Index

Alma mater

Latin for ‘nurturing mother.’ A university is called ‘alma mater’ as it provides students with education and knowledge. The term was first used in the motto of the University of Bologna (‘Alma mater studiorium’) which was founded in 1088 and counts as Europe’s oldest university.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation at the beginning of your studies is a real challenge. Here are some options: accommodation managed by Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg, social housing services at the town hall, housing co-operatives and non-profit housing associations, ads in the local newspapers and online portals.

Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg allocate places in student accommodation directly. Places in the student halls operated by Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg are allocated directly by the service; for student halls which are not operated by Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg, you will need to apply directly. A large number of student rooms shortly available is offered at the end of each semester on the black boards in the university buildings. Recently, these have increasingly been replaced by virtual notice boards.

The following link to Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg may prove helpful:

www.studentenwerk.fau.de/wohnen/.

International Office

Is called Central Office for International Affairs at FAU (RIA – S – INTERNATIONAL).

The Office of International Affairs is the central point of contact at FAU for students and doctoral candidates from abroad and German students and doctoral candidates who would like to go abroad.

Detailed information on the Office of International Affairs is available under Education on the FAU website, under the heading International.

Campus

The entire grounds of a university. In Erlangen, FAU does not have a designated campus. Instead, the whole city centre is the ‘campus’ (FAU Campus Erlangen Center). In contrast, the University’s southern campus (FAU Campus Erlangen South) in Erlangen as well as Lange Gasse 20 and Regensburger Straße 160 in Nuremberg (FAU Campus Nuremberg) are closer to a traditional campus.

Career Service

FAU’s Career Service is open to students, doctoral candidates and graduates of all faculties at the University. It offers a wide range of advisory services, events and information about applications and careers free of charge.

As a key point of contact for students and doctoral candidates, the Career Service aims to provide assistance for them when they are considering their future professions and to make the transition from study or doctoral research to work easier for graduates.

The services offered include:

  • individual careers advice for all students and doctoral candidates
  • checks of application documents in German and English
  • seminars on applications and soft skills
  • information day with presentations on starting a career
  • career talks between students, doctoral candidates and alumni from different subjects
  • networking events (faculty career day at the School of Law, phil.Forum)
  • online job portal with part-time jobs, internships and entry-level positions for all subjects
  • up-to-date information on company events, recruiting events and more on the Career Service blog
  • specialist library with literature on applications, core skills and career orientation

Detailed information on all services and events is available on the Career Service page.

The Career Service was established in 2009 as a central point of contact and continues to expand the range of events and services that it offers. It is financed through tuition fee compensation and is part of the Student Advice Center at FAU.

Central Office for International Affairs (RIA / S-INTERNATIONAL)

A referat (office) at FAU. RIA offers help and advice in all non-disciplinary questions to international students and researchers. RIA also provides all kinds of information on other topics, including studying abroad, funding for studying abroad and international scholarship advice.
https://www.fau.eu/education/advice-and-services/contacts-central-office-for-international-affairs/

Certificate of enrolment

In German also colloquially referred to as ‘Imma’ from Immatrikulationsbescheinigung. Can be downloaded and, if necessary, printed out, after enrolment or re-registration. It serves as proof that you are enrolled at the University.

www.fau.eu/application-and-enrolment

Change of subject/degree programme

If you realise that you are not happy with the degree programme you have chosen, it is possible to change to a different subject or degree programme. The Student Advice Center can give you advice on this topic and will also help you to analyse problems and to come up with a strategy to solve them.

Compulsory Attendance

In contrast to regulations at school, there is no general compulsory attendance at university.

Whether attendance is checked or not depends on the type of class. While it is still acceptable to skip a lecture in urgent cases, you should consider your attendance at other classes including introductory courses very carefully. If you are absent too often, you may not be able to obtain credits for the course.

If you are unable to attend due to illness, it is often possible to watch lectures and seminars via the FAU video portal www.video.fau.de.

Key qualifications/soft skills

Key qualifications cover interdisciplinary skills which prepare students to deal with their studies and when setting out into the world of work. Students can choose between special key qualification courses, language courses or courses from other disciplines. Students can also obtain credits for certain external achievements such as placements, internships or time abroad.

The specific rules governing what counts as a key qualification are set out in the degree programme and examination regulations applicable to your degree programme.