Start of the semester
Information and introductory sessions for new students
Starting your studies at university is a very special time. As first year students, you will experience many new things. However, there is one thing you can rely on: FAU, its institutions, faculties and partners 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.
Introductory events and information from the faculties
Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology
School of Business, Economics and Society
Faculty of Engineering
- Information for prospective students Information for prospective students (including information about introductory events at the Faculty of Engineering)
- Up-to-date information about lectures and seminars
- Online introductory course from the Department of Electrical Engineering (Also contains general information for all prospective students and new students)
Information about central institutions and services
Student Services (incl. advisory services, student restaurants, etc.)
University Library

The University Library offers face-to-face sessions as well as digital and virtual events: At the Library, you can find a place to study, either alone or in a group, and it holds both online and face-to-face training sessions. You can also order media online and read e-books and electronic journals. The library staff are also available to give you advice and assistance at all times.
University Sports

Visit www.hochschulsport.fau.de to find out all about the various courses offered by University Sports.
Center for Teacher Education (ZfL)

The Center for Teacher Education (ZfL) is available to give you advice on your teaching degree, no matter which subject you are studying.
Starting studying: Introductory events for teaching degree students winter semester 22/23
The entire range of information and services on offer is available here:
Virtual orientation week in the orientation program (Grundlagen- und Orientierungsstudium)

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 organizing your first semester as well as practical advice for studying in general.
Services offered by Students’ Representatives
The students’ representatives in the Student Associations (FSI) and Student Committees (FSV) (belonging to the Students’ Representatives (Stuve) have put together some information aimed at helping new students in particular to settle into studying at FAU. The FAU Social Media Address Book has an overview of all the social media channels of the student associations.
Checklist for new students

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 program at FAU?
- Have you carefully read all the information on the website of your degree program/institute?
- Have you read the degree program and examination regulations?
- Have you made a note of the dates of introductory events etc.?
- Have you looked at the course catalog?
- Have you already created your timetable and read through the tips and instructions?
- 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 Center (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 ‘campo’?
- 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?

A fantastic start to the semester: FAU Wunschkonzert on April 25, 2023
Two student bands, two headline acts and a party to remember – exclusively for students at FAU. The party starts at 7pm (entry from 6pm onwards) on April 25, 2023 in E-Werk in Erlangen.
More information is available here: www.wunschkonzert.fau.de
An introduction to online portals at FAU
An overview of the online portals is available here: Online platforms for organizing your studies.
A video has been produced at the Faculty of Engineering that provides a useful overview to students of all faculties of the various portals at FAU:
FAU Dialog – Join in the discussion!
The FAU Dialog offers students and staff a joint platform to shape the future strategy of FAU. All members of FAU have the possibility to discuss current developments, the University’s strategic approach and future goals with the Executive Board. The FAU Dialog covers a wide variety of topics: from site development and excellence strategy planning to the Hightech Agenda Bavaria and strategic partnerships.
Further information is available on our intranet after logging in with your IdM account
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

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 and contacts