International Office

Outgoing, incoming and international research

The International Office supports incoming students and researchers. At the same time, it offers advice and assistance for researchers and students planning to study abroad.

Office hours

The International Office offers office hours on site to international students and to all  students interested in studying abroad:

Monday & Wednesday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to noon

Some of our staff members still work from home. Want to talk to a specific person? Then we recommend you make an appointment.

Come and see us at the IZ!

Online office hours at the International Office are offered

Monday & Wednesday 10 a.m. to noon

to international students  and

to students interested in studying abroad 

The University of Stuttgart is an internationally recognized research university that cultivates global culture. This includes giving its students the opportunity to continue their education at universities in other countries. It supports its researchers in global research teamwork with scientists in all disciplines. At the same time, it supports talented individuals from abroad who want to study at the University of Stuttgart or pursue their research here.

Eingangsbereich des Internationalen Zentrums in Stuttgart-Vaihingen
The International Office is located right in the heart of the campus in Vaihingen.

Our services at the IZ
We are happy to support you! 

The International Office (IZ)

The International Office at the IZ on the Vaihingen campus coordinates all programs, counseling, and events for:

  • incoming students and researchers from abroad
  • outgoing students: University of Stuttgart students interested in studying abroad
  • refugees who want to study at the University of Stuttgart
  • everyone at the university, to support and enrich interculturality

"The University of Stuttgart produces outstanding university graduates with highly developed intercultural skills who know how to meet their responsibilities as global citizens in exemplary fashion in a globalizing world.”

From the University of Stuttgart Mission Statement, February 2015.

For University of Stuttgart students

A study stay abroad does not only produce benefits that last a lifetime. Since it shows a willingness to get out of a personal comfort zone, studying abroad can also boost career chances while also conferring many new experiences, realizations, and discoveries. These include:

  • New or advanced language proficiencies
  • Insights into other ways of life and cultures
  • Questioning own life circumstances and habits
  • International networking opportunities
  • Expanding perspectives on subject knowledge and methods

The University of Stuttgart is deeply interested in an optimal study experience for its students. That also means expanding our vision beyond our own borders. The University maintains numerous relationships with foreign university on six continents for research and teaching exchanges.

More information on stays abroad and exchange programs

Students at the University of Stuttgart can enroll in so-called Double Master's programs. These programs offer the chance to obtain Master's degrees from two universities.

More information on Double Master's programs

Students looking for help in planning a stay abroad are invited to contact the International Office via e-mail.

Partner universities

The University of Stuttgart maintains partnerships with universities and colleges all around the world. Therefore, it offers a wide range of exchange programs and international cooperation.

Bei der Veranstaltung „Come Together“ des Internationalen Zentrums treffen sich Outgoings und Incomings und tauschen sich über ihre  Erfahrungen als Studierende aus dem Ausland aus.
Outgoings and incomings meet to exchange their experiences as students from abroad during the “Get Together” social event offered by the International Office.

For international students and applicants

Support and counseling for students from other countries are offered by the International Office. These range from guidance on formalities to organizing social and cultural events.

The International Office is a place for meetings and getting help.

At the beginning of every semester the International Office offers an orientation program for all international students.

Staff members of the International Office offer organizational counseling as well as individual advise in case of social or psychological problems.

Information on residence permits, financing and German language courses can be found in the International Office and its websites.

Incoming students auf Exkursion bei der Winter University
Some of our incoming students on an excursion during the Winter University.

The University of Stuttgart’s academic offerings for international students are truly wide-ranging. Students from abroad who want to do all or part of their studies in Stuttgart are free to choose from regular studies as degree students, single semesters as freemovers, or as exchange students. In addition, the University of Stuttgart offers short-term programs like the Summer University or Winter University for its international partners. 

The ready.study.stuttgart buddy program refers volunteer Buddies (contact and support persons) to students from abroad. As part of the program, we organize orientation events at each semester start, provide guidance on formalities, organize events and arrange excursions. Meetings around a pub table every six weeks provide a congenial venue for sharing experiences.

Mentor und Metee bei einem Nachtreffen in der Stuttgarter Innenstadt.
Mentoring also makes friends. The program is a win-win for mentors and mentees.

One-on-one counseling is part of the Intercultural Mentoring Program. Designed to help reduce the number of international student dropouts, it offers intensive counseling and support, helps improve subject knowledge and language proficiency and fosters social integrations and cultural exchanges. The mentoring program also includes introductory seminars, intercultural training, weekly classes and practice groups as well as a multi-faceted framework program.

International students can contact the International Office via e-mail.

Studentinnen und Studenten aus Deutschland und aus dem Ausland bei einer Veranstaltung im Internationalen Zentrum (IZ) in Stuttgart-Vaihingen
Student discussion during an event hosted by the International Office.

For refugees

We have several special offers for refugees interested in studying at the University of Stuttgart. These services comprise introductory programs, everyday life support, German language courses, tandem learning and various options for studying at our university. For detailed information contact the Welcome Campus coordination office.

For doctoral students

The International Office helps PhD students from abroad with all questions about formalities and everyday life in Germany. Studying for the doctorate leads to a doctoral dissertation and is a first research activity after graduating. It is also a step in a scientific career. Organizationally, PhD students at the University of Stuttgart are classified as students. As such, they apply for doctoral degree study and enroll at the university.

For the duration of your doctoral studies at the University of Stuttgart, a network of committed employees will stand ready to support and advise you

For international scholars

Die ägyptische Architektin Hanaa Dahy erforscht an der Universität Stuttgart recycelbare Faserplatten.
Egyptian architect Hanaa Dahy does research on recycable fiberboards at the University of Stuttgart.

The University of Stuttgart helps scientists from other countries establish themselves in Germany and concentrate on their research without bureaucratic obstacles.

The Welcome Center in the International Office functions as a first point of contact and includes personal contact, as well as a virtual platform with all relevant information, plus seminars and field trips. The support begins with planning the stay and immigration formalities and extends to the stay in Stuttgart until the day of departure, after which it evolves directly into an intensive alumni contact.

You will find all important information on our research websites. We have an FAQ list of the questions that come up most often. 

International research with Humboldt award winners at the University of Stuttgart

Over the past 15 years, almost 200 Humboldt scholars chose a research stay at the University of Stuttgart. What drew them here was an infrastructure at a top international level, the exceptional networking opportunities with institutions outside the University as well as an intensive, inspiring climate for discussion.  

All subject areas are popular: You can find portraits of some of the researchers in physics, engineering sciences, mathematics, and literary sciences who have been guests at the University of Stuttgart on our Research with Humboldt web page.

Expanding research horizons

Whether it is networked geodesy research, production engineering and automation in Joint Research Labs in Shanghai, civil engineering at the foot of the Himalayas, mind-machine interactions in Lombardy, a European-wide study of porous media or the most precise observation of droplets: researchers at the University of Stuttgart are networked around the world. Their border-spanning collaborations on diverse projects adds up to high quality research. 

Contact

This image shows International Office

International Office

 
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