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Introductory events and pre-semester courses

Start of studies, start of the semester, start of the lecture period – when exactly does university start?

Apart from a few exceptions, at FAU it is only possible to start studying Bachelor’s degree programs, teaching degree programs and State Examination degree programs in the winter semester. Usually, Master’s degree programs can be started in either the summer or the winter semester.

The summer semester always starts on April 1, and the winter semester on October 1. Classes are held for new students at the latest from the beginning of the semester, sometimes earlier, for example from the end of September.

The lecture period in winter semester 2025/25 begins on Monday October 13, 2025.

Interdisciplinary introductory events

The interdisciplinary introductory events held by the Student Advice Center (ZSB) provide a wide range of information and support to make it easier to get started at FAU.

The Central Office for International Affairs (RIA) offers a welcome week for all new international students at the beginning of each semester to help you with legal formalities as well as the general onboarding at FAU. The program is open to all new international students.In the winter semester 2025/26, the welcome week will take place from October 6 to 10, 2025.

The official new students’ welcome event is held once a year, usually in the Heinrich Lades Halle in Erlangen. In 2025, it will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm. All students who started studying at FAU in summer semester 2025 and who are starting studying in winter semester 2025/26 are invited. Invitations are sent, for instance, by email (only to FAU email addresses) in autumn 2025.

The new students’ welcome event is a celebration for welcoming all new students to FAU. You will receive information and orientation for the start of your studies in the introductory event for your subject.

Events at the faculties and schools

Introductory events and further information from the faculties and schools

(as of summer semester 2025)

Each faculty at FAU offers introductory events for new students in every subject at the beginning of the semester. There are also interdisciplinary pre-semester courses and orientation programs.

Tip: Make sure you take part in the events, even if they are not compulsory. Not only will you get to know your fellow students, but you will also receive important information for creating your schedule and for the Grundlagen- und Orientierungsprüfung (GOP) in the Bachelor’s degree programs.

School of Law

School of Business, Economics and Society

Cross-faculty events

General and cross-faculty information events for new students 

The information services provided by the Center for Applied Philosophy of Science and Key Qualifications (ZIWIS), the Central Office for International Affairs and the University Library, provide support to new students with preparing for the challenges of daily university life.

Finding your feet at university and successfully completing the first phase of your degree depends on more than just subject knowledge. ZIWIS can give you tips on how you can plan your first semesters, how studying at university works, how you can motivate yourself if everything is not going to plan, and much more besides. Short units (in German) called “Orientierungshäppchen für Erstsemester” touch briefly on various topics that may be of interest to new students, or you can choose to complete one of the more detailed modules (“Micro-Credentials“) that provide more insight and for which you can earn 1 ECTS credit toward key qualifications or free electives.

Sign up via “Orientierungshäppchen für Erstsemester” where you will find detailed explanations and can take a look at which topics you might be interested in.

FAQs

FAQs on introductory events

Questions and answers on spending time abroad

You should check all the important information about starting to study at FAU and work through the checklist if applicable. In addition, it is advisable to check on the website of your degree program whether the schedule has to be created by students themselves or if it is provided by the subject.

Creating a schedule

The following steps must be taken to create a schedule:

  1. Download the relevant degree program and examination regulations as well as the General degree program and examination regulations of the faculty.
  2. Obtain information about the Grundlagen- und Orientierungsprüfung (GOP): Which ECTS credits from which modules must be gained by the end of the third subject semester after no more than two attempts at the examination?
  3. Take a note of the modules to be included in the GOP from the degree program and examination regulations.
  4. Use the module schedule (attached to the degree program and examination regulations) to check which modules are recommended for the first semester.
  5. Log in to campo and select classes from the course catalog. Save them in your schedule.
  6. View your saved schedule in campo under “MyStudies”.

Registering for classes

The first step is to check on StudOn whether it is still possible to register for the classes (log-in required). In campo, there is a direct link to StudOn in the “Dates” section of the modules (“Link to the course on StudOn”).

If official registration is no longer possible, you should contact the lecturer directly to clarify whether you can take part.

Further support

You can contact the Student Advice Center if you have questions about organizational matters.

Don’t worry – no one is alone in their confusion. Here are a few tips for settling in:

Nevertheless, interacting with fellow students is valuable: working together, supporting each other, and sharing experiences help you to keep track of things.

  • Finally, it’s worth taking a look at the page on starting out at university – go through the checklist step by step and cross off what you’ve already done. This creates structure and calm.

Introductory events are offered immediately before the start of lectures and usually take place only once. They prepare you for starting your studies and the first semester. During the introductory events, students receive information about the schedule, for example, or an overview of the structure of the respective degree program.

Tip: Even though participation in the introductory events is voluntary, it is strongly recommended that you attend them.

Introductory courses, on the other hand, are teaching units that start at the beginning of the lecture period. They usually take place weekly during the first semester and provide an introduction to the subject matter. Introductory courses are often compulsory.

There is no set date for the publication of the schedules of all introductory events. The dates may also be announced at short notice. You should check the relevant pages at regular intervals.

Generally, introductory events take place in the two weeks before lectures begin, sometimes also in the first week of lectures. However, this varies from subject to subject. It is therefore advisable to check the relevant pages in good time to find out when the introductory events take place and whether you need to be there in person.

First things first: Very few events prior to the start of the degree program are compulsory. However, it is still recommended that students voluntarily participate in activities offered by the degree program and the faculty/department.

Our tips

  • Check the relevant pages in good time to find out when the introductory events are taking place and whether you need to be there in person. Also take a look at the websites of the degree program and the faculty/department.
  • Attend the online presentations offered by the Student Advice Center (ZSB) on preparing for your studies and ZSB’s orientation day for new students. This will take place for the first time in winter semester 2025/26.
  • Further general information, such as training courses offered by the University Library, can be found on the FAU website.
  • Students studying secondary education for Gymnasium (and also Realschule) should definitely attend the general teacher training introduction and a timetable workshop in addition to the introductory events for their subjects.
  • Students pursuing a teaching degree in elementary education (Grundschule) or middle school (Mittelschule) (and Realschule) should attend the introductory days (including the timetable workshop) at the Regensburger Straße Campus in Nuremberg.
  • The official new students welcome event in the Heinrich-Lades-Halle in Erlangen is a symbolic welcome for all new students to FAU.
I missed the deadline for enrollment or one of the introductory events – what should I do?
You should check all the important information about starting to study at FAU and work through the checklist if applicable. In addition, it is advisable to check on the website of your degree program whether the schedule has to be created by students themselves or if it is provided by the subject. Creating a schedule The following steps must be taken to create a schedule: Download the relevant degree program and examination regulations as well as the General degree program and examination regulations of the faculty. Obtain information about the Grundlagen- und Orientierungsprüfung (GOP): Which ECTS credits from which modules must be gained by the end of the third subject semester after no more than two attempts at the examination? Take a note of the modules to be included in the GOP from the degree program and examination regulations. Use the module schedule (attached to the degree program and examination regulations) to check which modules are recommended for the first semester. Log in to campo and select classes from the course catalog. Save them in your schedule. View your saved schedule in campo under “MyStudies”. Registering for classes The first step is to check on StudOn whether it is still possible to register for the classes (log-in required). In campo, there is a direct link to StudOn in the “Dates” section of the modules (“Link to the course on StudOn”). If official registration is no longer possible, you should contact the lecturer directly to clarify whether you can take part. Further support You can contact the Student Advice Center if you have questions about organizational matters.
Lost at the start of your degree – and now what?
Don’t worry – no one is alone in their confusion. Here are a few tips for settling in: Are you confused about introductory courses and schedules? These pages can help you get started: schedules and pre-semester courses and introductory events. If you have any questions about the content of the degree program, the subject advisors will be happy to help. If it is no longer clear which question belongs where, the “Who can help me” feature provides guidance and the appropriate contacts. It makes sense to be a little skeptical about information from WhatsApp groups or fellow students – if in doubt, it is better to check with official advisory services, such as the Student Advice Center (ZSB). Nevertheless, interacting with fellow students is valuable: working together, supporting each other, and sharing experiences help you to keep track of things. Finally, it’s worth taking a look at the page on starting out at university – go through the checklist step by step and cross off what you’ve already done. This creates structure and calm.
What are introductory events? Are they introductory courses?
Introductory events are offered immediately before the start of lectures and usually take place only once. They prepare you for starting your studies and the first semester. During the introductory events, students receive information about the schedule, for example, or an overview of the structure of the respective degree program. Tip: Even though participation in the introductory events is voluntary, it is strongly recommended that you attend them. Introductory courses, on the other hand, are teaching units that start at the beginning of the lecture period. They usually take place weekly during the first semester and provide an introduction to the subject matter. Introductory courses are often compulsory.
When are the dates for the introductory events finalized?
There is no set date for the publication of the schedules of all introductory events. The dates may also be announced at short notice. You should check the relevant pages at regular intervals.
When do the introductory events usually take place?
Generally, introductory events take place in the two weeks before lectures begin, sometimes also in the first week of lectures. However, this varies from subject to subject. It is therefore advisable to check the relevant pages in good time to find out when the introductory events take place and whether you need to be there in person.
Where can I find my introductory events?
This page lists all introductory events organized by the faculties and central institutions. Note for students studying for a teaching degree in secondary education (Gymnasium) (and Realschule): You should definitely attend the general teacher training introduction and a timetable workshop in addition to the introductory events for their subjects. Note for students studying for a teaching degree in primary education (Grundschule) (and secondary education Realschule): The introductory days (including timetable workshop) at the Regensburger Straße Campus in Nuremberg should be attended.
Which events should you definitely attend before you start your studies?
First things first: Very few events prior to the start of the degree program are compulsory. However, it is still recommended that students voluntarily participate in activities offered by the degree program and the faculty/department. Our tips Check the relevant pages in good time to find out when the introductory events are taking place and whether you need to be there in person. Also take a look at the websites of the degree program and the faculty/department. Attend the online presentations offered by the Student Advice Center (ZSB) on preparing for your studies and ZSB’s orientation day for new students. This will take place for the first time in winter semester 2025/26. Further general information, such as training courses offered by the University Library, can be found on the FAU website. Students studying secondary education for Gymnasium (and also Realschule) should definitely attend the general teacher training introduction and a timetable workshop in addition to the introductory events for their subjects. Students pursuing a teaching degree in elementary education (Grundschule) or middle school (Mittelschule) (and Realschule) should attend the introductory days (including the timetable workshop) at the Regensburger Straße Campus in Nuremberg. The official new students welcome event in the Heinrich-Lades-Halle in Erlangen is a symbolic welcome for all new students to FAU.