Start of the semester
Information and introductory sessions for new students
Your start of the semester will not be the same as in previous years. The coronavirus pandemic and its consequences mean that starting university will be a rather different experience for you, our new first year students. However, one thing will stay the same: FAU, its institutions, faculties and partners will still offer a wide range of services and introductory events to help you find your feet as you start out at university. One thing you should always bear in mind: no matter what your question is, there is always an answer and someone who can help you.
Your Start @FAU
Introductory events and information from the faculties
Seminar building at the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology (image: FAU/David Hartfiel))
The Juridicum in Schillerstraße in Erlangen (image: FAU)
Image: David Hartfiel
Kussmaul research campus (image: FAU/Erich Malter)
FAU’s Chemikum building. (Image: Staatliches Bauamt Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Der sogenannte “Rote Platz” am Südgelände der FAU (Bild: FAU/Erich Malter)
Services offered by Students’ Representatives
The students’ representatives in the Student Associations (FSI) and Student Committees (FSV) (belonging to Stuve)have come up with something new for the start of winter semester 2020/21, aimed at helping new students in particular to settle into studying at FAU. Unfortunately, this semester there can be no personal mentors, games evenings, pub crawls or other introductory events to let new students get to know each other. However, the students’ representatives are offering online consultations or online games evenings instead. Make the most of the services offered by the Students Associations and Student Committees and don’t be afraid to ask anything and everything about studying here at FAU!
Information about central institutions and services
image: FAU/Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg
All advisory services are available for ‘contactless’ appointments (video consultation/telephone/e-mail). Our legal counselling services are working entirely by e-mail, the Amt für Ausbildungsförderung (Training Assistance Office) has introduced extended telephone hours. Personal visits may be possible in individual instances (for example to sign a contract or arrange a KfW student loan), but an appointment must be arranged in advance.
All student restaurants (apart from EWF and Insel Schütt in Nuremberg) are open for business. You can either reserve a seat in advance or buy food to take away.
The main University Library in Erlangen.(image: FAU/David Hartfiel)
Virtual training courses, online reservations for study places or online reservations for physical media: the University libraries at FAU are geared to digitalisation and online services. The library staff are also available to give you advice and assistance at all times.
The University Library has drawn up FAQs for special rules introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic regarding borrowing, opening hours, reading rooms, and training courses.
Photo: FAU/Jonas Baumgärtel
Visit www.hochschulsport.fau.de to find out all about the various courses offered by University Sports.
Image: Panthermedia
The Centre for Teacher Education (ZfL) is a central research institution and, together with your lecturers, the right place to turn to with any questions you may have about your teaching degree programme (Lehramt) at FAU. The entire range of information and services on offer is available here:
- Secondary education at Realschule (Lehramt Realschule)
- Secondary education at Gymnasium (Lehramt Gymnasium)
- Primary education at Grundschule (Lehramt Grundschule)
- Secondary education at Mittelschule (Lehramt Mittelschule)
Additional advice and events organised by ZfL in summer semester 2021
Image: Colourbox.de
The Center for Applied Philosophy of Science and Key Qualifications (ZiWiS) offers an orientation week for new students as an online course. The orientation week is aimed at students of all faculties. You will receive important tips on organising your first semester as well as practical advice for studying in general.
Checklist for new students
Image: Colourbox
The ‘Studienanfang leicht gemacht’ checklist for new students provided by our Student Advice and Career Service provides an initial overview and has useful tips to make sure you get off to a good start at FAU:
- Have you read through all the information sheets about your subject/degree programme at FAU?
- Have you carefully read all the information on the website of your degree programme/institute?
- Have you read the degree programme and examination regulations?
- Have you made a note of the dates of introductory events etc.?
- Have you looked at the course catalogue?
- Have you had a look around your institute? Have you located the notice board at your institute/department and read the notices? Have you got a copy of the ‘WERKsWeiser’ brochure from Student Services? (Available free of charge from Student Services and IBZ)
- Have you read the information about the FAUcard and activated your user account in Identity Management?
- University Library: Have you activated the library function of your FAUcard? Have you reserved a space on the library training course?
- Have you set up internet access via the Erlangen Regional Computing Centre (RRZE) and activated your user ID?
- If you have moved: have you put your name on your letterbox at your new address? Have you notified the Student Records Office about your semester address or a change of address (if applicable) via ‘mein campus’?Have you registered your main address at the residents’ registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt) at the town hall?
- Have you made a note of the deadline for re-registration for the next semester (February/July)?
- Have you downloaded the FAU app?
frisch! an der Uni – a guide for starting university
Congratulations! You have decided to study at FAU, and already you have found a valuable source of information: our magazine ‘frisch! an der FAU’ knows (nearly) everything you need to know about our university.
frisch! an der Uni – read the multi-media online version of the magazine
The coronavirus and its impact on FAU
Image: Colourbox.de
We keep students and staff up to date on current developments and news at FAU with a special page devoted to information on the coronavirus, in podcasts, interviews and blog posts.
Coronavirus information page with you all need to know about studying
Questions, information, contacts
There are a number of advice and service centres available to help with any questions you may have about studying at FAU. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or encounter any difficulties.