The TU Bergakademie Freiberg welcomed its new students on 21 October 2025 with a matriculation ceremony in the Alte Mensa in Freiberg city centre. For the first time, the new TUBAF Rector, Professor Jutta Emes, performed the ceremonial matriculation of the students. Around 1,500 students have enrolled for the 2025/26 winter semester so far. Enrolment is still possible until November.
"We are delighted that you are here. At TUBAF, we conduct research into digital technologies for the responsible use of raw materials and resources, innovative materials and the energy system of the future. We develop strategies for climate and environmental protection and for sustainable resource management. By choosing to study at TUBAF, you are making a positive impact by making the world a safer, smarter and more sustainable place! At TU Bergakademie Freiberg, you will receive an excellent education and become part of the solution to important challenges in society and the economy," said Rector Professor Jutta Emes, welcoming the first-semester students.
Geoscience and materials science particularly in demand
The most popular subjects include the Bachelor's degree programmes in Geoengineering and Geology/Mineralogy, Chemistry, Space Resources and Business Administration as well as the Master's programmes Advanced Materials Analysis and Computational Materials Science. On behalf of all newly enrolled students, six students from the six faculties personally signed the TU Bergakademie Freiberg's matriculation register at the academic ceremony.
The proportion of international enrolments at the university remains high; it is just over 50 per cent. The Saxon universities will collect the final data for the State Statistical Office on 1 November 2025. As in previous years, more new students will be added by then and included in the statistics.
Prize and scholarships for students
The TU Bergakademie Freiberg honours special achievements by students at the Academic Celebration: Sophie Farkov, a student on the Bachelor's degree programme in Geoinformatics and Geophysics, was awarded the Friedrich Wilhelm von Oppel Prize by the Association of Friends and Sponsors of TU Bergakademie Freiberg for exemplary commitment to the interests of students.
Ulyana Airikh and Alijon Negmatov have been awarded the Georgius Agricola Basic Scholarship by the Free State of Saxony. Originally from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively, they both learnt German at the Studienkolleg of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and then enrolled at the TU to study Chemistry and Applied Computer Science respectively. The scholarship is awarded for three years by the Free State of Saxony and supports foreign first-year students in their first semester at university from countries listed as developing countries and territories by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
