Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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General questions about going abroad

  • Take advantage of your freedom. Coordinating a stay abroad with your private life is probably easier now, while you a student, than it will ever be again. The flexibility you have during your studies offers a creative freedom that will no longer be available once you start your professional life. Going abroad doesn't have to be for a whole semester, either. Even the semester break (an even more flexible period!) offers many opportunities to go abroad, in the form of language courses or summer schools (https://www.daad.de/de/im-ausland-studieren-forschen-lehren/sprachen-lernen-sommerkurse-im-ausland/).
  • Communication and make contacts. Doing a semester abroad with others from all over the world is a unique and intensive experience that can bring new and enriching contacts. Practicing different languages, taking part in university groups at your host university, and trying out new hobbies makes you a part of an international, friendly network. In the process, you overcome your own limitations and broaden your horizons.
  • Further your knowledge. During your time abroad, you become familiar with new forms of teaching, deepen and expand your personal interest in some courses, and work in a practice-oriented way. All of this awaits when you go abroad!  The academic course offerings at our partner universities around the world far surpass those in Flensburg!
  • Increase your career opportunities. Regardless of the career field, gaining international experience enriches your CV and credibly demonstrates that you can work with all different types of people, and that you enjoy doing so.

The sky's the limit! In addition to the classic semester abroad, (voluntary) internships, language courses and summer schools are also possible. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website "Studieren weltweit" ("Studying worldwide") offers a wide range of inspiration for different types of stays abroad.

Research appropriate partner universities or desired countries, and make a structured plan for your studies at EUF. You may also be able to take a free language course at the EUF Language Center.

A semester abroad - how does that work?

Research suitable partner universities or countries that interest you, and plan your studies at EUF in a structured manner. You might also be able to take a free language course through the Language Center.

This varies depending on the university. Often you can find a "courses" section under "International Students:" otherwise, it helps to browse the homepages of your chosen faculty. You can use the program for the current academic year (or the previous fall semester) as the basis for selecting your courses.

You can get EUF credits for courses taken abroad through a process called recognition (Anerkennung). During the application, the foreign courses are assigned to EUF courses based on their content. Not every German course has to be matched 1:1 with a foreign one. Having common qualification goals for both courses is usually sufficient for recognition.

More information about foreign course recognition 

We recommend thatyour foreign courses amount to at least 20 ECTS (or equivalent). Not all courses need to be recognized at EUF. However, please also consider the regulations for your specific degree program and host university.

For Erasmus+ students: If courses are not passed, you do not have to repay the Erasmus+ grant.

No. The recognition or crediting of your foreign coursework will be clarified before you go abroad.

Further information

Semester and active lecture periods in universities abroad are not the same everywhere; they differ by country and host university. Your selected universities can inform you about the semester/lecture periods there. The semester at some universities starts in January or August, which overlaps with EUF semester times. Please keep this in mind already in the semester before you go abroad, as you coordinate your exams.

For internships abroad, the start/end dates for each internship are determined individually.

First of all, don't panic. In such a case, it's a good idea to contact the International Center of the partner university on your own and ask for information - if possible directly in their "Incomings" section. If you haven't heard anything by 3 weeks before the application deadline, contact the EUF "outgoings" office.

You are allowed to have a part-time job during your semester abroad. However, please sure that it doesn't interfere with your studies abroad if, for example, you receive funding through Erasmus+. For non-Erasmus grants, there may be restrictions on the number of hours you can work.

The semester fee cannot be refunded. You can apply to AStA for a semester ticket reimbursement. 

Application form and language skills

No, but you will be asked a few questions about your motivation directly in the online application form.

You can find information about language certificates under Step 2: Apply.

Please contact the person responsible for your degree program at the EUF Outgoings office.

How much does it cost to go abroad?

Depending on where you decide to go, the cost of living can be either higher or lower than living in Germany. Leisure activities and travel may also bring additional costs. On the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) website you can also find out about the average cost of living; check under the heading "Country Information."

DAAD country-specific information

The following table shows possible costs incurred during a semester abroad at our partner universities. The information was compiled from the reports of former EUF outgoing students (as at 17.05.2024) and is intended as an indicative overview.

Country University Accommodation Food Leisure activities Travelling Other
Argentina

Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Universidad Tres de Febrero 

 Rent can be cheap, but can be significantly higher for exchange students Cheaper than in Germany, except for dairy products and chocolate Cafés, restaurants and sports facilities very cheap / /
Chile  Universidad Mayor
UTFSM		 Dormitories sometimes slightly more expensive than in Germany, but with pool, gym and lounge About as expensive as in Germany, cheaper at markets Activities and public transport slightly cheaper than in Germany Cheap domestic flights if booked in good time /
Denmark Syddansk Universitet  Same or slightly more expensive than in Germany    More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany Same price level as in Germany    Erasmus+ funding is not sufficient to participate in e.g. activities (extra budget needed)
Finland Åbo Akademi  Rent approx. 300-400 €/month Food expensive, but food in the university canteens cheaper More expensive than in Germany / /
France

Le Mans

Lille

Perpignan

Lyon

Rennes 

 Same price level or slightly more expensive than in Germany    More expensive than in Germany, cheaper on markets More expensive than in Germany / Extra budget needed
Greece Kapodistrian
Panteion University		 / Partly more expensive than in Germany / / Extra budget needed
Ireland

Trinity College Dublin

University of Limerick 

 Very expensive, approx. 700 € rent/month in a dormitory Significantly more expensive than in Germany, also the canteen food Public transport with student discount quite cheap, activities more expensive than in Germany Extra budget needed for trips over longer distances /
Italy Freie Universität Bozen  Rent very expensive (400-600 €/month for a room in a shared apartment) Food more expensive, but cafeteria food cheaper / / /
Italy

Università degli Studi di Catania

Università degli Studi di Torino

 Rent approx. as expensive as in Germany / Eating out sometimes cheaper than in Germany / /
Italy Università degli Studi di Milano Dormitories can be very affordable by Milan standards Same price level as in Germany    More expensive than in Germany / Milan is generally very expensive
Japan Reitaku University Apartments very expensive, dormitories are relatively affordable (approx. €500/month) Approximately at the same price level as in Germany    Approximately at the same price level as in Germany    / /
Canada  Red Deer Polytechnic  / More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany / Savings of around €8,000 are required for your studies
Columbia

EAFIT

Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

 Rent approx. 200-400 €/month (depending on location & whether meals are included) Cheaper than in Germany Eating out is quite cheap Public transport is very cheap /
Korea, Republic EWHA
Womens University 		 Dormitories about as expensive as in Germany Food more expensive, food from the convenience store sometimes cheaper than cooking yourself Approx. same price level as in Germany    / Proof of sufficient financial means must be submitted for the visa (5,000-6500 €)
Latvia Ventspils University of Applied Sciences / Cheaper than in Germany Cheaper than in Germany Cheap /
Luxembourg University of Luxembourg  Rent for rooms in shared apartments relatively expensive, dormitories a little cheaper More expensive than in Germany / / Extra budget needed
Mexico

UCC

Universidad de Guadalajara

 Rent approx. 200-300 €/month Cheaper than in Germany Cheaper than in Germany / /
The Neherlands University of Groningen Rent approx. as expensive as in Germany More expensive than in Germany, cheaper at markets / / /
Norway

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

NTNU

University of Bergen 

 Rent more expensive than in Germany (approx. 500 €/month for dormitories) More expensive than in Germany Eating out is very expensive Domestic flights cheaper with student discount Student discounts available almost everywhere
Austria

KPH Wien

PH Wien

PH Salzburg

PH Tirol

Die Angewandte Wien 

 Rent approx. 400-500 €/month More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany, extra budget needed Public transport costs the same as in Germany Extra budget needed
Poland

Uniwersytet Jagielloński

Uniwersytet Gdanski

Uniwersytet Łódźki

 Room in a shared apartment 200-300 €/month Cheaper than in Germany Same or slightly cheaper than in Germany Going by train within the country is cheap, students get a 50% discount on public transport /
Portugal

Instituto Politecnico de Lisboa

Universidade do Porto

 Rent approx. 400-500 €/month Approx. as expensive as in Germany About as expensive as in Germany (€10-15), eating out from around €8 Public transport fee of approx. 30-40 €/month /
Sweden

Högskolan Kristianstad

Linköping Universität

 / More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany Train and bus tickets more expensive than in Germany (approx. 80 €/month) /
Switzerland PH Bern  Rent in shared apartments sometimes cheaper than in dormitories, but still quite expensive (approx. 500-600 €/month) More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany / Extra budget needed
Spain

CEU

ESIC

Universidad de Granada

Universidad de Málaga

Universidad de Murcia

Universidad de Salamanca

Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

 Rooms in shared apartments approx. 300-500 €/month, but can be much more expensive in good districts Slightly cheaper than in Germany, fruit and vegetables cheaper at markets Eating out cheaper than in Germany, many museums free with metro card (Madrid) Metro and bus very cheap In general, the prices in Spain are slightly cheaper than in Germany
Czech Republic

Masaryk University

Metropolitan University Prague

 Rooms in shared apartments approx. 400-500 €/month, dormitories cheaper Similar to Germany Eating out and bars much cheaper, 50% student discount on many activities Public transport very cheap due to student discount /
Turkey University of Istanbul Rent approx. 250-350 € Cheaper than in Germany Eating out cheaper than in Germany, clothes and books affordable Travelling from approx. 100 € /
UK Stranmillis University College Rent must be paid in full in advance (approx. 2500 €) More expensive than in Germany, but there are many apps, coupons and student discounts Affordable activities / Extra budget needed
UK Westfield House Room in a shared apartment approx. 700 €/month, but might also be cheaper English supermarkets are very expensive, but discount stores like ALDI are similar in price to Germany / Bus quite expensive, but it's easy to get around Cambridge on foot /
Hungary

ELTE

Szeged University

 Rent approx. 300-500 €/month, water and electricity slightly cheaper than in Germany Similar to Germany, cheaper at markets Cafés, museums, bars and clubs outside the tourist areas very cheap / /
USA

California State University

Knox

Winthrop University

 / More expensive than in Germany More expensive than in Germany Domestic flights quite cheap if booked in good time An amount of €4,000-10,000 (depending on location) must be provided for the visa and studies. However, this includes accommodation, meals, sports facilities.
Cyprus University of Nicosia Rent approx. 300-400 €/month More expensive than in Germany, cheaper at markets Slightly more expensive than in Germany Bus quite cheap Many student discounts

No. You will automatically receive Erasmus funding if you are offered a place at a European partner university.

You will automatically receive Erasmus+ funding if you are offered a place at a European partner university and at selected Erasmus+ partner countries (Albania, Israel, partly in the UK). In Switzerland, you will automatically receive a SEMP scholarship.

A separate application for Erasmus+ funding is only required for stays at non-European Erasmus+ partner universities. The current list of Erasmus+ partner universities in non-European countries can be found on the Erasmus+ website.

Foreign student aid (BAföG) (study + internship) has different standards than German domestic BAföG. This means that students who are not eligible for financial aid in German can also receive it abroad for their studies at a German university. For this reason, we always recommend applying for foreign financial aid. Start the application process well in advance - approximately 6 months before you plan to go abroad.

We recommend you to apply for Auslands-BAföG abroad. You can apply for a PROMOS scholarship once a year. It is also possible to receive an Erasmus+ scholarship for stays in some non-European countries.

Further information on PROMOS Further information on Erasmus+

On our website you will find an overview of the most important funding opportunities.

Learn more about funding options

Off the beaten path: other ways to go abroad

Between November and January, the application portal is open to those who want to do a semester abroad the following academic year. During this period, you can apply for a semester abroad in the fall and/or spring semester.

Between the end of March and mid-May you can apply for places still available in the spring semester.

In principle, the Erasmus scholarship is there to support study abroad and not travel. However, you may attend voluntary courses abroad that do not count towards your EUF studies.

Yes, you can apply for a study stay abroad during the usual application periods. You just need to clarify the recognition with the responsible person. Master's students can also do (voluntary or compulsory) internships abroad - and there are also internship funding opportunities for recent graduates.