Removing Obstacles
FAU is committed to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities when it comes to learning, research and personal development. The diversity of FAU’s members means that the University has a wealth of potential and opportunities at its disposal.
FAU believes that no one should face obstacles to studying because of their gender, social background, migration background, age, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities or family situation. This is why it has facilities that will tell you about your options and remove obstacles from your path.
The Office of Equality and Diversity (in German) promotes equal opportunities for all members of the university. It provides advice on funding and services available to school pupils, students and young researchers, training in gender and diversity skills.
The office’s Centre for Intercultural Contact and Expertise (Kontakt- und Kompetenzstelle Interkultur), for instance, offers a wide range of services for students with a migration background. In addition, all students can train to be Diversity Scouts. You’ll start by learning about diversity in theory and in practice, and about the various advisory services, training schemes and support options that FAU offers its students. After that, you’ll be a contact for students who are starting their degrees, and will support them in many different situations both in person and online.
If you are experiencing discrimination or sexual harassment, the Office of Equal Opportunities can offer you support in confidence.
Combining lectures and parenting
For young parents, studying when you have a child demands strong nerves and excellent organisational skills. FAU’s Family Service can provide you with the support you need to master this challenge. It can advise you on topics such as maternity protection, parental leave, parental benefit, and part-time study. It can also help you arrange childcare, and runs a babysitting service and parent- child gymnastics sessions.
In addition, FAU has set up feeding and nappy- changing rooms so that parents can bring their children to university. The University Library has a parent-child room where the little ones can play while Mum and Dad study. Students who are caring for family members can also contact the Family Service for comprehensive support and advice.
An online guide to starting at FAU
Congratulations! You’ve decided to study at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. That’s a great choice! Plus, you’ve just found the perfect companion to show you around: Our magazine frisch! an der FAU can tell you (nearly) everything you need to know about our university.
You can find more articles from the frisch! on this website.