Exchange Students

Are you interested in spending a semester or even a full year abroad as an international exchange student? We look forward to welcoming you at the Karlsruhe University of Education! On this page, you will find all the information you need for planning your stay abroad.

There are many interesting courses to choose from within the framework of our semester programme. And to ensure that you quickly feel at home in Karlsruhe and at our university, we will take care of you by way of individual support and organise an exciting social programme during the so-called orientation period.

• Six-week intensive German language course - free of charge. In order to prepare you for the lecture period and to facilitate communication with locals, two different intensive German language courses are offered during the orientation period. Each semester, there is one course for beginners and one for advanced learners. The course content varies depending on the level of German language proficiency of our international exchange students.
• A wide range of day trips and evening events are offered free of charge by our International Club. The International Club organises cultural events, various city trips and other fun activities throughout the entire semester. These events provide a great opportunity to meet other international and German fellow students. The activities of the International Club are organised and supported by a team of students who work for the International Office of our university. The events take place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Of course, attendance is optional. You will receive a programme overview of the envisaged activities at the start of the orientation period.
• Official Welcome Event with the President, Professor Klaus Peter Rippe.
• One-day workshop on Intercultural Competence.

But first of all, you will meet your personal buddy.

The range of courses varies from semester to semester. For information on current courses, please visit our online course catalogue on the LSF platform. Although the platform is set up in German, you can filter for courses that are taught in English or French. Here you can see how to use this search function:

If you are planning your stay abroad for the winter semester, take a look at what courses were offered in the previous winter semester; for the summer semester, take a look at the courses offered in the previous summer semester. This will give you an idea of what kind of courses are usually offered at our university. No matter which subject you are enrolled in, you can choose courses from all subjects - provided that your home institution agrees. You can also attend most of the practical modules in Arts, Music or Sports. Just let us know in good time before the semester starts.

Incoming exchange students can choose to stay for one semester or for an entire academic year at the University of Education Karlsruhe. One academic year consists of two semesters: the winter and the summer semester. The table below provides the key dates of our semesters. Please pay special attention to our orientation programme, which includes not only a free-of-charge German language course but also plenty of activities.

• Select from the English courses offered at the Institute of Multilingualism (English Studies), e.g. courses on literature, linguistics, cultural studies, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and didactics.
• Study modules taught in English outside of the Institute of Multilingualism (English Studies) and modules especially designed for international students.
• Carry out an internship at a German school.
• Learn German  - We offer free-of-charge German language courses for different proficiency levels.

• Select modules from our bachelor's programme in Teacher Education: you can choose from various modules including Educational Sciences and Teaching Methodology as well as subject-specific courses (such as French or English as a foreign language).
• Select models from other bachelor's or master's programmes, such as Childhood Education or Intercultural Education, Migration and Multilingualism.  
• Carry out an internship at a German school.
• Improve your German language skills - further language courses are offered during the semester.

Visiting students from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan and South Korea can enter Germany without a visa. They will receive a residence permit in Karlsruhe for the duration of their stay abroad.

Once you have arrived in Karlsruhe, flexible office hours, a well-organised buddy programme and
intensive German language courses as well as manifold leisure activities, including a variety of day trips and evening events, will ensure the best possible start of your semester abroad at the University of Education Karlsruhe.

Usually, we are able to provide most of our international exchange students with accommodation in the residence halls close to the university campus. Students have their individual dormitory rooms but normally share bathroom and kitchen. If you would like to look for accommodation on your own, we recommend the following website:

• Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe - Housing
• Tips from the Studierendenwerk

Before you leave, your home institution will usually ask you to sign a learning agreement. However, it might be easier for you to select your courses and modules once you have arrived at our University provided that your home institution can wait that long. The usual workload per semester amounts to  30 ECTS credits. Please consult your home institution to find out how many ECTS credits you need to acquire during your stay abroad.

"Europa macht Schule" (EmS) is a programme designed to promote the encounter and exchange between young Europeans, which is carried out on a voluntary basis. The aim is to bring the idea of Europe-wide exchange to life and to encourage social engagement and foster political participation. This way, all participants can experience the cultural diversity of Europe hands-on and in a vivid manner.

The programme is funded by the  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)  and the voluntary association "Erasmus macht Schule e. V.".

Visiting students from all over Europe are invited to take part in a project with a German school class, where they can present their home country in a creative way: For example, by playing Gaelic football with the students, simulating the French presidential elections or letting the children experience a typical Turkish school day. Depending on their age, the participating pupils will be actively involved in organising, realising, and documenting the project. The programme will conclude with a closing ceremony, at which all the projects of the respective city will be presented to the public. This way, the pupils will get to know another European country hands-on and in a vivid manner, while the students from abroad can immerse themselves in part of German life and culture beyond the university. They are in contact with locals and feel like welcome guests.