When you study abroad, you study – as the name suggests – in a foreign country. There are various options for studying abroad, which differ in terms of duration and organization.
The most popular way to study abroad is the semester abroad. This means you spend a semester, usually three to six months, at a foreign university. Together with local and other international students, you take courses at a host university, which you can have credited to your regular studies after your return.
So-called summer schools offer a condensed version of a semester abroad. These courses are specially designed for international students and take place during the domestic semester break, so you won't lose any time if your university doesn't offer a semester abroad.
Furthermore, there are universities that enable you to study abroad for not just one, but two or more semesters, and even to obtain a double degree. At Munich Business School (MBS), for example, students in the Bachelor's program can take advantage of the Master Top-up Program, in which you spend two additional semesters abroad after the regular Bachelor's program, including an integrated semester abroad, and then receive the Master's degree from the foreign university. The dual degree option for the Master's program in International Business is also very popular: First two semesters in Germany, then two semesters studying abroad at one of MBS' partner universities, followed by the master's thesis. At the end, you will have two degrees in your pocket – one German and one international.
You want more than that and are looking for the full experience of studying abroad? Then you can, of course, spend your entire Bachelor's or Master's degree abroad. However, this requires more independent organization on your part.
It may seem daunting at first to leave the comfort of your home and move abroad to study. But take it from us: it's worth it and studying abroad is almost a must in today's job market. If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We've listed some of the benefits of studying abroad for you – pretty impressive, isn't it?
University is the perfect time to gain experience abroad. You are old enough to find your way around a foreign country independently, but at the same time you still enjoy the freedoms of student life and don't yet have as many obligations as you will after starting your first job.
What better way to learn a foreign language than to immerse yourself in it? Being surrounded by the language every day will take your knowledge to a whole new level! Studying abroad also gives you new specialist vocabulary – either in the local language or in English.
Studying abroad allows you to meet a wide range of new people. Contact with other students often leads to life-long friendships. At the same time, you can expand your professional network. Who knows, you might even meet your future employer while studying abroad!
Studying abroad is a real asset on your CV. It demonstrates motivation, resilience, independence, intercultural competence and the ability to solve problems – all important soft skills for gaining a foothold in the ever faster changing world of work.
Studying abroad is not only a journey to another country, but also to yourself. You will learn a lot about your strengths and weaknesses. After studying abroad, you will return more self-confident and be able to communicate clearly what you want and where your limits are.
Studying abroad gives you a fresh perspective on your field of study. The saying “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” also applies to academia. You will be exposed to different topics, concepts, approaches and methods, and thus broaden your horizons.
“Studying abroad is more than just an academic experience – it is a chance to broaden your horizons, develop intercultural skills and build an international network. In an increasingly interconnected world, such experiences are indispensable. Every student should take advantage of this opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. Studying abroad not only prepares you for the global job market, but also promotes understanding and tolerance for other cultures – values that are of great importance in our society.”
Jelena Novkovski, Head of International Center at Munich Business School
When the right time for a stay abroad during your studies is depends entirely on which model you choose and how much time you want to spend abroad. As a rule of thumb, the longer the stay abroad, the more lead time you need for planning and organization.
If you only want to study abroad for a few weeks, for example as part of a language course or a summer school, there are usually no restrictions and you can do this right at the beginning of your studies.
For a semester abroad, you should plan one to one and a half years in advance, i.e. a semester abroad is usually possible from the third semester onwards. Besides the time needed for planning your studies abroad, you should also consider which courses are available and whether your host university has any special academic or language requirements. For international degree programs with an integrated semester abroad – such as the Bachelor's or Master's in International Business at Munich Business School – these considerations do not apply, since the timing and duration are fixed.
Studying abroad for a full degree needs to be well planned. In addition to choosing the country and university, you should also keep an eye on the costs, as studying abroad can quickly become expensive.
Whether you do your Bachelor's or Master's abroad depends on your personal situation. Combining a Bachelor's in Germany with a Master's abroad is more common than the other way around. First-year students with an intercultural interest often opt for a course of study in their home country in order to settle into the new situation and familiarize themselves with their studies. During their Bachelor's degree, they can then complete a semester abroad and gain their first experience of studying abroad – a trial run, so to speak. During the course of your studies, your own interests will also become more apparent and you will get a sense of how you want to develop professionally. You can then use this knowledge to find a specialized Master's program abroad – provided you have acquired a taste for studying abroad during your Bachelor's degree.
So there are some advantages to doing a Master's abroad. However, if you are sure about your decision and have perhaps already gained experience abroad during your school days, there is of course nothing to stop you from completing your Bachelor's degree abroad. Studying abroad can also be a way to circumvent admission requirements at German universities. For example, in some other countries there is no numerus clausus for the subject of medicine. However, if you see your professional future in Germany and want to return to your home country after studying abroad, you should definitely make sure that your studies abroad are recognized in Germany!
“I spent part of my schooling in the UK. For my Bachelor's degree, however, I decided to return to Germany, but I didn't have to miss out on the international flair at Munich Business School (MBS). The fact that I was able to study entirely in English was exactly what I needed. During my time at MBS, I already knew that I wanted to do a Master's degree, and the London School of Economics was at the top of my personal ranking. I found a course that built on my Bachelor's degree in a meaningful way and perfectly matched the internships I had done after graduating."
Linda Brosig, graduate of Munich Business School
In principle, you can study worldwide. The whole world is your oyster – and that means you are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to study abroad.
To help you decide on the right place to study, it's useful to ask yourself the following questions:
Did you know? These are the five most popular countries for studying abroad:
If you would like to study abroad for one or more semesters as part of your studies in Germany, the International Office of your university is your first point of contact. Most universities have a large network of partner universities abroad where you can easily complete your semester abroad. Munich Business School, for example, maintains partnerships with over 60 universities worldwide – there is something for everyone!
If you choose a partner university of your university for your studies abroad, there are some advantages for you: On the one hand, the exchange between the universities is already established, so the organizational effort is limited. The staff at the International Office will be happy to help you plan your studies abroad. On the other hand, the recognition of the academic achievements abroad is quite straightforward. You should also not ignore the financial factor: often there are no additional tuition fees for your studies abroad at the partner universities (exceptions may be dual degree programs). With the help of an online database or a personal consultation, you can get an overview of the foreign partner universities available, find out whether you have to meet certain requirements, such as language skills, and discover which university offers the courses that are of most interest to you.
If you are hesitating between two universities or countries for your study abroad or if you generally find it difficult to make decisions, then the experiences of students in higher semesters can be a great help. Contact the International Office and keep an eye on your university's communication channels: Students often provide (live) insights into their studies abroad on social media or report on their time there on the blog. Of course, the experiences of others are no guarantee that your studies abroad will go exactly the same way – that would be boring – but they can give you orientation and possibly take away some of the anxiety.
You haven't found what you're looking for in your university's international partner network? Then you can plan your studies abroad at your preferred university and in your preferred country on your own as a so-called “free mover”. However, please note that this increases the organizational effort: you have to contact the university of your choice independently, check the admission requirements, find out which courses are eligible and – very importantly – will be credited in Germany, and finally apply. Depending on which country you have chosen, tuition fees may also be incurred. Read more about tuition fees during your studies abroad in the next section.
In many countries around the world, students have to pay higher tuition fees than in Germany. The costs vary greatly from country to country. In more than 60% of countries, the fees are at least 1,000 euros per year, but in some cases they are even higher, ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 euros. Unfortunately, the most popular countries for studying abroad are also the most expensive, with the exception of France. The USA tops the list of the most expensive places to study worldwide, followed by Australia, the UK and Canada.
If you decide to complete a Bachelor's or Master's degree abroad, you will, of course, have to cover these costs. But what about if you are enrolled at a university in Germany and only study abroad for one or two semesters? In principle, you are not exempt from tuition fees even during a semester abroad. But there are ways to save on fees while studying abroad. We present you with two options.
Option 1: Choose a university from the international partner network of your home university.
Provided that the university you have selected for your study abroad is located in an Erasmus+ program or partner country, that your home university participates in the Erasmus+ program and has signed a corresponding cooperation agreement with the host university, you are exempt from paying costs. You can find out more about funding your studies abroad through Erasmus+ in the next chapter “How can I finance my studies abroad?”
Option 2: Complete an international degree program.
Studying internationally usually means that lectures are partly or completely held in a foreign language and that a longer stay at a foreign university is integrated into your studies. In some cases, you will even receive a degree from both universities (dual degree). At Munich Business School, studying abroad is an integral component. A semester abroad can be completed in all study programs; in the Bachelor's program in International Business and in the Master's program in International Business, it is even compulsory. The best part? Studying abroad is included and there are no additional costs. In addition to the classic semester abroad, students can also opt for a dual degree program and study for two semesters abroad instead of one. There are over 20 universities in Europe, Asia, Australia and the USA to choose from. Depending on the university selected, this model may incur additional costs.
Even if you can save on tuition fees, studying abroad still costs money. Sometimes you have to take care of special things before you leave that affect your wallet. These include, for example, applying for a visa, vaccinations or purchasing study materials and travel equipment. Then there are travel costs to get to your study abroad destination and to get around once you arrive. You should also not underestimate the cost of living during your studies, i.e. the costs of everyday life, which can vary greatly around the world.
In addition to saving up early, family support or a part-time job during your studies abroad, there are numerous external financing options available to help you realize your dream of studying abroad. We will present a few ideas to you:
Erasmus+ program countries include the member states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Turkey. Stays in the Erasmus+ partner countries, most of which are outside Europe, can also be funded, although less money is available for these. With Erasmus+ you can finance both your studies and internships abroad. The funding period is between two and a maximum of twelve months per study cycle, i.e. you can study in a (European) country for one to two semesters during your Bachelor's and Master's studies. It is also possible to split the funding months, for example into two six-month periods.
To be eligible for BAföG funding while studying abroad, you should study for at least 12 weeks in another European country or for at least six months in a non-European country. The choice of your host country determines how extensive the funding for your studies abroad will be: Within the EU and Switzerland, you will receive BAföG from the beginning to the end of your studies, i.e. in these countries you can easily complete a full Bachelor's or Master's degree abroad. If you want to study outside the EU, you can usually receive BAföG for up to one year. If the university abroad is a partner university of your German university, you can receive funding for a longer period of time. In addition to the monthly rates that are standard in Germany, financial support through BAföG for studies abroad includes the assumption of tuition fees of up to €5,600 for a maximum of one year, as well as contributions to travel, health insurance and living costs. Unlike Erasmus+, BAföG must be repaid at 50% after graduation. The tuition fee grant is an exception to this – you get this for free. If you are interested in financing your studies abroad with BAföG, you should apply at least six months in advance.
Pro tip: Erasmus+ and BAföG do not exclude each other. You can get both at the same time.
There are both cross-disciplinary scholarships and subject- and country-specific grants to finance studying abroad. The HAW.International Scholarship is available for students at a University of Applied Sciences. If you are planning a shorter stay abroad of between one and six months outside the Erasmus+ area, you can apply for the DAAD's PROMOS scholarship. The DAAD scholarship database provides an overview of the various programs and the opportunity to apply.
The well-known KfW student loan can also be used for studying abroad. However, since you must be enrolled at a German university, this loan is only suitable for financing semesters abroad, but not for a complete Bachelor's or Master's program abroad.
The situation is different with the state education loan: This program from the federal government is aimed at students in advanced phases of their education and can be used to finance both semesters abroad and a Master's degree abroad.
One education fund that explicitly focuses on studying abroad is the Deutsche Bildung fund. The financing works via a reverse generation contract: during your studies abroad, you receive money from the fund. As soon as you are securely established in your professional life, you pay back a portion of your income, thus ensuring funding for future generations.
Whether you choose a student loan or an education fund, you should carefully research providers and their respective terms regarding interest rates, fees, waiting periods and repayment periods to ensure that your studies abroad do not become a debt trap. You can find more details about how student loans and education funds work on our blog.
Studying abroad is becoming increasingly popular among students – and rightly so! At the same time, a stay abroad during your studies is a big step and needs to be well planned. To give you a better overview and to support you in the best possible way with the organization, you will find answers to frequently asked questions about studying abroad in this FAQ.
Studying abroad offers you many advantages. You will improve your language skills, build an international network and gain a fresh perspective on your field of study. But studying abroad will not only help you professionally. During your time abroad, you will also grow personally: you will become more independent and self-confident, develop your intercultural skills and gain an understanding of other cultures. The hard and soft skills acquired during your studies abroad will give you a real advantage, allowing you to benefit from increased career opportunities in the global job market.
This is a very important question, especially if you see your professional future in Germany! There are different legal bases for the academic and professional recognition of a study abroad program. For example, the so-called Lisbon Convention stipulates that a study abroad program completed within the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland is generally recognized in these countries. But even if there is no agreement between two countries, this does not necessarily mean that a degree from that country will not be valid. This is the case, for example, between the USA and Germany. You can use the anabin database to check how your studies abroad and the degree you have obtained will be assessed in Germany.
There are numerous ways for you to finance your studies abroad. Your family will certainly support you in this big step, and you are also willing to spend some of your savings on the adventure of studying abroad. In addition, there are various external financing options, such as Erasmus+, BAföG for studying abroad, scholarships, student loans or educational funds, which can help you realize your dream of studying abroad. In most countries, you can also work part-time during your studies abroad to earn some extra money.
Yes, that is possible. There is a special form of BAföG for studying abroad. The assessment thresholds for BAföG for students studying abroad are significantly higher than for the domestic version, so that students who are not eligible for BAföG in Germany can often use the funding for their international studies. If you wish to receive BAföG for studying abroad, your studies abroad should last at least 12 weeks (within Europe) or six months (outside Europe). As with normal BAföG, 50% of the BAföG for studying abroad must be repaid after graduation.
In general, Erasmus+ is open to all students who are nationals of a country participating in the Erasmus+ program. In addition to the EU member states, these include a whole range of other countries. Furthermore, you must be enrolled at a higher education institution participating in the Erasmus+ program and should have studied at least one year in your recognized degree program. To benefit from Erasmus+ as a Bachelor's or Master's student, your studies abroad in one of the partner or program countries should last at least two and at most 12 months.
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