Studying abroad – here’s how!
From the idea to implementation
As part of your studies, you can go abroad for one or more semesters - either to a partner university of the TH OWL or self-organized to a host university worldwide as a so-called Freemover.
The advantage of a semester abroad at a partner university is that there are no tuition fees, the recognition of academic achievements abroad is relatively simple and the International Office provides support in the preparation. TH OWL has around 90 partner universities worldwide.
Between the initial idea of a semester abroad and its implementation lie many questions and also a little organizational effort. To ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible, you should start planning at least one year in advance and inform yourself in good time at the International Office about your options, application deadlines and required documents. You will find a lot of important information for initial orientation and planning on these pages.
Where can I study abroad?
Europe
TH OWL has around 60 partner universities in Europe where you can study for one or two semesters through the Erasmus programme and receive a monthly grant of €540–600 plus top-ups (funding rates for Project 2026). In addition, you may be able to apply for BAFöG for study abroad.
With the Erasmus+ study programme, you can study at any partner university with which your department has signed an Erasmus+ cooperation agreement setting out exchange places.
You can apply twice a year between 01.01.-01.03. for the following winter semester and between 01.07.-01.09. for the following summer semester.
- Which partner universities are there in my department? Link to the SoleMOVE mobility database
- Information on the Erasmus+ programme
Information and Advice
Once a term, the International Office organises an information session on the topic of ‘A term abroad – organisation, applications and funding’, as well as a session specifically on spending a term abroad with Erasmus+, where you’ll receive all the key information you need to plan your trip.
During our “Virtual World Tour” or the more informal “Erasmus Virtual Drinks and Get-Together”, students who have already spent time abroad share their experiences, answer questions and offer helpful tips.
You can find all the latest dates in the International Office’s calendar.
| Anne Kulasi | Maryse Niemeier |
| Room 1.117 Lemgo | Room 4.109 Detmold |
| anne.kulasi(at)th-owl.de Tel: 05261 702 5980 Consultation hours by appointment (in person or online): Mondays to Thursdays between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm | maryse.niemeier(at)th-owl.de Tel: 05231 769 6091 Consultation hours by appointment (in person or online): Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm |
Contact person for:
| Contact person for:
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The international coordinators in the academic departments provide support with subject-specific queries relating to study abroad, the recognition of academic credits and the preparation of the learning agreement.
| Department | International Coordinator | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Detmold School of Design | Prof.'in Kathrin Volk (IA) Prof. Oliver Hall (A) Prof.'in Elizabeth Sikiaridi | ||
| Media and Culture | Prof. Tobias Schmohl If you have any questions about course selection and learning agreements, please contact Martina Wallbaum at the Examinations Office | ||
| Construction and Environment | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Visscher | jan.visscher@th-owl.de | |
| Agriculture, Food and Health | Prof. Dr. Martina Sokolowsky | martina.sokolowsky@th-owl.de | |
| Computer Science and Automation | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Röcker | carsten.roecker@th-owl.de | |
| Production and Engineering | Prof.'in Katja Frühwald | katja.fruehwald(at)th-owl.de | |
| Business Administration and Economics | Prof.'in Dr. Sholpan Gaisina | sholpan.gaisina(at)th-owl.de |
Language skills
At OWL University of Applied Sciences, face-to-face and online language courses are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch and German as a foreign language. View the course catalogue here.
The OWL University of Applied Sciences offers all students the opportunity to take online language courses and placement tests in English, French, Spanish or Italian through Speexx Campus Language Training.
At OWL University of Applied Sciences, you can also sit various language exams which are required for stays abroad or which are beneficial as additional qualifications for your future career.
The DAAD Language Certificate is proof of proficiency in English in the areas of listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written expression and oral expression. The test is free of charge. Please make sure to book an appointment well in advance of the application deadline for your stay abroad.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an internationally recognised test for assessing English language proficiency at university level. TOEFL preparation courses are offered at the TH OWL’s Lemgo campus. The TOEFL test is not taken at the OWL University of Applied Sciences, but at one of the many TOEFL test centres across Germany, such as in Hanover.
TH OWL is an authorised test centre for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). This test assesses the ability to use English in professional contexts. Companies use it as a professional tool to evaluate staff and carry out staff development.
Once a term, the International Office runs a workshop where you can learn how to put together professional application documents in English. You will learn:
- Differences between German and English CVs
- Structure and content of a CV in English
- Tips and tricks for a successful job interview in English
- You can find all the latest dates in the International Office’s calendar.
For further planning
As a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, you do not require a visa within the EU. Please do, however, note the local regulations regarding registration requirements, etc.
If you are planning to spend time abroad outside the EU, please check with the relevant embassy in good time to find out whether you need a visa and, if so, which type.
If you are residing in Germany on a residence permit, please check with the Foreigners’ Registration Office before your semester abroad to find out about the legal requirements for longer-term stays abroad.
TH OWL does not provide any insurance cover. The Erasmus+ and PROMOS scholarship programmes do not include insurance cover either. You should therefore make your own thorough enquiries to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover.
- Health insurance (compulsory)
- Third-party liability insurance (work placement: compulsory; degree programme: recommended)
- Accident insurance (work placement: compulsory; degree programme: recommended)
- It is possible to take out the DAAD’s group insurance at your own expense, which includes health, accident and third-party liability cover.
Please check the travel and safety advice issued by the Federal Foreign Office at regular intervals.
We recommend that you register with the ELEFAND crisis preparedness list whilst you are abroad.
- Current travel warnings from the Federal Foreign Office
- Electronic registration of Germans abroad (crisis preparedness list)
- Travel and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office
Even if you are not physically present at TH OWL during your stay abroad, you remain a student at TH OWL and must re-register, as you do every semester, and pay the full semester fee!
By submitting an application to the Enrolment Office, you can take a leave of absence for the semester abroad and thus save on the semester fee. However, you will then no longer be able to sit any exams at TH OWL during that semester. This does not apply, however, if you wish to retake an exam that you failed. Students for whom the semester abroad is a compulsory part of their degree programme cannot take a leave of absence.
To save money, you can apply to the Enrolment Office to be exempted from the student union fees and the mobility contribution for the semester ticket. However, this is only possible if you are staying outside the area covered by the semester ticket for at least 4 months. To do this, you must submit a certificate of enrolment from the foreign university stating the duration of your semester abroad. You will still need to pay the contribution to the Bielefeld Student Services Organisation.
Since 17 November 2022, applications can only be submitted online via the KIS portal; paper forms and emails can no longer be accepted.