Erasmus+ Programme

Study abroad in Erasmus programme and partner countries

FAU students from all disciplines and faculties can participate in the Erasmus+ exchange programme. Each year, approximately 600 students go to one of the numerous partner universities on a scholarship covering the entire duration of their stay there. Are you interested in taking part? If yes, please read the following information carefully.

Advantages of Erasmus+

  • Free participation in preparatory intercultural trainings at FAU, if applicable
  • Easier transfer of study credits
  • Erasmus funding may be combined with other scholarships (exception: DAAD scholarships) if the external scholarship provider also permits this.
  • Special assistance/service programme at most host universities (please note: accommodation is usually not provided but assistance is given when looking for accommodation)
  • Most host universities offer a program tailored to Erasmus students (please note: accommodation is usually not provided but assistance is given when looking for accommodation)
  • Online language courses offered by the EU free of charge: Online Linguistic Support (OLS). The online language assistance enables students to learn a language and improve their language skills before, during and after their stay abroad.

Insurance contributions are not covered!

Details of Erasmus+

There are various deadlines and different procedures/contact people for applying to the Erasmus programme at FAU. These vary according to the degree course. Each department generally has one application deadline per year (usually between December and February) for the allocation of exchange places for the following winter and/or summer semester.

If you miss this deadline, you may apply for one of the remaining places before August, although this is usually only for the summer semester of the next academic year. Remaining places are also often assigned without mobility grants; these are known as zero-grant places. Please directly ask your departmental coordinator about the application deadline which is relevant for you.

The Erasmus programme is a European Union educational programme. The Erasmus exchange possibilities at FAU are currently based on around 500 bilateral, subject-specific exchange agreements with around 300 European higher education institutions in all EU member states and Turkey, Lichtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Iceland, North Macedonia as well as in selected partner countries. If you are interested in studying abroad in Europe for one or two semesters with the Erasmus programme, you will find all of the current exchange possibilities for your department or subject in the list of partner universities and on our world map.

The Central Office for International Affairs (RIA) is responsible for coordinating the Erasmus programme for all faculties at FAU and is happy to give you advice on any administrative issues. Subject coordinators coordinate the Erasmus programme in the individual departments; the person responsible for each exchange place is specified in the list and will be happy to help you as your contact person with the application procedure and any questions related to your subject.

  • Enrolment at FAU with the aim of obtaining a degree (including doctoral degrees) for the entire duration of the time spent studying abroad
  • Sufficient knowledge of the language of the country or the teaching language (please make use of the courses offered by the FAU Language Centre.)
  • Internal requirements set by the faculty, if applicable (please ask the Erasmus subject coordinator)

  • Studying abroad is only possible at partner universities with a bilateral Erasmus agreement in the applicant’s own subject. Applications from other subjects may be considered under certain circumstances (only in closely related disciplines; please contact the subject coordinator for the desired subject directly)
  • Applicants can study in different stays at different partner universities

  • The duration can vary between one semester/trimester (but a minimum of 2 months) and one academic year (but a maximum of 12 months per stay) depending on the degree programme and partner university.
  • Students can take part in the Erasmus programme more than once. For each stage of their studies (BA – MA – PhD), students have the option of a 12-month mobility period (study and/or internship). This corresponds to a maximum of 3 x 12 = 36 months. Students whose degree programmes are not divided into Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes (State Examinations, Diplom) can also make use of the new Erasmus+ conditions: 24 months of mobility (study and/or internship) are available to them up until they obtain their first degree.
  • Please note: a stay lasting one year is only possible in the winter and subsequent summer semester.

Would you like to support international exchange students at FAU? Then become a buddy in our Buddy Programme!

10 steps to Erasmus+

Find out more about your subject’s existing Erasmus partnerships as well as the courses on offer, teaching language, and support services on FAU’s websites and on our world map. You can also find information on your faculty, school or degree programme website. If necessary, take a language course to improve your language skills.

Students at the School of Business, Economics and Society should please refer to the International Office in Nuremberg.

Make a consultation appointment with your Erasmus departmental coordinator. Come prepared (you must already have decided on your first choice country and university). Ask about the application procedure (required qualifications, application deadlines, documents to be submitted).

Submit your application to your Erasmus departmental coordinator. Application deadlines can vary greatly depending on the subject but are usually between December and February for the following winter and summer semester.

If your application is successful, you will receive confirmation from your department. At the same time, they will pass your details on to the International Affairs (RIA). You will then receive an e-mail with initial information from RIA on how to register for our platform “Mobility Online”. Follow the instructions given in the e-mail. As this information is only sent by e-mail, you are advised to check your e-mails regularly (including your spam folder). Your data are processed in accordance with EU data protection guidelines.

RIA usually passes your details on to the host university (in exceptional cases this is done by the subject coordinator).

After application/nomination at FAU, you must usually also register/apply at the partner university. You will receive information about this (registration deadlines, documents to be submitted) from the host university. Make sure you register at your host university on time. If you miss the registration deadline, it cannot be guaranteed that you will be able to take part in the Erasmus programme. Stay in contact with your host university after registration in order to clarify any issues regarding arrival, accommodation, course selection, orientation programmes, enrolment, etc.

Discuss your study plans and the possibilities for transferring your study credits with your Erasmus coordinator and the person responsible for accreditation.

If necessary, apply in good time for overseas assistance under the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG) with the responsible BAföG office. You can apply for leave from your studies at your home university with the Student Records Office.

Submit the documents required for you to take part in the program to RIA. As an Erasmus student, you have certain obligations before/after your arrival and after your return. After completing time abroad as a Erasmus student, all participants are required to fill out a final report online (EU Online Survey). You will receive information about this from RIA; a compulsory information event usually takes place at the end of July.

Is your existing health and personal liability insurance sufficient? Do you need any vaccinations? Pack! Set off! Have fun!

EELISA

Some Erasmus+ universities are also networked via EELISA, which offers you further study and stay opportunities. If you are interested in these exchange opportunities, please contact the EELISA team directly.

Contact

The contact details of the student exchange team of the Central Office for International Affairs can be found on our website.