Studying abroad is a great enrichment – both personally and with regard to your future career. During a study abroad, you will learn to find your way in a new (university) culture, expand your foreign language skills and make international contacts. Are you ready for this adventure? Then you will find everything you need to know about studying abroad here.
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 Bachelor Global Program, which allows you to double your international experience by spending two semesters abroad and completing your studies with an extended degree of 240 ECTS credits instead of 210. 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.
You know you want to study abroad, but where should you go? The whole world is at your feet and you are spoiled for choice. North or south? A prestigious university that will give your career a real boost, or a semester abroad that feels more like a vacation than hard work? Ideally, you want it all. How can you possibly decide?
Our info pages will help you find the right destination and university for your study abroad adventure – whether in Europe, the US, or overseas:
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?
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 your home country 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 bypass admission requirements at universities in your home country.. For example, in some other countries there is no numerus clausus for the subject of medicine. However, if you want to return to your home country after studying abroad and build your professional future there, you should make sure that your studies abroad are recognized in your home country!
In principle, you can study anywhere in the world. The whole world is at your fingertips, which means you have many options when deciding where to study abroad.
To help you decide on the right place to study, it is useful to ask yourself the following questions:
If you want to study abroad for one or more semesters as part of your studies in your home country, your university's International Office is your first point of contact. Most universities have an extensive network of partner universities abroad where you can easily complete your semester abroad. Munich Business School, for example, has cooperation agreements with more than 70 universities worldwide: there are options for everyone!
If you choose a university affiliated with your university to study abroad, you will have some advantages: on the one hand, the exchange between the universities is already established, so the organizational effort is minimal. The staff at the International Office will be happy to help you plan your studies abroad. On the other hand, the recognition of academic credits earned abroad is fairly straightforward. You should also not ignore the financial factor: often there are no additional fees for studying abroad at partner universities (there may be exceptions for dual degree programs). With the help of an online database or a personal consultation, you can get an overview of the available partner universities abroad, find out whether you need to meet certain requirements, such as language skills, and discover which university offers the courses that interest you most.
If you are torn between two universities or countries for your studies abroad, or if you generally find it difficult to make decisions, the experiences of students in higher semesters can be very helpful. Contact the International Office and keep an eye on your university's communication channels: students often provide (live) information about their studies abroad on social media or share their experiences in a blog. Of course, other people's experiences do not guarantee that your studies abroad will be exactly the same—that would be boring—but they can guide you and possibly ease some of your anxiety.
Haven't found what you're looking for in your university's international partner network? Then you can plan your studies abroad at the university and in the country of your choice on your own, as a so-called “free mover.” However, keep in mind 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, which ones will be recognized in your home country, and finally submit your application. Depending on the country you have chosen, tuition fees may also arise. In the next section, you will find more information about tuition fees during your studies abroad.
Studying abroad not only broadens your horizons, but also your career opportunities. In our overview, you will find popular study destinations and learn about the programs, universities, and partnerships that await you there.
In many countries around the world, students have to pay tuition fees. The costs vary greatly from country to country. In more than 60% of countries, fees are at least €1,000 per year, but in many cases they are significantly higher – often in the range of €10,000 to €20,000 per year. Tuition fees are particularly high in the most popular countries for studying abroad, with the exception of France. The US tops the list of the most expensive countries to study in, followed by Australia, the United Kingdom, 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 your home country 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 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:
You have recognized the advantages of studying abroad and want to take the plunge. But where should you go? The whole world is at your feet and you are spoiled for choice. Our info pages will help you find the right country and university for your study abroad adventure – whether in Europe, the US, or overseas:
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.
The costs for a semester abroad can vary greatly depending on the destination country, city, university, and lifestyle. If you want to study abroad, you should budget between €6,000 and €12,000 per semester. These expenses usually consist of the following items:
But don't worry: you don't have to bear the sometimes high costs of a semester abroad or studying abroad on your own. If you want to study abroad, you should find out about scholarships, and other support programs such as Erasmus+ early on, as these can cover a large part of the costs.
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.
A semester abroad is generally recommended between the third and sixth semesters. By this point, you will have acquired basic knowledge of your subject and can take more in-depth or specialized courses abroad. It is also often easier to have your credits transferred. However, it is important to start planning early (at least one year in advance) and to consult with your university or the International Office, as the exact options may vary depending on your degree program.
Yes, you can complete your entire master's degree abroad. In fact, combining a bachelor's degree in your home country with a master's degree abroad is relatively popular. The advantage over doing it the other way around is that your interests are usually more defined by then, and you can choose the program that's right for you from a large pool of innovative and specialized master's programs worldwide. Many international universities also offer master's programs in English, which makes it even easier to get in. A master's degree from abroad can give you valuable intercultural experience and better career opportunities. However, you should be aware that tuition fees for a master's program abroad may be higher than in your home country – but there are solutions and financing options available.
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