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Going abroad

    Going abroad with TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+)

    Have you already caught the travel bug? But before you pack your bags and head into the wild blue yonder, there are several steps you need to take.

    Spending some time abroad requires good preparation and several administrative and organizational steps. With TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+), you receive valuable support before, during and after your stay abroad. The process may sound like it involves a great deal of effort, but don’t forget that the experiences you gain and the people you meet during your exchange are priceless.

    You will find all relevant information on what needs to be done before, during and after your stay abroad below.

    If there are any questions left, you can ask us in person during our office hours or contact us via e-mail!

    Preparing your stay

    April – December

    1

    Improve your language skills and receive your language certificate

    While planning to do a study program abroad, please consider that you will have to provide proof of competence in a foreign language. Also keep in mind that the partner institution you chose may have specific requirements regarding skills and certificates. Check the language certificate requirements in our TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+) Overview  (updated 12 Dec. 2019).

    The TUM Language Center offers students various opportunities to develop these professional communication skills and obtain certificates. We recommend you take the free DAAD certificate test at the TUM Language Center. TOEFL and IELTS are also accepted. Please note that at the time of your application your language certificate must not to be more than 18 months old. Learn more about the language courses and certificates here.

    If you are a NON-EU citizen, in addition to the language requirements on our overview, the university might require other language certificates or general documents for your Visa. Please be aware that these documents can be costly and make sure to inform yourself about additional requirements beforehand.

    April – December

    2

    Scholarships

    Students visiting one of our European partner institutions may receive a scholarship under ERASMUS+. Others will have to apply for other scholarships themselves.

    We provide an overview with all relevant information on scholarships and how to apply here.

    July

    3

    Show engagement for incoming exchange students

    Having demonstrated engagement for students from abroad will also be taken into consideration during the assessment of your application. Volunteering as a buddy for foreign exchange students within the Buddy Program of TUM School of Management is crucial – so do not forget to hand in your application as a buddy on time. Another option is to consider offering your accommodation during your own semester abroad. Check the possibilities for subletting a room and prepare the required documents on time before the application deadline.

    April –
    mid-January

    4

    Decision-making support

    Clarify the right timing for your semester abroad. We recommend bachelor students apply during their 3rd semester (winter semester) for an exchange in their 5th or 6th semester and master’s students apply during their 1st or 2nd semester (winter semester) for an exchange in their 3rd or 4th semester. Please note, you can participate in the TUM SOMex Program only once per educational cycle (bachelor: cycle 1, master: cycle 2).

    If you have accepted an exchange place for TUMexchange, you cannot apply for TUM SOMex in the same application period.

    A look at our overview of all TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+) destinations and the statistics of previous selection rounds might help you to decide which universities you want to specify in your application. Our regular information sessions (approx. June and October) provide a good opportunity to receive further information (you can read the presentation of the last event here). In addition, you can study the academic programs of the partner institutions. Reports from former outgoing students are also very helpful.

    Please note, no exchange to the country in which the higher education entrance qualification or bachelor’s degree was obtained is possible.

    For NON-EU TUM students: Check eligibility and relevant documents for Visa at the desired host country.

    For individual questions, you may also arrange an appointment during our office hours.
    Overview of TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+)
    Statistics

    May

    5

    VISIT INTERNATIONAL DAY AT THE MUNICH CITY CAMPUS

    Through TUM International Day, TUM students are offered the chance to learn about various destinations for an exciting stay abroad in a very special way. On International Day on main campus, international exchange students introduce their home countries and -universities. In addition, students of TUM talk about their experiences during their stay abroad.

    The next TUM International Day on main campus will take place in summer 2021.

    mid-December –
    mid-January

    6

    Hand in your application

    As an applicant, you can choose up to three destinations within our TUM SOMex (including ERASMUS+) program for your study abroad.

    The application phase for TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+) for an exchange in the academic year 2020/2021 (fall 2020/2021 and/or spring 2021) starts on December 16, 2019.

    The TUM SOMex application tool is open! Deadline for submitting your application is January 9, 2020, 12noon.

    Please prepare the following documents:

    • Students in the first semester of a master’s program: graduation certificate from your diploma or bachelor’s degree, with your average final grade
    • For all other students: please upload your transcript which you can download from TUMonline
    • Evidence of language ability
    • Single-page Curriculum Vitae (please use this form)
    • Motivation (please fill in the form provided)
    • Optionally – Engagement for incoming exchange students
      • Buddy program: A written confirmation that you have worked as a buddy for incoming exchange students in the past (not required for current buddies – please upload a pdf file stating that you are currently a buddy)
      • Accommodation database: the signed Conditions for participation and the document Accommodation offering for subletting a room.

    Please apply via the Online Application Form (see button on the right).

    Application phase for TUM SOMex (incl.ERASMUS+)

    The TUM SOMex clearing procedure for the academic year 2020/2021 has started.

    Application deadline is February 9th, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

    Online Application Form

    You do not have to hand in any paper documents!

    09.01.2020

    You only have to apply via the online application tool for TUM SOMex (including ERASMUS+). Registration in MoveOn is necessary after a successful nomination for the TUM SOMex program.

    THE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR APPLICATION

    Your application will be assessed on the basis of various criteria summed up in a score, which is composed of:

    Your grades (65%)

    • Your current average grade, weighted by ECTS credit points.
    • Master’s students applying during their first semester submit their graduation certificate of their diploma or bachelor’s degree as substitute.
    • You should have completed 80% of the expected ECTS credit points for your semester. The expected amount per semester is 30 ECTS.

    Language proficiency (15%)

    • Our partner universities require students to show proof of their language proficiencies. Please check the specific requirements of the respective partner and program you choose (For NON-EU students, please also refer to the embassy they might need addtional documents for your Visa).
    • Knowledge of the official language of the country you apply for will count in your favor.
    • Accepted language certificates include passed TUM language courses, the DAAD test offered by the TUM Language Center as well as TOEFL and IELTS. Other language certificates may be accepted if they are in line with the Common European Framework.
    • Certificates must be less than 18 months old. If you have any doubts regarding the language certificate please contact outgoing@wi.tum.de.
    • Proof of basic knowlegde: Confirmation Language Course Attendance 

    Motivation (10%)

    • To ensure that you have deliberately chosen your university preferences and have put thought into how your stay abroad complements your studies at TUM and fits into your timeline and curriculum, we require you to write a motivational letter
    • The content focuses on the following three questions
      • What is your general motivation to go abroad?
      • Why did you choose this country and university? Please briefly explain all of your choices.
      • How is your stay going to contribute to your studies at TUM? Which parts of your curriculum do you want to do abroad that can be recognized at TUM? How are you going to plan your studies at TUM around possibly differing semester times abroad?
    • Please state your motivation in the template provided. The motivation should not exceed one page.

    Engagement for incoming exchange students (10%)

    • Volunteer as a buddy within our Buddy Program for incoming exchange students or freshmen.
      Please note: Participation in mentoring programs for overseas students organized by Technical University of Munich (TUMi) will not grant you bonus points for TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+).
    • Sublet a room or apartment to incoming exchange students during your own exchange period. If you are interested in subletting an accommodation, there are two forms you need to fill out: the conditions for participation and an accommodation offer. Please note that the bonus for your TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+) application only applies if you sublet your room via TUM School of Management accommodation offers.

    You are only granted a bonus for either participation in the Buddy Program or by subletting your room to an exchange student.

    February

    7

    Applying again

    If you are not selected in the first round, you can apply again for one of the remaining places via the clearing procedure in the second half of February. For your second-round application, you should choose up to three new destinations for your study abroad and submit the relevant materials.

    Please apply via the application tool under section 6.

    If you have not applied in the first selection procedure, please see all the information on how to apply above “6 – Hand in your application”.

    March

    8

    Nomination

    In March, after assessing the applications and selecting, TUM School of Management International Office will nominate you for an exchange position at one of our partner universities.

    May

    9

    Networking events

    Around May, TUM School of Management’s International Office organizes and invites you to a networking event. At these get-togethers, you first get some general information regarding your study abroad, and frequently asked questions get answered. You will have the special chance to network with students who have already spent their semester abroad at the same institution or with incoming exchange students from there. You should not miss the opportunity to hear first-hand about your new faculty, university and country in general.

    10

    Directly applying to your host university

    After applying successfully for TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+), TUM School of Management International Office will nominate you at the respective partner institutions. After the nomination, you will probably be informed about all required application documents for directly applying to the university by us or by our colleagues at the partner institutions abroad. Please make sure to also check the deadlines yourself. Not all partner universities sent information after the nomination. You then need to follow the individually given instructions on needed documents and comply with deadlines. You are responsible to apply on time.

    If you are going on exchange with ERASMUS+, please make sure you also prepare all required documents for your grant.

    11

    Leave of absence

    It is entirely up to you whether you apply for a leave of absence or not. If you are granted leave of absence during your semester abroad, your regular semester level will be fixed. Please note that no new exams or registrations for a thesis or project studies may be made during a leave of absence. You are also only allowed to transfer 21 ECTS Credits from abroad if you take a leave of absence.
    You have to apply for a leave of absence at the enrollment unit at the Student Service Center.

    12

    Prepare getting credits transferred and courses recognized

    Studying abroad is as exciting as it is beneficial to your academic career. There are different credit transfer options.

    Please find the overview for your study program here:

    Form for Academic Recognition for Courses from Universities abroad after Mobility

     

    1. Direct 1:1 transfer

    Please refer to our database for transfer of credits for detailed information on which courses from your study abroad will be directly recognized for a specific TUM course without any difficulties. If you want to attend a course at your host university that has very similar topics to one course at TUM School of Management, you may apply for an equivalence check at the offering chair.

     

    2. Electives

    Besides direct recognition, you can use your courses abroad as your elective courses or for your mobility window. Please have a look at the details regarding credit transfer for electives in your study program.

     

    3. Learning Agreement

    Please prepare a learning agreement for the courses you plan to pass during your stay abroad.
    For ERASMUS+, the ERASMUS+ learning agreement (Downloads > International > Learning Agreement for ERASMUS students) has to be submitted before you go abroad. You can also find a guide on “How to fill out a Learning Agreement for Erasmus students” in our Download section (Download > International > How to fil out a Learning Agreement for Erasmus students).
    If you study at a university which is not a part of ERASMUS+, you can submit our “Form for academic recognition / Learning Agreement for NON-EU Students” (Download > International > Form for Academic Recognition / Learning Agreement for NON-EU Students). You can also find a guide on “How to fill out the Form for Academic Recognition / Learning Agreement for NON-EU Students” in our Download section (Download > International > How to fill out the Form for Academic Recognition / Learning Agreement for NON-EU Students).

    All relevant documents and forms for credit transfer and recognition can also be found in our download section.

     

    4. (Advanced) International Experience

    For information regarding the recognition of your (Advanced) International Experience module, check out the provided factsheet in the download section of your study program:

    • Downloads > (Advanced) International Experience

     

    For further information, regarding credit transfer, please contact the International Office of TUM School of Management via outgoing@wi.tum.de.

    13

    During your stay abroad

    You have the official admission to one of our TUM SOMex (incl. ERASMUS+) partner institutions. Congratulations! You will gain international experiences and unforgettable memories, improve your language skills, learn about a new academic system and expand your horizon.

    To make your stay run smoothly, our colleagues in charge of incoming students at your host university will support you. If we can provide assistance from a distance, do not hesitate to contact us, too.

    You may change your learning agreement after arriving at the host university. If you are an ERASMUS+ student, please respect the ERASMUS+ requirements. For more information on the ERASMUS+ learning agreement please have a look at the guide on “How to fill out a Learning Agreement for Erasmus students” in our Download section (Downloads > International > How to fill out a Learning Agreement for Erasmus students).

    Please do not forget: As an exchange student, you are an ambassador of TUM School of Management. Be a role model and share information with local students. We highly appreciate your participation at study abroad fairs or similar events. Please inform us about your participation and we will provide you with a package you may use.

    14

    After your stay abroad

    A few days before leaving your host university, make sure to get your confirmation of stay signed.

    Please find the confirmation of stay for ERASMUS+ students here.

    Please find the confirmation of stay for students going to NON-EU countries here → International.

    At the end or after your semester abroad your host university will provide you with a transcript of records. This document lists your academic achievements from your study abroad. For any questions concerning your transcript of records, please get in touch with the person in charge at your host university.

    Once back in Munich, you will write your report on your semester abroad for future students. We will also invite you to share your own experience at our networking events.

    Finalize getting your credits transferred: The application for the recognition of your courses abroad has to be submitted within the first semester after your stay abroad. Please hand in your transcript of records together with the signed form for academic recognition (Downloads > International > Form for Academic recognition for courses at Universities abroad after mobility) to outgoing@wi.tum.de. If you do not have a Learning Agreement, we will also need the course description of the courses you have taken abroad.

    Contact

    • Rebecca Otte
      International Office, Program Coordinator - Student Exchange Programs (Outgoing – NON-EU, Summer and Winter Schools)
    • Phone +49 (89) 289 25847
    • Fax +49 (89) 289 25070
    • Room 1546
    • E-Mail outgoing@wi.tum.de
    • Student Visiting Hours

      Due to the current situation, our service point and other offices will remain closed for the time being.
      Please send us an e-mail instead. We are happy to offer you an online appointment.

    • Gabriella Loparco
      International Office, Program Coordinator - Student Exchange Programs (Outgoing –Europe, Freemover, Internships)
    • Phone +49 (89) 289 25036
    • Fax +49 (89) 289 25070
    • Room 1546
    • E-Mail outgoing@wi.tum.de
    • Student Visiting Hours

      Due to the current situation, our service point and other offices will remain closed for the time being.
      Please send us an e-mail instead. We are happy to offer you an online appointment.

    • Sabrina Huber
      International Office, Program Manager, TUM Campus Heilbronn
    • Phone +49 (7131) 264 18606
    • Room Bildungscampus 9, L130, 74076 Heilbronn
    • E-Mail internationaloffice_hn@wi.tum.de
    • Student Visiting Hours

      Due to the current situation, we have decided to cancel our Student Visiting Hours. Instead, we offer consultations via phone:
      Mon: 8-9.30am, Wed: 1-2pm, Fr: 9-11am