Applying to Study Abroad
Partner University or Freemover?
Partner universities are universities with which the FH Aachen has a cooperation agreement, so you will receive support on both ends. Some cooperation agreements are only with a single faculty. All university partnerships depend upon balancing between the partners. Tuition fees are waived at our partner universities.
Freemovers are students who organize their own experience abroad at a university that is not a partner of the FH Aachen. In principle, you can apply to any university worldwide and also for any corresponding scholarship, but then you will not benefit from the advantages of a cooperation agreement.
Contacts:
in Europe
outside Europe
General Information about Studying Abroad at a Partner University
How do I proceed? How do I apply?
Applying within Europe
Visit the websites of our partner universities to find out about their programs. Select your first and second choices. Contact the Department of International Affairs or your faculty to see if it is possible for you to apply.
Important: All contacts should only be made through the FH Aachen contact person. Direct contact a the partner university is only permissible after you have received admission and in coordination with the FH Aachen. Students who do not comply with this rule may be excluded from the exchange program.
Complete the application form you receive from the FH Aachen contact person and submit it with all required documents. For example, students applying within Europe may be eligible for financial support through Erasmus+. Details of the exchange, such as admission requirements (number of semesters, proof of language skills, etc.) depend on the individual partner university and may change from time to time. Your contact person will clarify these questions.
Applying outside Europe
FH Aachen students may apply to study abroad at a partner university outside Europe.
Consult the Department of International Affairs or International Faculty Office for advice.
We are your first contact for such topics as
- placement and study opportunities abroad
- langage requirements
- finding courses at the partner universities
- academic calenders at the partner universities
- application procedures that vary by university
Contact with the Partner University
Please do not contact the partner university yourself. This avoids duplicate emails and misunderstandings.
After you have received admission to a study abroad exchange, you will receive contact information from an "Exchange Coordinator“, "Study Abroad Coordinator“ or "Mobility Officer.“
How far in advance do I have to start planning?
Applying within Europe
At most European universities, the academic year begins in early September and ends in mid-July. However, the since the academic year is divided into semesters, exchange students have the opportunity to start studying in September (winter semester) as well as in March (summer semester).
You should allow at least half a year to prepare everything (registration, academic coordination with your department).
See Funding Opportunities for Studying Abroad for an overview of the most important funding programs.
Application Deadlines for Study Abroad
Application Deadlines for Studying Abroad outside Europe
Unless stated otherwise, the application deadlines for partner universities outside Europe are
- 15 February for the winter semester
- 15 September for the summer semester
Students in the Faculty of Business Studies (Faculty 7) see the earlier application deadlines on the IFO Website.
Language Requirements
Language Requirements for Studying Abroad
- Very good knowledge of the language of instruction
- If the language of instruction is English: at least level B2
- If the language of instruction is Spanish or French: level B1-B2
- You should be able to follow the lectures in a foreign language
- You should be able to understand texts and literature in your field of study
At many partner universities you can attend classes in English. Therefore, you need at least English level B2.
For Spanish and French you will need at least B1, however, we recommend B2, even if the partner university does not require this level.
While for many European partner universities your high school diploma is sufficient as proof of English B2, most non-European partner universities require an official language certificate.
The DAAD language certificate is widely accepted and is considerably cheaper than a TOEFL or IELTS. The DAAD language certificate is required for almost all applications outside Europe as part of the internal FH Aachen application process.
If you are taking courses taught in English at the partner university, you do not have to prove your knowledge of the country's language at the time of application.
Language Preparation for Studying Abroad
Start early with language courses during your studies:
- courses in your faculty, such as "Technical English"
- courses outside the FH Aachen
- language course at a summer or winter school
- read in the original language, especially subject-related texts
- watch films in the original language
- meet with native speakers, such as exchange students in your department, if possible
Acquire basic knowledge of the country's language before you study abroad
- you can make contacts more quickly after arrival
- you can manage daily life better
- you will learn more about the local culture
You will gain more benefits from studying abroad!
Rosetta Stone – Licences from the FH Aachen library:
The FH Aachen libraryhas licences for the language program "Rosetta Stone" for all students and employees. Rosetta Stone offers online courses or an app in 24 languages at various levels
- fhac.de/BIB-RosettaStone -> Registration
- fhac.de/BIB-Rosetta -> Video-Tutorial
INCAS Aachen, the Intercultural Center for Aachen Students, also arranges language tandems. Converse with international students at their international evenings and excursions!
INCAS Jülich
Language courses and summer courses Abroad – Information from DAAD:
https://www.daad.de/de/im-ausland-studieren-forschen-lehren/sprachen-lernen-sommerkurse-im-ausland/
Information about the DAAD Language Certificate
If the language of instruction is English, many partner universities of the FH Aachen, require a DAAD language certificate in English with the level B2, especially those outside Europe or for a Freemover application.
If you only want apply to the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia or a partner university within the Magellan Network, you can often use the English grade from your German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife, if you had at least four semesters of English with a minimum grade of satisfactory (befriedigend).
If you apply for a DAAD Scholarship (www.daad.de and daad.de/go/stipd57478124), we also recommend that you submit a DAAD language certificate.
The DAAD language certificate is not a multiple choice test. It contains questions about listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral and written expression and language structures. The test is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), but is not standardized like TOEFL or IELTS. Therefore, it may differ slightly in content from institution to institution. In most cases, the exam lasts about 2 hours.
Tests in Aachen
- If you have passed an exam in Technical English in your department, you can ask your lecturer to issue the language certificate.
- Inexpensive in-person exam. Sprachenakademie Aachen:
https://www.spraachen.org/en/exams/exams-for-fh-aachen-students/daad-english-language-certificate/ - Zoom Online-Test : Bergische Universität Wuppertal
https://buchung.sli.uni-wuppertal.de/angebote/aktueller_zeitraum/_DAAD-Sprachtest_Englisch.html - In person exam : Language Center of the Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf
https://www.studierendenakademie.hhu.de/en/sprachangebote-international/language-tests - In person exam: Englisches Institut in Köln (group or individual appointments):
http://englisches-institut-koeln.de/testing/ - Ruhr-Universität Bochum:
https://www.zfa.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/pruefen/daad/index.html.en - "Last-Minute" - Online: Technische Universität Darmstadt
https://www.spz.tu-darmstadt.de/spz_sprachpruefungen/spz_daad/index.en.jsp
Public or Private Health Insurance?
outside Europe
At the time of application, you usually do not need to worry about health insurance. After you receive admission from the partner university, you must organize your health insurance.
In order to keep your student status at the FH Aachen during your experience abroad, you generally must keep your health insurance in Germany for the entire time of your enrollment, even if you are not in Germany. Check with your health insurance company and in the Registrar's Office of the FH Aachen.
During a semester abroad at a university outside Europe, you are personally responsible for ensuring that you have sufficient health insurance. In many cases, you will need a private health insurance policy for the entire duration of your experience abroad. There are many providers for this in Germany. Please note: There are specific coverage requirements for health insurance in the USA.
Also be aware that inexpensive travel health insurance is generally insufficient for a 3-6 month semester abroad, as your experience abroad is not for tourist purposes and is for longer than the coverage of most inexpensive travel insurance policies.
Your contact person in the Department of International Affairs will inform you during the application process which partner universities require mandatory health insurance and when you will have to organize your own insurance coverage.
Students attending an Australian university are usually required to take out Australian student health insurance (OSHC = Overseas Student Health Cover) through the partner university. For many students this basic coverage of the Australian health insurance is sufficient, but you should be aware of the gaps in coverage (e.g. for dental prosthesis). Depending on your health and treatment needs (such as a chronic illnesses), it may make sense for you to purchase additional private insurance in Germany. You should also contact your German health insurance company about the possibility of covering such gaps.
Health Test
Some countries require a health test for a visa or for enrollment at the partner university. This may be required at some American, Malaysian or Australian universities under certain conditions. More information will be available during the application process.
With or without a visa?
Within the European Union
Nationals of a European Union country may travel within Europe with a national identification card or passport and may stay there for up to ninety days without special permission.
If you plan to study more than three months you must apply for a residence permit. The partner university will assist you with this.
Visa outside Europe
If you are planning an experience abroad outside Europe, you should check your passport before submitting your application and confirm that it is valid, as many countries require that your passport is valid for a minimum time, usually at least 6 months after returning from abroad.
For a semester abroad at a partner university outside Europe you will need a student visa, for which you can apply after you have received written confirmation from the partner university.
Only in very exceptional situations, such as for very short stays abroad (often shorter than 2 - 3 months), is it possible to enter some countries with a tourist visa. But be careful: As a rule, a tourist visa cannot be converted into a student residence permit abroad, so that you would have to leave the country when the tourist visa expires!
Contact the Department of International Affairs for more information about your visa application.
The addresses of the embassies or consulates as well as travel and security information for your destination country can be found on the website of the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
... for a partner university within Europe
Contacts for Partner Universities in Europe
Faculties in Aachen
Faculties in Jülich
Ritzal, Britta
© FH Aachen
Zentralverwaltung - Dezernat II - Studentische und akademische Angelegenheiten - II.4 - Akademisches Auslandsamt
Room OOA 44
52428 Jülich
Faculty of Business Studies
International Faculty Office (IFO)
Students in the Faculty of Business Studies should contact the the International Faculty Office (IFO) IFO Contact Website.
More information for students in the Faculty of Business Studies: International Faculty Office
...for a partner university outside Europe
Semester Abroad with or without Tuition Fees
Exchange
Semesters abroad at partner universities where FH Aachen students do not have to pay tuition fees due to cooperation agreements are called exchange spaces.
Not all partner universities outside Europe offer tuition-free spaces. Sometimes tuition-free spaces are only available for students of specific departments or only if the exchange ratio between "incoming" and "outgoing" students is correct ("balancing").
If the number of tuition-free spaces is limited, then after the application deadline there will be a selection process. We will be happy to advise you about your placement options!
Study Abroad
Some partner universities of the FH Aachen do not provide tuition-free spaces despite a cooperation agreement. At these partner universities you can apply for tuition-based "Study Abroad Program".
Applying as a Freemover
If you do not want to attend a partner university of the FH Aachen, you can apply yourself either directly at the international university or through an exchange organization or company as a Freemover.
"Freemovers" are applicants who organize their studies abroad themselves outside of cooperation agreements and apply for a semester abroad without a degree. Freemovers are also often called "non-degree seeking students" or "visiting students."
As a Freemover you must usually pay tuition fees and cannot get tuition exemptions if there is no cooperation agreement with the FH Aachen.
Selection Process outside Europe
Students in the Faculty of Business Studies (Faculty 7) should apply directly at the IFO (International Faculty Office). Please note the different application deadlines for that faculty.
Please always contact the Department of International Affairs before you start your application.
If there are a limited number of spaces available, there will be a selection process that includes the following:
- formal compliance with deadlines, completeness and quality of application documents
- sufficient language skills, academic performance (in particular grade point average), academic progress and previous studies
- quality of the planned study abroad, particularly for your continued studies or career plans
- personal suitability for study abroad, personality profile, future goals, interests and extracurricular activities
Approximately 1 - 2 weeks after submitting your application documents you will be notified by the Department of International Affairs whether you can be nominated for the desired partner university.
In exceptional cases applications for study spaces ("Study Abroad") with reduced tuition fees are still possible shortly after the application deadlines. Please inquire at the Department of International Affairs.
Applicants who did not get the desired study space at a partner university outside Europe still may apply for a semester abroad at a European partner university within the European ERASMUS program until 30 March or 30 September of each year (only possible for application procedures through the Department of International Affairs).
Send application: After a personal consultation, please send all required application documents by email as separate PDF files to brinkerfh-aachen.de by the application deadline.
List of required application documents
Students in the Faculty of Business Studies (Faculty 7) should apply directly at the IFO (International Faculty Office).
Students from all other Faculties: The following documents are required for a complete application if your application process is through the Department of International Affairs:
- Application form of the partner university, which you can request by email from the Department of International Affairs. If the partner university uses an online application procedure, you do not need a paper application form in advance, but will receive the corresponding link after the FH Aachen internal selection procedure. This applies to all applications within the Magellan network as well as to several other partner universities.
- Transcript in German signed and stamped by your Examination Office
- Transcript of Records in English with legend, signed and stamped by your Examination Office. If your Examination Office does not offer a transcript in English, depending upon your faculty, you may have to complete this Transcript of Records yourself, including courses for which you do not yet have a grade. (Please download the form first, save it, then open it and fill it out on your computer.) To do this, select the semester of your most recent German transcript from the drop-down list. First semester master's students who do not have any exam results at the time of application should submit a transcript of records with the complete course list from your bachelor's degree.
- Current foreign language certificate, no more than two years old. We recommend the inexpensive DAAD language certificate that FH Aachen students can obtain from the Sprachenakademie Aachen for approximately €30 (plus a registration fee). See the website of the Sprachenakademie Aachen for details. English level B2 is generally sufficient for most partner universities. Spanish partner universities require B1 or B2, depending upon the university. Only applications that fulfill these requirements can be forwarded to the partner university.
- English Letter of Motivation or Statement of Purpose, which is described below. Applications for Chile or Mexico should write this in Spanish. The Statement of Purpose is for the partner university and should explain why you are applying to study at that particular university. Subject-related reasons should be emphasized, but you can also include a special interest in the culture of the chosen country.
- CV in English (please use the form below)
- Learning Agreement or a separate List of the courses that you want to take at the partner university. In some cases this information should be entered on the application form of the partner university. If you have questions about specific courses, contact the Department of International Affairs.
- Copy of the data page (with photo) of your passport. Your passport must generally be valid for at least 6 months longer than your planned stay abroad. This can also be submitted shortly after the application deadline.
- Applicants from the Faculty of Design only: A portfolio in the form of a CD, PDF file (up to 5 MB) or website.
- BAföG recipients should also submit, if possible, the two forms from the BAföG office ("Zulassungsbestätigung" / "Immatrikulationsbestätigung" for the partner university). These forms can be found at zuständigen BAföG-Amt.
- Some Australian universities may require a copy of your high school certificate and transcript as proof of your English language ability (such as four courses in the German Oberstufe with "satisfactory" or English as a subject in Abitur). The Department of International Affairs will advise you for which universites this is recommended, such as Curtin University. If you show your original certificate when submitting your application documents, a non-certified copy will be sufficient for your application.
- Applicants to the USA must submit a financial statement or bank statement as proof that you have sufficient financial support during your planned study abroad. This must be submitted shortly after you have been nominated for study in the USA and is required for your visa application.
Send application: After a personal consultation, please send all required application documents by email as separate PDF files to brinkerfh-aachen.de by the application deadline.
We lok forward to receiving your application and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have about preparing it.
Letter of Motivation/Statement of Purpose
Why is the Letter of Motivation necessary?
The letter of motivation is required for the following applications:
- for your application to a university abroad
- for your application for a scholarship at the FH Aachen, such as PROMOS
In most cases you can use the same letter of motivation for both purposes.
Contents of the Letter of Motivation
The letter of motivation is the professional description and incentive of your plan! The educational value of your experience abroad should be clear. Therefore, you should explain in detail what you are planning, how the stay abroad relates to your studies or intended profession, and your goals. How does this plan fit into current studies? Why did you select this institution? What professional benefits do you expect to gain?
If you have organized your experience abroad yourself, explain how and why you did it that way.
Language and cultural aspects as well as self-development are important side effects that are present in every experience abroad. If you choose to mention these aspects, then only as a secondary focus.
Length of the Letter of Motivation
Approximately half a page. Please be clear and concrete.
Form of the Letter of Motivation
- an informal letter, such as to the planned university, or as a text without a recipient
- with your name, date and signature
Language of the Letter of Motivation
Ask your coordinator in which language the planned university requires the letter of motivation. English is usually required, but there are exceptions.
Applicants for a PROMOS scholarship must submit the letter of motivation in English or German.
Can I use an existing Letter of Motivation for a PROMOS application?
You can use your letter of motivation for the university for a PROMOS application if it meets the following requirements:
- The letter is in English or German
- It is less than one year old
- It meets the content requirements described above, especially the concrete description of your planned experience abroad
Resumé/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
What is the purpose of the CV?
The CV is required for the following applications:
- for your application to an international university
- for your application by a prospective employer, such as for an internship, thesis or practical project, etc.
- for your application to a scholarship program at the FH Aachen, such as PROMOS
Structure and Content of the CV
The following sample templates meet these requirements
Template CV German
Template CV English
Europapass CV
In addition to your academic achievements and language skills, especially important for most selection processes are your personal characteristics. Therefore, you should also include the following aspects:
- social, cultural, political or community interests and activities
- interesting hobbies
- special knowledge or abilities (subject and non-subject related)
- in some cases, an explanation of why the duration of your studies is exceptionally long
- are there any other interesting aspects about you?
Be as precise as possible about the intensity and length of your activities: Since when? How often per week or month? How many hours? Volunteer? How active are you or were you? What did you do or are continuing to do? Anything that you do not mention cannot be used to evaluate your application.
Scope and Structure of the CV
- 2-3 pages
- tabular
- key words
- complete (include changes of school, previous studies as well as any gaps)
- with date and signature
- with or without a photo
Language of the CV
The CV must be in German for a PROMOS scholarship application.
Ask your coordinator in which language the planned university requires the CV. English is usually required, but there are exceptions.
Contacts for Partner Universities outside Europe
Faculties in Aachen
Brinker, Sabine, Dipl.-Geol.
© FH Aachen
Room 01002
52066 Aachen
Faculties in Jülich
Ritzal, Britta
© FH Aachen
Zentralverwaltung - Dezernat II - Studentische und akademische Angelegenheiten - II.4 - Akademisches Auslandsamt
Room OOA 44
52428 Jülich
Faculty of Business Studies
International Faculty Office (IFO)
Students in the Faculty of Business Studies should contact the the International Faculty Office (IFO) IFO Contact Website.
More information for students in the Faculty of Business Studies: International Faculty Office
