FAQ: Information on the Coronavirus

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19

On this page, we have compiled up-to-the-minute information for our students or prospective students about studying and applying in light of the special circumstances of the Corona virus pandemic.

In all indoor areas of the CBS, it is now only recommended to wear at least one medical mask.

Should the legal requirements or the infection situation change, we will re-evaluate the framework conditions and adjust them if necessary.

We recommend for you to get your vaccination against Covid-19 in your home country in full prior to departure (at least 14 days since last dose). Only certain types of vaccines are accepted by authorities when proof of complete vaccination. Please refer to Paul-Ehrlich-Institut to check for vaccines and required doses.

How will the Assessment Days take place?

Our Assessment Days will be conducted via online-tests and Teams interviews. Please register for it using our application form.

After your registration, you will receive further information on the procedure and the access data for the test. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our applicant management staff at admissions@cbs.de.

What format is the Open Campus & Info Sessions

All study information events will take place online or on site. We cordially invite you to our online information events!

In the meantime, we are pleased to advise you.

e-Mail study@cbs.de

Telephone:
Campus Cologne/Brühl: +49 221/93 18 09 - 31

Campus Mainz: +49 6131/88 0 55 - 31

Campus Potsdam: +49 0331/98 39 810 – 210

Campus Neuss/Aachen/Solingen: +49 2232567-243

per Skype via study@cbs-mail.de
(appointments before by e-mail)

How can I get in touch with the CBS student advisory service?

Our student counsellors are available to answer your questions about our study programmes and your application by telephone and e-mail. On request, they can also advise you via Skype and, by individual arrangement, on site at our campuses.

Please note: Consultations on campus can currently only be carried out in compliance with the current hygiene measures (wearing a mouth/nose protection, keeping a safe distance).

Anika Zaeske
Student advisor Campus Cologne/Campus Potsdam
Tel: +49 0221/93 18 09 - 31
e-mail: study@cbs.de
Skype: study@cbs-mail.de

Leah Krug
Student advisor Campus Mainz
Tel: +49 06131/88 055 - 31
e-mail: study@cbs.de
Skype: study@cbs-mail.de

When do lectures start at the CBS?

Please find the exact dates here.

What is the current situation in Germany?

The situation is improving and the handling of the situation in Germany has received some international appraisals. Containment measures and early tests are working well in Germany and the health system has never been overwhelmed at this time. We hope for an improved situation very soon. The lockdown in Germany has been relaxed since April 2022 and many activities under the conditions of hygiene measures are permitted.

What are the measures that the government is taking?

Measures to slow down the spread of the virus have been put in place and these include restricting movements and awareness and strengthening the health facilities. It is not compulsory to wear a mask in parts of public spaces (supermarkets, public transport services) any longer. However, individual locations might still ask customers to wear face masks or show some proof of vaccination or a test. Measures are subject to daily scrutiny and may vary across the country.

How likely is it that I can start my studies at CBS in Germany with the situation in Europe?

In general, we would like to say that the situation is consciously being addressed in Germany and all authorities are carefully assessing the situation according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. Appropriate decisions and measures are being taken whenever the need arises. The strong Health System in Germany will also help in quickly overcoming the situation.

Can I still be able to reach CBS If I have any questions regarding my admission to CBS?

Yes, we can still be reached at the known email addresses and phone numbers.

Will the upcoming semester and intake take place as usual at CBS?

Yes. All plans are ongoing for the upcoming semester to start as scheduled in August 2021. As such, the fall semester starting at the end of August is planned to start with face-to-face classes at the original scheduled time, or with combination of digital teaching formats and on-campus lectures. This way you will still start your semester either online or on campus. Students who will be able to obtain visas on time and have no travel restrictions can hopefully join the semester in August on campus right away and those who will have visa delays or travel restrictions, will also still start the semester online and then join the semester as soon as their visas have been issued or they are able travel. In this case and irrespective of the situation, no one will miss any activities, as every student will be able to start the semester either ways.

Does CBS plan to postpone the next semester?

For now, we are planning the semester as it is and plan the semester to start as scheduled.

In case I already got a study place and contract at CBS, is it wise to sign the study contract and secure the study place now because of the current situation?

We advise you to proceed and secure your study place. The current situation will not last forever and students will always have the flexibility of amending their study contract to next semester or canceling it outrightly in case the situation worsened.

What should I do in case I have signed my study contract at CBS but could not travel or obtain a visa to Germany on time?

Since the semester is carried out with the combination of digital teaching formats and on-campus lectures, we are happy to be able to offer online classes for those who won’t be able to join lectures on campus right from the beginning of the semester due to the situation and can join the semester as soon as they are able to travel to Germany.

What if the delay is longer than expected?

CBS is flexible in matters relating to the Coronavirus for the upcoming semester as regards physical class attendance. So in case of prolonged delay arising due to the Coronavirus and you are not able to resume for your study after securing admission at CBS and paying the required deposit, you can start the lectures online and then join as soon as the situation permits you to travel.

In extra-ordinary longer delays, you can flexibly move your admission to the next intake.

In case of a visa refusal (not related to Coronavirus) our usual cancellation rules apply.

In case I have signed my study contract at CBS and paid the required tuition deposit and the situation doesn’t improve until the start of my studies, will I be able to postpone or cancel my contract study and claim the refund of any fees already paid?

Should any problem arise due to the coronavirus and you not be able to resume your study after securing admission at CBS and paying the required deposit, you can flexibly move your admission to the next intake or outrightly cancel your contract. Should you have to cancel your contract due to the coronavirus situation, all the paid tuition fee deposits will be refunded. However, in case of a visa refusal (not related to coronavirus), our usual cancellation rules apply and we will refund the deposit except the 600 EUR registration fee.

Should I proceed with my application for a study programme at CBS or wait till the situation improves?

We strongly recommend that you proceed with your study arrangement at CBS as soon as possible. In case the situation is contained in a few weeks, it might be too late to start the process by then. There is room to always shift your study intake to the next available semester in case the situation prolonged longer than usual.

Should I proceed with the visa application process to study at CBS in Germany?

We strongly advise that everyone who already secured a study place at CBS should proceed with all visa arrangements for the start of their studies in August 2021.

In case that the German embassy in your home country is not closed and are accepting visa applications, delaying the visa application to a later time might be too late for you to receive your student visa for Germany, so please start the process as soon as possible. But in case you are not able to submit your visa application due to closure of your local German embassy, don’t worry; you can start the process as soon as the embassy resumes operation and you will still be able to start the semester online in August and then join the semester as soon as you obtain your visa and able to travel.

What do I do if the German embassy requires a confirmation from CBS that I am allowed to join the semester at a later time?

Don’t worry, should you require a DELAY CONFIRMATION LETTER to support your visa application, please do let us know and we will send the same to you.

Are the campuses open?

Yes, the service facilities can be visited by our students during the usual opening hours. For all other information regarding closures, please visit gethelp@cbs.de.

Are all service facilities available as usual?

Yes

Can individual rooms be booked outside of lectures?

Currently, it is not possible to book any rooms.

What should I do if I test positive?

Please contact us at gethelp@cbs.de.

Can I schedule a meeting with a student advisor despite Corona?

Due to the current situation, student advisory sessions usually take place by phone or as virtual meetings. Personal consultations are also possible by individual arrangements, in accordance with the current hygiene regulations.

How can I reach the lecturers outside of the attendance phase?

You can reach the lecturers via E-Mail or MS Teams.

What do I need to participate in digital lectures?

You need a functioning digital device (laptop, PC, tablet) and a stable internet connection as well as a headset.

Are the digital lectures recorded?

Yes, they are being recorded. This means that international students or fellow students who are ill also have the opportunity to view the content with a delay.

Why should I update my contact details?

So that we can inform you at any time about canceled events, changes, or a possible infection.

In which form will the exams take place in the next semester?

The mode of exams for the next semester will be announced in coordination with the lecturers and the examination office and will depend on the current situation.

What are the symptoms of Corona?

A corona infection manifests itself through flu-like symptoms:

dry cough
Fever
Runny nose
Fatigue
Respiratory problems
Sore throat
Headaches and aching limbs
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Chills

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health)

How is the coronavirus transmitted?

The coronavirus is transmitted from person to person, mainly via droplet infection. The transmission can be

directly from person to person via the mucous membranes or
indirectly via hands, which then come into contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth or nose or the conjunctiva of the eyes.

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health)

How do I protect myself from the coronavirus?

The behaviours are identical to those for protection against flu viruses:

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly,
cover mouth/nose when coughing/sneezing with bent arm or tissue
keep your distance from unwell persons
Do not shake hands.
If possible, you should also
has decided not to travel,
Avoid public transport,
stay away from events with lots of people,
any contacts are reduced.

(Source: Federal Ministry of Health)

What is the difference between a suspicious and a confirmed case?

A well-founded suspicion can be assumed if

– you were in an international risk area up to 14 days before your illness

– You have had or have had contact with a person who is or has been proven to be infected with coronavirus

The case is confirmed if

– a laboratory test showed evidence of coronavirus infection.

The Robert Koch Institute offers a constantly updated overview of all risk areas: https://bit.ly/39Qg5kz

How do I act if I think I’ve been infected?

please check whether your symptoms are due to a reasonable suspicion
if there is a well-founded suspicion, call your family doctor or the responsible health office (you can find a research tool here: https://tools.rki.de/PLZTool/de-DE). The attending doctor will perform a quick test by nasopharyngeal swab.

Please contact the CBS and inform the CBS team about your illness at gethelp@cbs.de. The team will get in touch with you.

with a coronavirus infection you should follow the instructions of your treating physician and observe home quarantine for the duration of the incubation period (14 days). During this time you are not allowed to enter the CBS (ban on entering and visiting).
please keep in touch with the CBS team by email and inform them regularly about your state of health.

What do I do if I suspect to be corona positive?

Please check whether you have a reason to suspect infection.
In case of reason to suspect infection, please call your GP or the responsible health department (Gesundheitsamt). You may find one via: https://tools.rki.de/PLZTool/de-DE). Your GP will use a quick smear test.
In case you are confirmed to have coronavirus, you are required to follow the advice of your GP. Also, you need to stay in domestic quarantine for an incubation period of 5 days. During this time you are not allowed on CBS premises (ban on entering the premises).
Please keep in touch via E-Mail to our CBS team and regularly update them on your state of health.

Since 9 June 2020, it has been possible to test people for the corona virus even if they do not show any symptoms. Backdated to the 14th May, all tests for members of a statutory health insurance scheme in Germany will be paid for by that same scheme.

What is a domestic quarantine?

Home quarantine is a protective measure which largely excludes the affected or potentially ill persons from participating in social life.

The following measures must be observed:

– Do not leave your home without the explicit permission of the health department. For the period of domestic quarantine you are subject to observation by the public health department in accordance with § 29 of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG).

– Do not receive visits from persons who do not belong to your household.

During the time of the domestic quarantine, representatives of the health authority will carry out examinations and withdrawals of your body in order to ensure a quick recovery. This concerns above all swabs of skin and mucous membranes, blood samples and X-ray examinations.

(Source: Robert Koch Institute)

Can I get a vaccination in Germany?

The City of Cologne offers Covid-vaccinations to anybody who has not been vaccinated, regardless of their residency. The vaccination centers can be visited by all persons without prior appointments. CBS students are welcome to get a vaccination on Cologne.

More information