Erasmus+

Students in (at least) their second year at university. Master’s students may be eligible for funding as early as their first year of study. Visiting students and Open Access students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

Mobility grants for study visits are awarded for a minimum period of 3 months (90 days) up to a maximum of 12 months (360 days). The only exception to the minimum funding period are trimesters (or terms) offered in some participating countries, that may fall short of the minimum funding period. The length of stay and funding period may differ.

Regardless of the type and number of mobility activities, a student can be funded by Erasmus+ for stays abroad totaling no more than 12 months per study cycle (i.e., Bachelor/Master/PhD). For example, a student may apply for a two-month internship abroad in the 2nd semester of their master’s degree, a four-month study visit abroad in the 3rd semester, and a six-month internship within one year of completing their master’s degree.

Students can apply for Erasmus+ funds to subsidize the additional costs they incur abroad during their study visit. The amount of the flat rate varies depending on the destination country. The payment is made in two installments (80% before the trip, 20% after the trip and once all documents have been submitted). From 2022 onwards, the following funding rates will apply:

Additionally, students may be granted the following top-ups:

• €250 per month for participants with fewer opportunities (PDF 487 KB) (degree of disability greater than or equal to 20, or chronic illness that results in additional financial needs when traveling abroad; traveling abroad with a child; employed students; and students from non-academic backgrounds). The top-up may be granted only for one category, even if several categories apply to you.
• €50 (one-off payment) for sustainable travel (PDF 489 KB)

Students funded through Erasmus+ are exempt from tuition fees, registration and examination fees, as well as fees for access to laboratory and library facilities at the host institution.

Zero-grant funding is also possible. This is an option where students who meet all of the Erasmus+ eligibility requirements do not receive a financial grant, but still enjoy all the benefits of the program. Zero-grant funding does, however, count toward the 12 months per degree cycle.

In addition, students with a disability of at least 50% and single parents (i.e. with a child without a partner abroad) can apply for special funding. Please get in touch with the contact person (see below).

The FernUniversität has several Erasmus+ partner universities, these are currently:

If you would like to study at another university within the Erasmus+ program countries (member states of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey), please contact us (see contact details below).

Would you prefer to study at a university outside the Erasmus+ program countries? Apply for funding via the Promos program.

If you still cannot decide, then try reading some of the reports written by other students who have already experienced an exchange (most of the reports are in German).

1. Select a host university. The FernUniversität has agreements with a number of Erasmus+ partner universities.
2. Select the courses you would like to take at the host university. You should be aiming to achieve 30 ECTS.
3. Check with the FernUniversität examination office (or in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: with your study program coordinator) about the possible recognition of the university courses that you expect to take while you are abroad. This will then be documented in the Learning Agreement. Important: Erasmus+ funding will not be made available if recognition is not possible.
4. Submit your application documents by email to your contact person (see below) by the deadline. You will need to submit the following application materials:
   1. Letter of motivation
   2. Curriculum vitae in tabular form incl. indication of any previous Erasmus+ funding
   3. Certificate of enrollment for the period of the stay abroad (can be submitted later; if not yet available: current certificate of enrollment)
   4. Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer, in particular regarding the relevance of the stay abroad for your studies at the FernUniversität. Formulation aid for assessment (for teachers) (PDF 106 KB)
   5. List of all modules completed to date with grade transcripts, additional academic transcripts if applicable (e.g., Bachelor’s degree or intermediate exam)
   6. Learning Agreement prepared and signed by the examination office/program coordination and you

The decisive factors for awarding funding are the application documents (completeness, coherence, motivation for the stay abroad) and the fulfillment of the formal requirements. Erasmus+ grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. If your application for an Erasmus+ Mobility Grant is approved, you will need to sign a grant agreement. You may also need to submit further documents to your host university.

Before and after your stay abroad, you will need to complete an EU Commission online language test. However, the language competence thus determined has no influence on the funding. In certain cases, a free online language course can be completed before and during your stay abroad.

After your stay abroad, you must

• provide verification of the actual duration of your stay abroad in the form of a written confirmation issued by the host institution (transcript of records)
• submit certification of the recognition (on the part of the FernUniversität) of the credits performed abroad
• fill out the EU Commission online report
• submit a short written report (testimonial) about the experience

We strongly advise starting to plan your stay abroad as early as possible (approx. 1 year in advance). General information on studying abroad can be found on our Student Information page, under the heading A Semester Abroad – An In-Depth University Experience.

An Erasmus+ grant does not include insurance coverage. You must organize sufficient insurance coverage for your stay abroad (European health insurance card, liability insurance, accident insurance, term life insurance, travel insurance incl. repatriation from abroad, if applicable). Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Students who are eligible for BAföG can also claim BAföG for their stay abroad. Erasmus+ grants of up to 300 euros per month on average are exempt. For further information on BAföG, please contact your local Bafög office (website in German only).

Subject to change without notice.

The staff in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: international) will be happy to answer your questions.

Students from their first year of college/university. Graduate students who deregister during the internship may also be eligible if their application is approved within their final year of study and the internship is conducted and completed within one year of graduation. Visiting students and Open Access students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

Mobility grants for internships abroad are awarded for a minimum period of 2 months (60 days) up to a maximum of 12 months (360 days).

Regardless of the type and number of mobility activities, a student can be funded by Erasmus+ for stays abroad totaling no more than 12 months per study cycle (i.e., Bachelor/Master/PhD). For example, a student may apply for a two-month internship abroad in the 2nd semester of their master’s degree, a four-month study visit abroad in the 3rd semester, and a six-month (graduate) internship within one year of completing their master’s degree.

Students can apply for Erasmus+ funds to subsidize the additional costs they incur abroad during their study visit. The amount of the flat rate varies depending on the destination country. The payment is made in two installments (80% before the trip, 20% after the trip and once all documents have been submitted). From 2022 onwards, the following funding rates will apply:

Zero-grant funding is also possible. This is an option where students who meet all of the Erasmus+ eligibility requirements do not receive a financial grant, but still enjoy all the benefits of the program. Zero-grant funding does, however, count toward the 12 months per degree cycle.

In addition, students with a disability of at least 20% and single parents (i.e., traveling abroad with a child but without a partner) can apply for a special grant. Please contact the appropriate person (see below).

1. Select a host institution in one of the Erasmus+ program countries (member states of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Northern Macedonia, Turkey). Internship opportunities are published on the ErasmusIntern platform designed by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in collaboration with the European Commission. Digital Opportunities Internships can be found on the EURES database. You can also read the testimonials (German) of other students for inspiration and some useful tips.
   Would you like to do an internship outside the Erasmus+ program countries? Apply for PROMOS Funding.
2. Check with the FernUniversität examination office (or in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: with your study program coordinator/internship officer) about the possible recognition of your internship abroad. This will then be documented in the Learning Agreement. Important: Erasmus+ funding will not be made available if recognition is not possible.
3. Submit your application documents by email to your contact person (see below) by the deadline. You will need to submit the following application materials:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form incl. indication of any previous Erasmus+ funding
• Certificate of enrollment for the period of the stay abroad (can be submitted later; if not yet available: current certificate of enrollment), exception for graduates: Certificate of de-registration
• Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer, in particular regarding the relevance of the stay abroad for your studies at the FernUniversität. Formulation aid for assessment (for teachers) (PDF 106 KB)
• List of all modules completed to date with grade transcripts, additional academic transcripts if applicable (e.g., Bachelor’s degree or intermediate exam)
• Learning Agreement (DOC 162 KB) signed by your Examination Office/Course Coordinator/Internship Officer, the host institution and yourself

Application deadline: 10 weeks before the start of your stay abroad

The decisive factors for awarding funding are the application documents (completeness, coherence, motivation for the stay abroad) and the fulfillment of the formal requirements. Erasmus+ grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. If your application for an Erasmus+ Mobility Grant is approved, you will need to sign a grant agreement.

Before and after your stay abroad, you will need to complete an EU Commission online language test. However, the language competence thus determined has no influence on the funding. In certain cases, a free online language course can be completed before and during your stay abroad.

After your stay abroad, you must

• provide verification of the actual duration of your stay abroad in the form of a written confirmation issued by the host institution (Traineeship Certificate or qualified job reference)
• fill out the EU Commission online report
• submit a short written report (testimonial) about the experience

We strongly advise starting to plan your stay abroad as early as possible (approx. 1 year in advance). General information on internships abroad can be found on our Student Information page, under the heading Internships Abroad – Gain International Work Experience.

An Erasmus+ grant does not include insurance coverage. You must organize sufficient insurance coverage for your stay abroad (European health insurance card, liability insurance, accident insurance, term life insurance, travel insurance incl. repatriation from abroad, if applicable). Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Students who are eligible for BAföG can also claim BAföG for their stay abroad. Erasmus+ grants of up to 300 euros per month on average are exempt. For further information on BAföG, please contact your local Bafög office.

Subject to change without notice.

The staff in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: international) will be happy to answer your questions.

Students from their first year of college/university as well as graduates. Visiting students, Open Access students, and students admitted to a continuing education course/program are not eligible for funding.

Mobility grants for short-term mobilities are awarded for a minimum period of 5 days up to a maximum of 30 days. For students, the physical stay needs to be complemented with a mandatory virtual phase. The virtual phase, however, is not eligible for funding.

Regardless of the type and number of mobility activities, a student can be funded by Erasmus+ for stays abroad totaling no more than 12 months per study cycle (i.e., Bachelor/Master/PhD). For example, a student may apply for a two-month internship abroad in the 2nd semester of their master’s degree, a four-month study visit abroad in the 3rd semester, and a six-month (graduate) internship within one year of completing their master’s degree.

Students and graduates can apply for Erasmus+ funds to subsidize the additional costs they incur during their stay abroad. The amount of the flat rate varies depending on the duration of the mobility. The payment is made in two installments (80% before the trip, 20% after the trip and once all documents have been submitted). From 2022 onwards, the following funding rates will apply:

Top-ups can be granted after submitting an application form (PDF 216 KB):

• For participants with fewer opportunities (degree of disability greater than or equal to 20 or chronic illness that results in additional financial needs when traveling abroad; traveling abroad with a child; employed students; and students from non-academic backgrounds). The top-up may be granted only for one category, even if several categories apply to you.
• €50 (one-off payment) for sustainable travel (PDF 143 KB)

Participants with fewer opportunities receive an additional grant, the amount of which varies depending on the travel distance:

1. Select a host university from our partner universities or a place where you can do an internship.

2. Make sure that the short-term study visit you choose awards a minimum of 3 ECTS.

3. Check with the FernUniversität examination office (or in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: with your study program coordinator) about the possible recognition of the coursework completed abroad. This will then be documented in the Learning Agreement. Important: Erasmus+ funding will not be made available if recognition is not possible.

4. Submit your application documents by email to your contact person (see below) by the deadline. You will need to submit the following application materials:

• Letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae in tabular form incl. indication of any previous Erasmus+ funding
• Certificate of enrollment for the period of the stay abroad (can be submitted later; if not yet available: current certificate of enrollment)
• Letter of recommendation from a university lecturer, in particular regarding the relevance of the stay abroad for your studies at the FernUniversität. Formulation aid for assessment (for teachers) (PDF 106 KB)
• List of all modules completed to date with grade transcripts; additional academic transcripts if applicable (e.g., bachelor’s degree or intermediate exam)
• Learning Agreement prepared and signed by the examination office/program coordination and you

The decisive factors for awarding funding are the application documents (completeness, coherence, motivation for the stay abroad) and the fulfillment of the formal requirements. Erasmus+ grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the available funds. If your application for an Erasmus+ Mobility Grant is approved, you will need to sign a grant agreement. You may also need to submit further documents to your host university.

Before and after your stay abroad, you will need to complete an EU Commission online language test. However, the language competence thus determined has no influence on the funding. In certain cases, a free online language course can be completed before and during your stay abroad.

After your stay abroad, you must

• provide verification of the actual duration of your stay abroad in the form of a written confirmation issued by the host institution (Traineeship Certificate or qualified job reference)
• fill out the EU Commission online report
• submit a short written report (testimonial) about the experience

We strongly advise starting to plan your stay abroad as early as possible.

An Erasmus+ grant does not include insurance coverage. You must organize sufficient insurance coverage for your stay abroad (European health insurance card; liability insurance; accident insurance; term life insurance; travel insurance incl. repatriation from abroad, if applicable). Coverage is also available through the DAAD.

Subject to change without notice.

The International Office staff (phone: +49 2331 987-4245; email: international) will be happy to answer your questions.

In addition to working together to promote innovation and share best practices and support policy reform, Erasmus+ promotes higher education in Europe with the aim of advancing the modernization, internationalization and qualitative improvement of higher education in Europe, strengthening students’ international competences, personal development and employability, enhancing the attractiveness of the EU as a place to study and research, and contributing to the sustainable development of higher education in third countries. The program is also designed to help build bridges between educational sectors and increase collaboration levels between different educational sectors.

In the higher education sector, Erasmus+ provides financial assistance for students, higher education institutions, higher education staff and non-academic partners; it also supports cooperation with schools, companies, adult education institutions and youth associations.

Through Erasmus+, the FernUniversität has funds available to award mobility grants to students (study or internship abroad) and staff (teaching or training/work experience).

FernUniversität in Hagen is an accredited holder of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021–2027 (ECHE) awarded by the European Commission and the awarded Erasmus Charta für die Hochschulbildung 2021–2027 (PDF 1 MB, German version) and Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021–2027 (PDF 2 MB), respectively, which define the rights and obligations of the institution to participate in the Erasmus+ program. Furthermore, it has issued an Erasmus Policy Statement (EPS) (PDF 66 KB, German only).

The rights and obligations of students participating in the program are set out in the ERASMUS Student Charter (PDF 241 KB, in German). This charter is currently being updated: a new version will be posted here soon.

More information about Erasmus+ is available on the following pages:

• Erasmus+ University Cooperation in Germany (in German)
• Erasmus+ in Germany (in German)
• Erasmus+ Dissemination Platform (example projects)
• European Educational Cooperation

The contact person is Kerstin Langhein in the International Office (phone: +49 2331 987-4245, e-mail: kerstin.langhein).

Liability clause: “This project has been funded with support from the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Program. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”

More Information

National Agency:
German Academic Exchange Service
National Agency for EU University Cooperation
Kennedyallee 50
53115 Bonn
Phone: +49(0)228/882-8877
Fax: +49(0)228/882-555
E-mail: erasmus@daad.de
Homepage: www.eu.daad.de