Studying in Aachen
Studying in Aachen
Your hub for up-to-date information on studying in Aachen
Welcome to our new section “Studying in Aachen”. This is where we gather what really matters at RWTH and FH Aachen: deadlines, examination periods, study organisation and the right places to turn to – so that you don’t miss anything important and can keep your head clear for what actually counts: your studies.
Aachen is a true student city. Across RWTH, FH and the university hospital, around 60,000 students are enrolled here – with the tri-border area shared by Belgium and the Netherlands right on the doorstep. As lively as that is, the dates and responsibilities can sometimes get confusing. That is exactly what this section is for. In this opening post we start with the key dates for the upcoming winter semester 2026/27.
The most important dates for the 2026/27 winter semester
RWTH and FH Aachen have different semester and application deadlines – a common pitfall. Here they are side by side.
RWTH Aachen
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Start of semester | 1 October 2026 |
| Lecture period | 12 October 2026 to 5 February 2027 |
| Christmas break (no lectures) | 23 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 |
| End of semester | 31 March 2027 |
| Application opened (RWTHonline) | since 4 May 2026 |
| Deadline for restricted-entry Bachelor’s subjects | usually 15 July 2026 (check the exact subject deadline in RWTHonline) |
| Re-registration for WS 2026/27 | 15 June to 1 September 2026 |
FH Aachen
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Start of semester | 1 September 2026 |
| Lecture period | 28 September 2026 to 12 February 2027 |
| End of semester | 28 February 2027 |
| Deadline for restricted-entry Bachelor’s/Master’s | 15 July 2026 (final deadline) |
| Deadline for open-admission programmes | 31 August 2026 |
| Application with a foreign qualification (uni-assist) | 15 July 2026 |
| Re-registration for WS 2026/27 | 3 June to 31 August 2026 |
What’s coming up now
15 July 2026 is the critical date. At both universities this is when the application deadline for restricted-entry (numerus clausus) programmes closes – at FH Aachen as a strict final deadline. Anyone submitting after that is too late.
Right afterwards comes re-registration for everyone already enrolled: by 31 August 2026 at FH Aachen, and by 1 September 2026 at RWTH. Without timely re-registration and payment of the semester fee, you risk being de-registered – so transfer the fee in good time.
Key points of contact in Aachen
When things get concrete, these are the places that will help you:
- Registrar’s Office (RWTH) / Student Services (FH): your first port of call for application, enrolment, re-registration, leave of absence and de-registration.
- Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB): guidance on choosing a subject, second thoughts about studying, changing programmes or exam stress – confidential and free of charge.
- Student councils (Fachschaften): fellow students in your subject. They know the exam pitfalls, past papers and the unwritten rules of your programme.
- Studierendenwerk Aachen: responsible for halls of residence, dining halls, the BAföG office and social counselling.
- AStA (Student Union): student representation offering social, legal and BAföG advice as well as information on the semester ticket.
- uni-assist: the place to apply with an international qualification – the 15 July 2026 deadline applies here too.
In the upcoming posts in this section we go deeper: into exam registration via RWTHonline and QIS, into BAföG and deadline traps, into organising your first weeks, and into the typical pitfalls around term papers and theses.
How we support you in your studies
When dates turn into text work, we’re here for you. alpha academica AI* supports students in Aachen and across Germany with proofreading & copy-editing, translation, mentoring and tutoring – using AI-supported methods and experienced specialists. Every change stays fully traceable for you, and we make a contractual commitment against ghostwriting: we make your work better, we don’t write it for you.
Sources & official dates
The information is taken from the universities‘ official pages: RWTH Aachen – Semester Dates and FH Aachen – Semester dates & deadlines, winter semester.
All dates are provided without guarantee. Short-notice changes are possible, and individual programmes may have different deadlines. The official information from the respective university always takes precedence – please check the exact deadline for your subject there.
