International
Information for International Students
We would like to inform everyone who is studying and working at TH OWL about the current status of the corona virus on this page. We have established a Corona-Action-Team, which coordinates the prevention measures at TH OWL and is in regular contact with the health authorities.
Here you will find an overview of all current regulations, answers to the most important questions as well as further information about the operation at the university.
What are the current regulations?
| That's what it's about | Status | Current regulations |
|---|---|---|
Teaching and practical events | ✅ yes | Teaching and pracitcal events will take place primarily online. A requirement for participation is a 3G certificate (Vaccinated - Recovered - Tested) and a fixed seat during the event. In these events, either a distance of at least 1.5 m between participants or the wearing of a mask must be ensured. |
| Exams | ✅ yes | The exams will take place digitally or in presence as planned. Corona protection measures apply as in these "current regulations" defined. Information about examinations will be published on the website of the respective department. |
| Student workspaces | ✅ | Student workspaces can now be used for individual learning. For the use of study group spaces, please notify the dean's office of their use. The responsible person must ensure that the 3G certificates are checked. For non-immunized persons, the contact restrictions according to § 6 of the CoronaSchutzVerordnung apply within the scope of these events. |
| Libraries and service points | ✅ yes | Current information on opening and service times of the libraries and service points can be found on the S(kim) pages. You can reach the telephone support team at extension 2222. In addition, the team is available 24 hours a day via the "S(kim) Service-Point (Online)" or by e-mail via support(at)th-owl.de. |
| Consulting and service | ✅ yes 🖥 digital | Appointments with the Student Advisory Service, the International Office, the Career Service, and the Enrollment Office can be made by phone or e-mail. |
| Central hotline for infection and quarantine cases | ✅ yes | TH OWL has set up a central hotline for all students and employees: +49 5261 702 2133 |
FAQ – Enrolled students
All participants must have a valid 3G certificate (vaccinated, tested, recovered) when attending a face-to-face event at the TH OWL. All three variants apply equally to access to courses.
- Since October 25th, 2021, the inspection teams carry out spot checks at the clearly defined 3G entrances but also at the events. Please have your 3G proof and your student ID or ID card ready. For 3G certificate, please use the CovPass app from the Robert Koch Institute.
- Event organizers are also entitled to check the 3G certificates.
- People who cannot provide evidence will have to leave the event and will be reported to the judicial office.
- This must also be reported as a violation of the 3G regulation to the regulatory authorities, who can punish with a fine of up to € 25,000. This is mandatory in the Corona Protection Ordinance.
- Forgotten 3G certificates can be submitted (within 8 hours) to the email address justiziariat@th-owl.de.
- Teachers as well as employees are also included in the 3G spot checks in all events of the curriculum (internships, exercises, lectures, etc.) as well as in events open to the public at the university (FBR meetings, senate meetings, etc.). The current Corona Protection Ordinance of the MAGS NRW regulates that all event participants must provide proof of 3G.
Please check, if the vaccine used has a valid authorisation from the European Commission.
If not, it will most probably be necessary for you to get vaccinated again.
You can get in contact with Professor Dr. med. Manfred Pilgramm in Detmold. The professor and doctor offers guidance in cases like yours. You can contact him on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 to 8 am and from 6 to 7 pm. The phone number is +49 170 44 15 435.
You will find more information about this councel offer on our website (in German).
You have already got yourself tested or did a rapid test with a positive result, then please proceed as follows:
- Stay at home, isolate yourself and do not receive any visitors.
- Have a PCR test done: You can frequent your practical doctor or a testing service station that offers PCR tests (testing stations can be found here). Please inform them about the positive result of your test.
- Isolate yourself at home until the PCR test result is available. This instruction also concerns all members of your household!
- You also have the option to contact the on-call service of our Lippe region via phone: 116 117
1. I am completely vaccinated or recovered
a) You have the option to be directly released from quarantine if you send a respective proof via email. However, the virus can be transfered in spite of the vaccination. Therefore, please follow these measurements for 10 days: limit your contacts, wear an FFP2 mask. Regular self-testing is sensible.
b) Symptoms appear within these 10 days? Please have yourself tested with a PCR test at your practical doctor and inform upfront about having been a contact person. You can also inform the health department about your symptoms and your contact data via mail: c.Postfach@kreis-lippe.de
2. I am NOT completely vaccinated or recovered
a) You need to quarantine yourself for 10 days (starting from the last contact you had with an infected person)
b) What do you have to consider when quarantined? Please find all relevat information here: Quarantine: Latest regulations
Symptoms appear? Please have yourself tested with a PCR test at your practical doctor and inform upfront about having been a contact person. You can also inform the health department about your symptoms and your contact data via mail: c.Postfach@kreis-lippe.de
If you have received warnings via the Corona Warning app or have had contact with infected individuals, please follow these guidelines from the federal government.
Persons who are unable to receive vaccinations for medical reasons may continue to be tested free of charge by presenting a medical certificate, according to the current political ruling.
Currently, there is no infection chain tracing on the part of TH OWL. Fixed seating arrangements must be maintained in the events. Please note and inform your contacts independently, for example via the Corona warning app. In case of infection or quarantine, follow the instructions of the health authority. It decides on the quarantine of contacts at the university. Careful adherence to our hygiene concept aims to minimize the risk of infection as far as possible.
Students who can prove by a medical certificate that they are unable to attend in-class lectures at the university, please contact their department or lecturers directly. In a joint discussion, possible individual alternatives can be discussed. Should support become necessary, please contact Hanna Lohau, the head of the Central Student Advisory Service.
The cafeterias and student dining halls at our campuses in Lemgo, Detmold and Höxter have reopened. In all facilities you need a 3G certificate. The applicable hygiene regulations and current opening hours can be found on the pages of the Studierendenwerk Bielefeld.
In addition to the outdoor facilities of the campus, free seminar rooms are available for your convenience. Please contact your department to find out which free seminar rooms you are allowed to use. The cafeteria is currently not permitted as a common room.
Student workspaces may again be used for individual learning. Learning groups will be reported to the Dean's Office and will be required to provide 3G verification checks.
All departments of the TH OWL have their own websites where you can find current information about courses and exams as well as information concerning your study program:
On our page "Living in OWL" you will find bundled information about the housing market in Lemgo, Detmold and Höxter.
Your student ID card shows the "standard period of study".The state of North Rhine-Westphalia has extended the "individual standard period of study" in relation to the pandemic, which means that:
- Students who have been enrolled since the summer semester 2020 have an increased individual standard period of study of 3 semesters
- Students who have been enrolled since the winter semester 2020/2021 have an increased individual standard period of study of 2 semesters.
- Students who have been enrolled since the summer semester 2021 have an increased individual standard period of study of 1 semester.
If you need a certificate of the individual standard period of study for your employer, your health insurance company or the Studierendenwerk, please send your request by e-mail to immatrikulationsamt(at)th-owl.de.
No, a refund of the semester fee for the past online semesters is not possible, as the amount is made up of running costs.
The Studierendenwerk Bielefeld provides information on its website about the legal regulations for financial aid that compensate for pandemic-related study restrictions, such as short-time work allowance from parents or the loss of one's own part-time job.
Basically, students who are unable to complete their specialized internship/practical semester due to the current situation, or who may only be able to complete it at a later date, should not suffer any study-related disadvantages as a result. As a rule, the examination offices will grant pragmatic solutions, such as an extension of the deadline for the proof of studies, etc. Please check the homepage of your department or contact your local examination office!
Current information on foreign language offers can be found on the pages of the ZA Fremdsprachen. If you have any questions, you can reach the team by phone or e-mail using the contacts provided.
We are currently in a special situation. The corona virus limits our social contacts and the opportunity to go to work. If you do research, study, teach or work at the TH OWL and you realize that you are overwhelmed by the situation or need mental support, do not hesitate to contact the following addresses:
Initial psychosocial counseling for employees
Telephone: +495231 975 823
Mobile: +49 160 3812387
Email: gerlinde.dingerkus(at)hfm-detmold.de
