FAQ on studying and teaching at the h_da during Covid-19

Those entitled to BAföG should not suffer any disadvantages due to the effects of the coronavirus on university operations. The grant for studying will continue to be paid even if schools and universities are closed or entry to other countries is blocked. This was regulated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on March 16, 2020 in a decree addressed to the federal states that are implementing the law. Further information (German).

Responsible for questions regarding BAföG is the Studierendenwerk Darmstadt.

see also: Extension of the standard period of study

Status: 25.11.2020

With immediate effect, students can revalidate their CampusCard in accordance with the rules of hygiene on the Darmstadt campus in the following buildings:

Darmstadt Campus
C10 - Main corridor ground floor opposite WC

Dieburg Campus
F25 - Library

The certificate of enrolment will also remain valid until March 31, 2021 as a replacement for travel within the RMV area. The updated certificate of enrolment with the corresponding addition can be downloaded and printed after registration in the online self-service function QIS in the section "Certificates of enrolment for all semesters".

Note: For identification purposes, a valid identification document must always be carried along (identity card/passport/residence title).

Status: 09.12.2020

The canteens close due to the lock down. Current information here.

Status: 16.12.2020

Should cases of infection occur at our university, the affected students are obliged to report it to the office of their department. Employees report their corona infection to their respective head of department or their deputy head; professors report their corona infection to their dean or vice-dean.

The person who receives this notification clarifies with the person concerned how to reach him/her by telephone and e-mail and informs the organisational unit Safety and Environment (pandemie@h-da.de).

Status: 25.11.2020

The current regulations on childcare, such as emergency care, use of parent-child rooms etc. can be found here (German).

Status: 25.11.2020

Teaching and learning achievements, examinations or organisational processes that require students to have access to the university are individually tested depending on the current infection rates. Please contact your department for information on the applicable regulations.

Compensation for disadvantages for the final thesis and the colloquium is regulated in the special statutes of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for coping with the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

Status: 25.11.2020

For dual students who are in the theoretical phase, the same regulations apply as for students who regularly complete their studies. For dual students in the practical phases, individual regulations must be made. Questions from companies and students will be answered not only by the Dual Study Centre (“Duales Studienzentrum”) but also by the coordinators and lecturers for dual studies in the departments.

Department of Dual Study Programmes („Duales Studienzentrum“)

Status: 25.11.2020

Ask your department about the individual regulations for your tests and their format, as they are always based on the current infection figures.

Students can take the exam retake since the summer semester 2020 at their own request. However, compulsory registrations according to § 17 paragraph 4 of the General Provisions for Examination Regulations („ABPO“) will not be made for the current semester.

Students can generally withdraw from examinations without giving reasons. The withdrawal should preferably be done electronically. Withdrawal is still possible until entering the examination room. With the distribution of the task sheets, the examination is considered to have begun and withdrawal is only possible in accordance with § 16, paragraph 2 ABPO.

Examination participants have NO right to choose whether they want to have an examination performance valid for them depending on the result.

For further information, see the special statue (download on the right).

See also Colloquia on Bachelor and Master theses, Oral supplementary examinations (MEP)

Status: 02.12.2020

Students can take the examination retakes at their own request. However, compulsory registrations according to § 17 paragraph 4 of the General Provisions for Examination Regulations („ABPO“) will not be made since the summer semester 2020.

See also the special statutes of the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt for the management of the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

see also Examinations, withdrawal from examinations

Status: 25.11.2020

In case of your own illness or quarantine, the processing period is suspended for the duration of the illness. According to § 16 Para. 2 of the General Examination Regulations of h_da (ABPO), the necessary evidence must be submitted to the examination board as usual. The same applies if, due to laboratory or facility closures, it is no longer possible to work on the topic of the final papers. The decision is made by the respective responsible examination committee. In comparable cases, it can also make a corresponding regulation in principle for a number of examination performances. Students can apply for the suspension of the deadline by e-mail (please only use the student h_da address) to the examiner. The decision on this is made by the examination board. The examination office will then book the new term if necessary. If the examination board has made a decision of principle (see above), the following applies: Students send the application directly by e-mail to the respective examination office.

Status: 25.11.2020

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has set an individual standard period of study one semester longer for students enrolled and on leave of absence in the summer semester 2020. This change is noted on the certificate of academic progress, which students can download from QIS. In terms of admission law (e.g. for the application for a Master's degree), the standard period of study stipulated in the BBPO ("Special Provisions of the Examination Regulations") is decisive. If you have any questions, please contact info@h-da.de.

Status: 07.10.2020

The h_da buildings are currently closed to the public. The teaching during Covid-19 currently takes place mainly online.

Teaching and learning achievements, examinations or organisational processes which require students to have access to the university is checked individually depending on the current infection rates. Please contact your department for information according to the applicable regulations.

Status: 25.11.2020

The Central First Semester Welcome (ZEB) took place this year as a presence-free live stream on 30.10.2020. Missed it? Here you can watch the complete program.

Further information about the start of the semester can be found here. Otherwise, please contact your faculty for subject-specific questions.

The first semester bags will be delivered by post to first-year students in the Bachelor and Diploma programs by the end of November.

See also: Start of winter semester 2020/21

Status: 25.11.2020

Internships during the course of studies should be subject to an individual risk assessment. If you have any questions regarding your internship, please contact your internship supervisor.

For further information or alternatives, please also refer to the special statutes of the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt for the management of the challenges posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic during exams, available on the right column of this page.

Status: 02.12.2020

The libraries have an extensive range of e-books, e-journals and databases. Information on how to access these media from home can be found here: E-Media in remote access and bib.h-da.de/recherche/.

Since the service on site has to be adapted due to the current situation, please check the library page for information about the current service during Covid-19.

Status: 11.11.2020

Since November 2, 2020 a mask (mouth and nose covering) must be worn on the entire campus (inside and outside the buildings) without any exception. Employees may take off the mask after taking up their permanent workplace (desk). The obligation to wear a mask also applies to courses and concern also the speakers.

Status: 11.11.2020

Whether oral supplementary examinations (MEP) can take place as presence tests in compliance with the hygiene guidelines is checked individually depending on the current infection figures. Please contact your department for information on the applicable regulations.

See also the special statute of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for the management of the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

Status: 02.12.2020

Due to the corona virus, however, the internship may call for home office, short-time work, closure or similar at short notice. It is also possible that you as an intern prefer to or have to interrupt the practical semester for health reasons or change the institution - e.g. because you yourself belong to a risk group or because there is a demonstrably infected person in your immediate working environment. If one of these cases occurs, please contact the person responsible for your practical semester in the department immediately.

Before you cancel your internship semester, please check other options with the particular institution/company and the person responsible in your department - e.g. home office or postponement of your internship. If it is necessary to cancel, please have the said institution/company certify the parts of the internship you have completed to date and the reason for cancelling it. The examination board decides on the recognition of the completed parts of the internship and its continuation. If you have any questions regarding your practice semester, please contact your department.

If you have any questions regarding the practical semester, please contact the responsible person in your department.

Compensation for disadvantages during the practical semester is regulated in the special statutes of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for coping with the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

Status: 25.11.2020

What do I have to bear in mind when travelling for business or pleasure?

The Robert Koch Institute is constantly identifying areas where there is an increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. If you are planning a trip, please be informed about these risk areas in advance.

All trips to these risk areas by students, scientists and employees of scientific institutions are cancelled.

The h_da Executive Board also strongly advises against private travelling to these risk areas. Should a state be declared a risk area during a stay, it is still valid that the persons concerned - regardless of symptoms of illness - must enter a 14-day preventive self quarantine and may only enter the university again after the assured absence of symptoms. This applies in particular to persons who were or are in contact with a person suffering from the corona virus. Of course, h_da members with fever, coughing or shortness of breath are generally expected to seek medical advice and stay away from the university in order to avoid infecting others.

Status: 07.10.2020

Everyone can contribute to reducing the risk of infection. In order to reduce the risk of corona virus infection on campus, the following rules apply at h_da:

• A mouth and nose cover must be worn on the entire h_da campus - inside and outside the buildings. This mask obligation also applies in face-to-face sessions. Employees may only remove the mouth-and-nose protection after taking up their own permanent workplace.  
• Reduce your contacts!
• Keep a distance of 1.5 meters to other persons!
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly!
• Maintain the coughing and sneezing etiquette!

If possible, organize all communication opportunities (working and learning groups) in virtual rooms that we have set up for this purpose at the h_da.

All current and binding virus protection instructions and the hygiene concept of the h_da are stored in the IMS and are binding instructions for all members and guests of the h_da.

If you have any questions regarding the implementation of these rules, please contact the safety officer Andreas Seeberg. You can also use the function address.

Status: 11.11.2020 

You can find all the latest information on the topic of semesters abroad on the website of the International Office.

The compensation for disadvantages during the semester abroad is regulated in the special statutes of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for coping with the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

Status: 25.11.2020

The winter semester 2020/21 started on 01.10.2020. The lecture period and courses have been running since 02.11.2020.

In this "hybrid semester" it was planned that there will be digital teaching in combination with classroom teaching. To what extent and under which conditions the attendance lectures can take place due to the current increased infection rates, please contact your department.

Status: 11.11.2020

The Student Service Center (SSC) has replaced all office hours with telephone consultation hours. Central telephone number: 06151 16-33 333

Help desk hours and further information.

Students can also contact the SSC by e-mail: info@h-da.de

An alternative way is an inquiry via the contact form.

The student advisory service offers extended telephone consultation hours and telephone counselling. Further information: h-da.de/studienberatung

Status: 25.11.2020

The restricted operation of the university can affect the preparation of final theses (Bachelor and Master theses). If necessary, please contact your supervisor or the responsible chairperson of the examination board. Theses can be extended for the duration of a pandemic-related interruption. Proof of this may be required from the company or organisation. The examination board decides on the extension.

At present, theses in paper form cannot be handed in personally, but can only be submitted by post. If sent by post to the responsible examination secretariat, the date of the postmark must be no later than the last day of the processing period. In the case of submission by post, the student also bears the associated risks of loss or delay. We therefore recommend that theses are currently submitted exclusively electronically.

The thesis is considered to have been submitted on time if it is received in digital form on time. Only the student e-mail address of h_da is to be used for this purpose. In order to meet the deadline, the thesis must be sent to the supervisor, the responsible secretariat and the chairman of the examination board. Requesting a read/receipt confirmation is strongly recommended. The print version must be submitted at a later date. The electronically submitted digital file must be identical to the print version submitted subsequently. The deadlines for subsequent submission are determined by the current Corona restrictions.

As a general rule, please check the deadlines for the submission of all documents to be submitted directly with the respective examination secretariats. Please check whether your department has adopted further regulations for digital submission. If so, these regulations are binding.

As a rule, the paper is to be submitted as a PDF document. Exceptions to this rule should be clarified with the supervisor. Final papers with a blocking note can also be submitted electronically. However, these must be transmitted in encrypted form, e.g. password protected via h_da-Cloud (https://cloud.h-da.de).

Compensation for disadvantages in the final thesis is regulated in the special statutes of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences for coping with the challenges in examinations posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. See download on the right.

See also Basic operation, Colloqia on Bachelor and Master theses

Status: 25.11.2020

Please observe the local instructions for the use of the sports facilities (e.g. scaffolding, table tennis tables). Depending on the number of infections, individual facilities may be temporarily closed if, in the opinion of those responsible at the university, the necessary infection protection rules cannot be safely observed. The regulations of the Hessian state government apply to non-blocked facilities.

Status: 25.11.2020

Students can withdraw from examinations in the summer semester 2020 without giving reasons. The withdrawal should preferably be done electronically. Withdrawal is still possible until entering the examination room. With the distribution of the task sheets, the examination is considered to have begun and withdrawal is only possible in accordance with § 16, paragraph 2 of the General Provisions for Examination Regulations („ABPO“).

Examination participants have NO right to choose whether they want to have an examination performance valid for them, depending on the result.

See also the special statutes of the University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt for the management of the challenges posed by the coronavirus-SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in examinations. See download on the right.

see also Examinations, Examination retake

Status: 25.11.2020