Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions
![](https://www.medical-engineering.study.fau.eu/files/2018/08/FAQ-300x200.jpg)
Here you can find the answers to the most common questions students have before starting their studies in Medical Engineering with us.
If the answer to your question is missing, feel free to contact your study advisor. We are happy to help you out!
Getting started
Are there any student discounts for public transport?
Since winter semester 2023/24, the semester fee is 67 € per semester and does no longer cover public transport. Students have the option to purchase the “Bildungsticket” for public transport for 29 € per month, which allows you to use all kinds of public transport at any time of day. More information on the “Bildungsticket” can be found here.
Can I study part-time as an international student?
If you are an EU citizen you can select between full-time and part-time studies when enrolling and are allowed to switch between the two modalities once per year. More details on the rules for part-time studies can be accessed here.
If you are a non-EU student you are not allowed to change to part-time studies because your visa for study puposes/residence permit for study purposes depends on your status as a full-time student. Only exception: Pregnant students might get permission from the immigration authorities to study part-time. If this is your case, please consult with you local immigrations office before you change to part-time at our Student Records Office.
Do I have to pay tuition fees?
FAU does not charge tuition fees. You only have to pay an administrative fee of currently (winter 2024) 72 € per semester (i.e. twice a year).
Do I have to register for courses before the lecture period starts?
This answer might be very surprising for those of you if you come from different academic system, but here at FAU you usually don’t need to register in order to be able to participate in a course (this applies to lectures, which make up the biggest part of our Master’s curriculum, because they usually have an unlimited number of participants). You can use the first weeks of the lecture period to attend different lectures without making a commitment to any of them. You can find out about the lectures that are offered in a certain semester as well as their time and place by reading the module catalog for your branch of study and look up the respective courses in our online course platform Campo. You can just go and attend a lecture meeting one week and then continue to attend it if you like it or never attend it again. You neither need to inform your lecturer nor your study advisor of these decisions – they are completely up to you.
You only “commit” to a lecture to a certain degree when you register for its exam. The exam registration takes place a few weeks after the beginning of the lecture period, hence you have time to make up your mind. And even if you register for exams, you can still delete the registration until the end of the 3rd working day befiore the exam date, which means that you still have a lot of flexibility.
Only if you plan to attend a seminar (module group M4 in the Master’s program) or a practical course (module group M6 in the Master’s program), the rules are a little stricter. Since the number of participants for seminars and practical courses is limited, you have to pre-register for these courses (usually about a month before the lecture period starts). In order to find out about the modalities for registration (usually via our e-learning platform StudOn or via email to the lecturer in rare cases), please look up the course in our online course platform Campo and follow the instructions given there. Please note, however, that seminars and practical courses are only recommended for advanced students. You should only register for them if you have already acquired around 60 ECTS credits.
Do I need to have my class schedule ready before I start my studies?
When you start your first semester in our Medical Engineering program, the answer is no. We will be happy to give you step-by-step introduction on our Master Welcome Day Medical Engineering on how to create your class schedule and what you need to bear in mind when selecting your couses. Definitely make sure to attend the event – you can find out the time and place on the starting page of our Medical Engineering website or from the Student Advisory Service.
Do you have any tips for international students coming to Germany for the first time?
Yes, of course!
Your first must-read is this introduction to the German academic system by Prof. Andreas Maier (Head of our Pattern Recognition Lab at FAU).
You can find general information about housing, health insurance, German culture etc. in our Welcome Brochure. You are also welcome to join our Facebook group for international Master’s students (https://www.facebook.com/groups/223841687666224/) as soon as you receive your admission letter. Feel free to post your questions in this group or get in touch with your future classmates!
Moreover, we highly recommend that you watch this video series by the international student association DEGIS. It prepares you for all important aspects of your student life in Germany (studying, working, saving money, making friends) and gives peer-to-peer advice.
When it comes to the German academic system, it is crucial for your study success to understand that your study experience at FAU will differ in many aspects from your studies in your home country and that you will need to adjust to these differences, such as:
- how the university and its infrastructure are organized
- how students and teachers interact in class, how students communicate with lecturers, staff and other students
- what exams look like and how you prepare for them
- which services the university offers (and which it doesn’t offer)
- which activities students engage in in their free time
- etc.
But don’t be scared! If you have an open mind and are willing to learn about these differences, you will find that they broaden your horizon and enrich your life. If you are unsure whether the intercultural experience is for you or want to prepare for your time at FAU, you can take this online course offered by the Virtual University of Bavaria (VHB). You have to create a user account, but it is free of cost!
Does FAU offer any student clubs I could join?
Yes. You can find an overview of student groups and initiatives here. Moreover, ‘Volunteers for Internationals (VFI)’ ist a group for and organized by international students. You are welcome to join!
Does FAU provide scholarships?
No. As we are a public university and don’t charge tuition fees, FAU does not dispose of a scholarship system. But you can apply for scholarships at other institutions, such as the German Academic Exchange service (DAAD). To gain a comprehensive overview about scholarship options in Germany, please click here.
In addition to the information above, we would like to draw your attention to two local scholarship offers:
- IMPRS-PM scholarship, provided by our local Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine
- Scholarships for Latin American students, provided by our Bavarian Center for Latin America (BAYLAT)
- Scholarships for students from Pakistan and Afghanistan, provided by the Hanns Seidel Foundation
How do I travel to Erlangen?
The most convenient option is to book a flight to Nürnberg (Nuremberg). From there, you take the subway line U2 (subway station right in front of the airport entrance) to Nürnberg main station (Hauptbahnhof/Hbf). Trains to Erlangen leave several times per hour. You can buy your train ticket at the ticket machines, online or at the Railway Service Centre (“DB Reisezentrum”) located on the ground floor in the western side hall. Choose “Erlangen Bahnhof/Bhf” (Erlangen station) as your destination. The train ride takes around 30 minutes. From Erlangen station you can take a taxi or bus to your accommodation. For more information on bus services, see vgn.de/en/.
Besides the subway connection, you can also reach the airport easily using the Nuremberg bus network. The bus stop for lines 30 and 33 is located in front of the departure and arrival terminals. The bus lines 30 and 33 connect the Airport with Erlangen and Fürth, respectively.
I am having some trouble with the online application portal Campo. Where can I get help?
For more detailed information about the applying process, please click here. If you are facing technical problems please contact our campo support campo[at]fau.de.
I got accepted and am planning to move to Erlangen. How can I find accommodation?
Firstly, some bad news: In contrast to academic systems in other countries, German universities are not allowed to own and rent out dormitories. Therefore, the admission to our program does not come with a room in a student dormitory. You have to find accommodation on your own, which can be especially challenging if you are still residing abroad, your financial means are limited and/or you don’t speak German. The Erlangen housing market is extremely tense (not only for students), meaning that the offer is small and prices are high. Many students spend their first months in an airbnb or hotel, so please plan your financial budget accordingly!
Our FAU accommodation service will assist you in your search as much as we can but we can only offer you what is available on the market at a given time (again, FAU does not own housing facilities). Please find a compilation of online resources and tips for finding a dorm/apartment here.
A word of advice: Have a “plan B” in case you come to Erlangen and don’t find a place to stay within the first months. Do you have friends or family members in other parts of Germany where you could stay for a while? Can somebody borrow you money if the apartment you found turns out to be more expensive than you thought? Do you have enough savings for a return flight ticket if you want to go back to your home country? Please consider these aspects before travelling!
I have admission to the master’s program but the waiting period for my visa is very long. What should I do?
We grant you the possibility for late arrival until May 15 for the summer semester and November 15 for the winter semester. If you are unable to travel to Erlangen until this deadline, you cannot join our program in the respective semester anymore. In this case, you must deregister from the semester you are currently enrolled in (please find the deregistration form on the website of our Student Records Office). If you deregister until May 15/November 15 the semester will not count towards your studies. However, you will not receive your semester fee back.
After you have de-registered from our program you can re-apply to our master’s program for the following semester. In order to do so, you must apply within the official deadline, submit all required documents again and, aditionally, upload your previous admission letter. Once you are done, please send an email to zimt-qfv[at]fau.de and inform our officers of your re-application to accelerate the process.
If you received your first admission letter in winter semester 23/24 or later, we will admit you again – without you having to retake the digital admission test.
Is it possible to work part-time and finish the master’s degree in 4 semesters?
Experience shows that it is close to impossible to graduate from our master’s program within the standard period of studies of 4 semesters if you need to work a significant amount of hours (~20 hours per week) alongside your studies. This is due to the fact that study programs in Germany are designed to be a “full-time job”, meaning that you will only be able to pass your exams and fulfill the standard workload of 30 credits per semester if you actually make your studies your main priority and dedicate most of your time to them. A regular full-time job is defined as a time commitment of 35 to 40 hours per week, which you spend attending classes and preparing/revising your course material at home.
Studying with a low time commitment (due to work obligations etc.) will either result in your eventual deregistration from the program (due to failed last exam attempts) or in the need to extend your study period to 5, 6 (or, in justified cases, even more) semesters. Please be aware that this extension will affect your planned financial budget significanty! Unfortunately, we have seen many, especially international, students drop our of our study program because they were unable to handle the double burden of work and our highly demanding study system. Please take care of yourself and assess your financial possibilities as well as you mental and physical health before you take on this challenge.
Is there a support service for international students?
Your study advisor will be happy to help you with any question you might have concerning the Medical Engineering program. In addition to that, various introductory events are held at the beginning of every semester to provide you with general tips and information about your studies. We highly recommend that you attend those events, as the knowledge provided there is oftentimes the decisive factor in whether international students study successfully and obtain their degree (or not).
If you have questions that are specific to your status as an international student (e.g. regarding your visa situation, specific working conditions for Non-EU students etc.) you are welcome to contact our International Office.
Moreover, FAU offers a “buddy program”, in which international students are assisted by an experienced German volunteer from their faculty. Your personal “buddy” can help you with everyday problems, show you the city etc. and hopefully will become a good friend! You can apply for this program here.
Our student body representatives, who participate in various committees of the university and help shaping the study conditions at FAU, also have a working group for international students. If you would like to become a member of this group or are just looking for support, please contact them here.
What are the general costs of living in Germany?
Expenses for a student living in Erlangen generally range around 930 Euros per month. Depending on the options available, you have to expect to pay between 350 and 500 Euros for rent. Please find more details here.
When does the lecture period start?
The lecture period of the winter semester starts in the middle of October, the lecture period for the summer semester in the middle of April. The exact dates vary from term to term, you can find these and many other important semester dates on the Student Records Office´s website.
Where can I find more information regarding examination and registration dates?
The registration periods for module examinations can be found on the homepage of the Examinations Office.
Registration for these examinations exclusively takes place via our online portal Campo. Please note that exam registration is only possible during the official exam registration period (see above).
Regarding Medical Engineering
Am I eligible for the branches of study Medical Image Processing, HMDA or Medical Robotics?
Please understand that we cannot assess your chances of admission before you actually apply. However, our basic academic academic requirements can give you an initial idea of what we expect from our applicants:
- a subject-related qualification (computer science or engineering) for university entrance at Master’s level (e.g. bachelor’s degree).
- Furthermore, we expect our students to possess excellent programming skills (C/C++/Java, Matlab, Python), profound knowledge in Electrical Engineering and a strong theoretical Mathematics background. Our entrance qualification board individually evaluates each application with all taken courses in the Bachelor’s program. This means that having studied Medical Engineering does not automatically make you suitable for entering our Master’s program, as the content of each Bachelor’s program varies enormously. On the other hand, you do not necessarily need a degree in Medical Engineering to join the program.
- an overall grade of 2,5 or better according to the German grading system (in which 1,0 is the best grade and 4,0 the worst passing grade)
Our English language requirements can be viewed on our info page for prospective Master students.
Can I study the Bachelor’s program in English?
No. The Bachelor’s program in Medical Engineering is offered in German only. German language requirements are DSH 2, TestDaF 4 or equivalent. Please be aware that the academic vocabulary is more difficult to understand than daily life German.
Can I study the Master’s program Medical Engineering at FAU completely in English?
Yes, but only the branches of study “Medical Image and Data Processing”, “Health and Medical Data Analytics“ and “Medical Robotics” are taught in English. These branches of study focus on programming, pattern recognition, algorithms and data structures or robotics. Please be aware that a students with English and German skills have a bigger variety of lectures to choose from, as some optional courses are in German. We also highly recommend that you take at least a basic German course before you start your studies at FAU. It will make dealing with administrative matters a lot easier.
Our other two branches of study, “Medical Devices and Prosthetics” and “Medical Electronics”, are taught in German only and require very advanced German skills (DSH 2 or TestDaF 4, but also keep in mind that academic vocabulary is more difficult to understand than daily life German).
If you only fulfill the English requirements, please make sure that you choose one of the English branches when you apply for the Master’s program, otherwise we will have to reject your application.
What are the job opportunities after I finish my master’s degree in Medical Engineering?
Studying Medical Engineering at FAU is closely linked to strong research and industrial partners, such as Siemens, adidas, Fraunhofer Society and many others. This gives our students the chance to make useful contacts early on (e.g. during their Master’s project) and increases their job prospects. For an overview of companies involved in the ‘Medical Valley’ of Erlangen-Nürnberg, click here.
What is my standard period of study?
Master
The standard period of study in the Master’s program is 4 semesters. You will automatically get an extension for a 5th and 6th semester if you re-register on time. After that, study time extensions for a 7th or 8th semester are possible, but you have to file a petition then and give justified reasons for it.
If you want to know more about deadline extensions or extending the standard period of study, click here.
Where do the courses of the Medical Engineering program take place?
Our Medical Engineering program is highly interdisciplinary, meaning that you will not only take classes at various departments at the Faculty of Engineering (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Sciences, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering and Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering), but also at the Faculties of Science and Medicine. This means that although you will mainly conduct your studies on the South Campus (“Südgelände” in the southern part of Erlangen), you might have to got to the Faculty of Medicine from time to time (located in the city center of Erlangen).
You can reach every location within 15 minutes by bike or bus.