“The best decision of my life”, “an unforgettable experience”, or perhaps even “a great complement to my studies” – we are confident that you will never forget a period abroad during your days as a student. So it is high time you went off on your own adventure abroad. With a little planning, you can integrate a period abroad into your standard studies and have foreign credits recognised back in Leipzig. So what are you waiting for? Carpe diem!
When is it best to go abroad?
We recommend a semester abroad during the fifth semester of study of a bachelor’s programme and the third semester of study if you are a master’s student. The seventh semester is suitable if you are enrolled on a State Examination or Diplom programme. More detailed information can be found in your study regulations. The Student Advisory Service can help you to decide on the right time for a semester abroad.
Our tip: Find out about the required language skills, the procedure for having Leipzig University recognise the credits you acquire abroad, and applying for leave semesters.
How long can I spend abroad?
That’s up to you! As a rule, you study abroad for one or two semesters. We recommend an entire academic year abroad. Study abroad can also be combined perfectly with an internship in a foreign country.
Can I take a leave semester?
You can apply for up to two leave semesters for study purposes. One major advantage for you of taking a leave semester is that you can have your academic achievements abroad recognised by Leipzig University. Applying for leave semesters is particularly advisable if you receive BAföG, because leave semesters do not count towards your standard period of study.
What if going abroad prolongs my studies?
There is no reason to regard extending your time at university due to a period abroad as a disadvantage. Your experience abroad will help you immensely in your personal development and will be valuable for your future. Spending time abroad can also be highly beneficial to your professional career.
- Erasmus+ internship: Erasmus+ supports internships abroad during the first year after your graduation.
- DAAD-Lektorenprogramm
- DAAD-Sprachassistentenprogramm
- DAAD (worldwide)
- Bildungskredit (Education loan) (worldwide)
- AuslandsBAföG (International BAföG) (Europe)
- Utrecht Network Young Researchers Grant
- Structured doctoral programmes at Leipzig University
- DAAD one-year scholarships for doctoral candidates (worldwide)
- DAAD short-term grants for doctoral candidates (worldwide)
- DAAD postdoctoral research grants (worldwide)
- Erasmus+ for doctoral candidates (Europe)
- Various Begabtenförderungswerke and foundations
Student mobility to the surrounding countries of Ukraine and Russia
Please follow the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office and stay in close contact with the partner university.
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.
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.
Applicants for exchange programmes will be nominated at the partner universities as usual.
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.