Dear students,

A memorable year and an eventful autumn semester are drawing to a close. As you will have noticed, the University celebrated a grand open day on 25 October 2025, opening its doors to a wider public and presenting itself in all its facets. We were deeply moved by the great interest shown in our University and felt that we had truly arrived in the city and region. But we do not only want to look back; we also want to look ahead and take the next steps.

Digital ID card to replace campus card from January 2026

The University of Lucerne, together with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, PH Lucerne, and the Lucerne Central and University Library, is introducing a digital ID card for staff and students. From 15 January 2026, this will replace the previous physical Campus Card. The digital ID card will be created via a web portal, with registration via Switch edu-ID. The previous Campus Card will remain valid until the end of March 2026; any remaining credit must be used up by then, as leftover balances cannot be paid out. All details and instructions can be found on IT Help. Create your digital ID card now: web portal.

Additional quiet areas for exam preparation

To help you prepare optimally for this intensive study period, the University of Lucerne is providing additional quiet study rooms.

Period: 29 December 2025 to 30 January 2026 (Please note: The rooms will be closed from 31 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.)
Reserved rooms: Lecture halls 11, 12, 13 and 14 for individual study
For group work: The Tutorium is available during this period
We wish you all the best with your preparations and good luck with your exams!

We wish you happy holidays and a prosperous New Year!

The University of Lucerne will be closed during the holiday period from Wednesday, 24 December to Friday, 26 December and from Wednesday, 31 December 2025 to Friday, 2 January 2026. Further information on the exact opening hours of buildings and the availability of student services, the IT helpdesk and the information desk can be found on the Uni/PH Building website.

Semester fees and contact details

Semester fee: Semester invoices will be sent by email in mid-January 2026. To retain your “enrolled” status, please remember to pay the invoice by 13 February 2026. Once payment has been received, you will be able to download your confirmation of enrolment from UniPortal. New students will receive their confirmation of registration when they register in person. If you have any questions, please email studiendienste@unilu.ch.

Adjusting your level of study in UniPortal: If you completed your Bachelor's or Master's degree in the autumn semester of 2025, your new level of study and any change of subject will be visible in UniPortal in the first week after the start of the semester. The new confirmation of enrolment will be available to download from 20 February 2026.

Current contact details: Please ensure that your current address, telephone number and private email address are entered in the UniPortal. You can update them there at any time.

Student Services Christmas holidays: The office will be closed from 22 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. For general enquiries, the team is available at studiendienste@unilu.ch.

Application deadlines for student exchange

The online application system for an exchange semester in autumn 2026 is now open! Possible exchange destinations for your study field can be found via our online portal. If you are interested in taking part in an exchange programme, 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.
Dadlines: 
SEMP-Programme (exchange within Europe): 1 March 2026 for the autumn semester of 2026 and the spring semester of 2027
Partnership-Programme (exchange outside of Europe): 1 March 2026 for the autumn semester 2026
CH-Unimobil-Programme (exchange within Switzerland): 15 April 2026 for the autumn semester 2025

Sunday opening times for students

The library in the Uni/PH building will be open on the following Sundays and public holidays: 8/14/21 December 2025 and 4/11/18 January 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The library will be closed over the festive season from Wednesday, 24 December to Sunday, 28 December and from Wednesday, 31 December to Friday, 2 January 2026. More information

Sustainability-related lectures

Are you interested in sustainability and would like to attend relevant lectures? To help you plan your next semester, the Sustainability Office recommends using the advanced search function in the course catalogue (FS26 available online from mid-December) to browse for suitable lectures using the keyword “sustainability”.

Relocation of the HSCL fitness and weight training room

In January 2026, the HSCL fitness and weight training room will relocate to the Rösslimattquartier, directly behind the Lucerne railway station.
The current location on Sentimattstrasse will remain open until Friday, 19 December 2025. The new facility is expected to open on Monday, 12 January 2026 and will offer modern, spacious training conditions. The HSCL will announce all details and the exact opening date on Wednesday, 7 January 2026 on its website (German).

Psychological counselling – support at the end of the semester

At the end of the semester, many students feel the pressure mounting – assignments pile up, time is running out, and personal stress can also take its toll. The Campus Lucerne Psychological Counselling Service offers you up to five free and confidential consultations – tailored to your individual needs and focused on finding solutions.

Whether you are experiencing exam anxiety, procrastination, motivation problems or personal challenges, the PBLU team is there for you!

Make an appointment for a consultation: www.pblu.ch or info@pblu.ch

Horizons – Chaplaincy for students Campus Lucerne

We invite you to enjoy moments of peace and connection in the new year. We look forward to seeing you! More information (German)

Weekend in guided silence: A weekend to switch off, recharge your batteries and arrive in soothing silence. 13 to 15 February and 1 to 3 May 2026, at Engelberg Monastery.

Block seminar with study trip to Thessaloniki: A journey full of history, culture and encounters. Save the date: 1 to 7 September 2026.

University Choir (Unichor) Lucerne: Christmas carols at the KKL

Soon, the KKL will be filled with Christmas carols, and the University of Lucerne Choir will be right in the middle of it all: on 17 December, the university choir will get everyone in the festive spirit with Christmas carols at the annual Christmas sing-along with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the Lucerne Girls' Choir, the Lucerne Boys' Choir and the Klangwerk Luzern concert choir.

O MAGNUM MISTERUM, Christmas Singing: Wednesday, 17 December, 7.30 p.m., KKL Lucerne, Concert Hall. More information (German)

Éveil: Campus Orchestra Lucerne (COL)

Delicate morning colours, vibrant nature, life blossoming anew: experience pieces by Pärt, Roussel, Elgar and Bizet in the COL's next project.

The musicians are students, staff and alumni of Lucerne's universities. New players, especially string players, brass players and percussionists, are very welcome. No audition is necessary. Rehearsals are usually held on Monday evenings during the semester.

In the spring semester, the COL concert will take place on Friday, 1 May 2026, at 7:30 p.m. in the Church of St. Karl in Lucerne. More information (German)

Prevention of sexual harassment: confidants

The three Lucerne universities offer a joint service for persons affected by sexual harassment. Any form of sexual harassment at a place of work or study is unacceptable and will result in appropriate measures and sanctions. Affected persons have the opportunity to receive quick and competent support by contacting one of the four confidants. More information

Baloo news at the end of the semester

On Thursday, 18 December, we cordially invite you to Baloo's Ustrinkete! Join us in toasting a successful semester and enjoy exclusive deals on numerous drinks – but only while supplies last.
Advance sales for the University of Lucerne will take place on 13 February 2026, followed by the main sales on 17 and 18 February 2026. Regular café and bar service will officially resume on Tuesday, 17 February 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Opening hours | Onlineshop | Instagram (German)

Group room 1.507 above the Baloo café

The group room above the Baloo café bar (accessible via stairs) is intended for staff meetings and can be booked via the University of Lucerne's room booking system. For this reason, eating and drinking are not permitted in this room - please use the seating area in the Baloo instead. Thank you for your understanding!

Note: If the group room is not booked, it may be used by students for quiet study.

Startup Insights & Networking: lunch with serial entrepreneur Darko Stanoevski

To all start-up enthusiasts and innovators at the University of Lucerne – free lunch and networking event with Darko Stanoevski, successful serial entrepreneur and alumnus of the University of Lucerne. Darko is the founder of the start-up Talnets (https://talnets.ch/) in Lucerne. Talnets aims to set the global standard for talent scouting in sports, initially in football and later in other sports as well.

The “Venture Briefing” event series organised by the Swiss initiative Venturelab is designed to help students who want to become entrepreneurs take the first steps towards building a successful business.

Further information and free registration: https://www.venturelab.swiss/unilu

Career Paths Survey – take part in the online survey!

How do students in Switzerland plan their future? What influences their career goals, choice of study and aspirations?

The Career Paths Survey conducted by the Universities of Bern, Zurich, Lucerne and Nuremberg examines these questions – and you can take part!

All participants will be entered into a prize draw to win 10 × CHF 1,000!

The survey takes around 25 minutes to complete. Take part – your participation counts!

You can find the survey and more information here: careerpaths.ch

Key return for semester lockers

Important note for current tenants: Please return the key to the information desk by Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at the latest – have your Campus Card or ID card ready. Empty the locker completely and leave it clean. Leave the locker open and lock the lock.

Call for Papers - International Conference on Theology and Leadership

The Chair of Pastoral Theology at the University of Lucerne and the Institute for Leadership and Social Ethics (ILSE) at ETF Leuven are organising the International Conference on Theology and Leadership at the University of Lucerne from 17 to 19 June 2026.

Abstracts (max. 500 words) can now be submitted – on research results, case studies, or theoretical approaches. They should outline the focus, research question, methodology, relevance, and (expected) results.

Important deadlines: Abstract submission: 31 January 2026 | Notification: 28 February 2026 | Paper submission: 31 August 2026

Accepted papers will be invited for submission to a peer-reviewed publication. Website: Call for papers

Public lectures, conferences and congresses at the University of Lucerne
Career development events

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.

Language preferences

The Semester Info is available in both German and English. 
Click here for the German version. 
You may change your language preferences (German or English) in the UniPortal. Your chosen language setting will apply to all University of Lucerne communications distributed bilingually. 

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Missed the last issue? You'll find it in the Semester-Info archive.