International students start in the summer semester at the University of Erfurt!

International students start in the summer semester at the University of Erfurt!

In the summer semester of 2025, the University of Erfurt welcomes 44 new international exchange students. These come from 18 different nations, with Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Spain, Greece and the USA being represented. The majority of these students take part in the Erasmus program and have enrolled at the University of Erfurt through partner universities. This means that the proportion of international students at the university is around 10%. This information was provided by the University of Erfurt and provides the framework for the diversity of cultures and perspectives these students bring to the city.

The courses at the Faculty of Political Science are particularly in demand, in which most international students are enrolled in international relations, economics and social sciences. The Faculty of Humanities also offers numerous opportunities in the subjects of English, German, literary studies, history, communication studies and philosophy. At the Faculty of Education, many students choose teaching, learning and training psychology as well as primary education and educational science as their focus areas.

Integration and language support

The integration of new students plays a central role. Over half of the international exchange students arrived four weeks before the start of the semester to take part in intensive German language courses. These courses are specifically designed for students with little or no knowledge of German and take place twice a year. Sandra Schmidt, who is responsible for the International Office, looks after the exchange students from nomination to departure and helps them to overcome possible language barriers.

In the first week of April, various orientation offers were made available. This included information events, campus tours and consultation hours to make it easier for new students to get started. In addition, online offers for registering for courses and a pre-arrival Q&A are available, which can be used before arrival.

Studying abroad: opportunities through Erasmus+

The Erasmus program offers international students numerous advantages. A letter of supervision or a confirmation of supervision is required for enrollment at partner universities. This must document the duration of the stay in order to ensure smooth enrollment. The TU Dortmund, one of the partner universities, offers exchange students the same advantages as regular students. The semester fee is around EUR 350 per semester and there are refund options for students who are only enrolled for shorter internships. Detailed information about enrollment can be found on the TU Dortmund website.

The Erasmus+ program is aimed at a broad target group, including students on short courses as well as bachelor's and master's students and doctoral students. The requirements for an application include enrollment at a participating university and that the study visit is relevant to your studies. The duration of a stay can be between 2 and 12 months, although up to 24 months is possible for certain study programs.

Through financial support, sending and receiving institutions can access funds to partially cover students' travel and accommodation costs. This is done through a scholarship, the amount of which depends on various factors, such as the cost of living between the home and destination countries.

In addition, Erasmus+ supports students who go abroad, while also taking into account those with fewer opportunities. Language support is also provided online. The recognition of study achievements takes place through a learning agreement between the universities and is essential for the transfer of ECTS credits.

The upcoming semester, which will begin on April 7th, offers not only academic opportunities, but also a chance for cultural exchange and personal development, which is supported by programs such as Erasmus+. The University of Erfurt shows how important international cooperation and the creation of an intercultural atmosphere are.