An adventure you won’t forget. The Hessen Universities are a unique opportunity to learn interactively with a group of local and international students.
- Gain a competitive advantage by broadening your knowledge in your academic field
- Improve your intercultural communication skills
- Network with top experts and make new friends from around the world
Am I eligible for the exchange program?
Students who
- are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at one of the participating universities in Queensland, Massachusetts or Wisconsin
- have completed one year of full-time study (or 24 credits) at the time of participation
- are in good academic standing
are eligible to study in Hessen.
Which Universities are participating?
Hessen has 14 state institutions of higher education, comprising six universities, three art academies, and five universities of applied sciences (Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften). They all participate in the Hessen-Queensland, Hessen-Massachusetts, and Hessen-Wisconsin Exchange Program. All the listed schools are open to undergraduate and graduate students. Given the wide variety of institutions, students from all majors will be able to find major-related course work.
IWU (International Winter University): Ready for an unforgettable winter experience in Hessen? If you answered this question with yes, join the International Winter University! The programs take place every year between December and January and include an excellent academic teaching, various networking options as well as exciting field trips. All courses are taught in English.
ISU (International Summer University): Enjoy the european summer during one of our short-term programs and discover exciting locations all over the state of Hessen. The programs take place between June and August and include high quality academic teaching, various networking options and exciting field trips.
Staying for a semester or an academic year offers the opportunity to experience Europe, Germany and especially the State of Hessen along with high-quality academics and great quality of life. Increase your knowledge about Germany and your proficiency in German while studying either in a bustling city like Frankfurt, in a medieval setting like Marburg, or in the Baroque town of Fulda - just to mention a few. You can choose from as many as 14 different universities with an almost limitless choice of academic programs. Hessen's central location makes it ideal for trips to other German regions or even European countries.
The internship program European Industrial Experience Mittelhessen (EIEM) at THM (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences) and their partner companies offer great internship opportunities in Business Administration, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Civil Engineering/ Architecture. The dates for the internship can be personally customized. Some universities offer them between November and February, although in general they will be similar to the semester dates.
The International Undergraduate Study Program (IUSP) at Philipps University Marburg is geared towards students from Australia and the US with no or only little knowledge of German. The semester times are almost equal to US semester times but are also suitable to the academic calendar of some Queensland Universities. The program starts with a six-week intensive German language course, followed by classes in various subject areas that are either taught in English or supplemented by an English tutorial.
Application procedure – How do I apply?
- Copy of your most recent (unofficial) university transcript
- Copy of your passport* or ID. Make sure to apply for a passport as soon as possible, as you will need it to travel overseas.
- German language certificate (if applicable)
- Other supportive documents (if applicable)
Application Deadlines:
Semester or academic year and IUSP:
- Winter semester (Mid-October until end of February): March 15
- Summer semester (Mid-April until end of July): October 15
Short-term programs:
- Hessen: ISU: March 15
- Hessen: IWU: October 15
The deadlines may differ from the application deadlines at your home university. So, please check the deadlines at your respective home university in Queensland, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
Application Process
To participate in one of our Programms you will be acquired to complete our two-step application process:
- Program application for the state of Hessen: Please complete all required documents and submit the application to your study abroad office at your home campus. After the selection process, you will be informed if you will be nominated for one of our programs. Students who are selected for nomination will have a place, however the host institution must make the decision on acceptance. If for any reason, a student's first choice institution cannot accept them, they will be placed at an alternate institution.
- Application at the host university: After your nomination, you will receive an e-mail with further information on how to apply to the Hessen University. Please make sure that you fill out all documents carefully and return them before the deadline, which will be in the e-mail and on the websites of the Hessen Universities or short-term programs. Once you have received your letter of admission, you can prepare everything for your stay in Hessen.
- Law and Economics
- History and Social Sciences
- Human Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Materials- and Geosciences
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Architecture
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- Computer Science
Semester dates:
Winter semester: 1 October to 31 March
Summer semester: 1 April to 30 September
- Law
- Economics and Business Administration
- Social Sciences
- Educational Sciences
- Psychology and Sports
- Protestant Theology
- Roman Catholic Theology
- Philosophy and History
- Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
- Modern Languages
- Geoscience and Geography
- Computer Sciences and Mathematics
- Physics
- Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pharmacy
- Biosciences
- Medical Sciences
Semester dates:
Winter semester: Mid-October to mid-February
Summer semester: Mid-April to mid-July
Important: Please contact the respective faculty directly, in order to receive information about exam schedules. Exams may be held after the lecture period has ended.
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Economics and Business Studies
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Cultural Studies
- Faculty of Language, Literature, Culture
- Faculty of Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies
- Faculty of Psychology and Sports Science
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Physics, Geography
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Semester dates
Winter semester: 1 October to 31 March
Summer semester: 1 April to 30 September
- Faculty of Human Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Planning Faculty of Economics and Management
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- School of Art and Design
Semester dates:
Winter semester: Mid-October until end of March
Summer semester: Beginning of April until end of September
- Business Administration and Economics
- Social Sciences and Philosophy
- Protestant Theology
- History and Cultural Studies
- German Studies and Arts
- Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Mathematics and Computer Sciences
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Geography
- Medicine
- Education
Semester dates:
Winter semester: Mid-October until end of March
Summer semester: Beginning of April until end of September
Semester dates
Winter semester: Beginning of October until end of February
Summer semester: Beginning of April until end of July
- Faculty of Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geomatics
- Faculty of Computer Sciences and Engineering
- Faculty of Business and Law
- Faculty of Health and Social Work
Semester dates
Winter semester: Beginning of September until end of February
Summer semester: Beginning of March until end of July
- Darmstadt Business School
- Faculty of Computer Science
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- Faculty of Design
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Social Work
- Faculty of Mechanical and Plastics Engineering
- Faculty of Media
Semester dates
Winter semester: September to February
Summer semester: March to August
- Department of Applied Computer Science
- Department of Business
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Department of Food Technology
- Department of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Department of Nutritional, Food and Consumer Science
- Department of Social and Cultural Sciences
- Department of Social Work
- German and English Language Courses
Semester dates:
Winter semester: Mid of October to the end of February
Summer semester: Beginning of April to the end of July
Semester dates
Winter semester: Mid-September to mid-February
Summer semester: Mid-March to mid-July
- Business Administration B.A.
- Business Information Systems/Computing B.Sc.
- Logistics Management B.Sc.
- Control, Computer and Communications Engineering M.Sc.
Semester dates
Winter semester: Beginning of October until end of March
Summer semester: Beginning of April until end of September
Detailed information on the courses is available on request.
Semester dates:
Winter semester: October 1 to March 31; Lectures from mid-October to mid-February
Summer semester: April 1 to September 30; Lectures from mid-April to mid-July
Detailed information on the courses is available on request.
Semester dates:
Winter semester: Mid-October to mid-February
Summer semester: Mid-April to mid-July
Detailed information on the courses is available on request.
Semester dates
Winter semester: Mid-October to mid-February
Summer semester: Mid-April to mid-July
The Hessen Universities are offering a wide range of English taught classes or degree programs. If you already speak German on an intermediate level, you can of course choose from the courses offered in German.
Please check the websites of the individual Hessen Universities in advance to learn more about the courses.
The Hessen: International Summer University (ISU) and Hessen: International Winter Universities (IWU) are taught entirely in English, as well as the courses in the International Undergraduate Study Program (IUSP) in Marburg.
German language skills at level A2 are required for the internship program at the THM. In terms of the research internships at one of our universities, German language skills are usually not a requirement.
Intensive German classes for exchange students are offered at most Hessen Universities 4 weeks prior to the semester.
The German winter semester usually starts around mid-October and finishes at the end of February. However, many universities offer welcome events before the beginning of the lectures. Therefore we would advise to arrive beginning of September.
The German summer semester usually starts in early/mid-April and ends at the end of July. The universities offers a great welcome program, that would mean the arrival should probably take place in early/mid-March.
Internships:
- THM's internship program has the following dates: September to December. Language courses are held in September and the internship itself takes place from October to December.
- The dates of the research internship are very flexible. It is best to contact us as soon as possible if you plan to do the internship at one of the Hessen Universities
To learn more about the exact dates of the ISU, IWU, Internship Programs please click on the links below.
Stays 90 days or less:
- Australian and US-citizens in possession of a valid passport do not need to apply for a visa to enter Germany. This includes the ISU, IWU or other programs with a duration of 90 days or less.
- If you have another nationality, please contact the respective German Embassy in your home country.
Stays over 90 days:
Regardless of your citizenship, you need to apply for a visa before coming to Germany.
Furthermore, all students planning to study in Germany are required to apply for a residence permit, in person, after entering Germany. The application for a residence permit is one of the many topics discussed during the orientation program after arrival at your host university. You will get assistance filling out the forms and applying for a residence permit for the duration of your study stay in Germany.
In Germany all students must show proof of health insurance upon enrolment at a university. We strongly recommend buying an insurance contract upon arrival in Germany. The monthly charge is between 130 – 150 Euros. The international offices at the Hessen Universities will assist you to arrange all formalities on time. Some short-term programs include health insurance for you. Please check this with the host university.
Student accommodation is available in student residences run by the Association of Student Affairs 'Studierendenwerk' (200 - 450 €/month) or on the private market (350€+/month). An accommodation request form is included in the host institutions application package sent to you. Many students chose to live in shared apartments together with other students. The advisors at your host institutions can recommend online platforms to search for a room in a shared apartment.
For participants in short-term programs no charges for accommodation apply.
In Germany there are no tuition fees. Students have to pay a semester contribution which includes certains fees (such as student union, public transportation…).
It depends on you home university whether you still need to pay tuition fees or additional fees (exchange fees, credit transfer fees to them…).
For the short-term ISU and IWU programs, the participation fees are waived for students from the participating universities in Queensland, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. Only the costs for flights, meals and personal expenses are borne by the participants. Regarding some programs,additional costs are incurred for excursions. A detailed overview of the costs can be found on the websites of the respective short-term program.
International students as well as German students do not need to pay tuition fees for their course of study. However, there is a fee for a welfare contribution including local public transport (Semesterticket).
The estimated costs depend on the university you want to study at. Please make sure to get informed in advance.
Financial aspects and costs of living for the European Industrial Experience Mittelhessen/EIEM Program are listed on the THM website.
These costs depend on the location and the duration of the research stay. Please make sure to get informed in advance.
Yes, you can earn credits. Most courses are classified by ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System). Please contact your international office and your academic advisor to determine the credits you will earn for your exchange and how to transfer them.
Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
International Office
Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 6, 60323 Frankfurt am Main
+49 (0)69 / 798 3838
Website
Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Goethestraße 58, 35390 Gießen
+49 (0)641/99-12137
Website
Philipps-Universität Marburg
International Office
Deutschhausstr. 11+13, 35032 Marburg
+49 (0)6421/28-26176
Website
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Hochschulstraße 1 64289 Darmstadt
+49 (0)6151/16-5120
Website
Universität Kassel
Mönchebergstr. 19, 34109 Kassel
+49 (0)561/804-2103
Website
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
International Office: Gebäude 1, Erdgeschoss, 60318 Frankfurt am Main.
+49 (0)69/1533-2735
Postadresse: Nibelungenplatz 1, 60318 Frankfurt
Website
Hochschule Darmstadt
International Office Building C23
Schöfferstraße 3, 64295 Darmstadt
+49 (0)6151/ 533-68069
Postadresse: Schöfferstr. 3, 64295 Darmstadt
Hochschule Fulda
International Office
Leipziger Str. 119, 36039 Fulda
+49 (0)661/9640-148
Postadresse: International Office, Marquardstraße 35 36039 Fulda
Website
Hochschule RheinMain
Kurt-Schumacher-Ring 18, 65197 Wiesbaden
+49 (0)611/9495-1570
Website
Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen
Referat für Auslandsbeziehungen
Studien-Informations-Centrum (SIC), Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 35390 Gießen
+49 (0)641 / 309-1321
Website
Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main
International Office
Schlossstrasse 31
D-63065 Offenbach am Main
+49 (0)69 / 800 59 - 149
Website
Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main
Akademische Auslandsstelle / International Office
Eschersheimer Landstraße 29-39, 60322 Frankfurt am Main
+49 (0)69/154007-256
Website
Städelschule
Rektorat
Martina Cooper
+49 (0)69 / 60 50 08-29
Website
Hochschule Geisenheim University
International Office
Von-Lade-Str.1
65366 Geisenheim
+49 (0)6722 502 718
Website