Study start

Useful information for first time students

Your checklist for starting university

Starting your studies at BTU marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life – an exciting, challenging time full of opportunities. In what can sometimes feel like an overwhelming situation, we’re here to support you with introductory sessions and a step-by-step checklist to help you get off to a successful start.

Before starting your studies
  • Ready for university? At our online information sessions for freshers, you’ll find out everything you need to know to start your studies fully prepared.
  • Get ready! Attend preparatory courses or test your subject knowledge.
  • Enrol! You’ll find all the information you need about enrolment here.
  • Stay mobile during your university life – download your semester ticket.
  • Where do I belong? Before taking the next steps, make sure you know your correct campus and faculty.
  • Other important things: Find a flat, find out about possible scholarships, apply for BAföG and follow our Instagram account!
  • Any questions? No problem – our FAQs for freshers have you covered!
Induction week
Start of the term
  • Where is my timetable? You’ll need the examination and study regulations for your study programme and the Teaching Information Portal. More information: FAQs
  • Stay on top of things with the BTU CampusApp on your smartphone.
  • Start your lecture full of energy – you can fuel up for the day at your campus canteen.
  • Important online platforms! With the various BTU portals*, you’ll be well equipped. *(Please link here to the ‘Important Portals’ section on the current Start Your Studies page)
  • Know where to find it! The library on your campus offers suitable reading material on every topic and is a great place to study.
  • Get connected at BTU – Active in the Student Council? Working out at the university sports centre? Learning a new language? The choice is yours!
  • Mini University Lexicon
End of term and exam period
  • Exam preparation – Your student guidance and counselling service offers helpful workshops to help you achieve good exam results.
  • Welcome back! – Don’t forget to register for the following semester!
  • Reporting sick –but do it properly! Exam day and you’re ill? Find out here how to handle the situation correctly.
  • Semester off – we’ve summarised all the information for you here.
  • Semester break –what now? Find a job via our job board. Talk through your worries in a counselling session or get to know the Lausitz region and its wide range of leisure activities.

Before your studies First steps before the start of the semester

Studentin im Wohnheimzimmer

Online Infosessions (for domestic students)

All information on the start of studies for national applicants on application, enrolment, housing, finances, BTU portals, timetable and much more.

Nahaufnahme Tastatur - Symbolbild Online Fachtests

Online subject test

Check your basic knowledge with our online subject tests. This way you can quickly find your individual pre-course plan.

Studentin im Seminar

Pre-courses

In our pre-courses you can brush up on your school knowledge and start your studies well prepared

Study preparation programs

Details on the start of the study preparation programs can be found on the website of the respective program.

Tips for starting your studies

A compilation of useful tips for starting your studies at BTU (Download)

Regulations and forms

Basic regulations, examination and study regulations, forms and applications

The first week at BTU Find out more and get to know fellow students

Student ID card (chip card)

Information about the chip card. Storage, handling, functions and service.

Dates and Deadlines

Semester schedules, timetables, examination dates

BTU-Account

Necessary for the use of central BTU services such as: e-mail, WLAN, VPN

Events at a Glance

The overview of events for all new BTU students: central welcome and introduction, OTIWO, events of the faculties and study programmes.

OTIWO e. V.

The students organizing the info week (OTIWO) organise activities and parties for first-year students to socialise and have fun. The team is financially supported by the BTU Sponsors'...

BTU App

Comprehensive online functions such as webmail, Moodle, timetable, grade overview, campus plan, canteen plan, library, ...

Study Service City of Cottbus

Student Services Cottbus assists with registration, residence permits, housing issues etc.

Important portals Lectures, exercises, modules, grades

Moodle

The eLearning platform of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. For the digital enrichment of university teaching, e.g. the distribution of teaching materials.

myBTU Student Portal

View notifications, information on payment of fees, leave of absence, de-registration, contact details

Information Portal: Teaching

Compile your timetable. Information about courses, degree programs, the structure of the university and organizational units.

Self - Service - Functions for students and teachers

Register and deregister for modules and exams, view and download grade overviews

Tutorials for portals

Get to know the functional scope of the portals.

Tips for starting your studies Useful services

MailService

Set up a BTU e-mail address

Library account

Display of fees, extension of the loan, saving hit lists

Free Software

Windows, Office365, MATLAB, Autodesk, VPN-Client, u.v.m.

IT-Support

Basic Internet services, DNS, FTP, mail, time, authentication, WWW

Cloud-Services

ownCloud, orgCloud, divCloud

Helpdesk

Support with IT problems

Setting up WLAN

Instructions for accessing the Eduroam network

Semesterticket

Germany semester ticket for nationwide use of local public transport

Student life BTU offers, student involvement, housing and living

Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg

Money, food, housing, advice, daycare, culture

Housing & costs

Unique, central and furnished

University sports

Sign up for a sports program of your choice.

Campus life

UniKino, CampusTV, Bühne8, Muggefug, University Sports, BTU-Biker e.V., FabLab Cottbus, and many more.

Language Courses

Study-related language courses

Dining Halls

For refreshment in between

Children on campus

Parent-child room, baby changing facilities, children's corners, play backpack, children's university

Compensation for disadvantages

Illness, disability, pregnancy, care

Scholarships & Foundations

Funding opportunities for students, search engine for scholarships

Job exchange

Jobs, internships, working student positions, theses