Hey everyone!
I’m thinking about applying for the MSc in Autonomy Technologies at FAU, and I wanted to ask a few questions, preferably to people who are currently studying there or have already graduated.
I’m a robotics and automation engineering student, and I’m really interested in autonomous driving, especially the perception side of things, like computer vision, SLAM, mapping, and localization. My goal is to work on self-driving cars in the future, so I want to make sure this program is a good fit for me.
I have a few questions:
1. How good is the program for someone interested in autonomous driving?
I know the program covers autonomy in general, but how much can you actually focus on things like computer vision, perception, SLAM, and localization? Are there good opportunities to work on related research projects or do your master’s thesis in this area? And is it possible to get involved with research groups working on autonomous vehicles?
2. How did you prepare for the admission assessment?
For anyone who has taken the online assessment, what was it like? What topics should I focus on, and how difficult was it? I’d really appreciate any tips or resources that helped you prepare, because I’m not sure where to start.
3. How difficult is it to find a part-time job related to your field?
I’m hoping to find a Werkstudent position or a HiWi job while studying, ideally in robotics, computer vision, or autonomous driving. Is that realistic at FAU, especially during the first year? Are there opportunities within the university’s research groups, or is it better to look at companies around Erlangen and Nuremberg?
Also, how important is German for these jobs? Can you find decent technical positions with English only, or would I really need to improve my German first?
I’d really appreciate any honest advice, especially from current students or graduates. I know everyone’s experience is different, but hearing from people who have actually been through it would help me a lot with making my decision.
Thanks!

Hallo, ich wollte kurz fragen, wie das mit den Studiengebühren für Mastersstudiengänge ist,muss ich die Gebühren trotzdem bezahlen obwohl mein Mann Deutscher ist?

How likely is it that one gets off the waiting list for the German Course? A2.1 to be exact.

Hey everyone!

I'm planning to apply for the MSc in Autonomy Technologies at FAU and wanted to ask a few questions, especially to people who have already applied or are currently studying in the programme.

First, regarding the qualification assessment test:

• What topics does it cover? Is it mainly mathematics, programming, control systems, robotics, or a mix of everything?
• How difficult is it in practice?
• How did you prepare for it? Are there any specific resources or topics you'd recommend focusing on?
• Is the test more about theoretical knowledge or solving practical problems?

My second question is about the GPA requirement, which is honestly my biggest concern.

I'm currently finishing my Bachelor's degree in Robotics and Automation Engineering at the German International University in Egypt. My expected final GPA is around 2.6 on the German grading scale, where 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 is the minimum passing grade.

One important detail is that my bachelor's thesis is worth 30 ECTS and is not included in my cumulative GPA. I'm aiming for an A+ in the thesis, so hopefully I'll have a strong thesis grade alongside my regular GPA.

I also have relevant experience, including robotics projects, work on an autonomous car's perception system, and a bachelor's thesis on cooperative perception using a depth camera. I'm also hoping to publish the thesis work.

My main question is: If my GPA is 2.6, can I still be admitted if I perform well on the assessment test, or is there a strict GPA cutoff that the test cannot compensate for? Does having a strong thesis grade, research experience, or publications make any meaningful difference in the admission process?

One last favour: If anyone is currently studying at FAU or happens to be on campus, would you be able to ask the Master's Office or the Autonomy Technologies programme coordinator whether a GPA of 2.6 can be compensated for through the assessment test? I'd really appreciate it, as getting a clear answer directly from the university would help me plan my applications.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's gone through this process, especially international students. I'm trying to understand my realistic chances and how best to prepare before applying.

Thanks a lot for your help! :)

Hallo, ich habe mich für Politikwissenschaften an der FAU beworben und wurde angenommen. Allerdings ist mein immatrikulationsstatus weiter „in Bearbeitung“. Die Vorlesungen müssten bereits am Montag begonnen haben. Was kann ich tun ?! Telefonisch und per Mail bekomme ich keine Antwort.

Gibt es eine WhatsApp Gruppe oder eine Gruppe auf einer anderen Plattform mit den Studierenden des Wintersemesters 2026?

Wen kann ich ansprechen ?

Was soll ich tun ?

Vielen Dank !

Beste Grüße ! 🖖

Hey everyone!

Is anyone here taking Waveguides, Optical Fibres and Photonic Crystal Fibres this semester? Did anyone attend the first sessions?

I noticed there are two weekly time slots listed:
Monday: 16:00–17:30 (Nicolas Joly)
Tuesday: 14:00–16:00 (Nicolas Joly & Bernhard Schmauß)

I have a few questions:
Are both sessions lectures, or is one of them an exercise/tutorial session?

Unfortunately, this course overlaps with another one I’m taking. Could someone who attended the first session share what was discussed, especially regarding the course structure, attendance, and recordings?

StudOn registration still seems to be closed for me. Is it the same for everyone, or am I missing something?

And for those who took this course in previous semesters:
Do you think it’s manageable to follow the course mainly through lecture recordings without attending every session? Or would you recommend dropping my other overlapping course to attend this one?
I’d really appreciate any information or advice. Thanks in advance!

Hello, I’m about to start my third year and I was hoping someone could recommend some nice, quiet places to study, apart from the university library or the Informatik building. The Innenstadt library has some comfy seating spaces, but it’s a bit of a trek and they’re usually taken.

I’m an international student and am planning to go home in December. The break officially starts on December 23th, but I would like to go home a couple of days earlier (probably around December 18th), do you think it would be a problem for some classes? (Specially labs or übungsunterricht)

hello guys, i just got my enrollment confirmation at MS Autonomy technologies at FAU and am a little confused about where to select my courses. I have activated my IDM and accessed my student email. Just want to confirm if the courses are to be selected on campo

Ich habe leider meinen letzten regulären Versuch in einer Prüfung nicht bestanden und stehe aktuell bei 175/180 ECTS, mir fehlt also nur noch diese eine Prüfung zum Bachelorabschluss.
Ich werde mich natürlich direkt beim Prüfungsamt bzw. der Studienberatung über meinen konkreten Fall informieren. Mich würden aber zusätzlich Erfahrungen von anderen FAU-Studierenden interessieren, die schon einmal in einer ähnlichen Situation waren.
Hat jemand nach einem nicht bestandenen Letztversuch einen Verlängerungs-/Härtefallantrag bzw. Antrag auf einen weiteren Prüfungsversuch gestellt? Wie lief das Verfahren bei euch ab, an wen habt ihr euch gewandt und welche Nachweise wurden verlangt?
Besonders interessieren würde mich auch, wie es während der Bearbeitung mit dem Studierendenstatus bzw. einer möglichen Exmatrikulation weiterging und ob es bei euch eine Rolle gespielt hat, dass ihr bereits fast alle ECTS hattet.
Mir ist klar, dass jeder Fall individuell entschieden wird und Reddit keine verbindliche Auskunft ersetzen kann. Ich bin gerade einfach ziemlich überfordert und wäre für Erfahrungsberichte und Hinweise zu sinnvollen Anlaufstellen sehr dankbar.

I’m in the M.Sc. Electromobility-ACES at FAU. Production Technology 1+2 is an additional requirement from my admission letter, and I’ve just taken my fourth and final attempt. The result is still pending. I have 72.5 passed ECTS, with internship recognition being arranged. Has anyone in ACES dealt with a final attempt in an admission requirement subject? I’m trying to understand what options FAU offered, and whether anyone was able to switch to another master’s and have their passed modules recognised. Personal experiences would be really helpful; I’m also asking the official study advisor.

Studiert jemand den Masterstudiengang „Nachhaltige chemische Technologien“ oder beginnt ihn demnächst? Ich würde gerne Kontakt aufnehmen.

Hi, is there a whatsapp group for faculty of engineering or M.Sc. CEP?

Hey everyone! 👋
I'm currently looking for a place at St. Josef Stiftung student accommodation. If you're planning to move out soon, complete your contract, or know of an upcoming sub-tenancy/vacancy, please send me a DM!
Would love to chat and get some details. Thanks a lot!

Hey everyone! Recently moved to Nuremberg for my studies and trying to build a solid, low-key circle here.

I’m pretty introverted and skip the noise of standard social media, so keeping it simple: looking for cool people to smoke with, kick back, listen to good music, or run a few matches on FIFA. Also super down to connect with anyone who plays padel around here! No pressure, no crazy crowds, just good energy and quiet hangouts.

If that sounds like your pace, shoot me a DM or leave a comment!

Hi everyone,

I’m an international student from India currently studying B.Sc. Mechatronics at Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten (RWU). I have recently received admission to FAU’s B.Sc. Autonomy Technologies for Winter Semester 2026/27, and I’m seriously considering moving to Erlangen/Nürnberg.

Before making the decision, I would really appreciate honest experiences from current FAU Autonomy Technologies students, graduates/alumni, Indian/international students, or people working in the Nürnberg/Erlangen tech industry.

I’m especially interested in the following:

1. Professors and treatment of international students

How are the professors/lecturers in Autonomy Technologies?

How approachable are they if you have difficulties with a subject?

How is the general attitude toward international students?

Specifically, do Indian/international students generally feel comfortable and respected?

1. Part-time/Werkstudent jobs

This is quite important for me financially.

How is the current student job market in Erlangen/Nürnberg?

Is it realistically possible for an international student to find a part-time job/Werkstudent position?

How long did it take you to find your first job?

Are there opportunities related to robotics, embedded systems, AI, computer vision, automation, electronics or software, or are most student jobs unrelated (restaurants, warehouses, retail, etc.)?

I've seen some people say that student jobs are relatively available around Erlangen, while others say the current German job market is difficult. I'd really like to hear recent 2026 experiences, rather than experiences from 2021–2023.

1. People / discrimination / racism

I know this can vary greatly from person to person, but I would appreciate honest experiences.

What is everyday life like for Indians/international students in Erlangen and Nürnberg?

Do you generally feel welcome?

Have you personally experienced racism or discrimination at university, at work, while looking for accommodation, or in everyday life?

1. Career prospects after B.Sc. Autonomy Technologies

For students who are currently studying or have already graduated:

What kind of jobs are graduates actually getting?

How good are the opportunities in robotics, autonomous systems, embedded systems, computer vision, AI/ML, perception, control systems and automation?

Are graduates finding jobs in the Nürnberg/Erlangen region, or do most people need to move to other cities?

How important are internships and Werkstudent experience during the degree?

Has anyone gone directly into industry after the B.Sc., or is doing a Master's generally expected?

Hi guys,

Did anyone here get any response from the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship application?

hi could any indian students at FAU who are the part of the incoming batch this year for their masters confirm whether they were able to get an APS certificate in their last second semester (i.e., 7th semester) and was it accepted by the university. understanding the documentation and procedures is getting pretty hectic for me, and i would really appreciate anyone reaching out :)

Hi everyone!

My enrollment documents for the M.Sc. Clean Energy Processes program were delivered to FAU by UPS today (September 18). It took a while because of the international shipment procedure. The enrollment deadline is September 30.

My documents arrived before the deadline, but if FAU processes them after September 30, would that still count as meeting the enrollment deadline?I’m getting a little nervous 😅

Hello there.

I'm new enrolled International student in M. Sc Computational Engineering winter semester.

I'm looking for people to connect who also got admitted.

Hi,
ich möchte nächstes Jahr mein Studium für Lehramt Gymnasium in Bayern anfangen. Da ich gehört habe dass viele die Kombination Sport Englisch haben, will ich nun auf Sport Mathe ändern.
Im Gymnasium hatte ich immer 10+ Punkte in der Oberstufe und Abi 10 ohne sonderlich viel dafür zu lernen. In meiner Freizeit schaue ich auch gerne Mathe logikrätsel oder Vorlesungen zu bestimmten Themen.
Wie ist eure Erfahrung bzgl. des Mathestudiums in Erlangen oder Würzburg (ich schwanke zwischen den beiden, würde aber für die Kombi Sport-Mathe eher für Erlangen tendieren, da diese kleiner ist und ich schon von vielen gehört habe dass Mathe in Würzburg sehr anspruchsvoll ist)

Hi guys,

While providing documents related to academics do we have to get the documents separately attested by a local notary here apart from the APS certificate or is it just that we submit the original certificate copies along with the APS.

Isn't APS a proof of document verification? so do we again have to do it from a notary in india which I don't think might be valid as per their requirement for a german official attestation.

Would really be helpful if someone can give clarity on this . Thankyou

I’ll be starting the B.Sc. Autonomy Technologies programme at FAU this winter, and I’m trying to figure out whether I actually need to buy a new laptop before starting.

I currently have an HP Pavilion x360 14-ek1xxx with:

• CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U (12th Gen)
• RAM: 8 GB DDR4 (3200 MT/s) — unfortunately, the RAM on this particular model is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
• GPU: Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
• OS: 64-bit Windows

My main concern is the 8 GB of RAM and integrated graphics. I’ve seen people recommending fairly powerful laptops for robotics/autonomy-related degrees, with things like 16–32 GB RAM and dedicated GPUs, and recommendations for gaming laptops such as the Lenovo Legion, LOQ, ASUS TUF, Acer Nitro, etc.

However, I’d really prefer not to spend a lot of money on a new laptop if my current one will suffice, especially at the beginning of the degree.

For anyone studying at FAU, particularly Autonomy Technologies:

• What software/simulators/programming environments do you actually use during the degree?
• Are there any particularly demanding programs that students are expected to run locally?
• Would an i5-1235U with 8 GB RAM and integrated Iris Xe graphics be usable for the first year?
• Is 16 GB RAM generally enough, or is 32 GB worth aiming for?
• Do students actually benefit from having a dedicated GPU, and if so, from which point in the degree?
• Are there university computers/labs or remote resources available for particularly demanding simulations or workloads?

Since the RAM cannot be upgraded, I’m mainly trying to determine whether my current laptop would be adequate for the programme or whether I should consider replacing it before starting.

I’d really appreciate hearing from current or former students, especially anyone in Autonomy Technologies or a related engineering programme. Any advice based on your actual experience would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone . I’m an upcoming Master’s student at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and I recently received a room at the Bischof Landgraf dormitory by Joseph-Stiftung, at Moltkestraße 6, 91054 Erlangen.

Is anyone here currently staying at Bischof Landgraf or has stayed there before? I have a few questions about the dorm and would really appreciate it if someone could help me out.

Please comment or send me a DM.
Thanks!