Do you have questions about starting your studies? Get answers here!
FAQ for first-year students
Studentin mit fragendem Gesichtsausdruck
This page has been machine translated.
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1. What is the difference between the start of the semester and the beginning of lecture period?
A semester refers to a half-year of study at the university. Studies officially begin with the start of the semester on 1 October (for each winter semester) and 1 April (for each summer semester). The individual semesters are divided into the lecture period and the lecture-free period (semester break). The lecture period regularly begins approx. 7 to 14 days after the start of the semester and ends approx. 6 to 8 weeks before the end of the semester. During the lecture-free period, examinations take place, seminar papers (to be written at home) are written and, if necessary, internships are completed.
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2. When do I have to be at the university for the first time?
Study Orientation Days (STET) are always held for all new students before the beginning of lecture periods. Participation is strongly recommended for all new students. You will not only receive important information about the organisation of your studies, but also valuable tips and insider knowledge from experienced students in your subject - and ideally you will get to know your fellow students straight away.
Your studies officially begin at the start of the semester on 1 October (every winter semester) and 1 April (every summer semester).
Of course, you can also explore the university and the campus in advance. Otherwise you can use our virtual discovery tours.
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3. What is the best way to find a flat in Jena?
Look for your own flat or a room in a shared flat early on. The closer you get to the start of the semester, the higher the demand in Jena. Then you need to be quick! If flats are advertised on the internet that meet your expectations, it's best to express your interest quickly by calling or sending a message and asking for a viewing appointment.
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4. In what form do the course|classes take place?
Details of your individual course|classes can be found in the schedule of classes.External link
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5. Where do I get my certificate of enrolment?
As a student, you will also receive an FSU account. You will find the access data (ID and PIN) for the service portalExternal link (self-registration) in your initial documents from the University of Jena.
1. after self-registration, go online to the electronic schedule of classes (Friedolin) at https://friedolin.uni-jena.de.External link
2. register with your user name and password. Under »Startseite« you will now find the items »Studienbescheinigungen« and »Meine Daten«. Now select the item »Studienbescheinigungen«.
You will need the »Studienbescheinigungand Bescheinigung nach § 9 BAföG« (written) confirmation|certificate« for student accommodation, health insurance or the bank, for example. (Written) confirmation|certificate contains the essential semester dates. We recommend that you save the certificate semester by semester so that you can print it out at a later date (e.g. even after you have finished your studies). International students who need to extend their residence permit should print out the certificate of student status for the Immigration Office here.
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6. Which facilities|institutions|(structural) units are responsible for which matters?
There are numerous advisory service(s)|consultations and service facilities available to you at the University of Jena. Click here for a complete overview.
Thematic focus:
- Semester on leave, change of address, part-time studies, Thoska lost:
Student Service Centre - Change of subject, doubts about your studies, interdisciplinary questions:
Central Student Advisory Service - Study problems in the subject, examination questions, overlaps:
Academic Advisory Service and Examinations Office - Semester abroad and internship abroad:
International Office
- Semester on leave, change of address, part-time studies, Thoska lost:
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7. Where can I find workstations with WLAN?
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena has expanded the tender of study workstations with internet to support you in participating in online courses (offered).
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8. What is the difference between Moodle, Friedolin and DOSIS?
Online study administration portals
Students at Friedrich Schiller University manage their studies themselves via the FriedolinExternal link portal (the university's online study administration system). There is one exception at the Faculty of Medicine, where DOSISExternal link is used for study organisation. Pharmacy students can find information at fsr-pharmazie.uni-jena.deExternal link.
In Friedolin you will find module descriptions and recommended study plansExternal link as well as the university's schedule of classesExternal link for all Bachelor's, Master's and teaching degree programmes. Enrolled students can compile their time tables, register for examinations, view grades and obtain certificates of student status via the module and course catalogue. You can find examination registration deadlines and other important dates in the DatesExternal link menu item.
Moodle learning platform
The University of Jena also works with the Moodle learning platform(moodle.uni-jena.deExternal link). It supports studying as well as work in research projects, university (university) chairs and other organisational units. The system is suitable for supplementing classroom teaching, for blended learning, for distance learning programmes, as a knowledge repository and as a communication and cooperation platform.
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9. I missed the introductory days. What should I do now and how can I still register for events?
If you cannot or could not attend the introductory courses, you should contact your Academic Advisory Service in good time before the start|start of studies to clarify any questions. You can find out who is available to you as an Academic Advisory Service in the contact details on the page for your degree) subject in the Degree Programme Database de.
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10. Which terms are important for my degree programme? Which abbreviations should I know?
Learn more deYou will probably come across a lot of terms at the beginning of your studies that you have never heard before. In our Uni ABC you will find short definitions of terms from everyday university life.
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11. What is a ticket and what is the service desk? When do I have to create a ticket and how do I do it?
Learn moreExternal linkdeMany service facilities at the University of Jena can be accessed via a central service desk portalExternal link. These include, for example, the Student Service Centre de, the Central Student Advisory Service de, the Master Service Centre de and the Friedolin teamExternal link. Students can use their university login details to submit their enquiry directly via the portal in order to clarify questions or various concerns or receive assistance with certain topics relating to their studies. This »ticket system« enables simple, fast and modern communication between the university administration and the person seeking advice. You can find out how to access the Service Desk portal here.
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1. My login for Friedolin is not working. What can I do?
Registration in FriedolinExternal link is only possible with your URZ login, which is issued by the University Computer Centre (URZ). The initial documents of the University of Jena contain the access data (ID and PIN) for the service portalExternal link (self-registration). You can obtain further information from the IT Services staff at itservice@uni-jena.de.
- The applicant login is only intended for your application process - with this login you only have access to the functions of the applicant role.
- With your enrolment documents you will receive the access data for self-registration in the service portal of the University Computer Centre(URZ). With the URZ login assigned here and the password you have chosen, you will be able to register in Friedolin immediately after self-registration.
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2. How do I put together my time table? Which modules should I choose?
Your tutor(s) will support you during the introductory days in drawing up your time table for the first semester. You are welcome to take a look at the schedule of classesExternal link in advance.
How to create your time table:
1. you must first find out which modules you have to prove in the Examination Regulations and recommended study plans. You can find the regulations for your subject in the Degree Programme Database in the download area|field.
2. various conditions must be met in order to successfully complete a module. You can find out exactly what these are in the module catalogue. You can find the module catalogue for your subject in the Degree Programme Database in the download area|field.
3. if you know which modules you want and need to complete, prove|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. in Friedolin(to the explanatory videoExternal link).
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3. What belongs to a module?
A module is a learning unit at a university, which is usually completed within one semester. It often consists of a lecture and associated seminar and possibly a tutorial or exercise.
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4. What can I do if I have missed the automatic allocation of places?
If possible, please register for all events requiring a reservation before the date of the 1st automatic seat allocation. Only these booking requests can be considered for the 1st automatic seat allocation. It is irrelevant at what time you registered for this event in advance. The University of Jena therefore excludes the » greyhound procedure« for the allocation of course places.
Asa general rule, course registration is possible throughout the Friedolin semester, but after the beginning of lecture period, admission to the course can only be granted manually by the assigned teaching staff. In this case, please contact the relevant lecturer directly with a request for manual admission.
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5. What does the status AN mean at Friedolin?
AN: registered. The participant has requested the allocation of a course.
First check whether the participant places for this course are allocated manually (participant 1st place allocation = 0). If this is the case, please contact the teaching staff responsible for the course at the start of the lecture period with a request for manual admission.
If the course places were allocated via the automatic place allocation (Participant 1st place allocation > 0), there are more enrolment requests than places for this course. Please check possible alternatives to this course|class. If a place in this course is highly relevant for your further course of study, please contact the teaching staff assigned to the course at the beginning of lecture period. There may still be places available in this course so that you can be admitted manually by the lecturer at a later date.
Please submit hardship applications for course enrolment directly to the relevant Examinations Office.
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6. Where and when do I get the access data for online events?
You will receive the access data for the online course|classes that you have proven|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. shortly after the allocation of places or admission to the respective course|class.
In this case, please check whether you can find this information in Friedolin, Moodle or in your University of Jena email inbox. If this is not the case, please contact the lecturer responsible for the course|class in question.
If you have any questions about specific course|classes, please contact the responsible lecturer directly.
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7. In Friedolin, two courses are displayed completely identically (on one page). Which one should I choose?
This case is actually ruled out.
If there are absolutely no differences to be found (not even in links, numbers etc.), there could be a technical problem. In Friedolin you have the possibility to make an online enquiry under: Registration - Service Desk (uni-jena.de)External link.
If contact details for teaching staff are given, you can also use these. The Academic Advisory Service may also be able to help you in this case.
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8. Two courses that I would like to prove|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. What can I do?
Unfortunately, due to the large number of possible combinations, it is not uncommon for courses on multi-subject degree programmes to overlap. Please clarify these questions with the mentors of your subjects during the Study Orientation Days (STET). Information on the STET can be found at https://www.uni-jena.de/STET de and https://www.uni-jena.de/studienstart de.
Some course|classes can also be proved|to register for|to take sth.|to enrol for sth. in (a specific degree programme)|subject semester. Those who are close to the subject are best placed to tell you which of these courses can be made up for with »problem-free«: Academic Advisory Services, mentors and tutors.
In order to create an individual study plan, please first roughly follow the recommended study plan in accordance with the specifications in the module catalogue and the Study and Examination Regulations.
It is often necessary to find out where and when attendance is absolutely necessary and whether courses can be taken at different times. If necessary, it is also worth considering taking turns / coordinating with other students (e.g. taking notes of lectures / obtaining lecture notes, swapping dates - in coordination with the teaching staff).
Ultimately, you will have to prioritise and - in very difficult cases - do so in consultation with the relevant teaching staff and the responsible Examinations Offices.