Passion Leads to Success

Of course, only the first-year students themselves know exactly what was going through their minds on Friday in the Winfried-Lieber Hall and Room B 012 at Hochschule Offenburg. But Professor Dr. Grit Köhler was probably not far off with her assumption that a colorful array of thoughts was swirling through their minds. And so, in her welcome address, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs sought to allay the young students’ fears about this new chapter in their lives.

Even though young people are currently facing a barrage of challenges—not only with the start of their studies but also with climate change, AI, and the wars and conflicts in Ukraine and Iran—they are not alone in this, Grit Köhler reassured them. Every generation has faced similar challenges and overcome them. As proof, she shared Billy Joel’s song “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” in which he lists historical events from 1949 to 1989. Furthermore, the vice president noted, an academic career is also about asking questions, discovering one’s own strengths and weaknesses, establishing an academic mindset, and learning to consider consequences and take responsibility. Hochschule Offenburg offers countless opportunities for this. Passion, she said, is the key to making decisions. At the same time, she reminded the first-year students with a poem by Heinz Kahlau that “everything that is true can also be quiet” and urged the young people: “You are part of a good community here; find out what is true.” 

Offenburg City Council member Dr. Roland Müller also welcomed the new students to Offenburg. The connection between the city as a symbol of freedom and as a student town has, in principle, existed since 1847, Müller emphasized. After all, the 13 demands of the people of Baden published at that time included not only freedom of speech and of the press, but also freedom of research and teaching. However, one doesn’t just take exam grades away from a college education—above all, one takes the people with them, the city councilman reported from his own experience. And so he invited everyone, no matter where they come from, to get to know new people in the city and explore recreational opportunities such as the Sportpark, Stegermattbad, Gifiz, the wine festival, or the Christmas market, and to enjoy life alongside their studies.

Afterward, the AStA student union, Campus IT, the International Office, and the mentors briefly introduced themselves. The mentors then led a tour of the campus. After the first lunch break in the university cafeteria, the “Meet & Greet” event for the various degree programs provided another opportunity to chat with fellow students in a relaxed setting.

First-Year Enrollment Remains Stable

Hochschule Offenburg currently offers 28 bachelor's programs and 25 master's programs in the fields of media, technology, and business, as well as the startING introductory semester. Approximately 640 students began a bachelor's program for the 2026–27 winter semester, about 190 students opted for a master's program, and about 25 enrolled in the introductory semester “startING.” Just under 40 percent of the new students are women, and a good 60 percent are men. About 13 percent of first-semester students have come to Offenburg from abroad to study. In total, there are currently about 3,700 students across the two campuses of the University of Applied Sciences in Offenburg and Gengenbach.