Other forms of stays abroad

Are you thinking about completing your consecutive studies abroad or are you planning to graduate outside of Germany? A full degree means studying abroad from the first semester to graduation.

Here you should be sure that you will actually complete this course of study abroad, as a change from a foreign university back to Germany may be difficult. In particular, the recognition of examinations is problematic in individual cases, but the recognition of degrees in the public or medical field can also cause difficulties.

You should obtain information at an early stage regarding the financing of your full studies. Scholarships usually do not support the entire duration of the study. If you are entitled to apply, you are entitled to BAFöG abroad within the EU and Switzerland.

Further information can be found on the DAAD website.

Partial studies are termed stays abroad during your studies at a German university. You usually spend a semester or academic year in another country at a partner university of the FSU.

The FSU offers various programmes for exchange stays, which you can view on the Study Abroad pages and subsequently.

Have you already considered a partner university with which the FSU has no cooperation agreement or do you want to independently look for a host university? No problem! Explore the world as a free mover!

As the name "Free Mover" suggests, you go on your international adventure on your own. This means the independent search for a host university and the entire organization of the stay abroad. You must clarify all the formalities and modalities yourself. Despite the much higher organizational effort compared to an exchange program such as ERASMUS +, it can be worthwhile to get to know the world as a free mover, because you can organize your stay according to your individual wishes.

Advantages

• free choice of the target country
• free choice of host university abroad
• free choice of length of stay abroad
• Crediting of course achievements via the Learning Agreement (this has to be discussed and filled out with the coordinator of your department)

Disadvantages

• Tuition fees at the host university generally have to be borne by the student, but there are still numerous financing options that you can take advantage of.

Financing

Be it a BAföG abroad grant, scholarship or student loan: your stay abroad should not fail due to financial means. So get information about financing options early on. For example, as a free mover you can also receive support from the PROMOS scholarship programme for study visits or theses abroad. For more information, see funding opportunities for stays abroad.

The Career Service of the FSU offers an information portal on career orientation, qualification and entry. Links to job exchanges and much more are also available for job opportunities abroad.

Student group trips are ideal for visits, specialist courses and workshops in the higher education sector, with the exception of compulsory excursions. The application must be made by a university lecturer from the FSU.

Study trips by German student groups can be funded worldwide. The aim of the funding is to impart specialist knowledge through appropriate visits, visits and information talks in the higher education sector, as well as participation in specialist courses, block seminars and workshops at partner universities. At the same time, the encounter with local students and scientists should contribute to the establishment and maintenance of contacts between German and foreign universities and gain a cultural insight into economic, political and cultural life.

You can find information on the PROMOS scholarship for student group travel here.