Advice services from A-Z

Individual support for your questions around studying at FAU

Alongside the Student Advice Center, the Career Service and the Central Office for International Affairs (RIA), there are several other services at FAU which offer advice and support to students for various different topics.

A

When at university, compensation for disadvantages are measures taken to compensate for any difficulties caused by your disability during your studies and in examinations. All information about studying with disabilities or chronic illness is available here: Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

The Admissions Office oversees the application procedures for both German and international applicants. It also processes applications for a swap of university places (German only).

Contact: zulassungsstelle@fau.de.

Information on admission

C

campo is FAU’s campus management portal, which will link the existing systems mein campus and UnivIS over the next few years.
Currently, campo is used for managing online applications and enrolment (apart from international and Master’s degree applications).

www.campo.fau.de

FAU’s Career Service is open to students, doctoral candidates and graduates of all faculties at the University. It offers a wide range of advisory services, events and information about applications and careers free of charge.

As a key point of contact for students and doctoral candidates, the Career Service aims to provide assistance for them when they are considering their future professions and to make the transition from study or doctoral research to work easier for graduates.

The services offered include:

  • individual careers advice for all students and doctoral candidates
  • checks of application documents in German and English
  • seminars on applications and soft skills
  • information day with presentations on starting a career
  • career talks between students, doctoral candidates and alumni from different subjects
  • networking events (faculty career day at the School of Law, phil.Forum)
  • online job portal with part-time jobs, internships and entry-level positions for all subjects
  • up-to-date information on company events, recruiting events and more on the Career Service blog
  • specialist library with literature on applications, core skills and career orientation

Detailed information on all services and events is available on the Career Service page.

The Career Service was established in 2009 as a central point of contact and continues to expand the range of events and services that it offers. It is financed through tuition fee compensation and is part of the Student Advice Center at FAU.

A referat (office) at FAU. RIA offers help and advice in all non-disciplinary questions to international students and researchers. RIA also provides all kinds of information on other topics, including studying abroad, funding for studying abroad and international scholarship advice.
https://www.fau.eu/education/advice-and-services/contacts-central-office-for-international-affairs/

The Centre for Teacher Education offers information and advice on a range of subjects related to teaching degree programmes at FAU, such as teacher training and professional development for teachers.

ZFL-Website (German)

Complaints regarding discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment can be submitted to the relevant complaints team.

Further information on the complaints procedure

  • Student Services offers counselling services with a focus on mental health. They provide professional counselling on problems affecting students’ mental wellbeing such as difficulties with studying, completing a doctoral degree or examinations, problems with partners or parents, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders and other psychological problems. The drop-in session (offene Sprechstunde) is completely anonymous.
  • The Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at FAU offers various online training courses through the ‘StudiCare’ programme, aimed at helping students cope with problems affecting their mental wellbeing such as social anxiety, online addiction and insomnia, as well as fear of examinations or procrastination.
  • Numbers to call in case of emergency:
    • In an acute crisis: Emergency services 112
    • Mental health hotline: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 (only from Germany)

D

Further information: Students with disabilities

Diversity Scouts are student assistants who are trained by the Office of Equality and Diversity. As peer mentors for students who represent diverse experiences they offer support directly at their faculties as well as at the Learning Lab. The Diversity Scouts help other students to get oriented at the FAU and create networking opportunities around the topic of diversity.

For more information, please visit the website of the Office of Equality and Diversity.

E

If you have a question relating to examination arrangements, please contact the examinations office for your subject. The examinations office is responsible for all administrative processes regarding the application for, admission to and organisation of examinations as well as for the preparation and documentation of meetings of the examinations committees.

See the FAU website to find the examinations office responsible for your degree programme.

For admission to an examination you must register first (see examination deadlines). Responsibility for all issues regarding examinations lies with the individual Examinations Offices at the University.

Via campo you can manage your personal data and print out your official documents. Registration and de-registration for examinations is also carried out via this website. Moreover, you can download an overview of the grades you have achieved so far.

F

The family services unit at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen provides support for families (including parents and family carers) with regard to family commitments and academic life. Students and staff of the University and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen benefit from comprehensive counselling on studying and working at the University with a child.

www.familienservice.fau.de (German only)

Abbreviation for ‘Fachschaftsinitiative,’ an association of students of a specific subject. The FSI is an important point of contact for all problems and questions related to your studies.

www.fau.de/studierendenseiten (German only)

I

Is called Central Office for International Affairs at FAU (RIA – S – INTERNATIONAL).

The Office of International Affairs is the central point of contact at FAU for students and doctoral candidates from abroad and German students and doctoral candidates who would like to go abroad.

Detailed information on the Office of International Affairs is available under Education on the FAU website, under the heading International.

L

The Language Service can provide English translations of German documents, such as those needed for stays abroad, and supports graduates and postdoctoral researchers by offering proof-reading and translation services for publications. Please note that the translation services are subject to a fee.

Language Service for students

 

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg offer free legal advice for students. This includes practical advice for all legal difficulties related to your studies in Germany in the following areas: labour law, international law, tenancy law, examination law and contractual law.

Further information (in German).

O

Office of Equal Opportunities is responsible for all issues related to equality at FAU and offers advice on discrimination and sexual harassment.

Further information: Office of Equal Opportunities (German)

R

RRZE provide IT services and support at FAU. Abbreviation for ‘Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen’ (Regional Computer Centre Erlangen) at FAU. RRZE is FAU’s internal IT service and manages free student user accounts and official e-mail addresses which are used by the University to contact students. RRZE also offers programming and other IT courses (software training) for students. Many of them are free of charge and even count as core skills which means that you can gain credits which count towards your degree.

www.rrze.fau.de (German only)

S

The School of Business and Economics has its own Career Service which provides its students and graduates with information and advice on career planning. It also offers seminars, checks of application documents, assessment centre trainings and various other services and events to help the School’s students, doctoral candidates and graduates prepare for their professional lives. The Career Service’s network of contacts to companies enables students to gain practical experience during their studies.

Website: School of Business and Economics Career Service

 

 

Student Services provides social counselling on issues such as financial difficulties, studying with children, and studying with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Further information: Sozialberatung des Studentenwerks

 

The Student Advice Center is your main point of contact for all questions concerning your studies. Here, you will find all the necessary information on the degree programmes offered at FAU: subject combinations, study plans, admission regulations, application procedures, studying abroad, etc. The Student Advice Center can offer advice if you have problems during your studies or if you want to change your subject or transfer to another university. The Student Advice Center can also provide information on the structure and contents of individual degree programmes.

www.fau.eu/ibz

Each faculty has a committee called the Student Association (Fachschaftsvertretung, FSV) which is responsible for internal affairs.

Both the Catholic (KHG) and the Protestant (ESG) church operate student communities in Erlangen and Nuremberg. The student communities are open to students of all subjects, nationalities, denominations, and religions. KHG and ESG organise weekly meetings at their respective locations with church services and prayers, shared meals and other events.

www.khg-erlangen.de (German only)
www.esg-erlangen.de (German only)

Subject advisors offer advice on all subject-related questions during your studies. The advisors all teach at the relevant faculty of study. Names, addresses, office hours and telephone numbers are available from the Student Advice Center.

www.fau.eu/study

U

The University Library (UB) provides an overview of its services for FAU members and the opportunity to book an appointment with one of its expert staff online with the UB Coach. Information and advice is available on research, publishing, copyright, licensing, publishing rights, academic work and networking.

W

The women’s representative is supported by the Office of Equal Opportunities.

The Office of Equal Opportunities is committed to the promotion of gender mainstreaming and diversity at FAU. Sex, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities should be no obstacle during your studies or doctoral degree or in your professional life. At present, the office co-ordinates several projects and activities.

More information is available on the Office of Equal Opportunities website (German only).

Seminar papers, theses, articles for publication, application documents: the Schreibzentrum / Writing Centre of the Language Centre offers academic writing support for FAU students and academics. This support includes one-on-one writing coaching sessions and academic writing workshops. These services are available for non-native German speakers writing in German and FAU students and academics writing in English.

For more information, please visit the website

The University Library offers consultations in German for German native speakers.

Adjustments to Examination Arrangements
When at university, compensation for disadvantages are measures taken to compensate for any difficulties caused by your disability during your studies and in examinations. All information about studying with disabilities or chronic illness is available here: Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Admissions Office
The Admissions Office oversees the application procedures for both German and international applicants. It also processes applications for a swap of university places (German only). Contact: zulassungsstelle@fau.de. Information on admission
campo
campo is FAU’s campus management portal, which will link the existing systems mein campus and UnivIS over the next few years. Currently, campo is used for managing online applications and enrolment (apart from international and Master’s degree applications). www.campo.fau.de
Career Service
FAU’s Career Service is open to students, doctoral candidates and graduates of all faculties at the University. It offers a wide range of advisory services, events and information about applications and careers free of charge. As a key point of contact for students and doctoral candidates, the Career Service aims to provide assistance for them when they are considering their future professions and to make the transition from study or doctoral research to work easier for graduates. The services offered include: individual careers advice for all students and doctoral candidates checks of application documents in German and English seminars on applications and soft skills information day with presentations on starting a career career talks between students, doctoral candidates and alumni from different subjects networking events (faculty career day at the School of Law, phil.Forum) online job portal with part-time jobs, internships and entry-level positions for all subjects up-to-date information on company events, recruiting events and more on the Career Service blog specialist library with literature on applications, core skills and career orientation Detailed information on all services and events is available on the Career Service page. The Career Service was established in 2009 as a central point of contact and continues to expand the range of events and services that it offers. It is financed through tuition fee compensation and is part of the Student Advice Center at FAU.
Central Office for International Affairs (RIA / S-INTERNATIONAL)
A referat (office) at FAU. RIA offers help and advice in all non-disciplinary questions to international students and researchers. RIA also provides all kinds of information on other topics, including studying abroad, funding for studying abroad and international scholarship advice. https://www.fau.eu/education/advice-and-services/contacts-central-office-for-international-affairs/
Centre for Teacher Education (ZfL)
The Centre for Teacher Education offers information and advice on a range of subjects related to teaching degree programmes at FAU, such as teacher training and professional development for teachers. ZFL-Website (German)
Complaints team for cases of discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment
Complaints regarding discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment can be submitted to the relevant complaints team. Further information on the complaints procedure
Counselling services with a focus on mental health
Student Services offers counselling services with a focus on mental health. They provide professional counselling on problems affecting students’ mental wellbeing such as difficulties with studying, completing a doctoral degree or examinations, problems with partners or parents, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders and other psychological problems. The drop-in session (offene Sprechstunde) is completely anonymous. The Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at FAU offers various online training courses through the ‘StudiCare’ programme, aimed at helping students cope with problems affecting their mental wellbeing such as social anxiety, online addiction and insomnia, as well as fear of examinations or procrastination. Numbers to call in case of emergency: In an acute crisis: Emergency services 112 Mental health hotline: 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 (only from Germany)
Disability Representative
Further information: Students with disabilities
Diversity Scouts
Diversity Scouts are student assistants who are trained by the Office of Equality and Diversity. As peer mentors for students who represent diverse experiences they offer support directly at their faculties as well as at the Learning Lab. The Diversity Scouts help other students to get oriented at the FAU and create networking opportunities around the topic of diversity. For more information, please visit the website of the Office of Equality and Diversity.
Examinations office
If you have a question relating to examination arrangements, please contact the examinations office for your subject. The examinations office is responsible for all administrative processes regarding the application for, admission to and organisation of examinations as well as for the preparation and documentation of meetings of the examinations committees. See the FAU website to find the examinations office responsible for your degree programme. For admission to an examination you must register first (see examination deadlines). Responsibility for all issues regarding examinations lies with the individual Examinations Offices at the University. Via campo you can manage your personal data and print out your official documents. Registration and de-registration for examinations is also carried out via this website. Moreover, you can download an overview of the grades you have achieved so far.
Family services
The family services unit at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen provides support for families (including parents and family carers) with regard to family commitments and academic life. Students and staff of the University and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen benefit from comprehensive counselling on studying and working at the University with a child. www.familienservice.fau.de (German only)
FSI
Abbreviation for ‘Fachschaftsinitiative,’ an association of students of a specific subject. The FSI is an important point of contact for all problems and questions related to your studies. www.fau.de/studierendenseiten (German only)
International Office
Is called Central Office for International Affairs at FAU (RIA – S – INTERNATIONAL). The Office of International Affairs is the central point of contact at FAU for students and doctoral candidates from abroad and German students and doctoral candidates who would like to go abroad. Detailed information on the Office of International Affairs is available under Education on the FAU website, under the heading International.
Language Service for students
The Language Service can provide English translations of German documents, such as those needed for stays abroad, and supports graduates and postdoctoral researchers by offering proof-reading and translation services for publications. Please note that the translation services are subject to a fee. Language Service for students  
Legal advice from Student Services
Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg offer free legal advice for students. This includes practical advice for all legal difficulties related to your studies in Germany in the following areas: labour law, international law, tenancy law, examination law and contractual law. Further information (in German).
Office of Equal Opportunities
Office of Equal Opportunities is responsible for all issues related to equality at FAU and offers advice on discrimination and sexual harassment. Further information: Office of Equal Opportunities (German)
RRZE (Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen/Regional Computer Centre)
RRZE provide IT services and support at FAU. Abbreviation for ‘Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen’ (Regional Computer Centre Erlangen) at FAU. RRZE is FAU’s internal IT service and manages free student user accounts and official e-mail addresses which are used by the University to contact students. RRZE also offers programming and other IT courses (software training) for students. Many of them are free of charge and even count as core skills which means that you can gain credits which count towards your degree. www.rrze.fau.de (German only)
School of Business and Economics Career Service
The School of Business and Economics has its own Career Service which provides its students and graduates with information and advice on career planning. It also offers seminars, checks of application documents, assessment centre trainings and various other services and events to help the School’s students, doctoral candidates and graduates prepare for their professional lives. The Career Service’s network of contacts to companies enables students to gain practical experience during their studies. Website: School of Business and Economics Career Service    
Social counselling from Student Services
Student Services provides social counselling on issues such as financial difficulties, studying with children, and studying with disabilities or chronic illnesses. Further information: Sozialberatung des Studentenwerks  
Student Advice Center
The Student Advice Center is your main point of contact for all questions concerning your studies. Here, you will find all the necessary information on the degree programmes offered at FAU: subject combinations, study plans, admission regulations, application procedures, studying abroad, etc. The Student Advice Center can offer advice if you have problems during your studies or if you want to change your subject or transfer to another university. The Student Advice Center can also provide information on the structure and contents of individual degree programmes. www.fau.eu/ibz
Student Association (FSV)
Each faculty has a committee called the Student Association (Fachschaftsvertretung, FSV) which is responsible for internal affairs.
Student communities
Both the Catholic (KHG) and the Protestant (ESG) church operate student communities in Erlangen and Nuremberg. The student communities are open to students of all subjects, nationalities, denominations, and religions. KHG and ESG organise weekly meetings at their respective locations with church services and prayers, shared meals and other events. www.khg-erlangen.de (German only) www.esg-erlangen.de (German only)
Subject advisors
Subject advisors offer advice on all subject-related questions during your studies. The advisors all teach at the relevant faculty of study. Names, addresses, office hours and telephone numbers are available from the Student Advice Center. www.fau.eu/study
UB Coach
The University Library (UB) provides an overview of its services for FAU members and the opportunity to book an appointment with one of its expert staff online with the UB Coach. Information and advice is available on research, publishing, copyright, licensing, publishing rights, academic work and networking.
Women’s representative
The women’s representative is supported by the Office of Equal Opportunities. The Office of Equal Opportunities is committed to the promotion of gender mainstreaming and diversity at FAU. Sex, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities should be no obstacle during your studies or doctoral degree or in your professional life. At present, the office co-ordinates several projects and activities. More information is available on the Office of Equal Opportunities website (German only).
Writing Centre
Seminar papers, theses, articles for publication, application documents: the Schreibzentrum / Writing Centre of the Language Centre offers academic writing support for FAU students and academics. This support includes one-on-one writing coaching sessions and academic writing workshops. These services are available for non-native German speakers writing in German and FAU students and academics writing in English. For more information, please visit the website The University Library offers consultations in German for German native speakers.