StudentInnen

Studentinnen is the feminine plural form of the German noun for female students and is used to refer to women enrolled in higher education such as universities and universities of applied sciences. The singular feminine form is Studentin, while the gender-neutral term used in many institutions today is Studierende.

Historically, access to higher education for women expanded from the late 19th century onward, aided by reform movements and policy changes that gradually removed barriers. By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, women represented a substantial and growing share of students in many German-speaking countries, influencing debates about curriculum, research priorities, and academic culture.

In contemporary usage, Studentinnen is commonly used when the focus is on women as a group. Many institutions and scholars increasingly prefer the gender-neutral term Studierende to refer to all students regardless of gender, reflecting broader discussions about inclusive language in academia.

Field distribution varies, with women well represented in humanities and social sciences and an increasing presence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Nevertheless, representation in leadership positions and in certain disciplines remains uneven. Policies aimed at equal access, anti-discrimination measures, family-friendly policies, mentoring, and targeted scholarships seek to support Studentinnen alongside all students.

See also: Studierende, Hochschulbildung, Gender studies.