FAQ – Questions and answers on the coronavirus
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Admission rules (3G, 2G etc.) have been lifted for all students, staff and external visitors. That means proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test results no longer has to be shown and there are no checks by the security service.
Despite the lifting of the rules, we appeal to all university members to continue regular testing, either using self-test kits or by getting tested at a testing station – even if you are vaccinated or have recovered from covid-19. Any of us can be carriers and spreaders of the virus. By continuing to adhere to the above measures voluntarily, we can make the university safer for ourselves and others.
As a general rule, you must not come to the campus if:
- you exhibit the typical symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection (specifically shortness of breath, new-onset cough, fever and loss of smell or taste)
- you are under quarantine
- you have had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result
If the above applies to you, you cannot attend courses or take part in any University activities and must not enter any University buildings or other enclosed spaces. If you develop typical covid-19 symptoms while at the University, you must immediately leave the premises and notify the University. The University will report the facts to the competent health authority, which then determines what measures (e.g. quarantine) will need to be taken by the University.
In accordance with the 16th Bavarian disease control ordinance, there is now an FFP2 mask mandate in all indoor spaces, including corridors and walkways. You can remove your mask when you are seated or standing in an area where a distance of 1.5 metres to others is reliably maintained.
Status checks are no longer carried out, since the access rules have ben lifted.
The 3G rule for entering the reading rooms has also been scrapped. Until 25 April, the previous regulations will be kept as follows: in the reading rooms, the designated desks can be used as was the case until now. As before, it is strongly recommended that you wear an FFP2 mask at your desk. The previous FFP2 mask-wearing obligation on all connecting corridors and areas in the library buildings will be maintained.
If you have any questions or individual concerns, please contact the Library Team at ubinfo@uni-passau.de, call +49 851 509 1630 or use the contact form. We will try everything in our power to find a solution.
For up-to-date information on this and the library services (reading room and stacks lending, interlibrary loans, scanning service etc.) visit the University Library website.
You are considered recovered when:
- Your covid-19 infection has been confirmed by a positive PCR test
and - the test was conducted at least 28 days ago but no longer than 90 days ago if you are not fully vaccinated
- the test was conducted at least 28 days ago but no longer than 180 days ago if you are fully vaccinated
If your covid-19 infection was more than six months ago, you will need a single top-up vaccination for the relevant "G" rule to continue to apply to you.
For details on the covid-19 convalescent status, visit the Robert Koch Institute website [German content].
No. Persons who have been vaccinated with a vaccine other than those listed by the Paul Ehrlich Institute are not considered to be vaccinated for the purposes of the 2G/3G/plus rules.
You can go to get vaccinated free of charge at the vaccination centre of the city of Passau [German content].
Free testing for everyone in Germany was reintroduced on 13 November 2021 – even for those who received a vaccination or who have recovered from a covid-19 infection. You can be tested off-campus.
You can take advantage of one of the various testing stations in the city area. You will find an overview on the website of the City of Passau [German content].
Under the 2G or 3G rule, the following paper-based or electronic negative test certificates will be accepted:
- a PCR test, a PoC PCR test or other test that uses the nucleic acid amplification technique. These tests are valid for 48 hours starting from the time the sample is taken.
- a PoC antigen test. These tests are valid for 24 hours starting from the time the sample is taken.
- an antigen test for self-administration by laypersons (self-test kits) approved by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. This type of test must be carried out under supervision and the result is valid for 24 hours from the time the sample is taken. Unsupervised self-tests are not accepted as valid proof.
The Covid-19 test centre in the ZMK building (Innstrasse 33a), which is operated by Malteser Germany, is closing with effect from 5 August. This is due to the very low demand for lateral flow tests in recent times. However, the University will continue to monitor the situation and the demand for Covid-19 tests. If necessary, the University will work with Malteser Germany to reopen the on-campus test centre.
However, you can take advantage of one of the various testing stations in the city area. You will find an overview on the website of the City of Passau [German content].
Since the admission rules have been scrapped, you do not need to get yourself tested. Nevertheless, we recommend that you do, since we can all still be spreaders of the virus. Regular testing helps you to protect yourself and the people around you.
With regard to the regular dates and deadlines specified in the examination regulations applicable to degree programs, the 2020 summer semester, the 2020/21 winter semester, the 2021 summer semester and the 2021/22 winter semester are not considered to be subject semesters (Art. 99 § 1 Bay.Hsch.G. ). As a result, regular dates and deadlines have been postponed. Please check whether the affected semesters have been deducted from your maximum study period. For regular dates and deadlines, please refer to the examination regulations applicable to your degree.
The Ministry of Science has updated the FAQ on its website. There you will find further answers, e.g. on the topics of BAföG and exams.
You do not need separate applications and proof. These deadlines may have been automatically extended or will continue to be taken into account when calculating the maximum duration of studies. From the summer semester 2022, the review of the maximum duration of studies will be resumed.
What does that mean for you?
- You reached the maximum duration of your studies according to your examination regulations before the Corona Emergency Act came into force and received a notice of failure for the first time? You have already received a new notice with new deadlines/dates from the examination office.
- You have reached the maximum duration of your studies by the end of the 2020 summer semester, the 2020/21 winter semester, the 2021 summer semester or the 2021/22 winter semester. In these semesters, the review of the maximum duration of study was suspended and these semesters are not counted if you were regularly enrolled. Passed and passed exams were taken into account.
- In these semesters you did not achieve a certain number of ECTS that you need to continue your studies (e.g. Bachelor BAE, Bachelor Business Informatics, FIM courses, trial studies)? Here, too, the 2020 summer semester, the 2020/21 winter semester, the 2021 summer semester and the 2021/22 winter semester did not count as semesters.
- You are regularly enrolled in a degree program but have not (by a long way) reached the maximum duration of your studies or another deadline? The 2020 summer semester, the 2020/21 winter semester, the 2021 summer semester and the 2021/22 winter semester will not be counted when checking the maximum duration of your studies.
- You were on leave during the semester mentioned above? Vacation semesters have no influence on your course of study and are not considered as corona semesters.
- Are you studying to become a teacher? The Bavarian Ministry of Culture has announced special regulations for the first state examination on its website.
- Are you studying law at the University of Passau? The automatic extension when the examination deadlines or the maximum length of study are reached also applies to the intermediate legal examination and the university law examination.
If you have any further questions, please contact the person responsible for your course of study.
As of 1 October 2021, the dissertation/thesis writing periods at all faculties continue as normal; the deadlines are no longer suspended. The Examinations Office has written to students who were affected by the suspension of deadlines to inform them of their new submission deadlines.
The exams in spring 2023 will take place as planned.
All information about on-site examinations and the measures taken to protect against infection can be found online on the website of the examination office.
There are currently no mandatory protection and hygiene measures for exams. However, there is still a recommendation to wear a medical face mask and voluntary tests in the event of symptoms of illness.
No, but there is a recommendation to wear a mask.
No, but there is still a recommendation for voluntary testing in the event of symptoms of illness.
In the summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020/2021 and in the winter semester 21/22, the University of Passau decided on free attempt regulations in the Corona statutes, i.e. examinations that were not taken or not passed in these semesters were not counted ("free examination attempt"). Please note that there were no free attempt regulations for the 2021 summer semester.
- The free attempt regulation did not apply if an attempt at cheating or plagiarism was determined. In these cases, the test is considered failed.
- The regulation did not apply to passed exams or final theses.
- The regulation did not apply to the law university examination.
If you are ill on the day of the exam, you must submit a written request to withdraw from the exam. More information can be found here.
For information on the first state examination for a teacher education programme visit the website of the Bavarian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.
Current (pandemic-related) changes in the study and examination schedule of the Faculty of Law for the semester can be found on the web page of the Dean of Studies.
If you notice any symptoms of the common cold (e.g. a cough, runny nose, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or fever), please stay away from the campus and stay home. Contact your GP by telephone. Your GP will discuss the further necessary steps with you (whether to come in for a consultation and testing and, if necessary, reporting to the health authority and self-isolation at home etc.).
Alternatively, phone the national medical hotline. The phone number for advice in German is 116 117, for advice in English, Arabic, Turkish or Russian, please phone 0800 0000837. The medical hotline can tell you where you can see a doctor and where you can get tested for Covid-19.
For information (in German) about PCR testing in Passau, see
For information about doctors' services in English and other languages in Passau, see the Welcome Guide produced by the Welcome Centre.
If you have tested positive for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, please stay away from campus. If you were on campus during the period of infection, please inform the relevant lecturers or your immediate superior. If you additionally report your illness to us via the online self-report form, you give us valuable time in which we can act swiftly to break the chain of infection. We will always treat your information in the strictest confidence.
From that point onwards, the public health authority is in charge of the further procedure. It determines whether contact tracing is to be done. Identifying contact persons is within the remit of the public health authority. The competent health authority also decides on the duration of quarantine or self-isolation.
It is likely that you will be told to self-isolate at home. If you require support during your quarantine or self-isolation, please visit the website of the City of Passau [German content]. Although the page linked to is only available in German, it does provide telephone numbers to the central service hotline of the City of Passau (+49 851 396 877, staffed Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon), Edeka markets that deliver groceries to your doorstep, a 'neighbourhood help' initiative ((Nachbarschaftshilfe, phone +49 851 396 236) as well as a meals on wheels (Essen auf Rädern) service.
Get well soon!
The Student Services Association (Studentenwerk Niederbayern/Oberpfalz) (STWNO) has revised and comprehensively supplemented its website with FAQs on BAföG student grants/loans in the covid-19 crisis.
You cannot apply for the stopgap assistance (or interim financial aid), as this BMBF programme, which provided financial support to students in pandemic-related emergency situations, ran out as scheduled on 30 September 2021.
Students from the first semester onwards can apply for the KfW student loan to finance their living expenses. Students in Germany can still apply for the interest-free KfW student loan until 31 December 2021.
The Welfare Office of the Student Services Association (Studentenwerk) is an authorised KfW partner, which means you can have your KfW student loan contract endorsed and your enrolment status confirmed every semester by your local welfare adviser.
Studying often brings many changes. Many of these are beautiful challenges, but sometimes they can overwhelm us. On top of that, the pandemic and its effects can also become a heavy burden – especially if the restrictions associated with the pandemic pose a risk to you or expose you to major economic, social and health uncertainties as a result.
We can help you get through this: professional and confidential counselling is offered by the University's Psychological Counselling Service and the Student Services Association's Psychological Counselling Service.
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