Freemover
As an alternative to a semester abroad at a partner university, you can also organise your own semester abroad as a freemover at a university of your choice.
There are advantages and disadvantages to going abroad as a freemover:
Freemovers are also often referred to as guest students, visiting students, study abroad students or non-degree students. The application is not made via the International Office of Paderborn University, but directly to the university of your choice. As each university has its own admission requirements and application procedures, you will need to carry out extensive research.
Credentials and support
Once your application has been accepted at the university abroad, you will usually have to provide further evidence in order to be formally admitted.
Many universities, especially in the USA, offer their students their own health insurance policies , which are often compulsory. Nevertheless, we recommend that you take out additional German health insurance abroad. It is advisable to find out about the exact requirements on the website of your future host university.
As a freemover, there are also various funding options for a stay abroad.
The International Office offers freemovers outside Europe the opportunity to apply for the PROMOS partial scholarship.
The Erasmus+ programme (corresponds to Europe) is unfortunately tied to partner universities and is not suitable for freemovers.
You can find information about various offers such as scholarships, BAf?G abroad and student loans on our page on financing. Here you will also find links to other scholarship databases, such as that of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Universities in the USA and Canada in particular require a bank letter. This document confirms that you have sufficient financial means to finance your stay abroad. The host university uses the bank letter to secure itself. If you get into financial difficulties, the university is not obliged to step in on your behalf.
If you are planning a stay outside Europe, you will need a student visa. You can apply for this visa at the relevant embassy or consulate as soon as you have received an official acceptance letter from the foreign university.
If this has not already been requested for the application, language tests such as the TOEFL or IELTS are required, especially in non-European countries. Take care of this in good time, as these are usually subject to a fee and require intensive preparation and you have to register for them in advance.
We recommend that all freemovers sign a Learning Agreement to clarify which courses from abroad can be recognised at UPB and which cannot. You can find information on the recognition process on the faculties' websites.
