Before you start the application process for your studies abroad you should prepare your language proficiency as well as inform yourself about the different exchange programs.

Language

At our partner universities, lectures will be taught in the respective language of the country or in English. TU Darmstadt places a lot of emphasis on your language abilities in the country you wish to study in or in English language. For this reason an in-depth language preparation of minimum two to three semesters before studying abroad is advisable.

The language center of TU Darmstadt as well as the adult education center (VHS) in Darmstadt are offering a wide range of language courses.

TOEFL/IELTS English Language Test

For North America and Oceania a TOEFL or IELTS English language test is often required. Both tests cost around 230 Euros and cannot be taken at TU Darmstadt (Attention: the TOEFL itp test which is offered by the language center of TU Darmstadt is not the same as the comprehensive TOEFL iBT test which the partner university requests!).

Please consider that you have to register for the exam online first. It can take up several weeks after taking the exam until the test result will be send to you. Please indicate the Institutional Code „B459“ of TU Darmstadt when taking the exam. In this way the TU Darmstadt will receive another exemplar of your test result for free and we are able to review your test result online after approx. two weeks.

Exchange Program of the Federal State Hessen

The programs of the federal state Hessen have the aim to promote the exchange of students and university staff between Hessen and Queensland (Australia) as well as Wisconsin and Massachusetts (US). You can find detailed information about the different programs here: Hessen-Wisconsin, Hessen-Massachusetts and Hessen-Queensland.

Please consider the application deadline: Hessen-Massachusetts und Hessen-Wisconsin: middle of November // Hessen-Queensland: Beginning of June.

Application at TU Darmstadt

Please read the section Internal Application on the page Exchange Programs !

Application at the Partner University

If you have decided on a partner university as well as have been nominated by your faculty and have informed the International Relations and Mobility Department about the acceptance of your nomination, you have to apply for a university place and, if necessary, for a place at the dormitory at your partner university. You can receive information about this next application phase either directly from your partner university or from the International Relations and Mobility Department.

The following documents are required by the most universities and can therefore already be prepared in advance: copy of valid passport, passport photographs, transcript of records in English language, CV in English language or language of the country, proof of language of instruction or English language (depends on the requirements of the partner university).

Please consider especially the application deadlines and terms which will be sent to you via email!

Only when you have received the acceptance for an exchange place from the partner university, your application has been successfully completed!

Term Dates

Many exchanges abroad start in July, end of August, beginning of September or middle/end of February. Please consider that due to this matter you might not be able to take part in exams of the previous semester or have to take them in advance.

For example: „Wintersemester“ at the partner university means: August until December and “Sommersemester” at the partner university means: January until May.

Passport

Your passport must be valid for minimum of 6 month after the return from abroad.

Entry Requirements

The website of the Federal Foreign Office provides information about entry requirements, health arrangements as well as the current political situation.

Overseas Health Insurance

Please consider that an overseas travel health insurance is generally insufficient. For the enrollment at a foreign university you need proof of a comprehensive overseas health insurance for students. The compulsory health insurance in Germany is not able to provide an extensive insurance coverage outside of Europe. Specific regulations concerning health insurance do exist at some partner universities that must be considered.

Please keep in mind as well that the health care systems of the host countries are very different. In the US for example medical treatment is very expensive. In Latin America the medical care in rural areas does not meet European standards.

Casualty Insurance

The casualty insurance you automatically have as a student of TU Darmstadt is not valid overseas.

Liability Insurance

Please check if your liability insurance is also valid overseas. If this is not the case, an additional insurance may be recommended.

Please note that we cannot offer insurance counseling. Different providers such as Educare, CareMed, HanseMerkur or ADAC, etc. are available. We can recommend the insurance package of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).

Recognition

Please contact your department in good time to find out about the conditions and formalities for the recognition of credits earned abroad. You can usually find this information on your department's website.

In contrast to the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union, students who want to study at a non-European university do not automatically receive a full scholarship. Please inform yourself on our website about Grants and Scholarships .

Safety

As German citizen, please register in the German Foreign Office's crisis prevention list (ELEFAND) to help the Foreign Office gain an overview of potentially affected German citizens in crisis situations.

You should also save the phone number and emergency contact details of the nearest German embassy or consulate (preferably in your mobile phone). The relevant numbers can be found on the website of the respective German mission abroad.

In non-European countries, you should be particularly cautious, as you may not be as familiar with the local conditions as a native, and language barriers might lead to communication difficulties. We recommend preparing thoroughly before your stay and following certain guidelines during your time abroad. Helpful information can be found in the country reports provided by the DAAD.

Please ask for the Transcript of Records in good time BEFORE you leave. Your host university will confirm your achievements abroad with a Transcript of Records (ToR). In most cases, the partner universities will send the ToR to TU Darmstadt and you will be informed as soon as it has arrived. In some cases, the universities hand it out directly to the students.

Do not forget to exmatriculate at the host university, to deregistrate with the local authorities and to cancel contracts and insurances in time, if necessary.

With your Transcript of Records, you can have your study achievements abroad recognised and, if applicable, add it to the Diploma Supplement.

Please contact the Student Affairs Office or the Departmental Coordinator of your department if you have further questions about the Transcript of Records.

After your return, we require an experience report from you, which should be three to four pages long and include topics such as the partner university,

accommodation, life, selected courses etc. On our website you will find the template, (opens in new tab) as well as a guide (opens in new tab) for the experience report.

Please fill out the form “Abschlussdokumente Overseas Outgoings” and also upload the experience report of the stay abroad in this context.

Note: If you have received a scholarship, please note the information on submitting your final documents on the corresponding scholarship page. Other online forms may be available for uploading your final documents (e.g. the follow-up form for PROMOS and FLS scholarship holders).

Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions .