Out into the world

Hier werden die Partnerhochschulen der RWU auf einer Weltkarte angezeigt.

Studying abroad

Would you like to study abroad for one or two semesters? Then studying abroad at another university is just the thing for you. As an exchange student, you can either study at one of our partner universities or find a suitable institution yourself as a free mover.

To study at a partner university, apply to the International Office for an exchange place. Many of our partner universities are ERASMUS partners, which means that you will receive financial support for your study place. However, a big advantage as an exchange student is almost always that you normally do not pay tuition fees at the partner university!

Application deadlines in winter semester 2025/26 for studying abroad in the academic year 2026/27

At non-European partner universities

Application deadline: November 24, 2025
We reserve the right to conduct selection interviews for highly sought-after university places on November 26, 2025

Application period: October 1 to November 24, 2025

Funding options: Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM

At European partner universities

Application deadline: January 31, 2026

Application period: December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026

Link to the application portal: Service 4 Mobility

Funding opportunities at RWU: ERASMUS+Scholarship 
The Erasmus scholarship is always awarded together with the study place!

Application steps for studying abroad at a partner university

Studying abroad is an exciting time where you can have many new experiences, learn about cultures and connect with other people from all over the world. To ensure that your studies abroad run as smoothly as possible, it is important that you prepare well in advance. The following list gives you an overview of the process.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the International Office.

1. Find out about the possibilities

  • Do some research on partner universities and compare the individual courses on offer, semester times etc. with each other
  • Take part in information events
  • Take the opportunity to arrange a consultation and make an appointment by e-mail at: outgoing@rwu.de

2. Apply by the deadline

Apply via mobility online for a maximum of three partner universities and upload all required documents in the application process.

The following documents are required:

  • Passport photo
  • Application form with your signature (available for download in mobility online)
  • Letter of motivation in English (1-2 DIN A4 pages)
  • Curriculum vitae in English
  • Course list (will be provided in mobility online as a download)
  • Proof of language proficiency for the language of instruction at the host university - usually English (in good time via CLIC test dates so that you can submit all documents on time)

3. Allocation by the International Office

The International Office assigns the partner university according to the desired universities. The allocation process takes place after the application deadline. You will usually receive the result within 4 weeks.

All applications are assessed by International Office staff according to an objective points system. For selected partner universities (e.g. overseas) or if the number of applicants exceeds the number of places at a partner university, selection interviews may be held.

The following selection criteria are taken into account when allocating students to partner universities:

  • Grade point average
  • Result of the language test
  • Letter of motivation
  • Voluntary commitment

4. Decision for or against available places

The International Office will offer you a study place. If you accept the place, the International Office at the partner university will nominate you. If you decline the offer, you have the following options:

  • If the place offered matches your first choice, you will not be allocated a further place.
  • If the place offered matches your second or third preference and you would prefer a different option, you can contact the International Office. Together we will check what options are available.

If you cannot be allocated a university place, the International Office will contact you. Please also contact the International Office if you do not agree with the proposed partner universities.

5. Nomination to partner universities by the International Office

The International Office will nominate you to the partner university assigned to you. You will then receive information about the application process at the partner university.

6. Apply to the partner university

You can now apply to the partner university. At the same time, take the next steps directly in mobility online:

  • Learning Agreement (will be made available in mobility online as a download or created digitally)
  • Letter of Acceptance from the partner university
  • Planned duration of stay
  • Insurance form (available for download in mobility online)
  • Certificate of enrollment

For an ERASMUS stay, you must also upload the following documents:

  • Honorary declaration on top-ups (available for download in mobility online)
  • Grant Agreement (can be downloaded from mobility online)

Further information

Your path to a semester abroad

Practice abroad

During an internship abroad, you immerse yourself directly in the working life of an international company or institution for a few weeks or even several months. You gain valuable practical experience, make new contacts and discover a different culture, either voluntarily or as part of your mandatory internship.

Job search and application

In principle, you should look for an internship yourself. However, you can ask your internship office or your professors for tips. There are often notices on the notice boards or you can read reports from interns/scholarship holders at the International Office. There are also job advertisements in the job teaser of the KOOR.

It is also worth taking a look at the websites of regional companies that have locations abroad. If you have to apply in English and have questions about your documents, you can also contact the Career Service at RWU for advice.

Important information on preparation can be found in the FAQ at the bottom of this page.

Scholarship programs

In the following scholarship programs, an internship is awarded in combination with financial support:

RISE Worldwide

The DAAD arranges and funds research internships for Bachelor students of engineering and natural sciences. Further information can be found at RISE Worldwide.

Carlo Schmid Program

In the Carlo Schmid Program you will find advertised and financially supported internships at international organizations and EU institutions of the DAAD.

ASA program

With the ASA program you will find project internships arranged and financially supported by the non-profit organization Engagement Global in countries of the Global South and Southeast Europe.

German Committee of the IAESTE

The German Committee of the IAESTE offers free placement and remunerated internships for students in the natural sciences and engineering.

FAQ Internship abroad

Internships abroad are generally possible. Please note: Foreign BAföG is generally only available for other European countries.

You have the following options for finding suitable internships abroad:

  • You search for positions in the relevant Moodle course of the Internship Office.
  • You can look for a placement yourself and submit an application for recognition.
  • You can contact the staff at the relevant internship office with specific questions.

Please note: Allow at least one year for the preparatory work. You can find out which requirements and formalities must be fulfilled from the internship office.

Practical guidance must be provided by a competent contact person. It may also be possible to receive support from a local university. Exchanges in the supervision and consultation groups can be ensured via Skype.

You are not always lucky enough to receive remuneration for your internship abroad. Regardless of whether you are paid or not, you always have the option of applying for a scholarship.

What funding options are there?

  1. Internships in Europe : ERASMUS scholarship
  2. Internships outside Europe : PROMOS scholarship

There are also other scholarship opportunities. You can get an overview, for example, from the Scholarship database of the DAAD.

The organizational handling and recognition of the mandatory practical semester in the Bachelor's degree programmes is the responsibility of the relevant internship offices in accordance with §5 of the study and examination regulations. Please clarify everything concerning the approval of the internship location, the recognition of the internship and the training agreement with the head of the internship office responsible for your degree program.

EU nationals generally do not require a work permit for employment / an internship in other EU countries.

For all other countries: Find out about the respective visa requirements for an internship at an early stage and apply to the relevant authorities (usually the embassy of the destination country) early. For an initial overview, you can find information on the Federal Foreign Office.
In particular, if you would like to complete an internship in the USA, you should apply for a visa early, as the procedure has to be carried out via a so-called "legal sponsor" and is correspondingly lengthy.

Comprehensive insurance cover during an internship abroad is very important and sometimes mandatory for scholarships. As an intern abroad, you are usually not insured in any way by the company or institution!

Please clarify with your internship provider and your insurance company whether you have sufficient insurance cover for the entire duration of your internship in the destination country.

There is a need for clarification regarding

  • Health insurance (including repatriation from abroad in the event of illness or death)
  • Accident insurance (at least for injuries sustained at the internship location in the company)
  • Liability insurance (must cover damage caused by you in the company)

IMPORTANT: Simple travel health insurance for vacation trips or personal liability insurance is not sufficient! If necessary, take out additional insurance.

A short trip abroad

In addition to a semester or internship abroad, you also have the opportunity to go abroad for a shorter stay. It is possible to attend a summer and winter school, write a thesis abroad or visit a trade fair or congress abroad.

Summer and Winter Schools

A summer or winter school (also known as a specialist course) is a one- to six-week stay at a foreign university. It is a kind of "study abroad light" and is offered on a wide variety of subjects. Summer schools are often subject to a fee.

Offers and application

The topics and content of summer schools are very diverse and vary according to the courses on offer and the profiles of the universities. It is not always easy to get an overview here. However, there are two databases that can help with the search:

Alternatively, two of our partner universities regularly offer short courses. Please check the websites of the partner universities for information on costs, dates and the application procedure. In some cases, you must first be nominated in the same way as for a semester abroad. In other cases, you can apply directly. In most cases, however, you will need at least a signature from the International Office.

Costs and funding

The costs for a summer or winter school can vary greatly, ranging from €100 to €3,000. Sometimes the participation fee already includes board and lodging, in other cases the costs for accommodation or the leisure program are extra.

Recognition of the credits earned

It is possible that you can have the credits you earn at a Summer or Winter School recognized at RWU. Discuss your plans with your dean of studies early.

Scholarship programs

You can receive financial support through the following programs. When applying, you will usually need a letter of motivation, a CV and a transcript of records. However, you can find more detailed information on the respective websites.

Fulbright Summer Institute

About the Fulbright Summer Institute two summer courses at selected US universities are made available to UAS students.

PROMOS scholarship

You may be able to receive a course fee allowance via the PROMOS scholarship. You can find further information on this at PROMOS scholarship.

Thesis abroad

You also have the option of writing your thesis abroad. Depending on who your supervisor is, the following applies:

If you write your thesis in a foreign company or institution, this counts as an internship abroad. In this case, you can apply for an ERASMUS scholarship (European region) or the PROMOS program (non-European area).

If you are supervised by a lecturer or at a partner university and meet the minimum length of stay for a scholarship, you may also be eligible for a regular study abroad program. There are funding opportunities for this such as ERASMUS or the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship.

If you are not studying at a partner university or are only staying abroad for one to three months, the DAAD also offers support: HAW.International for semester stays and theses.

Trade fairs and congresses

If you are studying for a Master's degree and would like to actively participate in a trade fair or congress, the DAAD also offers a suitable funding opportunity here: HAW.International Trade Fair and Congress Travel.

Contact & People

General contact details

On campus
Building P
Lazarettstr. 3
88250 Weingarten
Postal address RWU Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten
University of Applied Sciences
P.O. Box 30 22
88216 Weingarten
Germany

Coordination of outgoing students

Karoliina Nowak
Quality management study and teaching
  • Building P
  • Room P 007
outgoing@rwu.de