Would you like to combine studying with spending time abroad? Besides a semester abroad, there are various ways to spend time in another country – such as internships, language courses, writing your dissertation, subject-specific courses and study trips. Read more about your options here and find the right scholarship form for you.
Internships Abroad
An internship abroad offers many valuable experiences: discover new job prospects, make contacts with international colleagues and enhance your professional and language skills! Internships are already part of some degree programmes. You can take a leave semester for a voluntary internship. There is all sorts of funding available for internships abroad. Erasmus+, PROMOS and other scholarships provide you with a variety of options for funding your own placement in a different country.
It is often possible to organise an internship abroad faster than studying in another country. Nevertheless, make sure you seek advice from the International Centre well in advance!
Staying abroad during the pandemic
Are you planning a stay abroad? Has the coronavirus pandemic left you feeling unsure whether you want to or are able to do this? It is difficult to predict how the situation will develop. We are aware of your concerns and are available to answer your questions.
If possible, please refrain from spending any money on planning your stay abroad for as long as possible.
We recommend that you:
- Wait as long as possible before booking travel tickets, renting an apartment abroad or similar.
- Take out travel cancellation insurance and ensure sufficient health insurance cover during your stay. Please speak to your health insurance provider if you have any questions.
- Keep open the option of continuing your studies at Leipzig University for as long as possible.
- Regularly check the host institution’s website and sign up for any relevant newsletters.
- Stay in contact with your coordinators and contacts at our university and those at the host institution.
- Meet all deadlines set.
In principle, it is possible to study abroad at a partner university in the coming academic year. Applicants for exchange programmes (e.g. Erasmus+, student exchange worldwide) will be nominated at the partner universities as usual. Some partner universities have extended their nomination deadlines, which means that it may still be some time before they respond.
As soon as the partner universities give us information about important changes (such as whether teaching will take place online, cancellations, postponements), we will inform the Erasmus+ departmental coordinators immediately. Current information can be found in our portal for periods abroad.
Vaccination prioritisation was lifted in Germany on 7 June 2021. Anyone who would like to get vaccinated against coronavirus can register with their GP as well as at the vaccination centres. In addition, please always observe the requirements and instructions of your host university regarding necessary proof (e.g. proof of complete vaccination, valid test result) and quarantine rules when entering the country.
Please first consult with your departmental coordinator and your contacts at the host institution. Once you have done this, please get in touch with your contact person at the International Centre.
Postponement (at partner universities):
If you are nominated to study abroad in Europe and would like to postpone this, please contact your Erasmus+ departmental coordinator to arrange a new nomination. At the same time, you should also notify your contacts at the partner university and our International Centre.
In non-European countries, whether you can postpone your stay will depend mainly on the situation and capacity at the partner university. Please ask your contact at the International Centre whether it is possible to postpone your stay at your partner university. We will endeavour to help you find and implement a solution that suits you.
Postponement (via PROMOS):
Please contact your PROMOS project coordinator by email.
The Erasmus+ programme promotes student mobility abroad. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is currently subject to a number of changes and restrictions.
Whatever you’ve got planned abroad, your safety is our top priority. Please check the Federal Foreign Office website regularly for the latest travel regulations and warnings.
Since 16 June 2020, it has been possible for an Erasmus+ stay to combine physical and virtual mobility. To be eligible, the host institution must offer virtual courses or internship options that allow you to work towards your learning objectives.
The support available under the Erasmus+ programme consists of the “Erasmus+ status” itself – which allows a maximum of two exchange semesters per study phase at a foreign university without the need to pay tuition fees – as well as monthly financial support – the Erasmus+ grant.
This financial support can only be offered from the beginning of the physical mobility period abroad. If you have to start your mobility period virtually and remain at your home university, you will not be entitled to financial support.
Once the mobility period has started virtually in Leipzig, this can be followed by physical mobility at the partner university abroad. Financial support is then possible from the start of this period abroad. The amount of the grant will depend on the duration of your physical stay abroad. In principle, this should last at least three months if you are studying abroad, and at least two months for internships abroad.
The current restrictions mean that you can cut short your physical mobility period abroad, or interrupt it, and replace it with a virtual period if necessary. Please indicate this in the declaration. If you change from physical to virtual mobility, whether abroad or at home, your financial support will continue. However, you should participate in online courses or activities so that you still achieve your learning objectives as set out in your Learning/Training Agreement. You will then receive your Erasmus+ grant as per your Grant Agreement.
The host institution confirms virtual or physical mobility periods by issuing a certificate of enrolment and a certificate confirming that the study period has ended. Credits can be recognised for both virtual and physical mobility periods.
Please refer to the DAAD website for more information.
Financial support when cancelling an Erasmus+ mobility period
Are you unable to go abroad for Erasmus+? Have you already incurred costs directly related to the approved stay abroad (e.g. rent, electricity, travel expenses)?
Please indicate this first in the declaration. If the costs cannot be cancelled free of charge, the second option is to apply to the International Centre for reimbursement. Please send all original documents (in German or English, for all other languages please enclose a translation) with the completed request for reimbursement of costs to the International Centre.
Financial support when ending an Erasmus+ mobility period early
If you have to end your physical mobility phase abroad early, please inform the International Centre:
Despite ending your mobility phase, do you still have running costs that are directly related to the approved stay abroad (e.g. rent, electricity, travel expenses)?
Please indicate this in the declaration. Regardless of whether you are still abroad or have already returned, you will receive the Erasmus+ grant as per your Grant Agreement.
Despite ending your mobility phase, do you have no more running costs that are directly related to the approved stay abroad (e.g. rent, electricity, travel expenses)?
Please indicate this in the declaration. You will then receive financial support for the duration of your physical mobility phase, and for the subsequent virtual mobility phase if applicable. This will be calculated and paid out exactly to the day up to the required minimum duration (maximum 30 days per month), and beyond that according to the agreed grant rates (please note that funding already received may need to be paid back).
Irrespective of the declaration, please send the certificate confirming the end of your (virtual or physical) mobility phase, and if applicable the Transcript of Records and recognition results, or the traineeship certificate, to the International Centre.
Extending the Erasmus+ physical mobility period
You may extend your physical mobility period abroad with the agreement of your host institution. An extension of more than one month should be requested at least one month before the original end. Please refer to the relevant web page for more information.
Further contacts for supporting student mobility
- AuslandsBAföG (International BAföG)
- DAAD scholarships: please speak to your DAAD contact
- PROMOS
Students can still go abroad during the coronavirus pandemic. Two Leipzig University students describe their experiences in blog posts:
- Medicine student Elisa is completing part of her practical year in Gmunden (Austria)
Learn more (DE) - Theology graduate Johannes did an internship in Pécs (Hungary)
Learn more (DE)
Erasmus+ Internships in Europe
Erasmus+ supports both voluntary and mandatory placements abroad.
- You can apply for an Erasmus+ grant for your internship during your bachelor’s and master’s studies, State Examination and Diplom studies as well as during your doctorate.
- You are free to choose the period of your internship.
To be eligible for Erasmus+ funding, your internship abroad must meet certain requirements:
- Approved receiving institution
You will need to find an approved receiving institution within an EU Member State (including overseas territories) or Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia or Serbia. Participation in an Erasmus+ programme is independent of your own nationality.
EU Institutions and bodies which manage EU programmes are excluded. There are alternative funding programmes for these internships – such as DAAD short-term scholarships for internships abroad. Please also note that internships which exclusively include general customer support, order processing, data entry and general office tasks are not eligible.
- Minimum length of two months (60 days)
Your funding entitlement will also depend on how much of your individual Erasmus+ “allowance” is still available:
- As a bachelor’s or master’s student, you have a twelve-month Erasmus+ allowance at your disposal. You can use this flexibly for an Erasmus+ internship and/or to study under Erasmus+.
- Students enrolled on State Examination and Diplom programmes are entitled to up to 24 months in total for an Erasmus+ internship and/or Erasmus+ studies.
- Doctoral candidates are entitled to twelve months for an Erasmus+ internship.
- Funding is also available for an internship completed within twelve months of finishing your studies.
Graduate internships: due to the coronavirus pandemic, university graduates currently have 18 months in which to finish their internship after graduating. Previously, they had twelve months to do so.
Please apply for your Erasmus+ grant at least one month before your internship is due to start (cut-off deadline). It only takes a few steps:
You register and enrol for an Erasmus+ programme online. Please print out the online registration form and submit the signed original to the International Centre.
- Enrolment certificate
Upload your enrolment certificate directly when registering online or send it by E-Mail.
Please fill in a digital Learning Agreement for your internship. Sign it and also have it signed by the person responsible for your subject as well as the receiving institution. Please send a digital copy or scan of the signed agreement to the International Centre and also make a copy available to your subject and the receiving institution.
In order to obtain an Erasmus+ grant, you sign a contract with our university. This sets out all the conditions for your internship abroad. Please sign the agreement and submit two copies of the contract (originals) to the International Centre.
Erasmus+ Internship after Graduation
If you do not yet have confirmation from your receiving institution, please first submit:
- Original letter of intent signed by your institute’s Erasmus+ coordinator
- Current enrolment certificate
After your graduation:
- Certificate of exmatriculation
- Proof of completed studies (e.g. copy of degree certificate)
A decision on whether to grant financial support from Erasmus+ funds will be taken once all of your documents have been examined. Please refer to our checklist for more information.
Your eligibility for an Erasmus+ grant is independent of whether you will also be paid a salary for your internship. The scholarship amount varies depending on the length of stay and the country of destination.
Funding by length of stay:
| Length of stay | Grant possible for |
|---|---|
| From 2 months, but less than 2 months and 15 days | 2 months |
| From 2 months and 15 days, but less than 3 months | 2.5 months |
| From 3 months, but less than 3 months and 15 days | 3 months |
| From 3 months and 15 days, but less than 4 months | 3.5 months |
| From 4 months, but less than 4 months and 15 days | 4 months |
| From 4 months and 15 days, but less than 5 months | 4.5 months |
| From 5 months, but less than 5 months and 15 days | 5 months |
| From 5 months and 15 days, but less than 6 months | 5.5 months |
| etc. | etc. |
| For 12 months | 12 months |
Funding by country of destination*:
Country group 1: | €555/month, €600/month** |
Country group 2: | €495/month, €540/month** |
Country group 3: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey | €435/month |
* including overseas territories
** The higher funding rate only applies to the marked countries. If you would like to do an Erasmus+ funded internship in one of these countries, please contact the Erasmus+ Internship Coordinator directly (email).
Special Funding
Students with a disability or parents with children can apply for special funds at the International Centre. The special funding is paid in addition to the regular grant rates. Please refer to the above table for the country groupings.
Please submit the following applications to the International Centre so that we can approve your grant application:
- Grant application for parents with children
- Grant application for students with disabilities (lump sum)
Disabled students should submit the following grant application to the DAAD (copy to the International Centre):
The rules on force majeure in the Erasmus+ programme provide for a so-called “blended mobility” approach to Erasmus+ periods abroad. This combines physical and virtual mobility.
- This applies to mobility under the Erasmus+ programme during the funding period from 16 June 2020 until 30 September 2021.
- The receiving institution must offer tasks that allow the student to work towards their learning objectives.
- Financial support is only available for the stay abroad once the trip to the host country begins – regardless of whether the student takes part in a face-to-face or online internship. You will not be entitled to any financial support for the time spent in your home country.
A virtual period of mobility may be followed by a physical stay abroad at the receiving institution. The amount of financial support will be determined by the duration of the stay abroad. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the minimum period physically spent abroad that usually applies to Erasmus+ stays abroad can be waived. For internships abroad of less than two months, the financial support will be paid exactly to the day (up to a maximum of 30 days per month). In the event of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the physical mobility period can be shortened or cancelled and replaced by an extension of the virtual mobility period. Periods of interruption between the virtual and physical mobility phases are also permitted and may be eligible for financial support.
This virtual or combined mobility must be confirmed by the receiving institution. It confirms the start of the internship by email and then issues an internship certificate at the end of the placement. Both the confirmation by email and the internship certificate should make a distinction between the two mobility phases (virtual and physical).
Please refer to the DAAD website for more information.
The Online Linguistic Support (OLS) language tests is mandatory if you wish to receive an Erasmus+ grant. You will receive an automatically generated email from the Erasmus+ Notification System after you have submitted all the documents to us and your grant application has been approved.
If you are a native speaker or the required language is not offered by the OLS system, you are not required to participate.
OLS covers the following main languages of instruction: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovenian, Slovak, Spanish and Swedish.
- If the result of your online test is below B2, you will receive an offer for an online language course in that language. This offer will be sent automatically.
- If you achieved a higher result on the language test and would like to take part in a voluntary language course, please contact your Erasmus+ coordinator at the International Centre.
1. Application for a Certificate of Sponsorship by the International Centre (SI)
The SI will submit an application to the British Council for a Certificate of Sponsorship on your behalf. This certificate contains a personal reference number, which you will need when applying for a visa. The British Council takes up to four weeks to process applications, and you will be notified as soon as your Certificate of Sponsorship arrives. It is valid for three months from the date of issue and free of charge for German citizens.
For the application we will need the following documents from you. Please submit them in good time and contact us by sending us an email to erasmus.praktikum(at)uni-leipzig.de.
2. Independent application for Temporary Worker-Government Authorised Exchange visa (T5)
For an internship, you are considered a “temporary worker” and need to apply for the T5 (GAE) visa with your personal reference number (see Step 1). This has to be applied for no more than three months before the start of the internship (as specified on the certificate). You complete the application online and it costs 189 pounds for German citizens. Students need to prove that they can afford to cover the cost of living through the Erasmus+ grant and/or the internship salary, and are not allowed to apply for public benefits. This does not apply to students from EU countries who are on a research stay of less than six months.
3. Immigration Health Surcharge
Upon receipt of your visa, you will be liable for the Immigration Health Surcharge to give you access to the National Health Service (NHS). For interns this costs 470 pounds per annum. Please apply for the Immigration Health Surcharge on your own for the duration of your stay. If your internship will last less than six months, you do not have to pay anything.
Please contact our International Centre if you would like to shorten or extend your internship.
- If you wish to shorten your internship, you may be required to repay some of your Erasmus+ grant. If you fall below the minimum duration of two months, you will have to repay the entire amount of the grant.
- You can prolong your stay as long as this will not cause you to exceed your Erasmus+ “time allowance”.
If you wish to extend your internship by less than one month, all you need to do it contact us and let us know. If you intend to extend your internship by more than one month, you will need to complete an amendment to the original Learning Agreement for traineeships.
Conclude your Erasmus+ internship and receive your final grant instalment:
- Traineeship certificate:
Have the traineeship certificate completed by your receiving institution and email a scan of the certificate to the International Centre at the end of your internship. - Online language test after your period abroad:
After your internship, you will be required to take the online language test again. You will receive an automatically generated email from the Erasmus+ Notification System at the end of your internship. - Erasmus+ Participant Report (EU-Survey)
You will have gained a lot of experience during your Erasmus+ internship. Your Erasmus+ Participant Report is an opportunity for other students to find out useful details about the receiving institution and its location, and prepare for their own period abroad. After submitting your Participant Report, you will receive an automatically generated email from the sender EUSurvey (please also check your spam folder).
PROMOS Internships Worldwide
Would you like to complete an internship outside the Erasmus+ funding region? Then you may want to consider a PROMOS scholarship! The programme supports internships abroad lasting between six weeks and six months.
PROMOS is also available for internships if you have already exhausted your Erasmus+ allowance. The programme can also be used to support periods of study, dissertations, language courses, subject-specific courses and study trips.
In order to apply for a PROMOS scholarship, you must be fully enrolled and pursuing a degree at our university.
If you are studying on an international master’s programme, you must have attended our university for at least one semester. Bachelor’s students can apply from the third semester of study, and master’s students from the first semester of study. Doctoral candidates are not eligible for funding under this programme.
PROMOS funds internships abroad lasting from six weeks to six months. The respective grant rates depend on the country of destination. The scholarship comprises a monthly grant and a one-off travel allowance.
PROMOS scholarships are tied to calendar years, which means that in the case of stays abroad spanning several years, funding is only possible until 28 February of the following year.
Students with a degree of disability (“GdB”) of at least 50 or a chronic illness can apply for special funding from the DAAD together with the International Centre. The special funding can be paid in addition to the regular grant rates. Please contact the PROMOS project coordinator by email early on for further information and to apply.
You can combine a PROMOS scholarship with AuslandsBAföG (International BAföG).
There are two annual application periods for PROMOS scholarships:
- For stays commencing between January and June:
1 November–1 December of the previous year - For stays commencing between July and December:
1 May–1 June
Online Application
Please submit your application online only. Register with your university login via the online portal. Enter your information in the online application and upload the following documents:
- CV in tabular form
- Certificate(s) of enrolment
Please upload your enrolment certificate(s) from Leipzig University for the entire period of your stay abroad. If you do not yet have the enrolment certificate for the following semester, first submit your enrolment certificate for the current semester. You must then submit the next certificate as soon as you have it (without being asked). You do not need to provide your master data sheet or your BAföG certificate.
- Overview of grades
An overview of grades can be obtained from your AlmaWeb account or by contacting your subject’s examination office. You can only use the overview of grades from AlmaWeb if all your previous achievements have been recorded in full in the portal. If you are a first-semester master’s student, please also submit your bachelor’s certificate together with an overview of grades. If you are already enrolled in a higher semester on a master’s programme, we will require your current overview of grades in addition to your bachelor’s certificate with overview of grades.
- Describe the project
Please specify why you have chosen to complete an internship abroad and explain your choice of host institution. Describe the content and scope of the work (one to two pages).
- Language certificate for the working language/national language
You can receive a language certificate from one of the teachers at the Language Center after taking one of their language certification tests. The Language Center holds these tests regularly. Your school-leaving certificate does not count as proof of language proficiency.
- If you speak the language in question or are studying in that language, please contact a language teacher at your institute.
- If the working language at your receiving institution is German and no further foreign language skills are required, please contact your PROMOS project coordinator.
- If you can prove that you passed one of the standard tests listed here within the last two years, you can use this instead of the language certificate.
Before your stay, you can attend a preparatory language course at our Language Center or take advantage of the language courses offered during your studies:
- SQ 13 – Key qualification module in Intercultural Communication
- Foreign language modules
- Autonomous foreign language learning modules
- Tandem language learning modules
- Proof of contact with the receiving institution/internship contract
You will need a letter from the receiving institution indicating the location, the nature and scope of your work, the duration of your internship and the contact details of the receiving institution.
Before your stay, you can attend a preparatory language course at our Language Center or take advantage of the language courses offered during your studies:
After checking that your application is complete, we will send you a personal confirmation message.
Review of Your Application and Nomination
Your complete application will be reviewed by two subject-specific appraisers. The following selection criteria and assessment weightings are taken into account:
- Subject-specific qualification and personal suitability (50%)
- Relevance of the planned stay in relation studies completed so far (30%)
- Language skills necessary to carry out the stay (20%)
Applicants will be notified by email of whether they have been nominated for a PROMOS scholarship approximately six weeks after the application deadline.
Alternative Scholarships for Internships Abroad
Besides Erasmus+ and PROMOS, there are numerous alternative scholarships for internships abroad that you can apply for. Take a look!
-
Archaeology
Internships with the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) -
Economics and management science
AIESEC Global Talent
New Kibbutz -
Humanities
at institutes of the Max Weber Foundation (Deutsche Geisteswissenschaftliche Institute) abroad -
Computer science
AIESEC Global Talent -
Engineering and natural sciences
IAESTE specialist internships
RISE Worldwide research internships
Vulcanus in Japan -
Teacher training degrees
Partner schools around the world
PAD language assistant programme
DAAD Lehramt.International (short-term grants)
DAAD Lehramt.International (for teacher training graduates) -
Medicine
Research internships, university hospitals
Internships in development cooperation
Deutscher Famulantenaustausch (bvmd)
- AIESEC
Global volunteering projects - ASA
for working and studying in Africa, Latin America, Asia and South Eastern Europe - DAAD
Carlo Schmid Programme: Internships in international organisations
Programmes for short-term scholarships and travel expense grants - DFJW (Franco-German Youth Office)
Scholarships for study-related internships in France - DPJW (German-Polish Youth Office)
Scholarships for internships in Poland - German Academic Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships for internships in China
Finding the Right Internship
Finding the right internship takes a good deal of initiative. Very few programmes offer both scholarships and internships. To help you look in the right place, we’ve put together an overview of subject-specific programmes and internship portals. Good luck with your search!
- AIESEC
Volunteering and internships - Arbeitskreis Lernen und Helfen in Übersee e.V.
- Arqus Alliance Internships
- Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Brussels
Student internships in Brussels - Bundesverband der Pharmaziestudierenden
- Campusjäger
Job and internship portal by students, for students - Career Centre at Leipzig University - Job portal
- College Council
Internship portal for the US and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand - Deutsch als Fremdsprache
Internship portal run by the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz - Deutsch-Französische Juristenvereinigung e.V.
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
- DFJW Job portal
- Erasmus Student Network
- European Law Students’ Association (ELSA)
Arrangement of paid internships for aspiring lawyers (partial funding via Erasmus+ internship possible) - European Youth Portal
- German-Canadian Association
- German-Japanese Association of Jurists
- Goethe-Institut
- iAgora
- International Placement Service (ZAV) of the Federal Employment Agency
- Internship portal at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Job portal at Leipzig University’s Career Centre
- KOPRA
- studieren weltweit
- Worldwide Classroom
Dissertations, Language Courses, Subject-Specific Courses and More
Apart from studying or doing an internship in a foreign country, language courses, subject-specific courses and study trips can be a great opportunity to gain experience abroad. A language course can, for example, help you prepare well for an internship. You can also write your dissertation abroad or carry out research for it. A PROMOS scholarship can be used to fund such a stay abroad.
Depending on the topic of your dissertation, it may be important for you to carry out research abroad. This could give you access to research fields that are not accessible here in Leipzig. You may also need material from foreign institutions that is of particular relevance to your work.
What financial support will I receive?
Fund your final thesis abroad with PROMOS or as part of an Erasmus+ internship.
PROMOS awards short-term scholarships for dissertations. The respective grant rates depend on the country of destination. The scholarship comprises a monthly grant and a one-off travel allowance.
Students with a degree of disability (“GdB”) of at least 50 or a chronic illness can apply for special funding from the DAAD together with the International Centre. The special funding can be paid in addition to the regular grant rates. Please contact the PROMOS project coordinator by email early on for further information and to apply.
For more details, please refer to our information on studying abroad and the PROMOS application information.
How do I apply for a PROMOS scholarship?
There are two application deadlines for PROMOS scholarships each year:
- for periods abroad commencing between January and June:
1 November–1 December of the previous year - for periods abroad commencing between July and December:
1 May–1 July
Please note that we are unable to accept applications for PROMOS scholarships submitted outside the application periods.
Step 1: Prepare for your online application
To help you prepare for your online application, we have put together some practical tips for filling in the online form.
Step 2: Applying online
To apply, please register via the online portal using your university login. Please only apply via the online portal.
Please enter your information in the online application and upload the following documents:
- CV in tabular form
- Certificate(s) of enrolmen
Please upload your enrolment certificate(s) from Leipzig University for the entire period of your stay abroad. If you do not yet have the enrolment certificate for the following semester, first submit your enrolment certificate for the current semester. You must then submit the next certificate as soon as you have it (without being asked). You do not need to provide your master data sheet or your BAföG certificate. - Overview of grades
Please request this from your examination office. You can also submit a printout of the overview of your grades from AlmaWeb, provided it lists all of the credits you have earned so far. If you are already enrolled on a master’s programme, please also upload a copy of your bachelor’s certificate including a Transcript of Records. - Describe the project
Please explain why the success of your final thesis depends on your going abroad and include a project schedule for your time abroad (e.g. in a table). - Language certificate for the language of instruction/national language
You can receive a language certificate from one of the teachers at the Language Center after taking one of their language certification tests.- If you speak the language in question or are studying in that language, please contact a language teacher at your institute.
- If the language of instruction is German and no further foreign language skills are required, please contact your PROMOS project coordinator.
- If you can prove that you passed one of the standard tests listed here within the last two years, you can use this instead of the language certificate.
Before your stay, you can attend a preparatory language course at our Language Center or take advantage of the language courses offered during your studies:
-
Proof of contact/confirmation of supervision
We require information about the location of your host university and your supervisor abroad.
Thesis / student research projects that are not conducted at a higher education institution or company must have demonstrable unrestricted support from the department.
Our tip:
Our application information and checklist for PROMOS applications will help you make sure that you have completed all the necessary steps when applying.
After checking that your application is complete, we will send you a personal confirmation message.
Review of your application and nomination
Your complete application will be reviewed by two subject-specific appraisers. The following selection criteria and assessment weightings are taken into account:
- Subject-specific qualification and personal suitability (50 per cent)
- The relevance of the planned stay in relation to studies completed so far (30 per cent)
- Language skills necessary to carry out the stay (20 per cent).
Applicants will be notified by email of whether they have been nominated for a PROMOS scholarship approximately six weeks after the application deadline.
Taking a language course abroad is the perfect opportunity to significantly improve your language skills! Besides our language courses, it is possible to take courses at private language institutes or universities abroad.
Find Language Courses Abroad
The DAAD website provides a good introduction to this topic. There you can search for language courses at universities around the world.
What financial support will I receive?
PROMOS awards scholarships for language courses abroad and can fund your participation in a language course from three weeks (21 days) to two months worldwide. Please note that the language course must be related to your studies or relevant in terms of your future career. The respective grant rates depend on the country of destination. The scholarship comprises a monthly grant and a one-off travel allowance.
Students with a degree of disability (“GdB”) of at least 50 or a chronic illness can apply for special funding from the DAAD together with the International Centre. The special funding can be paid in addition to the regular grant rates. Please contact the PROMOS project coordinator by email early on for further information and to apply.
How do I apply for a PROMOS scholarship?
There are two application deadlines for PROMOS scholarships each year:
- for periods abroad commencing between January and June:
1 November–1 December of the previous year - for periods abroad commencing between July and December:
1 May–1 July.
Please note that we are unable to accept applications for PROMOS scholarships submitted outside the application periods.
Step 1: Prepare for your online application
To help you prepare for your online application, we have put together some practical tips for filling in the online form.
Step 2: Applying online
To apply, please register via the online portal using your university login. Please only apply via the online portal.
Please enter your information in the online application and upload the following documents:
- CV in tabular form
- Certificate(s) of enrolment
Please upload your enrolment certificate(s) from Leipzig University for the entire period of your stay abroad. If you do not yet have the enrolment certificate for the following semester, first submit your enrolment certificate for the current semester. You must then submit the next certificate as soon as you have it (without being asked). You do not need to provide your master data sheet or your BAföG certificate. - Overview of grades
Please request this from your examination office. You can also submit a printout of the overview of your grades from AlmaWeb, provided it lists all of the credits you have earned so far. If you are already enrolled on a master’s programme, please also upload a copy of your bachelor’s certificate including a Transcript of Records. - Describe the project
Please explain how taking part in the specialist course or summer school will benefit your studies, specifying the location, dates and scope (one to two pages). - Language certificate for the language of instruction / national language
You can receive a language certificate from one of the teachers at the Language Center after taking one of their language certification tests. The Language Center holds these tests regularly. Your school-leaving certificate does not count as proof of language proficiency.- If you speak the language in question or are studying in that language, please contact a language teacher at your institute.
- If you can prove that you passed one of the standard tests listed here within the last two years, you can use this instead of the language certificate.
Before your stay, you can attend a preparatory language course at our Language Center or take advantage of the language courses offered during your studies:
-
Proof of contact / official course announcement
We need information about the location and scope of your specialist course or a confirmation of registration for the specialist course or summer school abroad.
Our tip:
Our application information and checklist for PROMOS specialist courses will help you make sure that you have completed all the necessary steps when applying.
After checking that your application is complete, we will send you a personal confirmation message.
Review of your application and nomination
Your complete application will be reviewed by two subject-specific appraisers. The following selection criteria and assessment weightings are taken into account:
- Subject-specific qualification and personal suitability (50 per cent)
- The relevance of the planned stay in relation to studies completed so far (30 per cent)
- Language skills necessary to carry out the stay (20 per cent).
Applicants will be notified by email of whether they have been nominated for a PROMOS scholarship approximately six weeks after the application deadline.
Until the end of the winter semester 2020/21, if you have planned a period abroad for an internship under PROMOS, you can start or complete it online under certain circumstances, provided that it is not possible or reasonable to leave the country. Please contact your PROMOS project coordinator for further information.
Examples of specialist courses are summer schools or workshops at a foreign host university. They usually last several days or a few weeks and deal with special projects or topics. These activities are often supplemented by local cultural programmes.
Find Specialist Courses and Summer Schools Abroad
Please contact us for information on current opportunities. In addition, many departments have noticeboards advertising such programmes.
- The DAAD’s Go East programme organises summer and winter schools in East-Central, South Eastern and Eastern Europe.
- Are you interested in going to Switzerland? Students of physics, computer science and engineering can apply to the CERN Summer Student Programme.
What financial support will I receive?
PROMOS supports specialist courses abroad for periods of between five days and six weeks. The respective grant rates depend on the country of destination. The scholarship comprises a monthly grant and a one-off travel allowance. It does not cover course fees.
Students with a degree of disability (“GdB”) of at least 50 or a chronic illness can apply for special funding from the DAAD together with the International Centre. The special funding can be paid in addition to the regular grant rates. Please contact the PROMOS project coordinator by email early on for further information and to apply.
How do I apply for a PROMOS scholarship?
There are two application deadlines for PROMOS scholarships each year:
- for periods abroad commencing between January and June:
1 November–1 December of the previous year - for periods abroad commencing between July and December:
1 May–1 July
Please note that we are unable to accept applications for PROMOS scholarships submitted outside the application periods.
Step 1: Prepare for your online application
To help you prepare for your online application, we have put together some practical tips for filling in the online form.
Step 2: Applying online
To apply, please register via the online portal using your university login. Please only apply via the online portal.
Please enter your information in the online application and upload the following documents:
- CV in tabular form
- Certificate(s) of enrolment
Please upload your enrolment certificate(s) from Leipzig University for the entire period of your stay abroad. If you do not yet have the enrolment certificate for the following semester, first submit your enrolment certificate for the current semester. You must then submit the next certificate as soon as you have it (without being asked). You do not need to provide your master data sheet or your BAföG certificate. - Overview of grades
Please request this from your examination office. You can also submit a printout of the overview of your grades from AlmaWeb, provided it lists all of the credits you have earned so far. If you are already enrolled on a master’s programme, please also upload a copy of your bachelor’s certificate including a Transcript of Records. - Describe the project
Please explain how taking part in the specialist course or summer school will benefit your studies, specifying the location, dates and scope (one to two pages). - Language certificate for the language of instruction / national language
can receive a language certificate from one of the teachers at the Language Center after taking one of their language certification tests. The Language Center holds these tests regularly. Your school-leaving certificate does not count as proof of language proficiency.- If you speak the language in question or are studying in that language, please contact a language teacher at your institute.
- If the language of instruction is German and no further foreign language skills are required, please contact your PROMOS project coordinator.
- If you can prove that you passed one of the standard tests listed here within the last two years, you can use this instead of the language certificate.
Before your stay, you can attend a preparatory language course at our Language Center or take advantage of the language courses offered during your studies:
-
Proof of contact / official course announcement
We need information about the location and scope of your specialist course or a confirmation of registration for the specialist course or summer school abroad.
Our tip:
Our application information and checklist for PROMOS specialist courses will help you make sure that you have completed all the necessary steps when applying.
After checking that your application is complete, we will send you a personal confirmation message.
Review of your application and nomination
Your complete application will be reviewed by two subject-specific appraisers. The following selection criteria and assessment weightings are taken into account:
- Subject-specific qualification and personal suitability (50 per cent)
- The relevance of the planned stay in relation to studies completed so far (30 per cent)
- Language skills necessary to carry out the stay (20 per cent).
Applicants will be notified by email of whether they have been nominated for a PROMOS scholarship approximately six weeks after the application deadline.
This funding is not available for congress or lecture tours. For these, please check the DAAD website.
You can undertake a study trip abroad together with your fellow students. The whole trip must be accompanied by a professor. The study trip will focus on subject-related learning and give you an insight into the local culture. Study trips focus on getting to know students and other academics.
Financial support
Under PROMOS, a flat-rate allowance is available to support study trips by groups of at least five students and/or doctoral researchers accompanied by a professor.
Please note this information and our checklist for study trips abroad.
Applying for PROMOS funding
Applications for PROMOS grants for study trips can only be submitted by professors of our university. Please send all application documents as specified in the checklist as a single PDF file to Christine Seidemann.
The International Centre’s German-language app “entdecker – Abenteuer Ausland” supports students from Leipzig University before, during and even after their time abroad. Whether you head to another country to study, for an internship, or for a subject-related or language course, the “entdecker” app is your mobile companion for your adventures abroad. More information is available on the German entdecker website. You are welcome to download the app and start planning your time abroad.