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FAU is a new exchange partner for 2024 and is currently accepting applications for S1 2025.

Please do not contact this university directly.
For all enquiries please contact the Exchange Office at exchange@otago.ac.nz.
Last updated March, 2024.

Academic information

Please have a look at the University’s website for exchange students.

With its five faculties, FAU offers a wide range of subjects from the Humanities to Economics as well as Sciences and Engineering.

Please note that there is no access to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law, and psychology for non-Erasmus students, as well as certain lectures in practical sports.

Course information

The main language at FAU is German and, in some fields, English. The recommended level for German is B2. During your stay you must complete and pass at least one regular or intensive German language course. The course is free of charge and you will receive 5 ECTS credit points.

Available courses and details.

Semester dates

  • Academic Year: October-September
  • Fall Term: October – March
  • Spring Term: April - September

Course load and minimum unit requirements

The course load is typically 30 ECTS credits per semester.

Accommodation

Please read through Erlangen’s advice here. Rooms in student halls are limited, and FAU cannot guarantee a place to every student.

FAU works very closely with Student Services Erlangen-Nürnberg. As the housing market can be overstretched at times, ensure that you start looking for accommodation early and apply for several different places.

The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsche Studentenwerk) offers lots of information and tips on finding accommodation

Student Visa

Student visa information can be found here.

The University, city and region

The University

Founded in 1743, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now one of the largest research universities in Germany with almost 40,000 students. The five faculties cover the entire spectrum of modern academic disciplines – from humanities, social sciences and theology to medicine, law, economics, sciences, and engineering.  FAU stands for diversity, innovation and passion – values reflected in the University’s top positions in national and international rankings.

FAU is spread between Erlangen and Nuremberg.  The Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences is based in Nuremberg, while the rest of the faculties are in Erlangen.

The city

FAU’s two main sites, the cities of Erlangen and Nuremberg, are located at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Both Erlangen, a bicycle-friendly city with 100,000 inhabitants, former home of the Huguenots as well as a key location for Siemens, and Nuremberg, a city with a population of half a million and a metropolitan flair, have their own unique charms.

The opera, theatre, cabaret and museums, various sporting and leisure activities along with a lively pub scene and night life, offer plenty of opportunities to relax after a day in the lecture theatre, lab or library. The mixture of academia, innovative companies, art and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds, keen athletes and nature lovers.

Relevant Links

Further information

For further information about Otago Global Student Exchange please email exchange@otago.ac.nz

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