Start of the semester
Information and introductory sessions for new students
When university starts in winter semester 2020/21, it 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.
Corona Virus: Video message from the FAU President
Your Start @FAU
Information from the faculties
Winter semester 2020/21 will be a mixture of a large proportion of online teaching combined with some face-to-face classes (‘hybrid semester’). This means that face-to-face classes will be offered in addition to online teaching, provided we are able to do so in accordance with legal provisions and regulations aimed at preventing infection and provided we are able to organise it. Information on the regulations that apply at each of the faculties is available on the following pages:
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The Juridicum in Schillerstraße in Erlangen (Image: FAU)
Changes to teaching and studying during the coronavirus pandemic
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Kussmaul research campus (image: FAU/Erich Malter)
- hybrid winter semester 2020/21
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The Chemikum at FAU. (Image: Staatliches Bauamt Erlangen-Nürnberg)
- Information on the measures concerning the Corona crisis
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The ‘Roter Platz’ at the southern campus in Erlangen (image: FAU/Erich Malter)
Services offered by Students’ Representatives
The Student Associations (FSI) and Student Committees (FSV) 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 from the central institutions
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
Members of staff put sports courses online in the summer semester. We hope to be able to offer courses on campus again in the winter semester.
Studienanfang leicht gemacht’ checklist
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.
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.