Exchange Students & Free Movers
Would you like to spend some time abroad at the University of Bayreuth? If so, we would be happy to welcome you to the University of Bayreuth. You can join us as an exchange student within the framework of a contractually agreed exchange programme (e.g. via ERASMUS+, bilateral university exchange) or as “free mover” (a student not covered by an exchange programme) for a period of one or two semesters.
Exchange
Our Fact Sheet provides an overview of the most important information for exchange students.
- Nomination as an exchange student at the University of Bayreuth Hide
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Before you can apply to the University of Bayreuth, you first have to go through an application and selection process at your home university.
In order to officially nominate students for the exchange programme, coordinators must complete an official
online nomination through our nomination platform.
Having reviewed and confirmed the nominations, we will send out the application details to the nominated students via e-mail.Nomination period:
- Winter Semester: 15 March to 1 May
- Summer Semester: 15 September to 1 November
We ask for your understanding that nominations submitted outside these deadlines cannot be accepted.
- Winter Semester: 15 March to 1 May
- Applying to the University of Bayreuth as an exchange studentHide
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Once we have confirmed your nomination by e-mail, please upload your application documents via the MoveOn application platform.
You will need the following documents to complete the application form:
- a copy of your proof of identity (passport, ID card)
- the confirmation completed and signed by your coordinator
- an (official) transcript of records
- if applicable, a language certificate (please note our language requirements)
- a motivation letter (max. 1 page)
If your home university requests that the learning agreement be signed by the University of Bayreuth, please contact the relevant academic coordinator responsible for your subject area.
Please note: the International Office cannot sign for your course selection.
Application period:
- Winter Semester: 15 March to 15 May
- Summer Semester: 15 September to 15 November
- Semester dates, deadlines and important datesHide
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Winter Semester:
- Start and end of the semester: 1 October - 31 March
- Nomination deadline: 1 May
- Application deadline for students: 15 May
Summer Semester:
- Start and end of the semester: 1 April - 30 September
- Nomination deadline: 1 November
- Application deadline for students: 15 November
Other important dates, for example the beginning of lectures or registration deadlines throughout the academic year, are available here.
Free Mover
- Exchange studies without a bilateral programmeHide
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As a free mover you also have the opportunity to spend a semester or year abroad or carry out an internship at the University of Bayreuth without an exchange programme.
The prerequisites are as follows:
- You are a student enrolled at a (non-German) university
- you have a written confirmation of supervision or an internship contract from a research group at the University of Bayreuth. In order to obtain confirmation of supervision, please directly contact the research groups in your field of study.
- Applying to study at the University of Bayreuth as a free moverHide
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As soon as you have received the confirmation of support or the internship contract, please upload your application documents via MoveON.
Please have the following documents ready when filling out the online application form:
- a copy of your proof of identity (passport, ID card)
- the enrolment certificate from your home university or the confirmation completed and signed by your coordinator,
- an (official) overview of your academic achievements to date (Transcript of Records)
- if applicable, a language certificate (please note our language requirements)
- a letter of acceptance from a professor at the University of Bayreuth or your internship contract (signed by you and the supervising professor).
- Semester dates, deadlines and important datesHide
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Winter Semester:
- Start and end of the semester: 1 October - 31 March
- Application deadline for students: 15 May
Summer Semester:
- Start and end of the semester: 1 April - 30 September
- Application deadline for students: 15 November
Other important dates, for example the beginning of lectures or registration deadlines throughout the academic year, are available here.
- Start and end of the semester: 1 October - 31 March
General Information
- Term dates at the University of BayreuthHide
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- Winter Semester: 1 October to 31 March
- Summer Semester: 1 April to 30 September
Other important dates throughout the academic year can be found here.
- Admission requirements:Hide
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- Official nomination: students must be officially nominated for the exchange programme by their home university.
- Student status: to be eligible to apply for the exchange programme, applicants must currently be enrolled as students at the home university.
- Academic background: the exchange programme must be in coherence with the study programme at the home university (i.e. a student from Biology cannot join the exchange programme for Law students).
- Language requirements: there are language requirements (German/English) that apply to some study programmes (please see “language requirements” listed below).
- Language requirementsHide
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In general, we recommend all international students to have at least a B2 level language proficiency in English or German (depending on the language of instruction). This way, we want to ensure that all students will be able to follow the lectures taught. However, it is only required to upload a language certificate with the application for the following three programs at the University of Bayreuth:
- Study of Religion (German or English)
- English Studies (English)
- Law (German or English)
The University of Bayreuth accepts the following internationally recognized language certificates as proof of language proficiency:
For German:
- Goethe Certificate, at least B2
- TestDaF, at least 12 points, but no area below 3 points
- Telc, at least B2
For English:
- TOEFL iBT, at least 75
- IELTS, at least 5.5
- EnrollmentHide
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Having received the admission letter, please contact our Welcome Services at the University of Bayreuth to begin the enrollment process.
- Selecting coursesHide
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The current course catalogue is always published shortly before the start of the semester.
Students who wish to select their courses beforehand (e.g. for the Learning Agreement) should refer to the course catalogue of the corresponding semester from the previous year. Once the actual courses have been announced, the courses can be changed and adapted accordingly. - Dormitory applicationHide
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If you wish to be accommodated in one of the student dormitories, please fill in the online dormitory application after you have received your letter of admission. The regional Association for Student Affairs (SWO) is responsible for allocating rooms in the student dormitory. As soon as a room is assigned to you, SWO will contact you.
Unfortunately, the International Office cannot guarantee a place in a dormitory. However, there are several other ways to find adequate and affordable rooms or apartments.
Detailed information on accomodation alternatives can be found here.
Further information and estimated living costs can be found here.
- Language courses at the University of BayreuthHide
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Students will have the opportunity to attend free German courses at our Language Center during the semester once they enroll at the University of Bayreuth.
Additionally, intensive German language courses (fee-based) will be held by the IIK Bayreuth (Institute for International Communication and Foreign Cultural Exchange), an institute linked to the university. Please visit the IIK website for more detailed information or contact our Welcome Services.
- ContactHide
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If you have any further questions or concerns please contact our Incoming Exchange Team