A guide for new students
Important services at one glance
There are lots of new things waiting for you as a first-year student at FAU. To help you find your feet, we’ve compiled some tips and information about the most important points of contact.
New at FAU
Congratulations, you’re now officially a student at FAU! As proof of your new status as a student, you’ve been given your own FAUcard. Your FAUcard is your student ID and will get you discounts at places like museums and cinemas. You can also use it to borrow books from the University Library, pay at Student Services’ cafeterias and vending machines, and use the University’s copying facilities. Your FAUcard is also used to access certain areas of the University with electronic access control. The period for which it is valid is printed on the card. You will need to update this every semester using one of the validation machines. You can find details of the locations of these machines and more information on the FAUcard.
Getting the right advice
In your first few weeks at university you will be confronted with a lot of new things. But don’t worry, FAU provides students with a range of services that can help.
The first point of contact for any questions about your studies is the Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ), which offers information about planning your studies, tips on studying abroad and advice on how to find the right Master’s degree programme once you’ve completed your Bachelor’s degree. The team can also provide advice if you have any problems during your studies or if you want to change your subject or transfer to another university. It is open from 8 am until 2 pm, Monday to Friday. At the moment, it is only available by phone (+49 9131/85-23333 and -24444) or e-mail: ibz@fau.de.
If you have any questions about the content of your degree program or require advice about which courses to take, you can contact your subject advisor. The Student Advice and Career Service will be happy to provide you with their contact details. Information and support is also available from your faculty’s or school’s Student Service Center.
And your fellow students are there to help too – such as through the student associations (FSI). Most departments have an FSI. You can ask them any questions you may have or talk over problems with them.
Organising your studies
The Student Records Office is responsible for student registration. You will receive an e-mail from the Student Records Office each semester reminding you to re-register (so don’t forget to activate your FAU e-mail address!). These e-mails are sent in June for the winter semester and in January for the summer semester. After receiving the e-mail you need to transfer your semester fees by the given deadline, otherwise you will be de-registered. As soon as the University receives the money you will be re-registered and you can print your certificate of enrolment for the next semester yourself.
If you decide to spend a semester abroad or do an internship, or if you are ill for an extended period of time or are pregnant, you will need to apply for leave in time. If you are granted leave for a semester, it will not count as a semester in your degree programme so you won’t risk exceeding the standard duration of studies. You can sort it out with the Students Record Office either directly or by post. All the forms you need are available online.
During your time at FAU you will have to take examinations at regular intervals. Make sure you read the examination regulations for your subject at the start of your studies. These regulations provide information on important aspects of your degree programme, such as which requirements you have to fulfil to be eligible to sit examinations, and which examinations you need to pass before certain deadlines. The Examinations Office is responsible for everything related to examinations.
Create a timetable and more with Campo
Campo is the portal where you signed up to study at FAU. There, you can also print out your certificate of enrollment and grade reports, look for classes in the course catalogue, plan your timetable and register for exams.