FAQ Overseas 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. Beyond academics, Stuttgart is a vibrant city with a rich cultural scene, numerous green spaces, and a dynamic international student community. 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.

Please send an e-mail to the staff for exchange students from the Overseas Exchange Program, 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!

Contact your home Universities’ International Office to ask if there is a bilateral student’s exchange agreement with our university. Your university will be able to provide you with further details on the application dates and more.

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 the International Office of the University of Stuttgart with further instructions.

The entire application process is online.

 You may consider the so called Freemover stay (not free of charge!). Please take a look at our website for non-degree students (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.

In general, all regular courses of the University of Stuttgart are available for exchange students. This means there are no specific lectures designed for exchange students only.

Moreover, there will not be any fixed course program or timetable for international exchange students at the University of Stuttgart!

You have to actively search and choose your courses, but should do so according to the requirements of your home university, if there are some.

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).

Some of our partner institutions require for their exchange students to earn a minimum number of ECTS points or passed exams during their exchange studies. We recommend that you take in at least four courses to get the most out of your stay.

Exchange students can take only English-taught courses. 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. We recommend that you are already towards the end of your Bachelor’s degree or similar.

If you want to attend only English-taught courses, you do not need to submit any proof of German proficiency. However, we highly recommend our intensive German course for exchange students.

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 points (European Credit Transfer System), language of instruction and contacts of the teachers.

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 take a look at the course catalogue from the previous year (not semester!), because similar courses are offered most likely every year.

Everyone, also students who have not yet registered or applied with our university, can access and filter our course listings via C@MPUS, no account required!

If after checking C@MPUS you still need more information or have questions regarding the courses, please contact the Faculty Academic Advisors (Fachstudienberatung) for personalized guidance. Feel free to reach out to them for individual consultation regarding courses you are interested in.

Moreover, the International Office arranges student counseling upon arrival. In this meeting you have the chance to address all your questions regarding course choice to an expert of the study field of your interest.

Exams at the University of Stuttgart typically take place AFTER the lecture period, this means 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. Usually, the exam schedule will be published at the beginning or during the semester – not earlier.

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

If you need to leave early, we strongly recommend discussing your situation with your professors and course instructors during the first week of lectures. They can provide guidance on expected exam dates and whether any alternative arrangements are possible, like an earlier oral exam or other alternatives.

Stuttgart offers a lively student experience with cultural events, student organizations, and outdoor activities. The University of Stuttgart provides clubs, sports programs, a Buddy Program (ready.study.stuttgart) and more to help exchange students settle in. The city has a vibrant café scene, annual festivals, and many green spaces for leisure and relaxation.

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.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Students from the European Union and the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) can enter Germany without a visa and don’t need to apply for a residence permit after their arrival.

Students from the UK, Ukraine, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the USA do not need a visa by law for entry, but must apply for a residence permit after arrival.

Students from other non-EU countries must apply for a student visa at the German consulate in their home country at least 4–5 months before arrival.

A blocked bank account or financial proof is often required to obtain the visa. For visa details, check the German embassy website in your home country and contact them as soon as possible.

A language certificate in the original version together with a certified translation into English or German has to be submitted during the registration process for an exchange semester.

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

Your certificate must be issued by a recognized institution, such as your home university or an accredited language school (e.g., Goethe-Institute).

A list of accepted language certificates  is stated above.

A language certificate in the original version together with a certified translation into English or German has to be submitted during the registration process for an exchange semester.

We accept English language certificates that comply with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at the B2 level at a minimum. We accept the total score from standardized tests, as long as it meets the minimum B2 requirement. Additionally, we accept certificates of passed English proficiency exams from your home university's language center, as long as they explicitly confirm a B2 level according to the CEFR. A list of accepted language certificates  is stated above.

Please note: English native speakers and students studying at their home university in English are exempt from an English language proof.

You are exempt from providing a language certificate if you can credibly demonstrate that you are a native speaker of the required language or if the standard language of instruction for your previous studies matches the required language of the program. For example, if you studied in English and are intending to take courses taught in English only, a language certificate is not necessary.

The Intensive German Course (IGC) is offered by the International Office of the University of Stuttgart. The course starts one month previous to the lecture period and is obligatory for exchange students with a German language level at A2 or below 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 to meet other exchange students and to settle down in Stuttgart.

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.

Examples of Higher Education Entrance Qualifications around the world:

• High School Diploma (USA): Certifies the completion of secondary education in the United States.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): A globally recognized program providing comprehensive education, accepted by many universities worldwide.
• Gaokao (China): The National Higher Education Entrance Examination, essential for university admission in China.
• Bachillerato (Mexico): Awarded to students completing secondary education, required for university enrollment.
• Certificado de Educación Media (Argentina): Certifies completion of secondary education, necessary for university admission.
• Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Australia): Indicates completion of secondary schooling, qualifying students for higher education.
• Secondary School Diploma (Canada): Credential awarded to high school graduates, necessary for university admission.

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, and translations may be required for applications. The document must be signed and stamped by the issuing institution to confirm its authenticity.

If you have technical problems with the C@MPUS application platform, please describe your problem, maybe with an additional screenshot, and send an email to C@MPUS support.

No, 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 every student has to pay and which covers student services and enables cheaper food and rents for students.

Exchange students can apply for student housing through the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart once the International Office in Stuttgart informs you about the procedure via e-mail.

The International Office helps coordinate dormitory placements, but allocation is managed by the Studierendenwerk, meaning students cannot choose a specific location or room. However, we guarantee a room for all official exchange students from a partner university.

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

Rental contracts generally start either at the beginning of March/September for 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.

The Studierendenwerk can provide you with further information on the rooms themselves.

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

Yes, if you register for our pick-up service in due time. The buddy program ready.study.stuttgart of the International Office offers a pick-up service at the Stuttgart airport and main station.

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! Afterwards, please come to the International Office at the following address:

International Office (IZ)
Pfaffenwaldring 60
70569 Stuttgart-Vaihingen

For directions on campus please see the map.

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

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

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

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.

More information can be found in our Welcome Guide for exchange program students.

In order to get a residence permit for studying in Germany and to enroll at the university, you need to have German health insurance. The statutory student health insurance costs between 125 and 150 EUR/month and is well worth the money as it includes all necessary medical treatments. The doctors will settle any invoices directly with your health insurance. There is a minor prescription fee of 5-10 EUR per prescription.

The public health insurance providers AOK and TK have service points on campus in Vaihingen and are very familiar with international students and their concerns.

If you arrive before the official semester start, it is recommended to have travel health insurance to cover any medical needs until your German health insurance becomes acti

Many general practitioners can be found in Vaihingen and the city center. The International Office is happy to help you with addresses. Find further information on our health care page.

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

Check out the sports activities offered by Allgemeiner Hochschulsport to see if they offer something of interest to you. Sport activities are not free of charge but require only a small fee.

Moreover, in Germany sport clubs run by the city are common too. Especially if you want to meet locals this might be an alternative option for you.

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 free semester-long German courses at the Language Center (Sprachenzentrum). Check out the Language Center's website or external institutions or private language schools.

For more details on German language learning options, please visit our website.

Yes, you can take architecture courses in English at the University of Stuttgart, although the Bachelor's program Architecture and Urban Planning is primarily taught in German. Due to the program’s focus on project work in small groups or individually, it is possible to manage with English only. Additionally, some courses are occasionally offered in English.

Undergraduate students can also take Master's level courses from related English-taught programs, such as Integrative Technologies and Architectural Design (ITECH), Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design (IUSD), or Infrastructure Planning.

For specific questions about the program or courses, feel free to contact Mr. Rainer Goutrie.

Please check our formalities website for the detailed to-do list. We strongly recommend that you take care of all formalities while still in Stuttgart. By the way: De-registration with the town hall can be managed via e-mail.

An exchange at the University of Stuttgart typically lasts one to two semesters, depending on for how many semesters you have been nominated by your home university.

If you wish to extend your stay for a second semester, you can contact the International Office (IZ). Please reach out as early as possible to discuss your options and requirements for an extension.

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.

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.