FAUexchange – Application

The direct exchange program at FAU known as “FAUexchange” is open to students at all faculties. However, admission restrictions at the partner universities mean that not all degree programs at FAU offer the same opportunities.

Requirements for participation are as follows:

• Students must be enrolled at FAU at the time of application.
• Students must remain enrolled at FAU for the duration of the exchange.
• The host university can offer a place in a degree program in a suitable subject. Please check with the host university yourself.
• Students are sufficiently proficient in the teaching language at the host university (level B2).
• Students studying for a Bachelor’s degree or a State Examination must be at least in the 2nd semester of their degree program at the time of submitting the internal FAU application.
• Students have not yet exceeded deadlines for completing their degree at the time of submitting the internal FAU application.

Places are allocated by a selection committee consisting of representatives from International Affairs and the faculties.

The final decision is taken on the basis of the following criteria:

• Compliance with all formal requirements for participation
• Course achievements and academic qualifications
• Motivation for studying abroad and expected benefits
• Volunteering at university or in the community, with relevant proof
• Language skills (level B2)

You must submit an application for the direct exchange program “FAUexchange” very early on, approximately one to two years before the stay abroad begins. The following application deadlines apply:

• November 15: For stays at all partner universities in the winter semester of the following year and the subsequent summer semester.
• May 31: For all places remaining after the first deadline only for stays in summer semester of the following year

In their application, students can state a preference for up to two partner universities participating in the direct exchange program “FAUexchange”.

Applications should be submitted via the mobility online portal. You can register using your FAU IdM login. Applications may be submitted in either German or English. Please ensure that you submit your application in one language only (either in German or in English) and not a mixture of both. Applications must be made via the application link that is activated during the application period.

The following documents must be provided via the online portal in PDF format:

• CV (in German or English), max. 1 page, A4)
• Letter of motivation (in German or English), max. 1 page, A4)
• Transcript of records (excerpt from Campo with current average grade); Master’s students who are enrolled on their first subject semester at FAU and are therefore unable to view any achievements in campo should use the transcript of records from their previous Bachelor’s degree for the application).
• Any degree certificates you already have with final grade (e.g. Bachelor’s degree certificate)
• Current certificate of enrollment at FAU
• Proof of language ability: Level B2 in the teaching language of the host university, no older than 2 years. Please submit either the FAU mobility test or an official language certificate.
  • Students studying languages (English Studies, Romance Studies) or degree programs taught in English are also required to provide proof of language proficiency.
  • An “Abitur” certificate, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificate or a confirmation of participation in a language course is not sufficient proof of language proficiency.
  • The proof of language ability must be available at the date of applying for the FAUexchange program and be submitted together with all the other application documents.
  • Students applying for an exchange in South America must be able to provide a certificate proving language skills equivalent to at least level B1 in Spanish or Portuguese, depending on the language spoken in the country, at the time of submitting their application at FAU. As most universities require a level of B2 for applications, in individual cases applications may be checked to see if they meet the host university’s application requirements.
• If applicable: Confirmation of volunteering at university or in the community. It may be beneficial for your application if you can prove that you have been involved in volunteering to a considerable extent for at least 2 semesters. Participation in the Buddy program at FAU or involvement in the International Student Network – Erlangen Nürnberg Fürth lasting at least 2 semesters is desirable and will be favorably considered in your application.

1. You should apply within the deadline via the Mobility Online platform. You may state your preference for up to two host universities in your application.
2. All applications will be checked after the deadline has expired.
3. You will be informed of the decision by email by the end of January at the latest or by the end of July for remaining places.
4. You will be kept up to date with what to do next once you have been selected for a place in the direct exchange program at FAU.
5. If you accept the offered place on the exchange program, the next step is to apply to the host university abroad. Please note that some partner universities require additional documents. The partner universities take the final decision on admission.
6. As soon as you have received your letter of acceptance from the partner university you can apply for your visa and start to organize your journey.
7. The date you start to study abroad depends on which country you go to.

You must submit certain documents to International Affairs via the Mobility Online platform upon arrival and after completing your stay abroad: certificate of arrival, certificate of attendance and the experience report. You will receive further information about this during the application process.