FAQ Erasmus+ exchange program

The University of Stuttgart offers a wide range of high-quality academic programs in engineering, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, with courses available in both English and German. Students benefit from excellent facilities, cutting-edge research opportunities, and interdisciplinary approaches to learning.

Moreover, the university provides strong support for exchange students, including the buddy program, German language courses, and various student activities, making it an ideal place to study and experience life in Germany.

Stuttgart offers a lively student experience with cultural events, student organizations, and outdoor activities. The University of Stuttgart provides student clubs, sports programs, a buddy program (ready.study.stuttgart), and more to help exchange students settle in. For more information please check out our page on Activities, sports, and student clubs.

Located in the heart of the Baden-Württemberg region, it is the ideal starting point for trips to other cities in the area, Germany, or even Europe.

Living costs in Stuttgart vary depending on lifestyle. Students should budget around € 1000 per month (2025) for expenses such as rent, public transport, health insurance, food, and personal needs.

Unfortunately, the University of Stuttgart cannot offer any scholarship for Erasmus+ exchange students (exception: students from our Erasmus+ partner universities in Ukraine).

Students in the Erasmus+ program (including students from the UK) may receive a scholarship from their home university. Please contact the International Office at your home institution to receive more information.

Contact your home university’s international office and ask for further information on the application process or if there is an exisiting bilateral partner agreement with the University of Stuttgart in Germany.

You must first be nominated by your home university for the exchange program at the University of Stuttgart. Once nominated, you will be contacted by our International Office with further instructions.

The entire application process takes place online.

Please send an e-mail to our Erasmus+ incoming staff, providing the name of your home university, the exact semester you would like to come to Stuttgart, and your concern/question. We are happy to help!

For subject-related questions, please contact your Erasmus+ departmental/ academic coordinator.

Erasmus+ academic advisors are staff members of the faculty at the University of Stuttgart where you will be studying. Your Erasmus+ academic advisor has the final say on your learning agreement and, therefore, whether your application will be accepted. He or she will also be your contact person for all academic questions (course choice, ECTS, exam regulations, etc.).

You will receive the name and contact details of your Erasmus+ academic advisor after we receive your nomination. If you need it beforehand, it is available at your home university, or you can ask the International Office, by providing your field of study and the complete name of your home university (not just that of a school or faculty).

Erasmus+ students nominated by our partner universities have priority access to a room in a student dormitory on campus, as long as they apply for student housing through the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart.

Please note: The International Office in Stuttgart informs you about the procedure via e-mail in due time. Make sure to wait for our e-mail and follow our instructions. If you apply on your own, the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart may not recognize you as an Erasmus+ student and may not consider your application.

The International Office helps coordinate dormitory placements, but the allocation is managed by the Studierendenwerk, meaning students cannot choose a specific location or room. Usually, rental contracts start either at the beginning of March/September for the Intensive German Course participants or at the beginning of April/October for all others. A rental deposit must be paid in advance to secure the room.

In Germany, each student has their own single room with a bed and mattress, desk, chair, and wardrobe. Bathroom, kitchen, and common areas will be shared with other students.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Further information on this topic can be found under Visa regulations, residence registration and residence permit.

You may consider attending one or two semesters at the University of Stuttgart as a so-called Freemover (not free of charge!). Further information on this topic can be found under Non-degree students individual (freemover).

The academic year at the University of Stuttgart is divided into two semesters:

• Semester 1: Winter semester: October to March
• Semester 2: Summer semester: April to September

Each semester consists of a lecture period and a lecture-free period, during which exams take place. It is important to check the official semester dates and exam periods before planning travel.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the official University of Stuttgart semester dates page.

The learning agreement is your study plan for your stay in Stuttgart. Your home university, your Erasmus+ academic coordinator in Stuttgart and you have to approve and sign it.

You should prepare your Digital Learning agreement on your home university’s platform. After your home university approves it, it will be transferred to our system via ConnectEWP (Erasmus Without Paper), so that your academic coordinator in Stuttgart can approve (or reject) it.

If you have any questions on how to create a digital learning agreement, please contact your home university. We only accept Learning Agreements as PDFs if your home university is not part of the ConnectEWP network.

It is possible to change a learning agreement after arrival if needed. The changes have to be approved by both universities.

In general, all regular courses at the University of Stuttgart are available for Erasmus+ exchange students. This means there are no specific lectures or a fixed course program designed for exchange students only.

You have to actively search and choose your courses, but you should do so according to the requirements of your home university if there are any. E.g., some of our partner institutions require a minimum of ECTS points to be earned. In general, we suggest attending at least four or five courses to get the most out of your stay.

You are free to choose from all our courses, combining them to suit you. For example, you can combine language with subject courses, mix and match different subjects, and even mix courses from different levels (Bachelor’s and Master’s courses).

If you have questions regarding the courses, please contact your Erasmus+ academic advisor. The International Office is not in a position to offer academic study counseling. In the end, your home university and your departmental Erasmus coordinator will approve your learning agreement and, therefore, your course choice.

All courses offered at the University of Stuttgart are listed on the online platform C@MPUS. C@MPUS provides you with course listings and descriptions, including ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) points, language of instruction, and lecturer name and contact.

The final course catalog with schedule and class locations will be published in February/March for the following summer semester (lecture period starts in April) and in August/September for the following winter semester (lecture period starts in October). You can always look at the course catalog from the previous year (not the semester!) because similar courses are offered most likely every year.

If you have questions about finding courses in C@MPUS, you can contact the International Office.

If you have doubts about the course content (e.g., if a course can match exams at your home university), contact your academic advisor.

If you have questions about the exam/ECTS recognition in your own study program, please contact your home university. The University of Stuttgart is not involved in grades and credits transfer.

Erasmus+ exchange students can take English-taught courses, but please note that the number of English courses varies depending on the study program and level.

All our Bachelor programs are taught in German. If you are interested in English-speaking courses, you may attend courses in our international Master’s programs. Master's courses can be attended if the student is at least in their (Bachelor's) third year of studies.

Erasmus+ students wishing to take courses taught in English are required to prove English proficiency that corresponds to B2 according to the Common European Reference Framework ("How can I prove my English/German skills?"). If they want to attend only English-taught courses, they do not need to submit any proof of German proficiency.

We strongly recommend that Erasmus+ students introduce themselves in person to the professors at the beginning of a class.

Exams at the University of Stuttgart typically take place after the lecture period, i.e., in the lecture-free period (holidays): from February to late March for the winter semester and from July to late September for the summer semester.

The exact exam schedule depends on the faculty and course. There is no central exam period that is valid for the whole university. Usually, the exam schedule will be published at the beginning or during the semester, not earlier. Therefore, the International Office cannot give you any information about the exam dates in advance.

Students must register for their exams during the exam registration period via the C@MPUS system.

If you need to leave before the official exam dates, e.g., because your new semester at home begins, we strongly recommend discussing your situation with the corresponding lecturers and course instructors during the first lecture weeks. They can provide guidance on expected exam dates and whether any alternative arrangements are possible, like an earlier oral exam, an assignment, or more.

If you want to write your thesis during your exchange, we recommend applying for a one-year Erasmus+ mobility. In the first semester, you can attend courses, get acquainted with the new environment, and get to know lecturers and potential supervisors. In the second semester, you can carry out your thesis work – assuming you find a supervisor on time (s. below). However, you can also decide to spend only a semester exchange and write your thesis directly.

Due to the large number of applications, neither the International Office nor your Erasmus+ academic advisor is in a position to offer you a project placement. You need to find one project and a supervisor yourself and submit a confirmation of your thesis supervision in Stuttgart (template available at the International Office) along with your other application documents by the application deadline on May 1 / December 1.

We strongly recommend that you start searching for a project early, at least three months prior to the application deadline. Please keep your Erasmus+ academic advisor and the International Office up to date about your progress, especially if you encounter any difficulties in finding a thesis supervisor in time. 

To look for a supervisor, check our institute list and write to potential supervisors, including your CV and a rough project draft. All details of the work, including language requirements, have to be discussed individually with your supervisors at home and in Stuttgart.

We recommend asking a professor at your home university to support you with your thesis application. Moreover, please discuss any additional requirements your supervisors at your home university and in Stuttgart may have (defending opportunities and dates, who gives the grade at the end, etc.).

Our language requirements depend on which courses you would like to attend during your Erasmus+ exchange and their language of instruction:

If you want to attend courses only taught in German:

If you want to attend courses only taught in English or write your thesis in English:

The Intensive German Course (IGC) is offered by the International Office of the University of Stuttgart. The course starts one month prior to the lecture period and is obligatory for exchange students with a German language level at A2 who want to study in German.

For students who are planning to study in English, the course is highly recommended since it is an excellent opportunity for you to meet other exchange students and to settle down in Stuttgart before lectures start.

We only accept language certificates that comply with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This means the certificate must clearly state your proficiency level according to CEFR (e.g., A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2).

We accept the following proofs of your German/English skills:

• Course certificates from your home university confirming your English/German level
• Exam certificates from recognized institutions (e.g., Goethe-Institut, telc, CAE, IELTS…) or language schools
• German/English courses confirmed in your transcript of records – with CEFR level!
• German/English courses confirmed on your school report – with CEFR level!
• Letter from your German/English teacher assessing your current proficiency in German/English.

The language certificates must be issued or translated into German or English.

Native English speakers are exempt from English proficiency proof.

A Higher Education Entrance Qualification is a certificate or diploma that verifies the successful completion of secondary education, qualifying the holder to apply for admission to universities or higher education institutions. It serves as proof that a student has met the academic requirements to pursue further studies at a tertiary level. Some examples are high school diplomas, Baccalauréat, Bachillirato, Diploma di Maturità, etc.

You need to submit your high school diploma (original + verified translation in English or German, e.g., from your home university) for the C@MPUS application by June 1 / December 1.

A Transcript of Records (TOR) is an official document issued by a university or educational institution that provides a detailed overview of a student’s academic performance. It lists all completed courses and modules, including grades, ECTS credits, and sometimes the grading scale used by the institution.

A TOR is typically issued in the official language of the university. For your application for the Erasmus+ exchange at the University of Stuttgart, we require a translation into English or German.

The document must be signed and stamped by the issuing institution to confirm its authenticity, or it must have a verification link or QR code.

If you experience any problem with the Mobility-Online platform, please write an e-mail to the International Office. We will eventually forward your question to the right person.

If you have technical problems with the C@MPUS application platform, please send an e-mail to C@MPUS support. Describe your problem as clearly as possible, maybe with an additional screenshot.

No, Erasmus+ exchange students are officially exempt from tuition fees due to the partner agreements with their home university. However, they are required to pay a small semester fee that every student has to pay which covers student services and enables cheaper food and rent for students. This contribution is about 100€ / semester and is reduced in comparison to local degree-seeking students.

If you arrive in Stuttgart during the week, please go to the caretaker ("Hausmeister") of your dormitory to pick up your dorm key. Please mind the office hours! Afterward, please come to the International Office during our opening hours at the following address:

International Office (IZ)
Pfaffenwaldring 60
70569 Stuttgart-Vaihingen

For directions on campus, please see our map.

Our team is available to assist you with any questions, and our office will have extended opening hours during the arrival week.

If you arrive in Stuttgart on a Saturday/Sunday, you might not be able to move into your dormitory room immediately. We suggest you stay at a temporary accommodation like a youth hostel, a guest house, a hostel, or a low-budget hotel.

Yes, if you register for our pick-up service in due time (i.e., at least three weeks before your arrival). The buddy program ready.study.stuttgart of the International Office offers a pick-up service at the Stuttgart airport and main station (depending on availability).

Stuttgart has a very good public transport system, the VVS (Verkehrsverbund Stuttgart), in which you can use regional trains and suburban trains as well as the subways and buses of the SSB (Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG). There are various ticket offers for public transportation.

The International Office will provide you with more information shortly before and upon arrival.

This document will not be signed by the International Office staff. Instead, it must be signed by your academic Erasmus+ coordinator, the person who signed your learning agreement.

Fill in the document as much as you can with your data, then contact your academic coordinator (e.g., via e-mail) after your arrival and kindly ask them to sign and stamp it.

Yes, the International Office provides support upon arrival in Stuttgart. We offer information sessions covering essential formalities such as health insurance, German bank accounts, residence registration, residence permit, enrollment with the university and courses.

You can also visit the International Office (IZ) during office hours for further assistance.

Yes, all exchange students must have valid state student health insurance to enroll at the University of Stuttgart.

Students with an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), or with a social agreement (e.g., from Türkiye, Tunisia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) do not need to take up any extra health insurance in Germany.

All other students are required to take out a German state student health insurance, which covers most medical treatments, including pre-existing conditions and psychotherapy. The International Office will provide you with further information in mid-August (for the following winter semester) / in mid-February (for the following summer semester).

If you arrive before the official semester start (October/April), it is recommended to have travel health insurance to cover any medical needs until your German health insurance becomes active.

Find out more about insurance.

Many general practitioners can be found in Stuttgart-Vaihingen and the city center. The International Office is happy to help you look for a doctor. Find out more about physical and mental health care.

In case of an emergency, please call the emergency number for ambulance, police, and fire department 112.

Make sure to always have your health insurance card and ID with you. 

You can find more information about sports on our page about Activities, sports, and student clubs under "University Sports".

The University of Stuttgart offers an Intensive German Course (IGC) for exchange students before the semester starts. We also offer an Extensive German Course during the semester, but only for students who attended the Intensive German Course before.

Additionally, students can take semester-long German courses at the Language Center ("Sprachenzentrum"), external institutions, or private language schools. Find out more about German language learning options.

Erasmus+ is a study exchange program between universities. The main purpose of your stay is to study at the University of Stuttgart. During the semester break, you may work without extra permission (non-EU citizens: check your visa/residence permit for details and limitations).

Erasmus+ students with an EHIC / GHIC should check with the German state health insurance provider if any extra regulations apply to them. In most cases, as soon as you take up a paid job or internship, even if part-time, your EHIC/GHIC is not valid anymore, and you have to purchase German health insurance.

Please note: There is also an EU-funded program called "Erasmus+ Internship". It is independent of the Erasmus+ study exchange program and the International Office. For more information, please contact your home university or national agency in charge of EU programs.

An exchange at the University of Stuttgart typically lasts one to two semesters, depending on the agreement between your home university and the University of Stuttgart.

If you wish to extend your stay for an additional semester, contact the International Office (IO) by the given deadlines:

• December 1, if you are staying in Stuttgart in the winter semester and want to extend your exchange to the summer semester
• June 1, if you are staying in Stuttgart in the summer semester and want to extend your exchange to the winter semester.

Please reach out as early as possible to discuss the possibilities and requirements for an extension. We will also need confirmation from the International Office of your home university that they agree with your extension.

It’s possible to enroll as an exchange student of the University of Stuttgart for a maximum of two semesters.

Please check our formalities website for the detailed to-do list. Moreover, the International Office will contact you approximately four weeks before your departure with more details.

We strongly recommend that you take care of all formalities while still in Stuttgart.

As for the "certificate of arrival", this document will not be signed by the International Office staff. Instead, it must be signed by your academic Erasmus+ coordinator, the person who signed your learning agreement.

Fill in the document as much as you can with your data, then contact your academic coordinator (e.g., via e-mail) not earlier than 5 days before your departure, and kindly ask them to sign and stamp it.

Erasmus+ exchange students can download their transcript of records from C@MPUS: In the category "My certificates" you can find the transcript available in both English and German, as well as many other documents.

If courses are missing on your transcript or in case of any other issues, please use the contact form to propose your concern to the examination office. Choose "Other concerns", mention that you are an exchange student, and provide potential grade screenshots needed