Frequently Asked Questions

Simply put to further your career prospects! Many modern businesses expect a time spent abroad. EU internal market and monetary union are likely to contribute to the trend of internationalization. The University of Kassel too, excels in the profiles of “international”, “interdisciplinary” and “innovative”.

By studying abroad, you will learn to be more flexible and open-minded. You will develop the ability to overcome obstacles and grow with new challenges. Employers look for such kind of qualities. An exchange term also improves your career prospects in the increasing internationalized business world.

However, the personal benefits you gain should play an even more important role: having fun, enjoying enriching experiences, gaining new friends, and, of course, networking.

There is no better time in life to gain international experience in an uncomplicated and less expensive setting as during your studies!

As the saying goes: “The early bird catches the worm”, plan ahead early in advance!

Planning ahead a year in advance is very essential!

Do you wish to go abroad as a "Free Mover"? Take at least one year (at best two years) time for proper planning! See the International Office for further information on “Free Mover” exchanges.

We suggest going abroad after having completed the basic modules of your Bachelor’s degree programme. (However, please start preparing for an exchange term early in advance!) After completing the basic modules, you will have the opportunity to do some of the optional modules at a university abroad. This is the best timing, because you will have acquired experience at the university already. Thus, you can use the experience and knowledge you have gained abroad for your studies at your home university. In addition, it might be easier to participate in interesting courses at the partner university. Participating in an exchange term early during your studies will benefit you for the rest of your studies at home.

However, it might also be of benefit to go abroad after having chosen your focus. In that way, you might be able to prepare your Bachelor / Master’s thesis, or on the other hand, discover new perspectives within your focus of your studies. Finally, going abroad after having finished your Bachelor’s, will allow you to participate in “graduate courses”. Do you wish to take specific courses abroad? Please be aware, that the course offer at the partner university might not have the same focus, rather, it might differ in the desired profile.

Would you like to go abroad after having completed your thesis? In this case, you could consider an internship abroad during or after your studies. You can apply for ERASMUS+ funding if your internship is two months or longer in duration.

Before considering going abroad as a so-called „Free Mover“, try to apply for an exchange programme. Within the EU, the ERASMUS+ programme is an excellent way to study abroad in such countries as Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, Poland and Lithuania. For those who would like to study in a non-European country, we have cooperations with selected universities too.

The application deadline is December 31 for the winter/autumn term of the following year. 

You will have to stay abroad for at least one semester. Often, students who have applied only for one term, extend their stay for a second term. We can inform you about requirements, if you are interested in extending your stay.

Usually, exchange programmes at partner universities start with the autumn/ winter term. The lecture period of the terms might be different in each country and might not match with the one in Kassel. Thus, in some countries, the lecture period of the winter term begins already end of August / beginning of September.

Please inform yourself about the course offer at the partner university and make sure that English-taught courses are offered during the respective term.

Yes, your achievements from abroad can be recognized at the University of Kassel. Please contact us for further information.
(Information in German)

Within the ERASMUS+ programme, no tuition fees are charged at the host university. The majority of countries have comparable living costs. However, be aware of travel expenses and additional costs that come up due to living in a new environment. ERASMUS+ exchange students receive a mobility allowance. The allowance might help to cover the additional costs caused by being abroad. Funding rates are set every year according to the estimated number of students.

Exchange programmes are no full-ride scholarships. They waive tuition fees and help you to study abroad in a relaxed setting without having to extend the time of your studies at your home university. Set up a financial plan and calculate the cost. With some skill and ingenuity (and some savings), you will tackle the additional costs that you can expect to come up.

The Faculty of Economics and Management collaborates with more than 50 universities in more than 20 countries. Therefore, chances are very good for you to be accepted. In some cases, there might be more applicants than places. If you are not among the ones taken, you will always be able to apply for other remaining places.

Yes, it is possible. In that case, you will have to apply at the desired university yourself. Find out about the application requirements, as well as the procedure for having your achievements from abroad recognized. The examinations office might help you with the recognition. Most likely, you will have to pay tuition fees. See the International Office for advice on scholarships or check the list of funding programmes (Stipendiendatendbank) published by the DAAD.

Of course, basic knowledge of the local language will make life a lot easier, however, it is not mandatory. Many universities, e.g. in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, offer a wide range of English-taught courses, so there is no need to have an advanced command of the local language.

However, if you like to follow courses in the local language at the host university, please make sure to learn the language well enough beforehand. It is not advisable to take language classes and study in that language at the same time. Therefore, attend a language course at the Language Centre of the University of Kassel beforehand or take a pre-semester language course in the destined country.

While improving language skills is an important aim of the ERASMUS+ exchange programme, American universities demand a proof of excellent language skills at the time of the application already. A TOEFL-Test (>550-600 points) is usually accepted at US universities. See the Language Center of the University of Kassel for further information.

The prerequisite for BAföG funding abroad is that the studies there are considered reasonable according to the level of education. This is usually the case after the third semester. A confirmation from a department head or the internationalization officer (Prof. Bischoff) proves that the stay abroad is conducive to achieving the study goals. For the application, enrollment at the foreign university must also be guaranteed. The duration of sponsorship at a university abroad for a single continuous period is usually one year. In exceptional cases, funding for up to one additional year may be requested. However, the study abroad stay must last at least six months, and at least three months in the case of university cooperations.

For further possibilities of funding, see the pages of the International Office.