Planning a stay abroad

There are many different reasons for choosing to study abroad. Bearing that in mind, the first thing you have to consider before making any plans is what motivates you, what are your goals, what are your expectations and wishes? You have to have a clear idea of these before you can sort through the wide range of opportunities and find the one most suited to you.

Reasons for studying abroad may be:

• Increasing your subject knowledge
• Specializing in subjects that interest you but are not offered by FAU
• Benefiting from the research expertise of a foreign university
• Receiving further qualifications by obtaining a qualification from a foreign university
• Getting to know another teaching and learning culture
• Having course achievements obtained abroad accredited to make the most of time spent abroad.
• Improving your language skills
• Developing skills in dealing with other cultures
• Experiencing something new
• Facing a new challenge and personal development

There are two options for studying abroad:

Option 1: Completing a study stay abroad whilst still studying at FAU, without obtaining an additional qualification.

In the case of a stay abroad of between one and two semesters, you remain enrolled at FAU and are enrolled at the host university as an exchange student or a visiting student).

During your time spent studying abroad, you complete course achievements and sit examinations, but you do not receive a qualification from the host university (non-degree seeking student).

FAU has numerous partner universities throughout the world, allowing you to arrange a study stay abroad as part of an exchange program.

Option 2: Completing a full degree program abroad and obtaining a qualification.

If you are completing a full degree program abroad, you should enroll as a regular degree-seeking student at the university abroad. One example: After completing your Bachelor’s degree at FAU, you may decide, for instance, to complete a Master’s degree program at a university in Sweden.

It is up to you to organize your own studies abroad if you choose this option. FAU does not offer any advice specifically tailored to this situation. Useful information on degrees available, admission requirements and tuition fees is available directly from the university you are interested in and on the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Support is also available from organizations for promoting education in the host countries such as Education USA, the Ranke-Heinemann Institute (Australia and New Zealand) or the British Council (United Kingdom).

Double degree programs offered by FAU are a special alternative for studying abroad.

You should take certain factors into consideration when selecting your destination.

• Higher education system: What is the education system in the country like with regard to schools and institutes of higher education? What type of universities are there? What is the quality of higher education?
• Semester dates: The academic year is organized differently in other countries than in Germany. Semester dates may vary not only from the German system but also from one university to another. Refer to the institution’s “Academic Calendar” for reliable information.
• Teaching and learning culture: What is everyday student life like? Which differences to studying at FAU should you expect (age of students, liberal or more rigid degree programs, relationship between lecturers/professors/tutors and students)?
• Language: What is the teaching language? Which language skills are needed to take part successfully in classes? What proof of language ability do you need?
• Visa requirements: Which visa and entry requirements apply? Are any costs incurred for applying for a visa? Are any difficulties to be expected? Information is available from the Federal Foreign Office (for German nationals) and embassies and consulates in the host country.
• Costs and funding: Are tuition fees charged? How high is the cost of living? What funding options are available (own funds, scholarships, waiver of tuition fees within the context of exchange programs with FAU)?
• Situation in the country: What is the political, economic and social situation in the country? Are there security issues to be taken into consideration? What has to be considered when it comes to health care before departure (immunization) and the medical care available in the country? Initial information can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
• Culture: How do people live in the country, what is special about their culture? Which cultural differences should you be aware of? Refer to guidebooks, travel reports and reports on people’s experiences to get an initial overview.

A good place to start finding out about studying abroad is the website of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Under “Länderinformationen” you can find information (in German) about higher education systems and universities abroad.

FAU cooperates with a number of foreign institutes of higher education. A number of these partner universities offer the option of studying one to two semesters abroad. Initial information on FAU’s exchange programs is available on the interactive map of the world and FAU’s website. Please contact the relevant coordinators if you have any specific questions on courses on offer. It is also worth looking at the partner universities’ websites for more information.

Advantages of studying at one of FAU’s partner universities:

• Tuition fees usually waived
• Advice and support from FAU
• Easier to gain admission to the partner university
• Accreditation arranged
• Access to scholarship programs

Points of contact for information on partner universities for specific faculties and degree programs:

• Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology: International Office
• Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law (School of Business, Economics and Society): International Relations Office
• Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law (School of Law): Internationalization coordinators
• Faculty of Medicine: Office of the Dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Sciences: Internationalization coordinator
• Faculty of Engineering: Office for Student Information and Advice

In most cases, students have several options at various partner universities.

Selection criteria for finding a suitable host university:

Quality of the university in the subject in question

• Suitable choice of courses
• Teaching language
• Admission requirements
• Extent of supervision at the partner university
• Costs

The application procedures and application deadlines are not the same for all study stays at FAU partner universities. The formalities, deadlines and offices for submission vary depending on the partner university. You must make sure to find out the details from the people responsible in good time.

Generally speaking, the following applies:

• Studying with Erasmus+: Send your application to the Erasmus coordinator responsible for your subject area.
• Partner universities for your faculty or your degree program: Apply to the International Office at your faculty or the Chair in charge of the partnership.
• Direct exchange program “FAUexchange” for students from all faculties: Apply to International Affairs (RIA)

Application procedure:

1. Apply in good time through the correct point of contact at FAU.
2. The selection committee responsible for allocating places will take the decision about how available places are to be allocated.
3. During the internal FAU application procedure, selected students receive notification of an offer of a place on an exchange, and can choose to accept it.
4. The program coordinator then nominates the selected exchange students to the relevant partner universities.
5. After nomination, students apply to the FAU partner universities. Program coordinators provide support and information.
6. The partner universities check the documents and make a decision on admission. Students are generally accepted.

What are the chances of getting one of FAU’s exchange places?

The chances of your application being successful depend on the partner university and the host country. Places in countries where English is spoken are particularly popular, while there is less demand for other locations. As the situation regarding applications can vary from year to year, it is not possible to give a reliable prognosis.

We would recommend remaining flexible regarding your choice of host university and destination, as this considerably increases your chances of being offered a place on an exchange offered by FAU.

Which options are available if FAU does not offer an exchange with the country I want to go to or at my preferred university?

As well as exchange programs offered by FAU, it is also possible for you to organize your stay abroad yourself. Students are then known as “free movers”.

The effort required to organize a stay abroad as a free mover is greater than if you take part in an FAU exchange program, in particular because it involves much more research. The advantage is that as a free mover, you can choose to study at universities which are not one of FAU’s partner universities.

One challenge often faced by free movers are tuition fees which are incurred in several countries. As a free mover, you are not exempt from tuition fees and have to pay them yourself. It is therefore particularly important that you plan how to finance your time abroad in good time.

The ideal time for studying abroad depends on the type of stay you are planning and the requirements of your degree program (examination deadlines, compulsory teaching units, structure of your degree program). Some degree programs stipulate a specific time frame in which students who wish to study abroad should do so.

Generally speaking, the later semesters are suited for studying abroad, as you already have a good grasp of your subject by this point:

• Bachelor’s: from the 3rd subject semester
• Master’s: from the 2nd subject semester
• Degree programs leading to a State Examination: from the 4th subject semester

A study stay abroad usually lasts one to two semesters. In double degree programs, the period of study abroad can be longer than one year.

When planning when to go abroad, you should also consider how you intend to continue studying when you return to FAU. Can you continue to study at FAU directly after returning from your studies abroad? Do the different semester times abroad mean that you will have to fill in time before you are able to continue studying at FAU?

Different institutions abroad have different requirements relating to language skills and what proof has to be provided. Generally speaking, you need to be sufficiently proficient in the teaching language to be able to participate actively in the teaching units.

In order to be accepted at a foreign university, you also have to be able to prove that you have sufficient language skills. You are usually required to submit an up to date language certificate.

You are well prepared to study abroad if your proficiency in the relevant language is equivalent to at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

In many cases it is also possible to study abroad with a less advanced knowledge of the relevant language. You can find out about the required language skills and certificates from:

• Program coordinator (FAU exchange programs)
• Scholarship providers
• Host university abroad (for stays abroad organized independently as a free mover)

Further information:

• Language courses at FAU (Language Centre)
• Language tests (information from DAAD)
• Language courses abroad (information from DAAD)

The costs for your stay abroad are difficult to predict since they depend on several factors. Generally speaking, it is more expensive to study abroad than in Germany. Whilst it is true that the cost of living (rent, meals, leisure activities) is often lower than in Germany, extra costs are incurred for traveling to and from your destination, visas and insurance cover. For an initial overview of country-specific costs for a stay abroad, please visit the websites of the DAAD. You should include the issue of financing in your plans from the outset.

Whilst you should presume that you will need to cover the majority of the costs incurred for studying abroad yourself, there are still a number of possibilities for obtaining financial support. Look into funding options as early on as possible and plan sufficient time for completing applications for scholarships.

The question as to accommodation abroad is only relevant once you know which foreign university you are going to be studying at. As soon as that is clear, you should start looking into accommodation options. It is up to you to organize somewhere to live abroad yourself.

If you are studying at an FAU partner university you will usually receive information on looking for accommodation directly from the partner university. It is often possible to apply for a place in official student accommodation at FAU partner universities. Please note, however, that there is often only a limited number of places available in student accommodation. There is no guarantee that you will be offered a place in the foreign university’s student accommodation.

Please plan enough time for looking for accommodation and find out about the different options available to you:

• Student accommodation
• Sharing a flat
• Staying with a host family
• Renting a flat of your own
• Short-term accommodation (e.g. hostel)

General information and helpful links for looking for accommodation abroad can be found in the country information from DAAD. You can also search for information on the website of the foreign host university.

Depending on where you are going, looking for accommodation abroad can be quite straightforward or more difficult. In towns where there tends to be pressure on the housing market, it is a challenge for students to find accommodation too. In order to be well prepared when looking for accommodation, you should make a start early on, looking into:

• Where students typically live in the country you are going to
• Situation on the housing market
• Typical costs of renting (how much to budget for rent)
• Special aspects to be taken into account when renting accommodation in the country (duration of contracts, rent due on a weekly or monthly basis)
• Typical standards for rented accommodation in the country when it comes to furnishings and living standards

If you study abroad or complete a traineeship for one or two semesters whilst studying at FAU, you can apply for leave for the time you spend abroad. Being granted leave means that your studies at FAU are temporarily suspended. No course or examination achievements can be obtained at FAU during a semester of leave (with the exception of resitting failed examinations).

One example: You spend your 5th semester studying abroad in France and are granted leave for this semester. When you return to FAU, you continue with your studies in the 5th semester due to you having been granted leave. Being granted leave for studying abroad therefore has the advantage that you do not run into time difficulties when continuing your studies at FAU (regular duration of study).

The leave must be taken within the regular duration of study of the degree program and the stay abroad may not be an integral part of the degree program. The FAU Student Records Office will be happy to answer any questions you may have about taking leave.

If you would like a traineeship to be credited towards your degree at FAU, you have to discuss the contents with your supervisor or the internship office responsible for your faculty or our subject before you leave.

Course achievements earned abroad can be accredited to your degree at FAU. The accreditation officers in the schools and the Examinations Office are responsible for accrediting credits earned abroad. The state examination offices are responsible for degree programs that are completed with a State Examination (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law).

Whether course achievements studied abroad can be accredited or not depends with their comparability with the achievements required in the degree program at FAU. You must therefore discuss your intention to study at a university abroad with the accreditation officer of your degree program before your stay abroad commences. You will then be able to find out what you need to take into consideration when selecting a course abroad and which prerequisites need to be met.

Accreditation is usually granted as follows:

Information from the faculties

Depending on your destination, type and duration of study stay, you may require a visa or a residence permit.

You should therefore take care to find out in good time about the entry and residence regulations which apply to you. Information on entry regulations can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office (information only applicable to German citizens) and from the embassies and consulates of your destination.

Be sure to plan several months for processing your visa. In some countries you have to provide proof of certain immunizations and health certificates before you can enter; again, you shouldn’t underestimate the time you will need.

It is the insurance companies which are responsible for any questions concerning insurance in the event of illness or accident, not the university. You should therefore contact your health insurance company before your departure to find out about the conditions for insurance coverage during your stay abroad. Most important in this respect is the general question of whether insurance coverage exists for the country in question and which services it includes. When preparing for your time abroad, you must make sure that you have sufficient insurance cover. The following are particularly important:

• Health insurance
• Accident insurance
• Liability insurance

Since 1 January 2016, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is accepted in all EU countries as well as in Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. It replaces form E 111 but, unlike the E 111, it is only valid for temporary stays abroad (holidays, transfer of employees, job search, study stays) and may only be used for services necessary on medical grounds.

You can request an EHIC from your statutory health insurance provider. To find out whether you already have an EHIC, check the back of your insurance card for the EU star sign. If you are privately insured, you should contact your health insurance company to find out which services will be covered in other European countries.

Additional health insurance

For stays abroad outside of the European Union, it is often worthwhile taking out additional private health insurance. Please also look into what is required by your host university abroad. In some cases you are required to take out insurance specifically offered by the university itself.

If you are on an exchange organized by or receive funding from the DAAD or one of its partner institutions, you may opt for insurance coverage via the DAAD group contract which includes health insurance, accident insurance, liability insurance and luggage insurance. However, other insurance companies also offer similar combinations of insurance for stays abroad.

If you are planning a stay abroad, please find out in good time whether you require an apostille or legalization for your (degree) certificates.

General information on the recognition of certificates and documents

• You generally require an apostille or legalization for the recognition of your certificates/documents for studying or working abroad.
• Documents are legalized by the diplomatic mission or consulate of the relevant foreign state in Germany. Since 1961, apostilles have replaced the legalization of public documents in states subject to the Hague Convention.
• An apostille is awarded by German authorities that are entitled to do so. In the case of certificates/documents from FAU, this is the district government of Middle Franconia in Ansbach.

Procedure and costs

Further information

If any other steps are required, you are expected to take action yourself and pay any costs incurred (e.g. for the Federal Office of Administration – Bundesverwaltungsamt – or a translation agency).

Further information is available on the website of the government of Middle Franconia or on the website of the Foreign Office.

If you have any further questions, please contact our staff in L1 at zuv-apostille@fau.de.

There are several people you can contact at FAU if you have questions about spending time abroad as part of your degree.

International Affairs works with all faculties and is the first point of contact if you have questions on the following:

• Opportunities for exchanges with FAUexchange – Direct exchange program at FAU for students of all faculties
• Options for funding a stay abroad
• Administrative questions on studying with Erasmus+ (please contact the Erasmus coordinator for your degree program if you have questions about the Erasmus partner universities for your degree program, e.g. on possibilities for studying there, or how to apply)
• Erasmus+ traineeships

Please consult your points of contact at the faculties if you have any subject-related questions concerning your time abroad and questions concerning faculty or degree program-specific exchange options:

• Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology: International Office
• Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law (School of Business, Economics and Society): International Relations Office
• Faculty of Business, Economics, and Law (School of Law): Internationalization coordinators
• Faculty of Medicine: Office of the Dean for Student Affairs at the Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Sciences: Internationalization coordinator
• Faculty of Engineering: Office for Student Information and Advice

Students with disabilities who are planning a stay abroad will need to clarify other important aspects in addition to the issues outlined above. These may be:

• Does the foreign university have disabled access?
• Do the university buildings and student accommodation have disabled access?
• Are there special representatives for the disabled at the host university?
• Will students with a visual impairment be given special assistance?
• What are the medical facilities like there?
• Are local shops easy to reach?

Information can be found on the website of your host university. There you can also find out who you should contact to discuss the specific details of your stay. Support can be provided at FAU by International Affairs and the Disability Liaison Officer when preparing for studying abroad.

International Affairs can advise you on additional funding options available for students with disabilities e.g. within the context of the Erasmus program. Additional funding must be applied for separately. We are happy to be of assistance with your application.

Further information can be found on the following websites:

• “Studium mit Behinderung” (Studying with a disability) handbook by the German National Association for Student Affairs
• DAAD information for students with a disability
• Collection of links provided by the German Education Server (Deutscher Bildungsserver)

All options for studying abroad are also open to students with children. It goes without saying that they will have a number of other important questions relating to spending time abroad as a family in addition to the topics outlined above. These may be:

• Is family-friendly accommodation available?
• Is childcare available?
• What about schooling (for children of school age)?
• Are all the necessary products available abroad (baby food, formula milk)?
• Which documents does the child require (children’s passport)?
• What should be taken into account with regard to state benefits (child benefit, parental allowance)?

International Affairs and the Family Service at FAU will assist you in preparing to spend time abroad.

International Affairs will also give you advice on additional funding options available to students with children, e.g. within the context of the Erasmus+ program. Additional funding must be applied for separately. We are happy to be of assistance with your application.

All important details on organization, costs, insurance, accommodation, child-care, family policies in various countries and reports by other exchange students with a child can be found at www.auslandsstudium-mit-kind.de. The website was drawn up by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Center for Higher Education (CHE); it represents the main source of information on studying abroad with a child.