Frequently asked questions

Studying during COVID-19

Here you will find the answers to everything related to the effects of COVID-19 on your studies. For official information from the KIT, please see their FAQ.

Will the lectures be available online?

Yes, every lecture should have some materials available online. However, there will be differences regarding how the online learning works. For example, some lectures are interactive and use video conferencing software (e.g. Zoom, MS Teams). Other lectures will be published as recordings on the KIT’s learning platform ILIAS. Make sure you sign up for your courses as soon as possible, as the relevant information (e.g. Zoom invite link) will be announced there!

Will I be able to attend lectures on campus?

Maybe. Depending on the situation in November, you might be able to attand lectures with a small audience. Please inform yourself for every lecture on the website of their institute or in the ILIAS platform.

I am unable to travel to Karlsruhe in November. Is that a problem?

Frankly, we don’t know yet. We are working with the faculties to ensure that there will be no severe disadvantages if you can not come to KIT. Please understand that we can’t promise you anything on that matter.

General questions

Studies

Do I have to register for a lecture?

No, generally not. You have to register for exams (important: registration deadlines!) and by doing so for lectures. For seminars and (programming) practical courses you have to apply, sometimes already at the end of the last semester. If you missed an application deadline for a seminar or practical course, you can still ask the respective professor if there is a place left.

Is there compulsory attendance?

In lectures there is none, some lecturers even record their lectures or publish good notes or slides online. But for most seminars and practical courses attendance is mandatory!

Where do I find which information on the KIT websites?

The three most important websites for you are:
(1) The campus system where you find your certificates, transcripts etc., and where you can apply for exams.
(2) At ILIAS you can find material for lectures and ask questions in forums. Make sure you sign up for your courses as soon as possible, as the relevant information (e.g. Zoom invite link) will be announced there!
(3) The websites of the lectures themselves often contain a lot of materials such as exercise sheets and solutions, slides, lecture notes and important information.

Where do I find the prospectus?

All courses for the next semester are listed at the prospectus

What is the “Modulhandbuch” (module handbook) and “Prüfungsordnung” (examination regulation)?

In the module handbooks for mathematics and informatics all courses are listed in detail and with short descriptions. The module handbook is available in German only, short descriptions in English are available at the international maths page (s. link). Since there is no international master of informatics a equivalent page for informatics courses does not exist. There are, however, English courses as well (s. prospectus). The examination regulation (s. bottom of page) are only available in German and contain all the general rules that apply to your studies. If you have any questions about them, come to the Fachschaft and let us translate for you.

How many ECTS per semester should I take?

First of all - do as much as you can and want and don’t work over your limit. 30 credits are recommended; many students do less and study a little longer. Partly because there are many offers for activities that you can do beside your studies and also because you can indeed enjoy your studies without rushing through.

What are SQL credit points?

SQL = Schlüsselqualifikationsleistungen (key qualifications or general studies). According to your study plan, you have to do 6 (Master Mathematics), or 2 (Master Mathematics in Economics), or 0 (Master Mathematics in Technology), or 2 to 6 (Informatics) ECTS in SQL modules, in the form of language courses at the Sprachenzentrum (language centre), seminars at HoC (house of competence) or ZAK (Centre for Cultural and General Studies), an orchestra or the like (see here). Some general studies courses are taught in English. Most courses usually earn you 1-3 ECTS (HoC and ZAK seminars are often block seminars at weekends).

Can I attend a language course?

Of course you can! Application is at two days in the week before lectures start. Places are given at random, so you have enough time to choose your courses (in contrast to the first-come-first-served application for sports courses). Each semester, you can do one course for free, further courses usually cost 90€.

How do I apply for sports courses?

Quickly! Application opens at monday morning the week before the start of lectures and the courses are given according to “first come, first served”. It’s best to transfer the base fee (10€) in advance and refresh the registration page regularly as soon as the application opens (different times at a day for different courses). The courses can be booked at the sports institute. Most cost 10-20€ per semester, race teams train for free.

How is the KIT?

That’s always a matter of perception. The KIT is great in many things such as course offer, research and location and an very active student body. You can have a good time studying here - but best you see for yourself.

Organisational things

KIT account and KIT card

You should have received your u-account for using KIT portals and preliminary password along wiht your enrolment certificate before the semester starts. With your u-account you can log in into the student portal where you find all important documents and transcripts. And you can use the ILIAS learning platform where most lecture materials are stored. Furthermore, you can use services of the SCC (Steinbuch Centre of Computing) such as printing with COPS (see bottom of page).

With your KIT card you can pay in canteens, print at the SCC, get into the main library and a few other buildings in the middle of the night. Note: You have to take it with you to exams!

Wi-Fi at the KIT

With your u-account you can log in into Wi-Fi (password is the same, just add ‘@kit.edu’ to your user name). There are “KA-WLAN” and “KA-sWLAN” for choice that are public city wifis. “KIT” is for university members only and provides direct access to the university network. “Eduroam” is a network which is open for members of all universities that are part of the Eduroam programme and is made available in Karlsruhe by KIT and other higher educational institutions. If you are an exchange student and don’t have a KIT account, you can use this Wi-Fi. All networks are available both in town and on campus.

Transportation in Karlsruhe

The best way to get from one place to another is by bike or with tram. There are many bike lanes and good connections of the KVV (“Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund” - Karlsruhe transportation association) to get you almost anywhere. Driving through Karlsruhe by car is cumbersome due to many construction sites. If you still need a car, you can have a look at several “Mitfahrgelegenheit” (car pooling) pages, where people offer to give you a lift for little money. If you need a car regularly, you could consider becoming a member at Stadtmobil, the local car-sharing provider. In case you need a car for moving or such you can rent a van at the AStA side service SSV.

KVV ticket

As a student you automatically have a limited version of the KVV ticket with which you can take the tram for free between 6pm and 5am on weekdays and at weekends and holidays all-day long in the entire KVV region. If you move your primary residence to Karlsruhe, the city gives you a starter present that includes a voucher for a full KVV ticket(which lasts 6 months). You can redeem it during the first year, after that it will expire. When collecting the package it is important to emphasise that you would like to have the “starter package for students”.

I still need a flat!

There are many ways to get a flat. The “Studierendenwerk” has a flat market page that gets regularly updated with new flat offers (shared and single flats). Two of the most common sites are www.studenten-wg.de and www.wg-gesucht.de. Further, you can have a look into the daily newspaper (e.g. BNN) or have a look at the black board at the cafeteria. There is a list of student residences and contact addresses for private landlords in the Stadtwiki (city wiki).