Studying Abroad

In December of each year, shortly before the start of the application phase, the faculty Helpdesk offers a digital information event on Erasmus+ and in particular on the application process. As specific questions about the application process can be answered there and the application and planning of the stay can be explained step by step, it makes sense to take part. You will find the access data for the event here in due course. 

There is only one application phase for Erasmus+ study places at the university each year, which applies both for stays from the winter semester and from the summer semester of the following year. The application usually takes place in December/January. For example, if you would like to study abroad from the summer semester 2026, you must apply in December 2024/January 2025.
The application deadlines may differ at other faculties of the university.

The Entdecker app and Entdecker stories, which are provided by the International Office, offer the opportunity to find out about Erasmus+ and other types of stays as well as the various partner universities through a variety of student experience reports. The app provides support with all organizational matters relating to the stay abroad. 

• Entdecker-App of the International Office 
• Entdecker-Stories 

When applying for an Erasmus+ stay, you can specify up to three preferred places. It is possible to apply for places from the entire range offered by the faculty (with the exception of the Global and European Studies Institute). Please note, however, that internal applicants are given preference in the selection process, so it makes sense to apply primarily your institute's own cooperations. You can find an overview of the cooperations that are managed by the faculty's institutes in the database for international exchange places via the filter function, as well as in the application form, which is activated during the application period. When searching for suitable partner universities, attention should be paid to the subject relevance of the course content. 

• Database for international exchange places

As part of the Erasmus+ program, you will receive Erasmus student status, which waives the tuition fees at the partner universities. You will also receive Erasmus+ funding, which depends on the destination country and duration of your stay and is guaranteed as a grant for the additional costs incurred abroad. This grant can be combined with BAföG abroad.

In addition, there are special grants to compensate for students with fewer opportunities (studying with a child, taking a break from work, illnesses, first academic generation) and to promote climate-neutral travel.

The funding rates and information on the requirements for special funding can be found on the website of the International Office. 

• Erasmus+ Funding rates 
• Top-up amounts

You will find the application portal on the German page during the application phase in December/January.

At the Université Lumière Lyon 2, two places, which are formally assigned to the Department of History at Leipzig University, are offered via the Institute of Cultural Studies. This cooperation is not listed in the database via the Institute of Cultural Studies, but is available for the application and is therefore also indicated in the application form. 

The first step is to accept or reject the place within the deadline you receive in the email with the notification. Only after you have accepted the place the next steps can be taken. Please also be sure to let us know if you do not wish to take up the offer, so that applicants who have not been offered a place can move up. 

The nomination at the partner university takes place after you have been accepted by the Erasmus coordinator. All you have to do is complete and return the nomination confirmation you received from your Erasmus coordinator. 

You must register online with the International Office. More detailed information on the procedure and required documents can be found on the website of the International Office. The registration period usually runs from 15 March to 15 June. 

You must formally apply/register with your partner university. The partner university will contact you with the required documents and corresponding application deadlines.

Before the start of your stay, you must draw up the Learning Agreement and have it signed by your Erasmus coordinator at Leipzig University, the partner university and yourself. The criteria that should be taken into account when drawing up the Learning Agreement can be found here.

• Possible application for BAföG abroad and semester off
• Exemption from the semester fee 
• Voluntary: Language test via Online Language Support (OLS)

You will receive more detailed information on the preparatory steps, documents and deadlines at an information event for nominated students. Those who have accepted an Erasmus+ study place will receive the access data by e-mail. Participation is strongly recommended. 

Once you have arrived abroad, you must have the certificate of enrollment/notification of arrival signed by the partner university and submit it to the International Office. You will then receive the first installment of your Erasmus+ grant (70%). 

Registration for courses and modules can vary considerably at universities abroad. Sometimes it also happens that the modules you have specified in your Learning Agreement cannot or do not want to be taken by you after all. In the event that you change your course selection after the start of the semester, the Learning Agreement must be amended and signed again. This should be done in consultation with your Erasmus coordinator in Leipzig and no later than four weeks after the start of your stay. 

The extension of your stay depends primarily on the partner university; you should therefore first discuss your plans with the responsible local contact person. On the Leipzig side, you must contact the International Office and your Erasmus coordinator to clarify the formalities and draw up a new Learning Agreement, among other things. Please note: An extension relates exclusively to the Erasmus+ status and thus the cancellation of tuition fees, but not to the Erasmus+ funding! Subsequent funding cannot be applied for. 

At the end of your stay, you should take care of an overview of your achievements abroad. You will need this to have your credits recognised in Leipzig.
You will also need a certificate of the end of your stay (or another form of certificate of exmatriculation) signed by the partner university.  

The certificate signed by the partner university confirming the end of your stay must be submitted to the International Office no later than 4 weeks after the end of your stay. You will then receive the second and final installment of your Erasmus+ grant (30%). 

The examination board of your faculty decides on the recognition of academic achievements abroad and the conversion of foreign grades. After your return, contact the person responsible for recognition at your institute. You will need the transcript of records for this. The recognition results must then be submitted to the International Office. 

After your stay, you have the opportunity to give feedback on your experience and share it with other interested students. Just as you did at the beginning of your planning, this will also help future students.

• Online Erasmus+ participant report (link by e-mail from EU-Survey) 
• Create a Entdecker-Story on the website of the International Office