Index

Accident insurance

Students are covered by accident insurance while studying (e.g. during courses and trips or when working in the University Library) and while travelling between home and the University. Accidents must be reported to the Student Records Office immediately. Information on insurance coverage is available in the brochure published by Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV).

Admissions Office

The Admissions Office oversees the application procedures for both German and international applicants. It also processes applications for a swap of university places (German only).

Contact: zulassungsstelle@fau.de.

Information on admission

Re-registration

All students who are studying at FAU for more than a semester will need to re-register at the start of the next semester. This is done by paying the Student Services fee. If you do not transfer this fee to the University within the deadlines, you may face de-registration.

The deadlines for re-registration are available on the FAU website. All information on re-registering can be found in campo nearer the time.

1.2 Checklist during studies

  • Attend the introductory event of your degree programme/faculty. See more information on the FAU website.
  • Re-register for the next semester (always in January/July). See more information on the FAU website.
  • Register for examinations (ensuring you observe the deadlines). See more information on the FAU website.
  • If you wish to change to a different degree programme: see more information on the FAU website (website available in German).
  • If you wish to apply for leave: see more information on the FAU website.
  • If you have a part-time job: apply for an income tax card.
  • You can look for a part-time job on the following FAU website (German).
  • Information about the buddy programme and other student initiatives is available on the FAU website.

1.1. Checklist before studies

Before you travel to Germany:

  • Apply for a visa/residence permit. Check the regulations which apply to your home country.
  • Look for accommodation in Erlangen and the surrounding area (via FAU’s accommodation service or private advertisements). See more information on the FAU website.

After your arrival in Germany:

  • Register with the registration authorities of the city of Erlangen and apply for an income tax card.
  • Open a bank account with a German bank.
  • Get health and liability insurance: see more information on the FAU website.
  • Enrole at the university: See more information on the FAU website.
  • As soon as you receive your login data: activate your IdM account and e-mail address. (In this Youtube video we want to guide you through the activation of the most important services in your IdM account).
  • Activate your FAU Card: library-access and canteen.
  • Register for courses: meinCampus (website available in German), StudOn (website available in German).
  • Register for language courses: Oktis (website available in German).
  • Read the examination regulations and check the module plan. See more information on the FAU website (website available in German).
  • If you need any advice, get in contact the Student Advice Center. See more information on the FAU website.

Parking

FAU students can apply for parking permits for the University car parks located at the School of Business and Economics in Nuremberg subject to a fee. Information: www.wiso.fau.de/parken

Note that you must apply and pay for parking permits before lectures begin — make sure that you do this in good time.

Language Courses

At FAU’s Language Centre, you can improve existing skills in a modern language or learn a new language from scratch. You can also take foreign language examinations and obtain proficiency certificates.

www.sz.fau.de (German only)

1.3 Checklist for departure

What you should do before leaving Germany:

  • Get in touch with the immigration authorities once you have passed your last examination to clarify questions such as when does my residence permit expire? How long can I stay in Germany?
  • De-register with the local authorities
  • Cancel your health insurance and liability insurance
  • Terminate your rental contract
  • Close your bank account
  • Cancel any other contracts such as mobile phone provider, gym membership and so on

Learning German

Although many lectures and seminars are taught in English, German is still the main teaching language at FAU. You cannot always rely on everyone speaking English outside the University either. It is therefore really worthwhile to take a German language course. The Language Centre offers free German language courses during the semester.

A new culture

Germany is similar in a lot of ways to other Western European countries, but it does have its own unique culture. In order to avoid cultural misunderstandings, you can watch this video before coming to Germany. The DAAD has also gathered a lot of useful information on the study in Germany portal.