Information about Corona virus

Below you will find information about the latest developments.

Blue and white outlines of a virus

(22nd March 2021)
Distance learning until the end of the semester

To ensure that we keep infection risks as low as possible, the FH Campus Wien will remain at the Corona traffic light status "red" until the end of the semester. This means Working From Home remains our preferred working mode. No events will take place at the FH. The cafeteria at the main campus offers a take-away service.

Proof of test during study operations

As before, face-to-face teaching on site is only possible in small groups (max. 20 persons) for non-substitutable courses or examinations, subject to the strictest hygiene measures. In addition to the mandatory FFP2 face mask and the safety distance to be maintained, teachers and students must also provide a negative test result from Tues, 6th April. The legal basis for the compulsory test has been announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research for the beginning of April.

Study groups, limited reading room use and admission procedure possible with test results

By providing proof of test results, it will be possible from Tue, 6th April to facilitate on-site study groups in function rooms with up to 7 students, if the use of the function room facilities is necessary for the acquisition of competences. The use of the reading room of the library and media library with a pre-arranged appointment will also be made possible as of 12th April. Admission procedures are also possible under these conditions.

"Alles gurgelt!": Free saline gargle PCR tests

Staff, teachers and researchers as well as students can participate in the Viennese project "Alles gurgelt!" and get access to free saline gargle PCR tests.

Planning for the winter semester 2021/22

Currently, we are assuming that we will still have to comply with hygiene measures and safety distance rules in the autumn and are therefore planning the coming winter semester in the same way as the last winter semester as a precautionary measure. This means a combination of face-to-face teaching on site and distance learning. The focus of the study and teaching activities on site is on practical courses which are necessary for the acquisition of competences or for which there are no reasonable online alternatives.

More Information

Current figures in relation to the coronavirus in Austria
Information from Ages - Agency for Health and Food Security
Information from the Ministry of Health
Information specifically about the province of Vienna
Information of the ORF
Information from the Ministry of Science

Hotlines (around the clock)

1450 - only if illness is suspected
0800 555 621 - for general information

Frequently Asked Questions

Students, staff and teachers

Four basic rules apply at the locations and cooperative study locations of the FH Campus Wien. Please protect yourself, your contacts and our health system by adhering to the following rules:

  1. Stay at home in case of illness
    Those who feel ill should always stay at home. In case of symptoms of illness that could be related to a Covid-19 disease, is not permitted to come to the FH locations, including cooperative study location of the FH Campus Wien. If you have symptoms or fear that you may be suffering from Covid-19, please stay at home and contact the Health Advice Hotline on 1450. Covid-19 quarantine obligations or illnesses must be reported to your supervisor or the head of your degree programme.
     
  2. Keep your distance
    Maintain a permanent distance of at least two meter between you and another person and avoid touching (e.g., shaking hands, hugging).
     
  3. Wearing an FFP2 mask
    Wear an FFP2 mask in all premises of the FH Campus Wien. Please put it on as soon as you enter the building.
     
  4.  Wash hands regularly and observe the etiquette for coughing and sneezing
    Disinfect or wash your hands with soap (approx. 40 seconds) after entering the FH Campus Wien and also in between. Avoid touching your face with your hands. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief (and dispose of it as soon as possible in the residual waste - not in the paper waste).

Stay at home and contact the telephone health advice service on hotline 1450 for further action. Inform your degree program or your supervisor by e-mail or telephone about a possible absence.

Studies

All courses and examinations currently still taking place on campus will be changed to a suitable online form. In certain cases, this may also lead to a change of examination dates or examination modes. Only courses or exams that cannot be substituted or postponed can be held in small groups (max. 20 persons) on campus in compliance with the strictest hygiene regulations. Teachers and students must provide a negative test result from Tues, 6th April. Students will receive details from their respective degree programme.

For presence on site, four basic rules apply for common safety:

  1. Stay at home in case of illness
  2. Keep your distance
  3. Wear a FFP2 mask
  4. Wash hands regularly and observe the etiquette for coughing and sneezing

The library and media library are open for borrowing and returning media. The limited use of the reading room is possible with a pre-arranged appointment and a negative test result. Details on learning and working on site, loan of media and returns of books  can be found here.

All buildings of the FH Campus Wien are only open to a limited extent for study and teaching activities. For all other activities or meetings as part of the course the university is closed. Final papers can be submitted electronically. Collection of pre-ordered media from the library and media library is possible by appointment. Employees of the FH Campus Wien generally work from home. Therefore, please address your enquiries by phone or e-mail to the respective degree programme.

    Stays abroad (Incoming and Outgoing)

    Yes, our University of Applied Sciences has decided to continue to enable mobility. Application phases for stays abroad and nominations are carried out as announced on our  website.

    More information for incoming students
    More information for outgoing students

    When planning stays abroad, please consider the travel warnings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Wait with booking accommodations and flights as long as possible, and book only with cancellation option, since our partner universities might cancel planned stays abroad if new restrictions are introduced. Furthermore, inform yourself before you leave about the current Covid-19 situation and regulations in your host country and obey the local rules.

    The ERASMUS+ program has also collected important information about mobilities in the context of Covid-19 on their website. If you have questions, please contact the International Office.

    If you no longer feel safe abroad, you can cancel your stay abroad and return home. However, it is important that you immediately contact and inform all involved parties about your decision (i.e. the international coordinators, the host university or internship placement, and the International Office).

    For ERASMUS+ students, in case of a deterioration of the situation in the host country, the “force majeure” rule applies, and you can apply for a substitution of the costs with our National Agency (for further information, click here). Students, who are abroad as freemovers or with other scholarships, please contact the International Office.

    Please also note the current regulations in Austria. Reduce social contacts as much as possible. If symptoms occur, contact the health hotline 1450 for further action. For general information, call the hotline 0800 555 621 and inform your degree program or your supervisor by e-mail or telephone about a possible absence.

    After your return, please submit the final documents to your sponsor order that the stay can be settled. For ERASMUS+ students you can find the current regulations on the website of the ÖAD.

    Applications continue to be accepted within the usual application deadlines and are processed in consideration with the current situation. Due to the ongoing global health crisis and consequent restrictions in on-campus teaching and closures of internship placements, FH Campus Wien cannot guarantee the realization of exchange studies and internships at this time. We will try out best to realize all mobilities as planned.

    However, you will be informed by the International Office in time about the status of your planned exchange.

    Please also refer to the Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs or the Austrian diplomatic mission in your home country about the entry regulation and security advices relevant to your case before making any travel arrangements.

    In case of questions, please contact the International Office.

    Admission procedure

    You can find information on our admission procedures on the website of the respective degree programme. These are updated on a regular basis. Should you not find any detailed information on the admission procedure at this time, please contact the administration office for further questions. Please also check this website again just before the planned date to find out about the current status.

    Application

    Exams

    General

    Coronaviruses form a large family of viruses that can cause mild colds to severe pneumonia. Coronaviruses include the MERS coronavirus, which first appeared in humans in 2012, and the SARS coronavirus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a novel enveloped coronavirus was identified in China (Wuhan region) on January 7, 2020, which has never been detected in humans before. On 11 February, the WHO announced an official name for the disease: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

    COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person mainly by droplet infection, i.e. by coughing, sneezing or saliva.
    Most infections with the novel coronavirus are mild. Signs of the disease - with or without fever - are:

    •     cough,
    •     sore throat,
    •     shortness of breath ,
    •     difficulty breathing or
    •     sudden loss of the sense of taste/odour

    Only in more severe cases can the infection cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

    Hygiene measures

    Please adhere to the measures ordered by the responsible authorities in the respective country. We recommend increased hygiene measures such as

    •     wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
    •     do not shake hands
    •     wear a facemask
    •     keep at least one meter distance from other persons and avoid close physical contact
    •     Sneez/cough into the sleeve or into bent elbow, if no tissue is available
    •     used paper tissues must be disposed of immediately
    •     open doors with the sleeve or elbow, if possible
    •     avoid large gatherings of people
    •     air rooms regularly
    •     drink plenty of water, because dry mucous membranes of the mouth and nose  encourage an infection

    Please note:
    Please do not come to the FH Campus Wien for 14 days after your return. To be on the safe side, reduce your social contacts for the time being. Inform the office of your degree programme or your supervisor by e-mail or telephone about your absence.

    To be on the safe side, ask here for further information: hotline 0800 555 621 - for general information (24 hours)
     

    We all wash our hands daily. But also properly?
    Soap your hands completely for about 15-20 seconds. The hand cleaning should take about 40-60 seconds.

    Proper hand washing takes 11 steps:

    1.     wet your hands completely with water.
    2.     apply sufficient soap to both palms
    3.     rub palms against each other
    4.     rub the palm with crossed fingers and clean the spaces between the fingers
    5.     rub right palm on left back of hand with crossed fingers, change sides
    6.     interlock fingers and clean the back of the fingers
    7.     wash thumbs with the other hand with a twisting motion
    8.     rub fingertips on palms
    9.     rub wrist rotating
    10.     rinse soap thoroughly with running water
    11.     dry hands completely with disposable towel


    Here you can find a video.

    Rub a handful of hand disinfectant (= 2 to 3 dispenser strokes) until dry. Especially important: rub the disinfectant intensively on finger tips and thumb tips, palms, back of the hand and between the fingers for at least 30 seconds.

    Here you will find detailed step-by-step instructions.

    (22nd January 2021)
    Obligation for FFP2 mask and 2-metre distance

    In response to the new corona mutations, which show a significantly higher risk of infection, the federal government has extended the lockdown and tightened the restrictions. In order to continue to enable safe university operations, we also need to tighten our restrictions:

    Obligation for FFP2 mask and 2-metre distance

    From Monday, 25th January 2021, it will be mandatory to keep a safety distance of at least two metres from each other and to wear an FFP2 mask at all FH Campus Wien locations and cooperative study locations, for your own safety and that of your colleagues.

    As a reminder, here are our four basic rules for common safety:

    1. Stay at home in case of illness
      Generally, anyone who feels ill should stay at home. In case of symptoms of illness that could be related to a Covid-19 disease, is not permitted to come to the FH locations, including cooperative study location of the FH Campus Wien. If you have symptoms or fear that you may be suffering from Covid-19, please stay at home and contact the Health Advice Hotline on 1450. Covid-19 quarantine obligations or illnesses must be reported to your supervisor or the head of your degree programme.
       
    2. Keep your distance
      Maintain a permanent distance of at least two meter between you and another person and avoid touching (e.g., shaking hands, hugging)
       
    3. Wearing an FFP2 mask
      You must wear an FFP2 mask on all premises of the FH Campus Wien. Please put it on as soon as you enter the building.
       
    4.  Wash hands regularly and observe the etiquette for coughing and sneezing
      Disinfect or wash your hands with soap (approx. 40 seconds) after entering the FH Campus Wien and also in between. Avoid touching your face with your hands. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief (and dispose of it as soon as possible in the residual waste - not in the paper waste).

    (14th January 2021)
    FH Campus Vienna remains "red" until Easter

    Unfortunately, the current infection level does not allow for any relaxation in university operations. In order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible and to get through the next few weeks with as much stability as possible, we have decided to keep the Corona traffic light status "red" at the FH Campus Wien until Easter (5th April 2021).

    University operations at a distance

    This means that employees of the FH Campus Wien generally work from home. With a few exceptions, all courses and examinations will remain to be held via distance learning and alternative forms. No events will take place at the FH and the canteen and cafeteria will remain closed until the end of the winter semester. The library and media library will remain open for borrowing, the reading room will remain closed.

    Distance learning and limited face-to-face teaching

    As before, face-to-face teaching is only possible in small groups (max. 15 people) for non-substitutable courses or examinations, subject to the strictest hygiene measures. The university is closed for other activities or meetings as part of the studies (e.g. study groups).

    (4th Dezember 2020)
    FH Campus Wien remains "red"

    In order to further minimise risks and ensure continuity in our university operations, the Corona traffic light status for the FH Campus Wien will remain "red"  until Sunday, 17th January 2021.

    University operations remain at a distance

    Generally, employees of the FH Campus Wien continue to work from home. With a few exceptions, all courses and exams will continue to be taught via remote teaching and alternative forms. There are no courses at the FH and the cafeteria and canteen are closed. The present borrowing operations of the library and media library will continue, however, the reading room will remain closed.

    On-site courses only in exceptional cases

    It is still our primary goal to enable all students to progress in their studies despite these restrictions. As in the past, face-to-face teaching is only possible in small groups (max. 15 persons) for non-substitutable courses in functional rooms and laboratories, in compliance with the strictest hygiene measures. For all other activities or meetings as part of the course (e.g. study groups) the university is closed.

    As of Monday, 7th December, in addition to examinations, courses in other rooms than function rooms and laboratories (e.g. a small group in a seminar room) with a maximum of 15 people can be held on campus. The prerequisite for this is that without holding these courses on campus, the progress of the studies is endangered or the semester cannot otherwise be completed by the students concerned. Students and lecturers can obtain details of possible changes to the timetable from their respective degree programme.

    Covid-19 mass tests in Vienna until 13th December

    All persons resident in Vienna can be tested free-of-charge for a coronavirus infection until 13th December. You will receive the result of the rapid antigen test directly on site at the respective test center. We welcome voluntary participation in a test, as it is a way of identifying individuals with asymptomatic illness and thus also increases the security for our university operations.

    (16th November 2020)
    University operations at a distance

    The situation is serious and we must act again in order to maintain our health system. Therefore, the FH Campus Wien will change its university operations to distance learning as of Tuesday, 17th November 2020. Hence, the corona traffic light status of FH Campus Wien is now "red".

    What does "red" mean for the FH Campus Wien

    The Corona traffic light status "red" means that Working From Home is the preferred working mode for all employees. All courses and exams take place via distance learning and alternative forms. At the FH Campus Wien, all events are cancelled, the cafeteria and canteen as well as the library and media library are closed. Here you can find the Corona traffic light warning system of the FH Campus Wien.

    Distance Learning and alternative forms of examination

    All courses and examinations currently still taking place on campus will be changed to a suitable online form. In certain cases, this may also lead to a change of examination dates or examination modes. Only courses or exams that cannot be substituted or postponed can be held in small groups (max. 15 persons) on campus in compliance with the strictest hygiene regulations. Students will receive details from their respective degree programme.

    FH Campus Wien open to a limited extent only

    All buildings of the FH Campus Wien are only open to a very limited extent for study and teaching activities. For all other activities or meetings as part of the course (e.g. study groups) the university is closed. Final papers can be submitted electronically. The library and media library is closed, collection of pre-ordered media is possible by appointment. Employees of the FH Campus Wien generally work from home. Therefore, please address your enquiries by phone or e-mail to the respective degree programme.

    Come on in: Virtual tour of the FH Campus Wien

    Explore laboratories and functional rooms from home or take a look at the high-tech operating theatre: we bring prospective students directly to the premises of the FH Campus Wien. Here you can take a virtual tour to get an impression of Austria's largest university of applied sciences.

    (2nd November 2020)
    University operations remain up and running

    The aim of the second lockdown is to drastically reduce new infections again so that our health system remains functional. We support the Federal Government's measures to jointly achieve this objective

    FH Campus Wien remains "orange"

    With the traffic light status "orange" at the FH Campus Wien and the measures already implemented, we are well prepared. Moreover, we are once again intensifying Distance Learning and Working From Home in our FH wherever it is reasonable and possible. This is in effect from Tuesday, 3rd November until Monday, 30th November.

    Focus on distance learning, lectures on campus remain possible

    Wherever possible, study and teaching activities will be converted more extensively to distance learning. All non-substitutable courses and examinations will take place on campus, subject to the mandatory code of conduct and hygiene measures as well as our four basic rules. Students and lecturers will receive information on timetable changes from their respective degree programme. Learning groups are only permitted on site in exceptional cases (e.g. if laboratory or function rooms are required).

    Library and media library

    The library and media library are open for borrowing and returning media. The reading room remains closed.

    Cafeteria and canteen

    Unfortunately, it is currently not permitted to open our cafeteria and canteen for the consumption of food. However, in order to provide our employees with food, fresh meals will be prepared for lunch and it is possible to pick up the food until further notice.

    Digital information week for prospective students

    From 16th to 20th November, we will be providing information information on the entire portfolio of degree programmes and further education programmes via online information sessions. Informative talks on admission procedures, degree programmes and career opportunities as well as the experiences of students and graduates will provide prospective students with a basis for making the right choice of studies. A 360° tour of the FH Campus Wien locations provides an authentic insight into the FH premises. Here you can find our programme and the registration.

    (16th September 2020)
    Obligation to wear a facemask and traffic light warning system at the FH Campus Wien

    In order to reduce the risk of infection at the University of Applied Sciences as much as possible, it is obligatory to wear a facemask on all premises of the FH Campus Wien, including the co-operative study locations. Please take a facemask with you and wear it on site as soon as you enter the building. As of Wednesday, 16th September, it is also obligatory to wear a facemask in classrooms. Students, outside courses and examinations on site, and guests are only allowed to come to the FH by appointment.

    Four basic rules for common safety

    Four basic rules apply at the locations and cooperative study locations of the FH Campus Wien. Please protect yourself, your contacts and our health system by adhering to the following rules:

    1. Stay at home in case of illness
      Those who feel ill should always stay at home. In case of symptoms of illness that could be related to a Covid-19 disease, is not permitted to come to the FH locations, including cooperative study location of the FH Campus Wien. If you have symptoms or fear that you may be suffering from Covid-19, please stay at home and contact the Health Advice Hotline on 1450. Covid-19 quarantine obligations or illnesses must be reported to your supervisor or the head of your degree programme.
       
    2. Keep your distance
      Maintain a permanent distance of at least one meter between you and another person and avoid touching (e.g. shaking hands, hugging).
       
    3. Wearing a facemask
      Please bring a facemask with you and wear it on site as soon as you enter the building. A face shield does not replace a facemask and is therefore not sufficient. If the safety distance of at least one meter is maintained at all times, the facemask can be taken off while seated in the office, cafeteria or canteen. The obligation to wear a facemask also applies while seated in the classrooms or during lessons.
       
    4. Wash hands regularly and observe the etiquette for coughing and sneezing
      Disinfect or wash your hands with soap (approx. 40 seconds) after entering the university and also in between. Avoid touching the face with your hands. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief (and dispose of it as soon as possible in the residual waste - not in the paper waste).

    Traffic light warning system at the FH Campus Wien

    Thanks to the early planning of the 2020/21 winter semester and the measures already taken, we are well prepared for the implementation of the Federal Government's measures and the nationwide corona traffic light warning system. Schools and universities currently have the "yellow" traffic light warning status; Vienna, however, has the "orange" traffic light warning status. We have decided to implement additional measures at the FH Campus Wien which are oriented towards the "orange" warning status. Thus we would like to try to ensure a certain continuity in our university operations for the winter semester.

    Here you find an overview of the effects the respective traffic light colour has on the university operations as well as on study and teaching activities.

    (2nd September 2020)
    Winter semester 2020/21: Combination of on-site teaching and distance learning and code of conduct and hygiene measures on site

    Covid-19: Code of conduct and hygiene measures remain in place

    Our aim is to reduce the risk of infection at the University of Applied Sciences as much as possible, which is why we hold on to the necessary code of conduct and hygiene measures during the winter semester.

    Four basic rules for common safety

    Four basic rules apply at the locations and cooperative study locations of the FH Campus Wien. Please protect yourself, your contacts and our health system by adhering to the following rules:

    1. Stay at home in case of illness
      Those who feel ill should always stay at home. In case of symptoms of illness that could be related to a Covid-19 disease, is not permitted to come to the FH locations, including cooperative study location of the FH Campus Wien. If you have symptoms or fear that you may be suffering from Covid-19, please stay at home and contact the Health Advice Hotline on 1450. Covid-19 quarantine obligations or illnesses must be reported to your supervisor or the head of your degree programme.
       
    2. Keep your distance
      Maintain a permanent distance of at least one meter between you and another person and avoid touching (e.g. shaking hands, hugging).
       
    3. Wearing a facemask
      Please take a facemask with you. We ask you to wear it where there is a possibility that the distance of one meter between the two is less than one meter. If the safety distance of at least one meter cannot be maintained permanently, it is mandatory to wear a facemask.
      Attention - new: In the cafeteria and canteen at the main location there is a permanent facemask obligation. You can take off the facemask at the table or after leaving the cafeteria or canteen.
       
    4. Wash hands regularly and observe the etiquette for coughing and sneezing
      Disinfect or wash your hands with soap (approx. 40 seconds) after entering the university and also in between. Avoid touching the face with your hands. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or into a handkerchief (and dispose of it as soon as possible in the residual waste - not in the paper waste).

    Combination of on-site teaching and distance learning

    Due to the hygiene and social distancing guidelines, only a maximum of 40% of the courses can be held on site compared to the last winter semester. On-site teaching is focused on practical courses that are necessary for the acquisition of competences or on courses for which there is no reasonable online alternative. Students will be informed on details about the start of the course and the timetable by the respective degree programme.

    Cafeteria and canteen open

    From 17th August, after the summer break (20th July to 16th August), the cafeteria at the main location in Favoriten will be open again to offer drinks and snacks to students, teachers and staff. From 24th August the canteen will reopen with a limited lunchtime service. Hygiene and social distancing guidelines will also apply.

    Infosessions for prospective students

    Our Open House for prospective students takes place online in November. From Monday, November 16th to Friday, November 20th, we will provide online information about the FH Campus Wien and our degree programmes, as well as online advice on choosing the right programme.