Lower Saxony Finance Minister Attends Launch of New Financial Literacy Course
Braunschweig University Breaks Money Taboos with Free Financial Literacy Course
How do I plan my budget? What insurance do I really need? And how does sustainable investing work? With the course "Financial Literacy for All," Technical University of Braunschweig introduced a hands-on financial education program for students in the 2025/26 winter semester. Following an overwhelming response—with over 400 registrations—the Institute of Finance is now offering an additional intensive workshop during the lecture-free period. The launch event on March 25, attended by around 150 students, also featured Lower Saxony's Finance Minister Gerald Heere and Dietmar Smyrek, TU Braunschweig's Vice President for Human Resources, Finance, and University Construction.
Who hasn't heard the old saying "Money isn't something you talk about"—a maxim meant to signal modesty and avoid envy? This course challenges that notion. Together with regional industry partners, Julia Eckert from the Institute of Finance teaches essential financial skills that are often neglected in school curricula.
"This course is a vital new component of our university's educational offerings," said Vice President Dietmar Smyrek in his welcoming remarks. "Financial planning will accompany you throughout your entire life."
Lower Saxony's Finance Minister Gerald Heere echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his own career path, which began with studies and a research position at TU Braunschweig. "Financial education ensures that no one is disadvantaged due to a lack of information or knowledge."
Personal Financial Planning
In the intensive workshop, students explore key aspects of personal financial planning. They begin with an introduction to fundamental financial concepts—interest, inflation, risk, and return—as well as an overview of how financial markets operate. Building on this foundation, they learn to structure income and expenses, set financial goals, and establish an emergency fund. Another major focus is the responsible use of credit and debt.
Students become familiar with different types of loans—such as overdrafts, installment loans, and mortgages—along with their cost structures, while also learning to recognize common debt risks. The course also covers the basics of saving, wealth-building, and investing, including stocks, bonds, and ETFs (exchange-traded funds), as well as typical investment pitfalls. Additional topics include retirement planning and pensions, where students examine how statutory, occupational, and private pension systems work and grapple with the so-called pension gap.
Collaboration with Regional Industry Partners
A standout feature of the course is its close collaboration with local industry partners. Honorary Professor Alexander Tourneau, a board member of Öffentliche Versicherung Braunschweig, leads the session on financial risks and insurance, bringing real-world insights from the insurance sector. The Braunschweiger Sparkasse savings bank also contributes with practical lectures, where experts like Linda Taubert share their knowledge on loans, debt, and retirement planning.
In the long term, "Financial Literacy for All" is set to become part of a broader financial education initiative. This fall, an apprenticeship financial literacy day is planned in cooperation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. In spring 2027, a similar event will be open to residents of the Braunschweig region.
The course is supported by the Braunschweigische Sparkassenstiftung and the Große Waisenhaus Foundation.
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