Student survey 2025: Opportunities and challenges during your studies!

Student survey 2025: Opportunities and challenges during your studies!

On May 21, 2025, the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) published the results of its annual student survey (FAU-St). This survey, which is carried out under the direction of the Central University Administration L 1 Legal Affairs and Quality Management, aims to evaluate the opportunity structures and participation opportunities at the university. Particular attention is paid to various axes of diversity, which underlines the relevance of the study.

The FAU-St has been held annually since 2017 and has evolved over time. In 2017, a voluntary additional module on topics such as educational background, migration and parenthood was integrated for the first time. An additional module on gender diversity followed in 2020 in order to obtain as comprehensive a picture of the students as possible. This continuous development of the survey is intended to help identify both strengths and weaknesses of the study situation and to further develop the study programs.

Basic scientific survey

The FAU-St is part of a comprehensive trend study that addresses the living and study situation of students in Germany. This scientifically based study combines surveys that were previously carried out separately, including the social survey, the student survey and the “studying with disabilities” project. It offers the most comprehensive and differentiated analysis of its kind in Germany. The data collected is essential for educational policy monitoring and also serves the scientific community.

The topics of the study are diverse and range from the social and economic situation of the students to their study situation to student attitudes, commitment and educational goals. Special attention is also paid to social disparities in studies and the special situation of students with health impairments. With the support of the German Student Union and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the survey is carried out every four years, with the next round scheduled for the summer semester of 2025.

Integration of diversity and equal opportunities

A central concern of the FAU student survey is the consideration of diversity within the student population. The data collected is intended to help improve equal opportunities at the university and reduce barriers. The annual surveys are not only a response to current developments, but also an important part of the FAU's long-term strategy, which can provide guidance for future educational policy measures.

With a focus on diversity and social justice, those responsible at FAU feel well equipped to address the challenges in higher education and continually improve study conditions. The results of FAU-St are expected by the entire university community and serve as a basis for decision-making for future steps to further develop the study offerings.

Further information about the FAU-St results and the additional modules is available on the FAU website. Reports from other institutions, such as the Gender and diversity as well as that German Center for University and Science Research, provide additional context and information on the long-term trends in higher education in Germany.