The university is closed to the public.
The library is only open for the purposes of checking out or returning materials. Library work stations are not available for use.
These pages are continually updated.
The university is closed to the public
During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is it extremely important that student contact details are accurate, for example, in the event of contact tracing. To ensure that all students can be reached quickly, all contact details stored in the system should be up-to-date, in case it is required. This is particularly important if you are taking part in an examination on-site, for example. Please make sure that your contact details are updated, and check whether you have provided a telephone number where you can be reached quickly.
You can update your contact data by first logging in to the self-managed application and status portal.
The field in which you must enter your contact details is called “Studium Korrespondenz” (Study correspondence) (See this help page.)
Students and guest auditors do not register at building entrances, but instead in the places where they will be present for longer periods of time, such as seminar rooms, lecture halls, study areas, the library, the cafeteria, or other areas. To register, you will need to scan a QR-Code using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
The library and the cafeteria have their own registration procedures.
Current information on the topic of academic course work and examinations in connection to the Coronavirus measures is available on the following page:
➔ Coronavirus –Teaching events, coursework and examination requirements
What is the situation regarding the extension of the standard period of study in relation to the number of semesters noted on the final degree certificate?
What is the situation regarding the final degree certificate if I am studying a degree in which the study model is being phased out?
Current information on the topics of
in connection to the Coronavirus measures is available on the following pages
➔ Coronavirus –Teaching events, coursework and examination requirements
In the online semester, the learning platforms Lernraum [learning room] and Lernraumplus [learning room plus], the video platform Panopto and the video conference platform Zoom are being increasingly used to support and conduct courses.
Further information is available on the pages of the ‘e-learning.Medien’ department of the Bielefeld IT Service Centre (BITS):
First Steps in Campus Management
Once enrolment is complete, students can access the various online services for organising their studies. Here we explain the
Information on the electronic course catalogue (eKVV)
The eKVV is the University’s electronic course catalogue. Every student creates their timetable here. In order to participate in a course, or use the corresponding learning platforms, the students must add the course to his or her timetable. Here we explain
Mailing list
At present, the most important information about the "digital summer semester" is currently being sent out by email. Students should make sure that their email address is registered and activated in the electronic course catalogue (eKVV). Here we explain everything about
Bielefeld information System (BIS) support and assistance
If you have questions about specific courses the teaching staff are the best people to ask. Their contact details can be found in the detailed overview of each course. We will gladly answer all other questions about the electronic course catalogue (eKVV). Click here for the
Can I plan my study abroad for this upcoming winter semester
Will the Erasmus exchanges begin in the upcoming winter semester?
Further information is available at GO Out
Are there special rules for students who now have to look after children at home?
Can deadlines be adjusted for parents who are students and still have to look after their children at home in the coming weeks?
If I need to look after a child under the age of 18, will I be eligible for a hardship claim so that instead of a written exam I can do coursework?
For single parents who are in the process of taking their final exams, the Studierendensecretariat [student Office] issues certificates entitling the student to emergency care in childcare facilities. You can find more detailed information on the requirements here.
Further information on this topic is available on the webpage studying with children on the gender, diversity and family portal.
Current information on the topic of coursework and examinations in connection with the corona measures can be found on the following page: Coronavirus –Teaching events, coursework and examination requirements
Pregnant students are also prohibited from working on campus for occupational health reasons. In exceptional cases, an individual risk assessment can be drawn up incoordination with AGUS, the university medical service and the responsible authorities (Detmold district government) and an exceptional permission to attend relevantonsite eventscan be granted (if no unacceptable hazard exists). Pregnant students are required to contact the AGUS staff unit.
➔Instructions for submitting documents to the Studierendensekretariat [Student Office].
➔Information on the electronic submission of academic coursework and examination work.
Bielefeld University has decided by rectorial e-mail that personal visits to the service facilities will be possible again as of September 1st, 2020. This also includes the Infopunkt where you can normally pick up and validate your UniCard.
The UniCard will always be sent to you by post and pre-validated. However, this can only be done once you have taken the necessary steps to issue the UniCard (photo-upload). Please be patient and allow for some time for your card to arrive.
Please note that the Unicard will only be sent to you if you have never had a card from Bielefeld University before. For example, if you have a service card as an employee, have been a student here before, or have a library card as a library user or guest student, you must first send this old card to Infopunkt, Studierendensekretariat. You will then receive your new student card. If you still have an intact student card, you can even simply validate it and continue using it. If the old card is lost, please contact the Zentrale Leihstelle.
It has been agreed with the public transport companies that the semester ticket can be replaced by presenting the NRW ticket and a personal ID/passport. You can still print out the NRW-Ticket yourself.
If you have any questions about Unicard, please contact unicard@uni-bielefeld.de.
How can I better structure my days during the online semester? How can I study for exams efficiently? How can I organise group-work online? How can I plan my term paper and thesis/ dissertation? How can I keep motivated? How can I keep track of files, texts and deadlines?
For these and other topics related to learning, writing, presenting, self-organization and study during the online semester, students can find support and advice at the Peer Learning service.
➔ overview of online workshops, learning material and contact details
What is the current position on the extension of child benefit?
Will I be asked to submit credit points to the BAföG office this online semester?
Will entitlement to BAföG (state financial assistance for education) be extended by a further semester?
Am I still entitled to BAföG if I am unable to provide the required academic certificates because the exams have been cancelled? What should I do if the courses that I need to register on the BAföG certificate do not take place due to the pandemic?
How do I retain my student status with my health insurance provider if I have lost my job due to the Coronavirus crisis and therefore can no longer pay my health insurance contribution?
What about the semester fee already paid for the summer semester? Do we get our semester fees back (proportionately) because the semester has been shortened and some services have been cancelled?
Is there financial support available for international students?
For students in financial difficulty (e.g. due to job loss, etc.) the Federal Minister of Education has launched a bridging aid in the form of loan from the KfW Bank, which is interest-free in the start-up phase. In addition, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has provided funds to the student emergency support grants of the Studierendenwerke [Association for Student Affairs]. These emergency grants will be allocated according to the usual funding rules to students experiencing acute financial hardship and are non-repayable. Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a start date to accept emergency funding applications. The AStA [Student Union] also provides a social fund to help students with living costs in this challenging time.
On the following pages you will find further information about Costs & Financial Support.
Faced with difficult life and study situations, students can turn to the central Student Advising Service (ZSB) for help. In the current situation, this may include psychological and social stress as well as study difficulties associated with the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of the University. Students are encouraged to contact the ZSB by phone or by email at zsb@uni-bielefeld.de if they are experiencing difficulties.
➔ Overview of all information and advisory services at Bielefeld
All university sports events are cancelled. The UniFit, sports hall and swimming pool are closed. During this time, university sport is transferring some of its activities online.
As the semester is taking place largely online, is it also possible for occasional students to attend courses?
Is study over the age of 50 possible?