© Universität Bielefeld
First semester information for prospective students in the subject of medicine
Dear students,
Welcome to the Medical School OWL! We congratulate you on your study place in the subject of Medicine - and look forward to an exciting journey with you. Here you will find the most important information for a successful start to your studies.
- Dates
Please note the following important dates:
Timely enrolment
If you are not yet enrolled, please ensure that you enrol on time. Further information can be found in your notice of admission. You can enrol here.
Freshers' week
4 to 6 October 2023
The focus of this week is on getting to know your future fellow students. You will have the opportunity to make your first contacts during joint activities on campus and at places important to your studies.
The start date is 04 October at 10 a.m. in R1 building Z part, second floor.
You can find the programme for Freshers' Week here.
Freshers' welcome winter semester 2023/24
09.10.2023 at 10.00 a.m.
The semester officially starts on 9 October 2023 with the freshers' welcome by the Rector at 10 a.m. in the University Hall in the main university building (UHG). Registration is not required. Further information can be found here.
Welcome event of the Medical School OWL
09.10.2023 at 13.00 to 13.45 hrs
A welcome event will take place at 1.00 pm in the R.1 building, where you will be welcomed to the Faculty by the Dean and the Dean of Studies. From here you can start directly afterwards to the Market of Opportunities.
Market of opportunities
09.10.2023 from 14.00 to 16.30 hrs
We would like to invite you to the Market of Opportunities. Here you will get your first insights into the Skills Lab and the laboratories, meet future teaching staff, instructors and teaching coordinators and make your first contacts. You will also receive materials and information required for the degree programme, which is why participation is recommended. Among other things, there will be a photo corner where photos will be taken for the clinic ID cards.
So feel free to take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with your Faculty!
- Studying and living in Bielefeld
Where to find what??
The campus of Bielefeld University is not exactly small and is constantly growing. To help you find your way around campus, you can find maps of the campus and buildings of Bielefeld University here.
You also have the option of downloading the "UniMaps" app. This offers you barrier-free navigation on campus. All information about the app can be found here.
House hunting in Bielefeld
Have you just received your notice of admission to study medicine and are wondering whether you should look for accommodation in Bielefeld or whether it is possible to start your studies further away? - Please bear in mind that certain courses require you to be on site.
You can find support in finding accommodation or a shared flat here.
If you start your studies later
In individual cases, the course start date may differ from the official start date, e.g. if you have been awarded a study place via the succession procedure. In this case, please contact the Medical student counselling service.
Cross-faculty programmes
Bielefeld University offers various inter-faculty introductory events for all new students. For example, you have the opportunity to get to know important departments and services that can be helpful in your studies.
You can find all introductory eventshere .
General information about starting your degree programme
Comprehensive information for a successful start to your studies at Bielefeld University has been compiled here.
If you have any questions about your university email address, WLAN approval or other uncertainties regarding the use of IT services, the BITS (Bielefeld IT Service Centre (BITS)) can help you. Here you can find the FAQs for the start of the semester.
- Vaccination protection
Compulsory measles protection
As early as the first semester, you will have contact with patients at the OWL University Hospital as part of courses. In order to be allowed to participate, you must be able to provide proof of measles protection.
A total of two documented vaccinations or proof of antibodies are required for measles protection. The date and interval of the vaccinations are irrelevant. In the event of unclear entries or incomplete protection, please contact your family doctor as soon as possible.
Your measles immunisation will be checked at the course start. We therefore ask you to ensure that you can then provide proof of the vaccinations you have received or of sufficient immunity against measles.
Covid-19 vaccination protection
The facility-related obligation to be vaccinated against coronavirus ceased on 1 January 2023. Current news on infection protection can be found here.
- MINT self-test
Are you fit for the basic scientific subjects of medicine? In the self-test on the subjects of biology, chemistry, maths and physics, you can test your skills and get tips on how to prepare for the start of your studies.
Click here for the MINT self-test.
- Secondary employment - yes or no?
The medical degree programme is a full-time course that places the highest demands on students. We therefore strongly recommend that you only consider a possible part-time job after the start date of your studies and a familiarisation period of at least one semester. This will give you enough time to better assess your individual resilience and additional time resources and to concentrate fully on your studies, especially at the start date.