Academic calendar
The study year at Pforzheim University is divided into two semesters; each semester lasts 15 weeks. The winter semester starts in the beginning of October or at the end of September; the summer semester starts in the middle of March.
The current academic calendar for all students is only available in German.
The detailed academic calendar for exchange students can be found here.
Below we list a more general orientation.
Deadline for applications in degree programs
The deadlines may vary by program, disciplines, the level of the study program & the applicant's nationality. More information ca be found here.
Deadline for applications in exchange programs
The deadline is May 15 for all applications/nominations of exchange students. Applications are accepted one year ahead of the deadline. In case an international student will have to get a visa for the stay in Germany he/she should apply much earlier than the actual deadline. Issuance of a visa via the German Embassy may take several weeks.
Semester dates Winter (fall) semester
The winter semester starts at the end of September/ in the beginning of October and ends in the beginning of February. Most of the exams will take place during the last days of the semester (normally 1-2 weeks).
German as a second language
The intensive class for beginners and the orientation phase starts 4 weeks earlier than the semester (normally beginning of September).
Semester break and holidays
In the winter semester you will find the following holidays:
Date | Holiday |
October 3 | German Unification Day (German national holiday) |
November 1 | All Saints' Day (regional holiday) |
December 25 - 26 | Christmas Holidays |
January 1 | New Year's Day |
January 6 | Epiphany (regional holiday) |
Normally, the Christmas break lasts from December 23 until January 7.
Here you can find the current semester dates and holidays.
Deadline for applications in degree programs
The deadlines may vary by program, disciplines and the level of the study program.
Deadline for applications in exchange programs
The deadline is October 15 for all applications/nominations of exchange students. Applications are accepted one year ahead of the deadline. In case an international student will have to get a visa for the stay in Germany he/she should apply much earlier than this deadline. Issuance of a visa via the German Embassy may take several weeks.
Semester dates Summer semester
The summer semester starts mid-March and ends mid July. Most of the exams will take place during the last days of the semester (normally 1-2 weeks).
German as a second language
The intensive course for beginners and the orientation phase start 3-4 weeks earlier than the semester starts (normally mid-February). The refresher course usually starts two weeks before the official semester starts.
Semester break and holidays
In the summer semester you will find the following holidays:
Date | Holiday |
changing (end of March - end of April) | Easter (Good Friday, Easter Sunday/Monday) |
May 1 | Labor Day |
changing (beginning of May) | Ascension Day |
changing (mid May - mid June) | Pentecost (White Sunday/Monday) |
changing (end of May - end of June) | Corpus Christi (regional holiday) |