Take off internationally - broaden your horizons

Do you want to immerse yourself in a foreign culture, meet new people and perhaps even live, study or work in another country for a while? A stay abroad not only enriches your CV, but also offers you countless personal experiences and the opportunity to make new friends.

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A person with a backpack crosses a suspension bridge that spans a gorge. In the background, mountains and trees are visible as the sun rises on the horizon.

Your own path to going abroad

No matter for how long you want to leave - there are several ways to spend a period of your studies abroad. Here are some options:

  • Study abroad:
    • A semester abroad at one of our many partner universities is most suitable for your 2nd or 3rd year of study.
    • If you're a Master's student, you should talk to the head of your degree programme immediately after starting your studies.
    • Spots at our partner universities are limited, so we do a selection procedure in which good academic performance and motivation are an advantage.
  • Internship abroad:
    • Compulsory internships in all Bachelor's programmes and some Master's programmes can be completed abroad.
    • An internship abroad can be a valuable advantage for future job applications. You can find tips and interesting offers at or you can ask your professors for advice.
    • The career service can help you find an internship abroad.
  • Thesis abroad:
    • STEM students can write their thesis in collaboration with international colleagues. Contact your professor for more on this.
  • Summer schools or International Week:
    • If you prefer a shorter stay abroad, programmes like summer schools or International Weeks are the perfect solution.
    • Many partner universities offer programmes in summer or International Weeks. You can ask the International Office for advice.
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Our partner universities

maintains partnerships with universities from Eastern Europe to North America. We're constantly expanding this network to offer you even more opportunities

How to apply? A guide.

How to get abroad, step by step

Application deadline Autumn Semester 2026/27: 

30.11.2025 (the portal opens 17.11)

Application documents and selection process for nomination

Please apply via the , fill in the relevant information and submit everything together with the required documents by the application deadline.
 

Application documents:

  • current certificate of enrolment
  • Current transcript of records 
  • Proof of language proficiency (language of instruction at the partner university)
  • Letter of motivation (approx. 200 words, written in English)
  • Passport copy

Places at the partner universities are limited. If the number of applications for a partner university exceeds the number of places available, a selection process will take place.
These rules apply:

  • We will consider applications received by the application deadline.
  • A semester abroad is intended to promote intercultural exchange.


We therefore give lower priority to applications from students who would like to go to their home country (example: you are a French citizen and would like to spend your semester abroad in Paris).
 

Each application can achieve a maximum of 100 points in the selection process (+20 bonus points). The score is made up of the following categories

  1. Overall impression of the application
  2. Academic achievements: Grade point average
  3. Letter of motivation
  4. Bonus points: social and ecological commitment

Based on these selection criteria, an individual score is calculated for each student. Students with the highest number of points are allocated a place at the university that they named as their first priority in their application. After the place capacity for a university is exhausted, the applicant with a lower score is given second or third preference. 
We will inform you as soon as you have received a place at one of our partner universities.

As soon as you have received your official nomination for a place at the partner university, you can prepare your application documents for your host university. The respective partner university will inform you which documents you have to hand in and when are the deadlines.

If you compile the documents completely and submit them by the deadline, your application will usually be accepted by the partner university. Ultimately, however, it is the host university that has the final decision in the selection of its exchange students.

Course selection and confirmation of your courses
You must discuss your course selection with your programme director before departure and have it confirmed in a document called the Course Approval Form..

After that, you need to enter this information in your  Only once your programme director has confirmed your course selection can you be sure that the ECTS credits you earn at the partner university will be recognized at .

Often, the course lists of the partner universities are only published after the application process, so it cannot be guaranteed that you will always find suitable courses. This occurs especially where specific courses need to be substituted.

Documents for your Erasmus+ or PROMOS scholarship
As soon as you have been accepted by a partner university, the International Office of will send you an email with all the information about the application process and the application deadline.

Further information about Erasmus+ and PROMOS funding can be found further down on this page.

Preparing for your stay abroad

As soon as you have been officially accepted by the partner university, you will receive a letter of acceptance. Please send this to the International Office.

Now you can start the final preparations for your stay abroad:

  • Apply for a visa (if necessary)
  • Make sure you have sufficient insurance cover for the host country (health, accident, travel and liability insurance)
  • Find accommodation
  • Make travel arrangements etc.

You can also ask the International Office at your host university for advice on how to proceed.

During your stay abroad

Once you arrive at your host university, have the Arrival Confirmation Form signed and send it to the International Office via email.

If there are any changes to your course selection at the beginning or during your studies abroad, refer to your Course Approval document and choose courses from the Backup Courses table. You must immediately communicate any changes to the International Office and update your Online Learning Agreement to obtain approval from both universities.

If it is already foreseeable that you will not be able to achieve sufficient ECTS in your study abroad (courses not passed, no course change possible), please contact your programme director immediately and discuss the options you have in order to still be able to achieve your outstanding achievements.

If for any reason (illness, accident, indisposition, etc.) you wish to discontinue your stay abroad, please contact the International Office and your programme director as soon as possible so we can discuss the next steps.

After returning from abroad

You must submit the following documents to the International Office no later than 30 days after your last day of study abroad:

  • A written report (German/English, 2-4 pages, preferably with photos) on your study experience abroad with information on your preparations, accommodation search, courses at your host university, everyday life in your host country and general feedback on your experience. The report may be made available to other interested students in anonymised form.
  • Official transcript of records of the courses you have completed at the partner university abroad (issued by the host university, please also send it to the examination office for recognition)
  • Erasmus+ and PROMOS funded students must submit additional documents and will be informed by the International Office

We would be delighted if you are willing to share your experiences with other students after your return.

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Erasmus+ and co.
Funding opportunities

There are various scholarship programmes to help you realise your stay abroad. You can apply directly to the International Office for most programmes; you can find the individual programmes under this link.

Your preparation

FAQs about your stay abroad

You can find all the information you need about studying abroad, internships, funding, events, scholarships and experience reports on our website or directly from our contacts in the International Office.

The best time depends on your degree programme. Many programmes include a compulsory semester abroad. Check the module handbook or speak to your programme director. You can also apply to a partner university without a compulsory semester, although you will have to adjust your courses at accordingly.

A semester abroad usually lasts three to six months. If you are interested in a longer stay, the International Office at will check the options with you. If you are there, you may also be able to extend your stay. Discuss your plans in good time.

Yes, you can complete both a study abroad programme and an internship. Funded stays of up to 12 months per study period are possible via Erasmus+, but funding cannot be guaranteed.

If you are interested in a university without a partnership, you can apply as a freemover. However, this requires more organisation. You are responsible for the application, deadlines and course selection. The International Office offers support, but funding via Erasmus+ is not possible in this case.

Whether you need a visa depends on your country of origin and the country of destination. Find out in good time on the website of the embassy of your destination country. The International Office will help you with questions and the necessary documents.

Yes, you are responsible for your own insurance cover. EU citizens should be insured via the EHIC. We also recommend that you take out accident and liability insurance. With Erasmus+ you can take out DAAD group insurance.

Early information about financing options is crucial. These include BAföG abroad, various scholarships and student loans. If you are studying via Erasmus+, you can apply for a scholarship via , but financial support cannot be guaranteed. Alternatively, the PROMOS scholarship is available for freemovers. It is important to note that you will continue to pay the tuition fees during your studies abroad, but no additional fees will be charged at the partner university.

Financial support cannot be guaranteed. If there are more applications than the budget, we will have to make a selection. Find out about alternative funding options in good time.

Language skills depend on your destination country and the host university. Check the requirements of the partner university and consider taking language courses at to improve your skills.

The course selection is made in the Learning Agreement, which you must discuss with your degree programme director. Make sure that the selected courses can be credited. Changes to the course selection must be communicated and confirmed immediately.

Recognition is based on the Learning Agreement, which must be approved before the stay. After completing your studies abroad, you must submit the Transcript of Records together with the Learning Agreement to the Examination Office.

Inform the International Office and your degree programme director immediately if you fail any courses. Together we will decide how you can catch up on your achievements.

Contact the International Office as soon as possible if you wish to cancel your stay. If you are already abroad, also inform your degree programme director.

Application & support

Last call for the winter semester 2025 🎓
Apply for your dream degree programme by November 1.