Below you will find relevant information for your semester abroad at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy at the Universität Leipzig. Degree-seeking students find information on complete study programmes at the Universität Leipzig on the homepage of the International Centre.
Your Exchange Term - Step by Step
Before you go abroad, there are a few things to take care of, for instance:
- Language courses and recommended language level
- Finding accommodation in Leipzig
- Semester dates and travel planning: The Academic Calendar
Moreover, you have to submit your application to the Universität Leipzig
Application Procedure for ERASMUS-Students from Europe
If your home university has an ERASMUS agreement with the Universität Leipzig, you have to follow the application procedure of your home institution first. Once you are selected for the exchange with Leipzig you also have to submit your application at the Universität Leipzig: Information on the application procedure can be found here.
Application Deadlines:
Deadline for applications for the winter semester: 30 June
Deadline for applications for the summer semester: 15 January
Applications Procedure for Bilateral-University-Agreement- and ERASMUS-Students from all over the World
Application deadlines for exchange students from non-European universities are slightly different:
Deadline for applications for the winter semester: 15 June
Deadline for applications for the summer semester: 01 December
Further information on the application procedure can be found here
Application Procedure for Free Mover:
If there is no partnership or exchange contract between your home university and the Universität Leipzig, you can still organize your stay at the Universität Leipzig by yourself and come as a so-called free-mover. Further information can be found here
The first step is the completion of the Learning Agreement, which can be edited after arrival in Leipzig. The Learning Agreement is the base for your Erasmus study exchange. It will control the recognition of the academic achievements you make abroad. Please begin with your study agreement early, the so-called Learning Agreement, in order to collect all of the necessary signatures before your stay abroad. Complete the Learning Agreement only with complete modules and not for individual classes. On the website for planing your semester, you can find more information about which modules you can take and to what extent.
In regards to the content of the modules, you can orient yourself by the course catalogues from previous years. Please consider, however, that the content of the seminars changes every year. The current course catalogues are usually released at the beginning of September (winter semester) or at the beginning of March (summer semester) on the websites of the faculty’s institutes.
Please send the Learning Agreement to our student assistent erasmus.sb.sozphil@uni-leipzig.de by the deadline. After the check, the Learning Agreement will be forwarded to your responsible Erasmus coordinator.
Submit the Learning Agreement for the winter semester 23/24 between 13 and 21 September 2023.
Please observe the compulsory deadline for the forwarding of the Learning Agreement, as you cannot register for modules electronically without it.
Please contact immediately after your arrival in Leipzig the following institutions:
Enrolment takes place at the International Centre. There you will also receive your student ID card and other important information. During the Welcome Week there will be counselling on administrative steps that need to be taken at other institutions, outside the university, e.g. on the topics of visa/residence title, registration at the Resident Services Offices and health insurance.
The ERASMUS Coordination is the contact for all questions concerning studies, course selection and the Learning Agreement. Each department has its own ERASMUS Coordinator.
In addition, the Helpdesk is also available to answer your questions.
Choosing Courses
Before the start of the actual semester, the course selection is due. The Helpdesk (peer-to-peer offer) informs about the exact procedure in a digital mandatory information event.
Digital information event
next date: 12 September 2023 at 3 p.m.
If you do not receive an invitation, please send a short email to: erasmus.sb.sozphil@uni-leipzig.de
There is a special offer of courses ("module") for the respective study programs. Information can be found on the "Semester Planning" website.
If you have any further questions on the content of your classes, or which courses to choose, please get in touch with your ERASMUS Coordinator. The Helpdesk will also be happy to help.
Once the semester has started, the following information/institutions might be helpful for you:
Facilities & Locations: The Universität Leipzig has a decentralised campus: A map of the city and a list with all relevant addresses are handed out during the Welcome Week of the International Office.
The Libraries: The University of Leipzig has several branch libraries. The main library (Bibliotheca Albertina) is located in the Beethovenstraße next to the GWZ. There you will find not only the books you need, but also nice working-places with power plugs for your notebook and WiFi access. Information about how to use the libraries, e.g. check out books, access online journals and other online-resources from home etc. can be found on the homepage of the university library or you can ask for help at the service desks.
WiFi (Wireless Internet): You can access the university WiFi with your own computer. This is possible almost everywhere on the campus. Ever since the University of Leipzig joined the network of Education Roaming (eduroam), you should be able to access the WiFi with the access data of your home university if your home university is part of eduroam, too. If you do not have an eduroam access but want to use university WiFi, and if you need support you can ask for help in the university data centRE (Universitätsrechenzentrum - URZ) or in the Albertina or Campus Library.
Computer-Labs: There are several computer labs which you can use for working, using the internet, printing, scanning, etc.
If you wish to prolong your stay at the Universität Leipzig, please contact the International Centre and your ERASMUS Coordinator. They will provide you with the information on the necessary procedures.
Before you leave, please make sure to complete the exmatriculation procedure:
- deregister in the International Centre (Stabsstelle Internationales)
- deregister at one of Leipzig’s Resident Services Offices (Bürgerämter)
Your transcript of records will be issued by your ERASMUS Coordinator. Please make sure to make all necessary arrangements in time.
We are also happy if you participate in our survey for international students, to which you will be invited by e-mail at the end of each semester. Your participation will help us to further improve the conditions for international students.
Useful tips for your stay in Leipzig
The required language level differs depending on the degree programme/institute. Even though B1 German language skills are usually sufficient for the formal minimum requirements, it is recommended to reach a German level of B2, as most courses are held in German.
To improve your language skills, a language and orientation course can be taken before the start of the regular courses. In addition, there are German courses alongside your studies. Since the language courses are very popular, it is recommended taking care of them early.
In Germany, students often live in halls of residence or in shared flats. More rarely, they also live in their own flat.
Halls of Residence
The “Studentenwerk” (Student Services) offers furnished rooms in halls of residence, but the rooms usually do not have blankets, towels or kitchen utensils. However, student initiatives such as Wilma organise crockery exchanges and help to find missing utensils. Please note: Residence halls are scattered all over the city and sometimes far away from the centre. If you would like to move in before the semester begins, you can also indicate this on your application.
FINDING ACCOMMODATION IN A HALL OF RESIDENCE
Shared Flats
Living in shared flats is part of Germany's student culture. A distinction is usually made between "Zweck-WG" and "Nicht-Zweck-WG", the former meaning that you share the costs of the flat, electricity, heating and internet, but there are no further expectations on living together. Shared living, however, can also mean sharing more than just the costs, i.e. cooking together, spending time together, doing things together. This is the main reason why it is common to introduce yourself and get to know the other people before moving into a shared flat. A room in a shared flat usually means that there are equipped kitchens and bathrooms, as well as internet and often even a landline telephone and a washing machine. Leipzig students who go abroad themselves or do an internship outside Leipzig often rent out their rooms furnished as "Zwischenmiete". Rooms offered for rent are often unfurnished. You can find offers for rooms in shared flats on the following sites, for example:
Your Own Flat
If you would prefer to live in your own flat, there are various websites that could help you in your search. However, it is important to note that tenancy agreements here can sometimes have a minimum term of 12-24 months and that flats are rarely available to rent furnished.
Health Insurance
In order to study in Germany, you must have a valid health insurance. Even if the health insurance from your home country is accepted in Germany, you should check additionally whether your health insurance actually covers all costs in Germany. For more information on health insurances, please visit the webpage of the International Office.
Tuition Fees
Although there are no tuition fees in Leipzig, you will have to pay a semester fee for each semester (currently 220 €).
Public Transport
A public transport ticket is included in the semester fee. The so-called “Semesterticket” is valid for the entire Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsbund (MDV). You can use the ticket during the semester and also during the semester break.
A new city, a foreign country - getting started in social life is often more difficult than you think. The following initiatives and networks can help you to find your feet in Leipzig:
- WILMA is an initiative for foreign students that organises excursions and parties to help you get started in Leipzig.
- The Studentenwerk Leipzig (Leipzig Student Services) offers a tutoring and buddy programme and supports you in the halls of residence.
- The Foreign Students Unit is a contact point if you need help at the university or would like to get involved in the Student_InnenRat (Student Council).
- If you would like to get to know people and improve your language skills at the same time, you can contact the tandem agency.
- The Centre for University Sport (ZfH) offers a sports programme for students. The registration deadline is before the semester starts and many courses are in high demand. Therefore, it is advisable to look into the sports programme early.
- If you play an instrument or enjoy singing, you can join the university orchestra or the university choir.
