/27.
Starting university comes with a lot of new information. To help you prepare for your studies and get off to a good start, we provide information for new students and organise several welcome and information events for our international Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes.
Prepare for your studies
Getting Started
Our Getting Started brochure guides you through the most important steps before the start of your studies - from enrolment and preparing for your arrival to important dates and your first day at Faculty 09.
The brochure is intended for new international students in our Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes.
Enrolment
Please make sure that you complete your enrolment within the applicable deadlines.
>> Enrolment Checklist (.pdf)
Finding accommodation
Finding accommodation in Giessen can take time. We recommend that you start looking for a place to live as early as possible.
Welcome & Introduction Events
Our welcome and introduction events will help you prepare for your studies, understand how your degree programme works and get to know Faculty 09 and your fellow students.
Please check which events apply to your degree programme.
B.Sc. Environmental Sciences & B.Sc. Global Food Systems
Monday, 7 September 2026: Online Info Session for Admitted Students
Admitted to Environmental Sciences or Global Food Systems? Join our online session to meet the Faculty 09 team and get practical information about enrolment, preparing for your studies and what to do if your arrival in Germany is delayed.
There will also be plenty of time for your questions.
Introduction Week
28 September – 2 October 2026 | On campus
Before lectures begin, JLU's Central Student Advisory Service and Faculty 09 offer an Introduction Week for all first-semester students. We strongly recommend that you participate. During the week, you will receive important information about your studies, register for your first modules and get to know your fellow students, the university and the city. In addition to the sessions below, further activities with your mentor group will take place throughout the week until Friday, 2 October.
Monday, 28 September 2026: Official JLU Welcome & Mentor Groups
Please make sure to attend this meeting.
Tuesday, 29 September 2026: Q&A Session - International Office
Tuesday, 29 September 2026: Kick-off Faculty 09
Wednesday, 30 September 2026: Information Session with the programme directors
International Master's Students
M.Sc. Agrobioinformatics | M.Sc. Agrobiotechnology | M.Sc. Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources | M.Sc. One Health | M.Sc. Transition Management
Welcome Days
Get ready for your first semester and meet your fellow students. The Faculty 09 Study Deanery and your student mentors will introduce you to your degree programme and help you with practical first steps such as planning your timetable and registering for modules in Stud.IP. We strongly recommend that you participate.
Monday, 5 October 2026: Kick-off & Mentor Groups
Tuesday, 6 October 2026: City Walk
Explore Giessen with your mentors and fellow students and get practical tips for student life in the city.
M.Sc. Sustainable Transition
Thursday, 24 September 2026: Online Welcome Session - M.Sc. Sustainable Transition
11:00 a.m. CEST (German Time) | Online
Get to know JLU, Faculty 09 and your Master's programme. After a general introduction, your programme director will introduce the M.Sc. Sustainable Transition and what to expect from your studies.
A student mentor will then guide you through the practical side of getting started – including your timetable, core and profile modules and how to register for your first modules.
>> Join the Online Welcome Session
>> Our Information Broschure for Sustainable Transition Students (.pdf)
For all new international students
Friday, 9 October 2026: Digital Back-Up Session
Still have questions after your introductory events? Join our digital back-up session to clarify any open questions about starting your studies at Faculty 09.
Studying at Faculty 09
How does studying here work?
Modules, course registration, Stud.IP, FlexNow, examinations and study planning may all be new to you.
Our Studying at Faculty 09 guide explains the most important aspects of organising your studies and provides an overview of the systems and procedures you will need during your studies.
>> Studying at Faculty 09 (.pdf)
Examinations & FlexNow
For Bachelor's and Master's students | Date to be announced
How do examinations work at Faculty 09? When and how do you register for an examination?
In this information session, we explain the most important examination rules and show you how to register for examinations in FlexNow.
The date and further details will be published here.
German Language Courses at Faculty 09
Starting in the winter semester 2026/27, Faculty 09 offers its own German language courses for international students.
The courses are primarily intended for students of the B.Sc. Environmental Sciences and B.Sc. Global Food Systems who take German as part of their mandatory Language Acquisition modules. Subject to available places, Master's students may also participate.
Courses at different language levels are planned both on campus and online. Course allocation is based on a placement test.
>> German Language Courses at Faculty 09
Cannot arrive in Giessen on time?
If your visa is delayed or you are unable to arrive before the start of your studies, please check the information for your degree programme.
Depending on your programme, there may be options to start individual courses online while you are still abroad.
>> Information for late-arriving students (.pdf)
Please note that the available options differ between degree programmes.