The placement test is used to identify the language level in German of all new international exchange students for future language courses.The test will take place online. Further information (link [...]
Orientation and events
Contact
Advisors for international students (International Office)
Office hours
Events
Orientation and events
Moin and welcome to Oldenburg! This site will introduce you to programs and event formats that will help you find your way around Oldenburg and guide you during your studies. You can also find out more useful information about living and studying in Oldenburg and our university.
Orientation

Below you will find an overview of different offers that you may find helpful for your orientation at the university and in the city of Oldenburg.
Welcome Week by the International Office
Benefit from our Welcome Week for international students to familiarize yourself with the University of Oldenburg, your studies and the city of Oldenburg and to get to know your fellow students. You can choose from a diverse program of information sessions and social events.
The University's Orientation Week
The University's Orientation Week takes place annually during the winter semester following the Welcome Week and provides orientation and social events to all new students at the University.
Tutors for International students
Do you have questions about your studies, the city or would you like to meet new students? The tutors of the International Office offer you advice and support and organize regular events during the semester.
Buddy programme
Are you interested in getting to know students from all over the world? Or are you an international student new to Oldenburg? Then come to the Buddy Programme!
The Buddy Programme is designed to promote intercultural exchange between international and local students. It is also intended to make it easier for international students to arrive in Oldenburg and begin their studies.
Cheer-up Meetings
Are you an international student in the first semesters of your (specialist) studies? Studying in Germany offers you many opportunities, but also presents you with challenges. You do not have to be alone in this.
Would you like support in overcoming these or other personal and intercultural challenges as well as exchange with other students? Then OrientationPLUS is the right programme for you!
Student representatives
If you have any questions about your degree programme, students from the student councils can help you and share their personal experiences.
Discover the City of Oldenburg
Discovering the city on foot or with your phone: The Christian churches in Oldenburg have prepared a short trip through the city centre. Almost 5 kilometres in length, this is a kind of pilgrimage route through Oldenburg's city centre.
Spiritual city walk through Oldenburg (in German)
Oldenburg State Museum of Art and Cultural History
The State Museum of Art and Cultural History presents cultural objects from various eras. In the picture gallery you will find works from old masters to classical modern art. The museum currently offers a virtual exhibition:
Virtual exhibition "Dress fashion changes as social conventions change " (in German)
Horst Janssen Museum
The Horst Janssen Museum is dedicated to the visual arts on paper. It is named after the great North German draughtsman, etcher, woodcutter, poster artist, illustrator, author and graphic artist Horst Janssen. The museum offers an exciting encounter with the work and personality of this unconventional artist. The drawing tables allow you to be creative yourself. Currently, you can get a glimpse of the exhibition online:
Horst Janssen Museum digital (in German)
Edith Russ Haus
With its focus on the art of new media, the Edith Russ Haus is an unusual museum. In a regularly changing exhibition programme, the museum shows innovative and experimental positions of international contemporary art. Presentations, artist talks and workshops promote public discourse on contemporary art and its relationship to the social reality in which it is created. The international scholarship programme for media art of the Foundation of Lower Saxony at the Edith Russ Haus makes it possible to realise three new artistic projects every year. Founded in 2000, the museum owes its existence to an initiative of the late Edith Maria Ruß, a teacher who bequeathed her assets to her home town on the condition that a house "for art in the transition to the new millennium" be created.
Artothek
Oldenburg's Artothek is an art lending and educational institution founded in 1982. All citizens of the city can borrow works of art at the Arthothek. By purchasing, presenting and lending works of art, the Artothek focuses on promoting regional artists. In addition, it offers many ways of experiencing art. For instance, you can borrow works by famous artists and experience them in the comfort of you home. A wide range of programmes for children, young people and adults allows them to be creative themselves, to talk about art or simply to enjoy art.
Oldenburg Computer Museum
Home computers, arcade machines, game consoles and pinball machines from the 1970s, 80s and 90s can not only be viewed but also tried out in the Oldenburg Computer Museum (OCM). The exhibition is structured chronologically and includes icons from the years 1972 to 1998. The devices are always ready for use and equipped with software; they can – and should – be used, explored and experienced. In a unique hands-on exhibition, you can experience home computer history by playing old arcade game classics on vintage C64, Atari or Amiga machines, or writing your own programmes.
Oldenburg State Theatre
Housed in a magnificent historical building, the city's theatre is the meeting place for opera, drama, and ballet in Oldenburg. Here, you can see classics such as Faust by Goethe or listen to symphony concerts or recitals.
... and other cities in the region
Learning and practising German

Would you like to learn German for the first time or improve your German language skills? The University of Oldenburg offers a variety of opportunities for this.
German courses at the Language Centre
The Language Centre offers German courses at different levels during the semester as well as during the lecture-free period.
Sprachencafé
The Language Café is an informal way to practice Spanish, French, German, English, Russian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch or any other language. Meet new people, practise your language skills and get to know other cultures.
The Language Café is designed like a carousel: each table has a flag representing the language spoken. Choose the language yourself. Changing is always possible! Help others with your mother tongue and in return you get help from the others.
Sprachtandem
Would you like to improve your German language skills with a native speaker? Then you will enjoy our Sprachtandem programme! You help a native German speaker with your language, and your German partner practices German with you.
Deutsch Uni Online (DUO): online courses
Deutsch-Uni Online offers online German courses at various levels. The courses do involve a fee.
The online language course "Welcome to Studying in Germany" by DUO prepares international students for their start of studies. With the course beginning on March 21, 2025, it offers personal supervision, interactive learning and flexibility for 65.00 EUR.
Further information and registration (until March 17, 2025!)
Free online courses from Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle offers free online German courses ranging from level A1 to C1.
Courses offered by Deutsche Welle(in German)
Events for International Students

The university offers a wide range of events on campus and in the city. Check out the links below for an overview of events organised by the International Office, the university and its units, the city of Oldenburg and much more. We hope you enjoy exploring Oldenburg and participating in the events!
Events organized by the university of Oldenburg
Further events associated with the university and student life
External events in the city and beyond
Digital German placement test "German for Internationals"
Welcome Week for new international students
Benefit from our Welcome Week for international students to familiarize yourself with the University of Oldenburg, your studies and the city of Oldenburg and to get to know your fellow [...]
Welcome reception for all new International students
We welcome all new International students (exchange students AND regularly enrolled students) during our reception. You will get a first impression of the University of Oldenburg and will get to know [...]
Living in Oldenburg for international students
New to Oldenburg and the University? Life in the city of Oldenburg is new and unfamiliar to many International students and there are a lot of things do. During this event, we will welcome you to the [...]
Café International - Offers from the university to all international students
At this event, you will learn about the different services offered by the university for international students and what opportunities there are to get involved or find support. The contact persons of [...]
Campus tour (Haarentor)
Where is the library? Where will my lecture take place? Where can I eat lunch or do sports after class? You are new to Oldenburg and don't yet have an idea of the numerous buildings on campus? No [...]
Introduction to Stud.IP for new international students
During the introduction, we will show you the most important functions of the Stud.IP learning platform. How do I change my password? How do I set the language? How do I register for exams? We will [...]
Welcome Night
Welcome to Oldenburg! We would like to welcome you to Oldenburg and bring Welcome Week to a close together with you. Get to know other students, meet your new friends and toast to the start of your [...]
Your exchange studies in Oldenburg
This event is aimed at all new exchange students. Everything you need to know about your exchange studies in Oldenburg will be discussed within this information event: Who are my most important [...]
Welcome to EuGl
Information session European Studies in Global Perspectives (EuGl). For Exchange Students.
Library tour for new International students (Haarentor)
How do I find books in the university library? Where can I borrow them? When do I have to return them? And what happens if I don't do this in time? During the guided tour, these and other questions [...]
Reception at the City of Oldenburg
All new international students (exchange students AND regularly enrolled students) will be welcomed to Oldenburg by the City of Oldenburg in the historic town hall.
City rallye
It must be exhausting to be new in a city. You don't know the streets, you don't know where to go shopping, where to find products from your country etc. That's why we organise the city rally and [...]
Social Night
We would like to spend your first evening in Oldenburg together with you in the city. Get to know new people and start the Welcome Week with us.
Intercultural training
Intercultural training
Canteen visit with the tutors
Whether you need a break after the info sessions, a snack or just want to get to know our university’s canteen - our tutors will show you how everything works and share their recommodations. Bon [...]
Campus tour (Wechloy)
The Tutors will show you around the Wechloy campus and give you tips and tricks along the way.
Campus rallye (Haarentor)
Start your first days at Oldenburg University together with our tutors. The combination of campus tour and rally will not only give you a playful overview of the Haarentor campus, but you will also [...]
Q&A - tutor consultation hour
You have just arrived in Oldenburg, everything is new and there is a lot of information during the orientation week! If there are any questions or concerns that remain unclear, feel free to drop by in [...]
Game night
Would you like to get to know your fellow students, play fun games together, chat and laugh. Then this is the right place for you! Our tutors have prepared a selection of games for you and are looking [...]
Good Friday: German national holiday
Good Friday is a national holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.
Easter Monday: German national holiday
Easter Monday is a national holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.
Labor Day: German national holiday
Labor Day: National holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.
Ascension Day: German national holiday
Ascension Day is a national holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.
Whit Monday: German national holiday
Whit Monday is a national holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.
German Unity Day: national holiday
German Unity Day (03 October) is a national holiday. Many institutions and most shops (and of course the university!) are closed.
National holiday: Reformation Day
Reformation Day on 31 October is a public holiday in Lower Saxony. Please note that all shops, with the exception of some petrol stations and kiosks, and all institutions, including the university, [...]
National holidays: Christmas
Christmas holidays are: 24 December (Christmas Eve), 25 December, 26 December Please note that all shops, with the exception of some petrol stations and kiosks, and all institutions, including the [...]
New Year's Day
First of January, New Year's Day, is a public holiday in Germany, shops and institutions are closed.