“Welcome to the University of Diversity!”

Alanus University is pleased to welcome more than 450 first-year students in the autumn semester 2025/26.

At the start of the autumn semester 2025/26, more than 450 students are beginning their studies at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn. This once again confirms the university’s consistently high level of new enrolments and underlines its aspiration to be a distinctive place of openness, diversity, and multiple perspectives within the German educational landscape.

The university is sending a strong signal for internationalisation and cultural exchange through new partnerships: in the bachelor’s degree programme “Art-Education-Therapy,” it will in future collaborate with China’s Lishui University, and in the master’s degree programme “Waldorf Education,” with the Chinese Waldorf school association (China Waldorf Forum). In total, more than 60 students from China will study alternately in their home country and in Alfter starting this semester.

At the official welcome ceremony for first-year students on 15 September 2025, Rector Prof. Dr. Thomas Maschke welcomed the newly enrolled students. In his address, he emphasised: “We are a university of diversity – and we shape it together!” In doing so, he referred both to the distinctive range of study programmes in the interdisciplinary dialogue between art, society, and science, and to the appreciation of every individual who studies, teaches, and works at the university. His words were received with great applause. Dr. Rolf Schumacher, Mayor of Alfter, also addressed the students for the last time during his term in office. In his welcome speech, he highlighted the importance of Alanus University for the municipality’s welcoming culture and invited the first-year students to play an active role in shaping life in Alfter.

A varied stage programme, created by students and lecturers and featuring live music, theatre improvisation, and poetry slam, gave the new students a lively foretaste of the creative and interdisciplinary opportunities awaiting them in their studies. Particularly in demand this year are the degree programmes in Fine Arts, Architecture, Waldorf Education, and Art Therapy.

Image description:

1. Rector Prof. Dr. Thomas Maschke and Alfter’s Mayor Dr. Rolf Schumacher deliver welcome speeches.
2. Everyone involved in the event receives a flower in thanks for their commitment.
3. The university foyer is filled to the last row with first-year students.
4. After the opening ceremony, the first-year students have time to get to know one another and network.

Photos: Alanus University

Press contact:
+49 (0)2222 9321-1944
presse@alanus.edu

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