Information for HSB Students on Studying Abroad

• 90 ECTS at the start of the semester abroad, including all modules from the first two semesters (please note the course-specific admission criteria for the semester abroad).

• Language skills at B2/C1 level in English or the national language of the host university must be proven (the language certificate must not be more than two years old -> a high school diploma does not count as proof of language skills).

GOOD TO KNOW: Every winter semester there is an information event on the topic of a semester abroad for students from the 3rd semester onwards. There you will learn everything you need to know about the application process, possible partner universities, scholarships and the recognition of academic achievements.

Important questions:

• Which destinations are suitable for my semester abroad?
• Have I fulfilled the formal requirements for admission to the semester abroad?
• Can I submit a language certificate in English for the internal (and later external) application?
• Do I need further knowledge of the local language for my planned semester abroad (e.g. Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean)?
• Is my funding for the semester abroad secured? Especially for overseas partner universities.
• Do I need an individual consultation from the faculty's International Office (dIO)?

• Obtain important information about the faculty's partner universities (semester times, courses offered, campus life, language requirements, visa regulations, etc.).
• Make sure that you can provide appropriate proof of your language skills.
• Make sure that you have passed all modules in the first two semesters and have obtained the required ECTS credits.
• Visit the International Exchange at ZIMT (mid-February each year) for students returning from their semester abroad and get an even better overview with first-hand information about your time at one of the partner universities!

GOOD TO KNOW: The next exchange abroad will take place on 14.02.2025 at the ZIMT location!

• Apply for a place at a European partner university via our online portal and upload the complete application documents.
  1. You will receive the link to your application by e-mail approximately two weeks before the application deadline. -> keep a close eye on your webmail inbox
  2. You may indicate a maximum of three equally important desired places in your application.
  3. Submit your application in full and by the deadline.

What happens after I have applied for a partner place?

• Within approximately two weeks you will receive an offer of a place via the online portal, which you must accept.
• If the internal application is successful, you will be nominated by the dIO at the chosen partner university.
• The partner university will ask you to submit a formal application and then...

...we wish you every success with the next steps on the way to your semester abroad!

• Obtain important information about the faculty's partner universities.
• Advice from the dIO and the information office of the AuslandsbaföG is mandatory before applying!
• Make sure that the funding for your semester abroad is secured and can be presented to the partner.
• Make sure that you can provide proof of your language skills.

GOOD TO KNOW: most overseas partners, especially the USA/Canada, require proof of language proficiency according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) -> IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English etc. with a corresponding test score, language level C1

• Ensure that all modules of the first two semesters have been passed, above-average academic performance is required for overseas students
• Create an individual, meaningful motivational letter in English (approx. one DIN A4 page)
• Apply for a place with one of the overseas partners using our selection form (available on aulis) and send the complete documents to Ms. Birgit Averbeck (dIO) by e-mail.
  1. Keep a close eye on your webmail inbox so that you don't miss any information!
  2. You may indicate a maximum of two preferred positions of equal value for you in your application (both overseas)
  3. Submit your application in full and by the deadline

Visit the international exchange at ZIMT for students returning from their semester abroad and get an even better overview of your time at one of the partner universities with first-hand information!

GOOD TO KNOW: The next exchange abroad will take place on 14.02.2025 at ZIMT!

What happens after applying for a partner place?

• Within approximately two weeks you will receive an offer of a place by e-mail, which you must accept.
• If the internal application is successful, you will be nominated by the dIO at the chosen partner university.
• The partner university will ask you to submit a formal application and then...

...we wish you every success with the next steps on the way to your semester abroad!

What is a Learning Agreement (LA)?

• The document sets out which modules you will choose at the partner university.
• With the signatures of all parties (yours, the home university and the partner university), you ensure that the modules you have selected can in principle be recognized.
• The document is mandatory for your semester abroad and must be completed before departure.

GOOD TO KNOW: There are two options for creating a Learning Agreement - as an online version via the HSB portal or in pdf format. Some of the partner universities require an online version of the LA, others only require a pdf version.

What do I have to do?

• You select modules at the partner university that fit into your field of study and the specified criteria.
• The English module descriptions of the selected modules must be submitted to the program director or supervisor.
• After approval by the supervisor (teaching colleagues), you create the Learning Agreement and enter all modules accordingly.

Important! A first fully approved version of the Learning Agreement must be submitted BEFORE DEPARTURE for the semester abroad.

Important documents for the LA:

Template Learning Agreement

Learning Agreement Guide

My partner university requires a digital Learning Agreement (diLA) - how do I deal with this?

• In order to create a digital Learning Agreement, the HSB Erasmus Office must be informed for the corresponding activation. The activation takes place as part of the application for the Erasmus+ scholarship, in which you indicate that you need a diLA. If you have any further questions, please contact the HSB Erasmus Office: erasmus@hs-bremen.de.
• As soon as the document is activated, you can enter the selected modules at the partner university after consultation with your supervisor.
• Please also ensure that the information in the document is correct (academic year, language level, length of stay, etc.).
• Complete the document and select the relevant contact person at HSB (head of degree program or supervisor) in the document.
• The online version of the LA must be approved by all three parties (your university, the home university and the partner university).

My Learning Agreement is fully approved. There were changes to the courses on site - what do I do?

• In most cases, there are changes on site after the first complete version of the LA, as some courses do not take place or overlap in time.
• You have the option to amend your Learning Agreement during your stay, please complete the section “During the mobility”.
• After all module changes have been made in the document, the Learning Agreement must be approved again.

Important! The first fully approved version of the Learning Agreement must be in place before you leave for your semester abroad.

Financing your semester abroad is a particularly important part of the planning process. So please make sure that you have sufficient financial resources while you are abroad. Please consider the following factors:

• Costs: living expenses, travel to and from the country, insurance, semester fees, visa, vaccinations, etc....

To supplement your living expenses abroad, you can consider the following options:.

• Options: Educational loan, DAAD scholarships, Fulbright scholarships, HAW.International.

 BAföG abroad:

• International BAföG possible if no domestic BAföG
• Travel allowance
• Support with tuition fees abroad
• AStA social counseling

Scholarships are offered at Bremen University of Applied Sciences:

ERASMUS+

If you go to a European partner university of the faculty, you are obliged to apply for the Erasmus+ scholarship. Not only the financial support (depending on the availability of funds) is part of the scholarship, but above all the partner place, which does not include any tuition fees for you!

Further information on the Erasmus+ scholarship can be found here!

PROMOS

The Promos scholarship is a partial scholarship in countries where Erasmus+ does not apply.

Read more about PROMOS here!

Please find out about the scholarships and funding options early on, as many DAAD scholarships in particular have a long application phase.

Further information on funding and scholarships can be found here.

• Transcripts of records:
  • Find relevant information on recognition in the Aulis group of your degree program.
  • Submit documents: original certificate, transcript of records, copy of the Learning Agreement.

• Follow-up:
  • Organize a stand at the international exchange at the ZIMT. Present your experiences and information about your stay abroad with posters and information material.