You should start planning your trip at least one year before the start of your stay abroad. If you would like to finance your stay abroad with the help of a scholarship, you should start even earlier.
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Foto: Roberto Pfeil
Your first point of contact is the International Office at your university. There are also sometimes international officers within the departments who can help you.
What agreements are there with foreign universities for my field of study?
Which degree programmes at foreign universities interest me?
What language skills are required? How do I have to prove this (language tests)? And how can I prepare for them if necessary?
What admission requirements do I have to fulfil for the respective degree programme?
How high are the tuition fees? Tuition fees are charged in many countries and can vary greatly.
How can I finance my studies abroad? Are there any funding opportunities?
Can I have my foreign academic achievements and examinations recognised later at my home university?
What additional insurance (e.g. international health insurance) is recommended?
What deadlines and dates do I have to meet (e.g. for enrolment at the foreign university or application for leave of absence at the home university)?
What other administrative preparations do I need to make (e.g. entry and residence regulations, visa requirements, accommodation, applying for a semester abroad, vaccinations, international student card, etc.)?
Information on exchange programmes and cooperation
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides important information about studying abroad (www.daad.de).
At www.hochschulkompass.de you can find out which universities abroad your university cooperates with. If a stay abroad is very important to you, you can also include information on international cooperation and exchange programmes in your choice of university.
Language skills
Depending on your destination country, you should endeavour to obtain any necessary proof of language skills at an early stage.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are the most frequently required standardised language tests in English-speaking countries. You can find information about the costs and dates of these language tests at www.ets.org/toefl or www.ielts.org.
The D.A.L.F. (diplôme approfondi de langue française) certifies that you have the language skills required to study a subject of your choice at a French university. Holders of the D.A.L.F. are therefore exempt from entry language tests at all French universities. Specific information for pupils and students can be found on the website of the Franco-German Cultural Institute (www.institutfrancais.de) and on the website www.allemagne.campusfrance.org, which is published by the French Embassy.
