Where is my lecture hall? Who else is studying here? And who can I ask if I get stuck? When you start college, so much is new. To help you settle in more easily, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences invites its new students to the ErstiDays on October 5, 2026, in Bernburg, Köthen, and Dessau.
At these orientation events, first-year students will get to know their lecturers and their degree program and learn what’s important for the first few weeks. There’s also plenty to discover beyond your studies: What activities does University Sports offer? How do I use the Bibliothek (Building 17 - Dessau)? And who can help with organizational questions? The university staff and student councils will introduce themselves and show you where to find support.
Settling in also means feeling at home on campus and meeting new people. During campus tours, upperclassmen provide guidance and share their experiences. Depending on the location and degree program, rallies, team activities, or group barbecues and games offer opportunities to strike up conversations with one another. The departments and degree programs have put together their own programs for this purpose. All details and the complete program can be found on the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences website at www.hs-anhalt.de/studienstart.
An overview of how to get off to a good start at the three campuses:
Campus Bernburg:
The Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology, and Nature Conservation kicks off Freshman Day at 9 a.m. with a joint event at the Römer-Haus (RH - Building 14 - Bernburg). The “freshman goodie bags” will also be handed out there. This will be followed by separate introductions to the respective degree programs. The Department of Economics will welcome first-year students at 9:15 a.m. at Strenzfeld’s Neue Mitte; the orientation event begins at 10 a.m. in Hörsaal 1 (HS 1 - Building 17 - Bernburg).
Campus Köthen:
In Köthen, the departments will welcome their first-year students individually. The Department of Computer Science and Languages will welcome its new students at 9:30 a.m. in Lecture Hall 216. Students in the Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Engineering and Management degree programs will be welcomed at 9:00 a.m. in Rotes Gebäude (Building 01 - Köthen), Room 121. In Room 027 of the Grünes Gebäude (Building 02 - Köthen), the orientation for the bachelor's degree programs in Biotechnology, Food Technology, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical and Process Engineering also begins at 9:00 a.m.
Dessau Campus:
In Dessau, the orientation event for first-semester students in the Department of Architecture, Facility Management and Geoinformation begins at 10:00 a.m. in Building 08. The introduction to the respective degree programs follows at 11:00 a.m. The Department of Design will welcome first-semester students at 1:00 p.m. in Building 01.
Formal Enrollment Ceremony in Köthen and Bernburg
In addition to the ErstiDays, first-year students will be introduced to academic life with a formal matriculation ceremony. On October 14, starting at 7:00 p.m., the formal matriculation ceremony will take place in the cafeteria on the Campus Bernburg, followed by the traditional Imma Party. At the Campus Köthen, students are invited to the enrollment ceremony on October 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fasanerieallee cafeteria, followed by the “Immiball.”
