German universities distinguish between the semester period and the lecture period.
The semester period encompasses the administrative start and end of a semester. The lecture period, on the other hand, indicates when teaching units (courses, lectures) take place.
Faculties and in some cases degree programmes start teaching units at different times. The lecture periods for the winter semester 2023/24 are as follows:
Lecture period 04.10.2023 - 19.01.2024
Lecture period 09.10.2023 - 26.01.2024
Lecture period 09.10.2023 - 02.02.2024
Lecture period 16.10.2023 - 02.02.2024