FAQ on studying and teaching at the h_da during Covid-19
In the following we have compiled frequently asked questions and the currently valid answers regarding studies and teaching in a FAQ collection. We continually update the information provided on the h_da website and the FAQ - also on the basis of incoming enquiries. In order to avoid misunderstandings, we indicate the date of publication at the end of each answer of the FAQ. Please also actively inform yourself about the channels available to you, especially the websites of the departments.
Are you missing an important question/answer regarding studies and teaching under the changed conditions caused by the pandemic? Do you see discrepancies, do you have any suggestions? Then please write to:
praesenzfrei@h-da.de
Last update of the FAQ: 06.10.2021: Examinations, CampusCard, Learning Spaces, Free of presence, Vaccination offer for students
All FAQ
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 the toilet
C19 - in the foyer of the lecture hall building next to the toilet
D10 - Library
Dieburg Campus
F25 - Library
Note: For identification purposes, a valid identification document must always be carried along (identity card/passport/residence title).
Status: 06.10.2021
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).
Extension of processing deadlines due to childcare
For students who prove that they have to take care of their own children due to Corona-related childcare restrictions or school closures, the Examination Board will determine the processing times, deadlines and dates upon request, taking into account the circumstances of the individual case. This applies according to the special statutes (§ 8 sentence 1), which you can find in the download section in the right column.
Status: 27.01.2021
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
There is a Corona rapid test center on the Darmstadt campus. It is located on the south side (parking lot side) of building C20 (lecture hall building). For the time being, rapid tests can be performed there from 7:00h to 12:00h. Online registration here.
The university will offer self-testing centers from 18.10.2021 weekdays from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in Darmstadt (glass box in C10) and in Dieburg (BQZ / Career Center 1.013 in F01) for non-vaccinated student. There they can perform supervised, free self-tests. The monitoring is done by a contracted service provider who notes the result in an h_da-internal confirmation. In the event of a negative result, students may attend courses designated as 3G courses on the day in question.
Status: 14.10.2021
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
The examination period of the summer semester 2021 starts on July 19. Examinations will take place in non-presence formats if possible, but presence examinations will also be held. Students will receive all further information on dates and examination formats in their departments.
Repeat examinations can be taken by students at their own request since the summer semester 2020. Compulsory registrations according to § 17 para. 4 ABPO (General Provisions on Examination Regulation) will not be made. Students can generally withdraw from exams without giving reasons. Preferably, the withdrawal should be made electronically. Withdrawal is still possible up to the "examination door". With the distribution of the task sheets, the examination is considered to have started and a withdrawal can only be made in accordance with § 16 para. 2 ABPO.
A legal ordinance of the Ministry of Science granted all students in the winter semester 2020/2021 who have failed an examination that cannot actually be repeated a further attempt at the examination. The same will apply for the summer semester 2021. Further information can be found at: https://wissenschaft.hessen.de/presse/pressemitteilung/zusaetzlicher-pruefungsversuch-und-laengere-regelstudienzeit-wegen-corona (German).
Students who wish to exmatriculate at the end of the summer semester 2021 - either because they have completed their studies or for other reasons - can take exams that had to be postponed due to corona at the beginning of the winter semester 2021/2022 (exam period 20.09.-15.10.). In case of failure, re-registration - without late fee - is possible until 12.11.
The my.h-da self-service portal is still accessible until 31.12.2021 for students exmatriculated at the end of the summer semester. The CampusCard including the RMV-Semester Ticket will lose its validity upon exmatriculation at the end of the summer semester (30.09.2021).
See also Colloquia on Bachelor and Master theses, Oral supplementary examinations (MEP)
Status: 06.10.2021
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, in the winter semester 2020/21 and in the summer semester 2021. This change is noted on the certificate of academic progress, which students can download in the self-service portal. 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: 29.07.2021
The campus is open again for students in the winter semester. Teaching takes place partly digitally and partly in presence ("transition semester": https://h-da.de/slider-meldung-single/wintersemester-alle-studierenden-sollen-wieder-an-den-campus-kommen-koennen). For those courses in which distance and masking requirements cannot be fully implemented for didactic/technical reasons while observing the maximum occupancy, a negative proof (3G) is a prerequisite for attendance. A monitored self-testing center will be established for negative proof of testing. In addition, please check with your department for applicable regulations.
See also: Corona rapid test center/ supervised self-test center
Status: 06.10.2021
The Central Freshman Welcome (ZEB) for the winter semester will take place virtually on 15.10.2021. You can view last year's official kick-off to studies here .
Further information about the start of the semester can be found here. Otherwise, please contact your faculty for subject-specific questions.
See also: Start of summer semester 2021
Status: 02.07.2021
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 following student study rooms can be used under 3G regulations:
- Central Library Darmstadt (information at https://bib.h-da.de/)
- Partial Library Dieburg (information at https://bib.h-da.de/)
- Learning rooms can also be used again in the departments if possible. Please contact your department for more information.
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
In all university buildings on university traffic areas, the mask obligation applies in the form of a medical mask (OP or FFP2 mask). For more information on the mask requirement, please refer to the "Mask Requirement" fact sheet in the Corona Handbook.
Status: 21.07.2021
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
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 2021/2022 starts on 01.10.2021. The lecture period and courses start on 18.10.2021.
The winter semester is planned as a transition semester, which means that as many students as possible should come back to the university for certain events. Since the pandemic will not be overcome despite vaccinations, measures will also be implemented in the winter semester to reduce the amount of people present at the h_da locations. In order to have planning security for everyone at an early stage, both presence and online courses are planned for this purpose. You will find out in due course what this means for you in concrete terms in your course of study and for your timetabling from your department.
All information about first semester events can be found here and in your department.
Status: 02.07.2021
The Student Service Center (SSC) has replaced all office hours with telephone consultation hours.
Help desk hours and further information.
Students can also contact the SSC by e-mail: info@h-da.de
The student advisory service offers extended telephone consultation hours and telephone counselling. Further information: h-da.de/studienberatung
Status: 02.07.2021
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
Use of sports equipment on campus
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
At the beginning of the semester, there will be another vaccination offer for students. Information on this will be published promptly on https://h-da.de/hochschule/corona (see box "Current developments"). Please write mail to impfen@h-da.de
Status: 06.10.2021
Students can withdraw from examinations in the summer semester 2021 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: 02.07.2021
Weitere Informationen
OPEN QUESTIONS?
Are you missing an important question/answer regarding studies and teaching under the changed conditions caused by the pandemic? Do you see discrepancies, do you have any suggestions? Then please write to us:praesenzfrei@h-da.de
Motivation problems, overload, loneliness?
Online studies can be accompanied by a variety of challenges. To provide support, the Student Advisory Service now offers an additional telephone consultation hour on Thursdays from 3 to 5 pm.
QUESTIONS ABOUT STUDY AND APPLICATION
Do you have questions about studying at or applying to h_da? The Student Service Center (SSC) will provide you with answers - also regarding changed procedures due to the corona virus.
Information on organisational issues
e-mail: info@h-da.de
MOODLE COURSE "PRESENCE-FREE TEACHING"
The Hochschulzentrum für Studienerfolg und Berufsstart (HSB) offers a Moodle course "Presence-free teaching - teaching in times of Corona" including FAQ and a communication forum for teachers, which is constantly updated.
Special statue
Here you can find 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. Please notice: Only the current German version ("Weitere Satzungen") is legally binding.