… to university. Returning to the lecture theatre in their sixties – more and more people are taking this step. More than 600 guest students attend lectures at the University of Oldenburg every semester.
On her fourth day of retirement, Altje Hasche attended her first philosophy lecture. She moved almost straight from her job at the Higher Regional Court to the lecture theatre. “After 45 years in the workforce, I simply had to do something different,” says Hasche. Now, after six years as a guest student at the University of Oldenburg, the 71-year-old remains enthusiastic about what the university has to offer: “There’s so much to see and learn on the campus. It’s always very stimulating and I can choose whatever interests me at the moment.”
From astrophysics to music history, from philosophy and literature to Computing Science – the University of Oldenburg’s guest student programme allows those interested to put together their own personalised study programme from more than 700 courses. Recently, lectures in medicine have also been opened up to guest students. In the 2025/25 winter semester, 625 guest students were enrolled – more than ever before. The university in the north-west is thus setting new standards nationwide.
“A particularly large number of those taking part are from the baby-boom class of 1955,” reports Can Eroglu, who coordinates the guest student programme at the C3L – Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Oldenburg. It seems that many of the so-called baby boomers are using the end of their working lives to devote themselves to academia and education. One of them is Dietmar Spille. The former business graduate wants to make active use of the passive phase of his partial retirement scheme and “do something different from what I’ve been doing for the last 35 years”, whilst at the same time “deepening my knowledge and keeping up to date”. To better engage with current discourse, the man in his mid-sixties is, for example, attending a series of lectures on the effects of global climate change.
Both guest students put together their study programmes from a wide variety of subject areas, usually attending two to three sessions a week, and primarily choose courses in which they have little or no prior knowledge. “Never heard of it. Sounds interesting. I’ll give it a go,” is Hasche’s motto. As a result, the pair have already attended lectures in the fields of philosophy, sociology, astrophysics, business ethics, environmental education, history and politics.
The guest student programme, also known in Oldenburg as the ‘Studium Generale’, began back in 1983. Since then, those with a thirst for knowledge have been attending university courses without being enrolled on an undergraduate degree programme. It’s mainly older people – but not exclusively. The youngest guest student at the University of Oldenburg is 15 years old. On Mondays, she attends science lectures and is excused from school for this. The longest-serving guest student is a 90-year-old.
What unites the different generations in the guest student programme is their desire to deepen their knowledge, learn new things and exchange ideas. Whilst younger guest students are seeking guidance on their choice of degree or career, working professionals are furthering their education or exploring the possibilities of a fresh start. For many older people, it is important to stay mentally active, gain new insights and engage in discussion. There are plenty of opportunities for this in the lecture theatre, on the campus and in the canteen. Many lecturers also find the life and professional experiences that guest students bring to certain seminars to be an enrichment. The different perspectives of the generations often give rise to interesting discussions.
Visiting students in Oldenburg can also attend the series of lectures on philosophy. For this series of lectures, the Institute of Philosophy and the C3L collaborate with the Karl Jaspers Society. Another initiative offered by the university is the ‘Blickwinkel’ series, in which academics provide insights into their research. A separate programme of courses running throughout the semester is aimed primarily at older learners.
As with guest student programmes, interest in the lecture series – with more than 400 participants – is higher than ever before. Many educational programmes are now offered in a hybrid format – with roughly half the participants taking part online and the other half on campus. Upon enrolment, guest students also gain access to facilities across the university. They can use the canteens, libraries and the wide range of university sports activities.
contact
Can Eroglu (C3L), T +49(0)441 798-2276, E
Wei Qing Hellwig (C3L), T +49(0)441 798-2275, E