2020/21 semester at Jacobs University Bremen: Great demand among first-year students despite coronavirus pandemic
December 4, 2020
The international, English-speaking Jacobs University welcomes over 450 new students from 82 nations to its campus in northern Bremen, Germany, for the academic year 2020/21. With the start of the new academic year, 362 young people started their undergraduate studies in the 15 bachelor's programs at Jacobs University. Although the number of new students is slightly lower than in 2019/2020, President Loprieno sees the high demand for study places in view of the current coronavirus pandemic as an extraordinary confirmation of the educational concept of the international university. In total, more than 1,550 people from over 110 countries are studying at Jacobs University.
"As an international campus university, the coronavirus pandemic has raised manifold challenges for Jacobs University already since January 2020," said Professor Antonio Loprieno, President of Jacobs University: "So far, we have mastered these challenges in an extremely solidary manner as a university community and in cooperation with our partners in the City of Bremen and in the Jacobs Foundation." Under the conditions of a pandemic, with financial and health restrictions as well as restrictions on travel and visa regulations, being able to welcome over 450 new students to the campus in Bremen is an outstanding achievement. It confirms both, the educational offerings and the coronavirus concept of Jacobs University, said Loprieno and emphasized: "The large number of first-year students proves the attractiveness of Bremen as a university location in the international higher education sector."
362 new Bachelor students means the second largest cohort in the history of Jacobs University. In addition, more than 30 Foundation Year students, Jacobs University's preparatory year, and Master's students have each started their studies at the university. Further PhD students and exchange students have also joined the university.
"This continuing high demand, especially among Bachelor students, is based on Jacobs University's consistently excellent position in international university rankings," said Professor Thomas Auf der Heyde, Provost at the international university. The latest Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2021, for example, shows that Jacobs University is one of the 300 best universities worldwide. Among German universities, it takes the lead in terms of international orientation.
The most represented countries of origin among the total of over 1,550 students are Germany (16 percent), Nepal and India (each 7 percent) followed by the United States and Pakistan (5 percent), Albania and China (each 4 percent). The top 10 countries of origin are completed by Morocco (3 percent), Ethiopia and South Korea (each 2 percent).
The most popular bachelor programs at Jacobs University currently are Computer Science, Industrial Engineering and Management, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, followed by International Business Administration and Global Economics and Management.
Data Engineering, Supply Chain Management and International Relations: Global Governance and Social Theory lead the ranking of the most popular master programs.
"Jacobs University has long been committed to the promotion of talent in the STEM subjects, particularly through its close cooperation with various school networks. The popularity of the science and technology programs in particular confirms our course," said Auf der Heyde.