Dear students,
A warm welcome to the autumn semester! Exciting encounters, surprising insights, plenty of hard work and, without a doubt, a real sense of achievement all lie ahead of you. The setting: the University of Lucerne. But do you know what goes on behind the scenes at our university?
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Messages from the University Board
University of Lucerne Psychotherapy Practice opens
The University of Lucerne Psychotherapy Practice was officially opened on 28 August 2026. By offering services to children, young people and adults, as well as parents, couples and families, the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences and Psychology is contributing to the provision of psychotherapeutic care in the Lucerne area. At the same time, the practice centre is closely linked to university research and training, creating a practical learning environment for trainee psychotherapists. The practice centre is located at Werftestrasse 4a, just a few minutes’ walk from the University of Lucerne. Further information on the services offered and how to register can be found at www.unilu.ch/psychotherapie.
New Safety Officer at the University of Lucerne
Thomas Dober has been the University of Lucerne’s new Safety Officer since mid-June. He is the point of contact for all queries relating to safety at the university. Further information on emergencies, alarms, evacuations and safety-related behaviour can be found on the University of Lucerne’s safety pages: www.unilu.ch/safety. If you have any questions, you can contact the Safety Office at sicherheit@unilu.ch.
Homecoming Party 2026
On Thursday, 24 September 2026 (7.00 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.), students from the University of Lucerne and the Lucerne University of Teacher Education, as well as alumni of the University of Lucerne, will come together to celebrate the start of the semester. Look forward to bars run by academic staff, student councils and university management, the chance to meet members of the alumni organisation, and a fantastic atmosphere with DJ Ecko and Éclat Projects. Tickets: Advance sales from 14 September for CHF 15.– (including cloakroom); tickets at the door cost CHF 20.–. Afterwards, the party continues with free entry (with a wristband) at the official after-parties at ROK Klub and Schwarzes Schaf. All information on tickets, tokens and the programme can be found here: Website | Flyer.
Master's information evenings
The Master's information evenings of the faculties will take place on Tuesday, 27 October. Those interested in the Master's in Health Sciences can also attend selected courses from 26 to 30 October and receive advice. More information
"Open Door" with the President: an opportunity to share your ideas
Once each semester, the President holds an "Open Door" session. On Tuesday, 13 October, from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., you’ll have the chance to discuss your questions, concerns, wishes and suggestions directly with Professor Martin Hartmann. Don’t miss this opportunity - please register in advance by email: rektorat@unilu.ch.
Dies Academicus 2026
The President, Professor Martin Hartmann, will be hosting the Dies Academicus on Thursday, 22 October 2026. You can look forward to inspiring speeches and the ceremonial presentation of the Honorary Doctorates, the Best Teaching Award, the Open Science Awards, the Dissertation Awards and the Alumna or Alumnus of the Year Award. Doctoral students will also provide insights into their current research projects. After the closing address by Dr Armin Hartmann, Director of Education and Culture of the Canton of Lucerne, you will be invited to an apéro riche - a perfect opportunity for networking. There will be no teaching until 2 p.m. A formal invitation will be sent out by e-mail.
unilu.ch: app for students
The “Current Students” webpage is also available as a web app. This allows students to access information about their studies and university life easily and directly from their mobile phone’s home screen. More information
Semester fees and contact details
Please remember to pay the invoice for the semester fee by the deadline to ensure that your status remains “enrolled”. The payment deadline is 14 September 2026 (the start of the semester). Two to three working days after payment has been made, you can download your confirmation of enrolment from the UniPortal. New students will also receive their confirmation of enrolment as part of the in-person enrolment process. Please also ensure that your current address, telephone number and personal email address are up to date in the UniPortal You can make changes yourself at any time directly in the UniPortal. More information | Contact: studiendienste@unilu.ch
Career Services
Do take a look at our website and discover the new content. We’re once again offering informative events for students in the autumn semester of 2026 – ranging from CV reviews and LinkedIn workshops to presentation skills and more. Make the most of these free opportunities and secure your place today! Apply. Network. Get ahead.
International Relations Office – Mobility
Application deadlines for student exchange
If you are interested in taking part in an exchange semester, please take a look at the website of the International Relations Office (IRO) and contact the mobility coordinator within your home faculty in good time. Application deadlines for all mobility programmes: SEMP programme (within Europe): 1 March 2027 for autumn semester 2027 and spring semester 2028 Partnership programme (outside of Europe): 1 March 2027 for the autumn semester 2027 CH-Unimobil programme (within Switzerland): 15 November 2026 for the spring semester 2027 Scholarships are available for all participants of the SEMP programme (CHF 1,900), and a limited number of scholarships are available for Partnership programme participants (CHF 2,500).
Buddy programme for international exchange students
We are looking for motivated and committed students who would like to accompany incoming students on their "Swiss adventure" as part of the "Buddy Programme" organised by the Erasmus Student Network Lucerne (ESN) for international exchange students at the University of Lucerne. Applications can be sent directly to ESN (luzern@esn.ch) or to the International Relations Office (mobility@unilu.ch) at any time.
Language courses
The following language courses are offered in the autumn semester: English C1 (speaking and writing), Italian A1.1, Italian A1.2 and French B1.1. For students whose mother tongue is not German, we offer the following courses: German A1 and German C1. Online registrations are possible until 17 September 2026. If you have any further questions, please contact international@unilu.ch.
Office of Equal Opportunities
Deadline for requests for reasonable adjustments in the autumn semester 2026
Students with a disability and/or chronic illness may submit a request for reasonable adjustments by 15 October 2026. The application must be submitted in writing to the relevant authorities within the faculty of your main subject or the faculties of your integrated degree programme. On the Students with disabilities website, you will find the contact details as well as the guidelines for the granting of support measures (German), which contain all the information you need to make an application. Contact: Fleur Weibel, fleur.weibel@unilu.ch
Discussions on racism and anti-racism for students at Lucerne’s higher education institutions
Racial discrimination is a reality in higher education too – both overt and subtle. We want to look, listen, discuss and bring about change. That is why the University of Lucerne, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and the PH Lucerne are hosting two discussion sessions for students in November. The online events will be moderated by an external expert. No prior knowledge is required. Full details can be found on the webseite (German). Contact: Fleur Weibel, fleur.weibel@unilu.ch
Online training: How do I create accessible digital content?
All students can use the free online module “E-Accessibility” from digibasics to develop the skills needed to create accessible digital content. This will help you improve access to digital resources such as handouts, seminar papers and PowerPoint presentations, while also enhancing your basic digital skills. Further information can be found on the Office of Equal Opportunities website.
Results of the commuting survey
In spring 2026, the University of Lucerne conducted a survey on the commuting habits of its members in 2025 as part of the expansion of its greenhouse gas accounting. A total of 653 students and 292 staff members took part. The results show that, overall, commuting behaviour is climate-friendly. Find out more about the results
Sustainability and greenhouse gas report 2025
The University of Lucerne has published its sustainability report and its greenhouse gas report for the 2025 reporting year. The sustainability report documents the progress made in implementing the sustainability strategy. The greenhouse gas report shows the trend in greenhouse gas emissions and sets these against the net-zero target.
Lecture on climate change and climate adaptation
What is the scientific basis of climate change? The lecture series (held in German) «Klimawandel und Klimaanpassung – naturwissenschaftliche Grundlagen» covers the scientific fundamentals of climate change and adaptation, while also providing insights into key concepts in climate science. Particular emphasis is placed on the interactions between the climate system and ecosystems such as soils, forests and the oceans. The course offers an exciting addition to the curriculum for students at the University of Lucerne, which has a strong focus on the human sciences, and is open to all interested students.
News from the ZHB Lucerne library
Springer Nature: over 2,000 high-quality journals online
The new agreement between swissuniversities and the publisher Springer Nature provides members of the University of Lucerne with access to a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality academic journals (access via the Uni/PH network; from off-campus via VPN): - Full reading access to journals from Springer (approx. 2,200 titles) - Access to Nature Core Journal and a further 42 Nature Research journals - Open-access publication options The journal articles are indexed in the Swisscovery RZS Uni/PH search portal. Contact for enquiries: e-medien@zhbluzern.ch
Tips and tricks for your studies
How do I find the right reading material for my studies? How can I organise my reading material? What do I need to bear in mind when using artificial intelligence in my studies? You can find tips and tricks for your studies in the ZHB’s Information Literacy Toolkit: Overview – Information Literacy Toolkit You’ll also find numerous events on research, the library and much more under “Knowledge+”: www.zhbluzern.ch/wissenplus.
Opening hours on Sundays and public holidays during the examination period
The library in the Uni/PH building will be open on the following Sundays and public holidays: 8, 13 and 20 December 2026 and 3, 10 and 17 January 2027, from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Important: - Access with a digital student ID card (University of Lucerne, PH Lucerne, HSLU) - All collections and self-service facilities are available - Jackets and bags are permitted - No library or IT services - No access to lockers or refreshment areas
New sports offerings at HSCL
New semester, new training sessions! From the autumn semester onwards, the HSCL is expanding its range of activities to include Capoeira, Taekwondo, 3x3 basketball, chess, Dancess and Hip Hop for beginners. Are you in?
To make sure you don’t miss any news about your favourite sports going forward, sign up for the HSCL sports newsletters.
Health Week – healthy all round
This year's HSCL Health Week will take place from 9 to 13 November 2026, with a focus on mental health and well-being. More information
Setting boundaries, being heard: Points of contact for sexual harassment
At the University of Lucerne, protecting the personal integrity of all members of the university community is a top priority. Have you experienced or witnessed sexual harassment? Four confidential advisors are available to offer advice, regardless of whether you wish to take further action or simply want to talk about what happened for the time being. If you wish, an investigator can look into the matter and initiate an internal procedure. You can find all the information, training materials and contact details for the points of contact on the Sexual Harassment webpage.
Navigating Student Life – Get off to a good start, make good progress
The start of a new semester brings many opportunities, but can also bring pressure, stress or uncertainty. The Psychological Counselling Service Campus Lucerne supports students with confidential and free counselling sessions, as well as workshops covering common topics such as performance anxiety, stress management and resilience.
A new addition to the programme is the workshop for international students, "Navigating the Challenges of Studying in Switzerland". It offers an opportunity to share experiences, network with other students and strengthen self-management skills. More information│Registration│Email: info@pblu.ch
Horizonte University Chaplaincy, Campus Lucerne
This autumn, the university chaplaincy Horizonte is organising a range of events: at the Privé with Salome Ulrich on 7 October 2026, the elite rower from Lucerne will talk about her journey in top-level sport and her goals – the 2027 World Rowing Championships on Lake Rotsee and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In the workshop “Stress Management through Mindfulness” on 12 October 2026, students will learn practical methods for dealing with stress more calmly in their everyday lives. On 21 October 2026, Horizonte will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a party and drinks reception. Anyone looking for a break from their daily student life is warmly invited to the guided silent retreat from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at Engelberg Abbey. More information and registration
Join the Lucerne University Choir
Rehearsals for the new concert programme begin at the start of each semester. In the 2026 autumn semester, the singers can look forward to a varied programme featuring works by female composers. Rehearsals take place on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Sentimatt Auditorium in Lucerne. University students who enjoy singing are very welcome to join us. We are particularly keen to welcome new members in the tenor and bass sections. More information
Baloo is back!
Fancy a coffee break? Or would you prefer matcha, tea or a refreshing drink? Baloo is the perfect place to take a breather between lectures, have a chat with your friends or get some work done. Throughout the term, there are cool events, specials and promotions waiting for you. If there’s anything you still need for your everyday uni life, you’ll find it all in our shop at unbeatable prices. Your Baloo team looks forward to seeing you. Shop | More info
Canteen: More choice and extended opening hours
To mark the start of the semester, the canteen is expanding its offerings even further: the salad buffet now features additional toppings. Together with the "Daily" meat range (Swiss meat), introduced in the spring semester, this gives you even more choice.
With the canteen now opening earlier, from 8 a.m., as well as the new Nelli’s fresh food vending machines, the new coffee range with fresh milk and oat drink on the ground floor, and the new snack vending machines and coffee machine on the 3rd floor, improved catering options are now available more flexibly throughout the day. The canteen remains one of the most affordable dining options on campus, with set menus continuing to cost between CHF 7.50 and CHF 9.50. The earlier opening time of 8 a.m. is based on feedback from the guest survey. Many thanks to everyone who took part in the survey and for your valuable feedback! More information | Contact: mensa1574@zfv.ch
Expansion of microwave use in the canteen
To improve the facilities available at lunchtime, an additional microwave trolley with six more microwave ovens is now available. Location: Next to the drinking fountain in the canteen area. Please use the microwaves carefully and considerately so that as many people as possible can benefit from this service. Thank you for your cooperation.
Lockers – Key rental at the information desk
There are 644 term lockers available on the first basement level of the Uni/PH building. Keys are available from the information desk on the ground floor. The application form, information on fees and further details can be found here.
Neptun Wave
Until 28 September 2026, students can benefit from attractive discounts on laptops, tablets and accessories from well-known manufacturers such as Apple, Lenovo, HP, Microsoft and Samsung. These offers are ideal for everyday student life and can be ordered directly online. Depending on the manufacturer, discounts of up to 40 per cent are available. You can find the current range and further information on the Projekt Neptun website. More info
Job vacancies
Current job vacancies at the University of Lucerne: https://www.unilu.ch/en/university/personnel/human-resources-department/vacancies/. Further job vacancies: Career Services job portal and SOL job board.
LUKB-Lecture – Boris Previšić: Von der alpinen Brache zur alpinen Innovation in der Schweiz. Das Urner Schächental als Probe aufs Exempel.
This lecture explores the renewed significance of the Alps as a space for living, production and innovation, using the Schächental valley as an example. The lecture and subsequent discussion will be held in German.
In den Nuller- und Zehnerjahren galten die Alpen als wirtschaftliche Randregion. Mit Corona und Energiewende rückten sie jedoch als Rückzugs- und Produktionsraum wieder ins Zentrum des Interesses. Am Beispiel des Schächentals zeigt der Kulturwissenschaftler und Gründungsdirektor des Urner Instituts Kulturen der Alpen, wie Energieproduktion, Mikroklima, sanfter Tourismus und der Umgang mit Naturgefahren das Potenzial der Alpen neu sichtbar machen – als Modell für andere Regionen der Schweiz. Vorlesung: Prof. Dr. Boris Previšić. Im Anschluss: Diskussion mit Prof. Dr. Boris Previšić, Christina Furrer (Vorsteherin des Amts für Gesundheit, Soziales und Umwelt in der Gemeinde Unterschächen) und Prof. Dr. Martin Hartmann (Professor für Philosophie und Rektor der Universität Luzern). Dienstag, 15. September 2026, 18.00 – 19.45 Uhr, Hörsaal 10│Anmeldung
Further events at the University of Lucerne and its faculties
Next edition: Wednesday, 9 December 2026
The Semester Info newsletter provides you with official announcements and information from the University's Executive Board at the beginning and end of each semester. Faculties will contact you directly with information about lectures and your studies.
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