Exchange students and free movers

Studying and research

With more than 40 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, the University of Hohenheim offers a unique range of courses in the three subject groups of agricultural and nutritional sciences, natural sciences, and economics and social sciences, thus providing exchange students with a broad spectrum of choices.

Individual and your own responsibility

The academic system in Germany and at the University of Hohenheim may be a lot different than at your home university, mainly because students at German universities have a lot of freedom in planning their studies. This freedom is a perfect opportunity for exchange students to design an individual study plan. At the same time, these numerous options mean that it is your responsibility to plan your studies. So, for a successful stay abroad, it is crucial to understand the differences, and be aware of and able to manage the challenges of the new academic system. On this page, you will find all the relevant information to help you.

Mobility types

Study stay, research project, or a combination of study and research stay: Find out about options for exchange students at the University of Hohenheim.

Get informed

Selecting modules

Information on how to choose your modules, links to the module catalog, and the course catalog.
 

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Language courses

Would you like to use the exchange to improve your German or learn other foreign languages?

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Semester dates

When do the lectures take place, when is the examination period, which other dates are important?

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Type of mobility

Non-degree students, i.e., exchange students and free movers, have various options for a stay at the University of Hohenheim.

Important: Exchange students in particular should keep in mind when planning that their home university must approve the academic purpose of the stay, and that the possibilities may also depend on the type of bilateral agreement between the two universities!

The following choices are available to you at the University of Hohenheim:

Study stay

A study stay requires that you come to Hohenheim for an entire semester or academic year. You will then have the option of choosing one of the semester packages or creating your own individual schedule.

Please note the semester dates and  especially the exam periods.

Semester packages at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

Winter semester

  • Organic Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Landscape Ecology
  • Development Oriented Agricultural Sciences

Summer semester

  • Sustainability and Innovations
  • Environmental Science and Landscape Ecology
  • Development Oriented Agricultural Sciences
  • Organic Agriculture and Food Systems
  • Language of instruction: English
  • Level: Master’s and Advanced Bachelor’s

To the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences’ semester packages

Semester packages at the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Winter semester

  • Botany & Ecology (Bachelor’s)
  • Ecology & Evolution (Master’s)

Summer semester

  • Genomics (Bachelor’s)
  • Biology (Master’s)

Semester packages at the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Summer semester

Bachelor’s

  • Finance
  • Data Science
  • International Business & Economics
  • Digital Business Management
  • Media & Management
  • Sustainability, Innovation & Investment

Master’s

  • Finance
  • Data Analytics & Information Systems
  • Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Sustainability
  • Marketing & Management
  • Inequality & Economics Policy
  • International Economics

Winter semester

Bachelor’s

  • Finance
  • Empirical Strategies & Data Science
  • International Business & Economics
  • Sustainability & Change
  • Digital Business Management
  • Media & Management

Master’s

  • Finance
  • Data Analytics & Information Systems
  • Marketing & Management
  • Health Management
  • Basic Methods in Business and Economics
  • Advanced Methods in Economics
  • Inequality & Economic Policy (Economics)
  • Media & Management

Individual schedule

The University of Hohenheim offers a wide range of degree programs, and students who wish to put together an individual schedule can choose from an extensive range of modules.

  • Exchange students are admitted to a specific area of study and are not restricted to a specific degree program.
  • You should choose the majority of modules from the area of study to which you have been admitted. However, if places are available, you may also take modules from other areas of study, and even from the other two faculties. 

What you should know about selecting modules

You can find an overview of all modules offered at Hohenheim on HohCampus under “Studies offered.” Then either click on “Show course catalog” or go to “Module Catalog” and “Search for modules/courses.”

  • In the module catalog, you will find the descriptions of the modules with information on requirements, language of instruction, etc.
  • The course catalog is separated into winter and summer semesters and lists all modules of the corresponding semester subdivided by faculty and subject area with class times.
  • If you want to see all modules that belong to a certain topic (e.g., “Statistics”), regardless of the associated faculty or department, use “Search for courses”.

Module selection instructions (in English) Module selection instructions (in German)

Good to know

  • The languages of instruction at the University of Hohenheim are German and English. Most Bachelor’s degree programs are taught in German. Master’s programs are taught in German or English.
  • Exchange students do not need to submit proof of language proficiency to us (it may be necessary to show proof of language proficiency during the nomination process at your home university). You will need at least intermediate knowledge of the relevant language of instruction.
  • If you are at the end of a Bachelor’s degree program at your home university, you can select Master’s modules as long as you meet the specific requirements of the modules.
  • Some modules are only placeholders for work that is required in the examination regulations for degree-seeking students, which means that no coursework is assigned to these modules. Examples include: Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, internships, and portfolio modules. Exchange students cannot sign up for these modules! If you want to do research for your thesis, or an internship at Hohenheim, please read the corresponding sections on this page.
  • The same applies to language courses with a module code from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences (5xxx-xxx). 
  • “Humboldt Reloaded”: These “seminars” are also a kind of placeholder. Humboldt Reloaded is an additional offering, outside of the normal academic canon. The aim of this award-winning project is to bring students together in small groups to teach them about scientific research and methods. Exchange students can participate in these projects and receive ECTS credits. Please note that projects are ungraded.
    Information about Humboldt Reloaded and the individual projects can be found at https://humboldt-reloaded.uni-hohenheim.de/en.

Research projects

The University of Hohenheim is Germany’s leading university in agricultural research and food sciences, as well as strong and unparalleled in natural science, business administration and economics, social science and communication science. A global research network with many international partners, and an economically and culturally attractive environment make the university an appealing choice not only for study stays. International Bachelor’s and Master’s students have the opportunity to widen their research experience for a certain period of time instead of attending courses.

  • Admission is only possible if you have found a Hohenheim professor to be your supervisor.
  • Depending on the weekly working hours, you can take a module or do a language course while you’re here, too.
  • If you come to Hohenheim as part of an Erasmus+ internship, please note that this is not the same as a research project.

Research module

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences offers research stays for students as part of module 3000-320, i.e., from semester package 5:

  • Duration: 14 weeks (full-time), 30 ECTS
  • Overview of (previous) topics: https://agrar.uni-hohenheim.de/en/incomings-en under “Package 5.”
  • The module is intended primarily for exchange students, but free movers may also apply if places are available.
  • Shorter periods are possible in justified individual cases (with reduced ECTS!), but not less than 10 weeks. The approval of the head of project must be obtained in advance.
  • Participation in the research module is only possible if you can be registered as a non-degree student at the University of Hohenheim for the corresponding semester. Here you can find the information for your application.

Individually agreed research projects

  • In the Faculty of Natural Sciences, research projects are to be arranged individually, and you should contact the Hohenheim professors in the respective field directly to ask for a place.
  • The same applies to our agricultural science institutes if you are interested in a research stay of less than 10 weeks or in a topic that is not included in module 3000-320.
  • Overview of all Hohenheim institutes
  • The exact duration of the research project, the working language, the number of working hours, and the ECTS must be agreed upon directly with the supervisor.
  • So too must the method of evaluation, especially if you need a grade for your home university.

Procedure

Exchange studentsFree movers
Check with your home university whether a research stay is possible as part of the exchange.
Reservation by email (incoming@ua. uni-hohenheim.de) for the exchange place at the University of Hohenheim

Application for the research module or an individual research project to the Hohenheim department

  • In the email, state why the subject area interests you and what prior knowledge you have in this field. It is a good idea to include a current transcript directly with your application. If further documents are required, the potential supervisor will inform you.
  • The Office of International Affairs cannot arrange places, nor can we say in advance how good your chances are of finding a place. This depends on the capacities at the desired department at the planned time period, but also how well your previous studies fit into the research project.
If you are accepted: Nomination by the home university to the Office of International Affairs at the University of Hohenheim                                                                                                          
Application for admission as a free mover in Mobility OnlineApplication for admission as a free mover in Mobility Online
Admission as a non-degree student

Enrollment at the University of Hohenheim

  • Mandatory in both cases for exchange students and for free movers who are accepted for the research module, recommended for free movers who are accepted for an individual project.
  • Depending on the weekly working hours, you may be able to take a module or attend a language course while you’re here, too.

Erasmus+ internships for incomings

Although this Erasmus+ program track is primarily intended for company internships, EU regulations allow internships to be carried out at universities.

  • This information does not apply to Erasmus+ students who additionally complete a research internship as part of a study stay or who come to Hohenheim for a research project that is considered an SMS period by their home university. For you, the information in the “Research module” or “Individually agreed research projects” sections applies. In case of doubt, please contact incoming@ua.uni-hohenheim.de.

Procedure

The Office of International Affairs cannot arrange places or assist you in your search, nor can we say in advance how good your chances are of finding a place. This depends on the capacities at the desired department for the planned time period, but also how well your previous studies fit into the research project.

  • If you are accepted for an internship at Hohenheim, you will receive the Learning Agreement for Traineeships from your home university. This is signed by you, your home coordinator, and your Hohenheim supervisor or the department director.

In contrast to Erasmus+ study stays, Erasmus+ internships are individual agreements between one of the Hohenheim departments and the intern. Inter-Institutional Agreements between the University of Hohenheim and the home institution are not a requirement and will not be signed for individual interns.

Good to know

InsuranceIt is your responsibility to arrange sufficient insurance cover for the internship. You must have health insurance, accident insurance, and liability cover.
Internship durationThe minimum duration for Erasmus+ internships is two months. The maximum duration is twelve months. If you are planning an internship that lasts three months or more, however, this is only possible at the University of Hohenheim in most cases if you can prove that it is a mandatory internship at your home university.
Work permit in GermanyParticipants in EU education programs from third countries are not subject to approval by the employment service in Germany. The stay does not require approval according to Sec. 2 No. 2 of the Employment Ordinance. However, a visa and/or a residence permit are required.
Status

Erasmus+ interns cannot be enrolled as students at the same time.

  • If you are officially here on an Erasmus+ internship, you are not permitted to attend courses.
  • It is possible to use the Hohenheim computer network and, if necessary, the library, without a student ID. Your Hohenheim supervisor will submit the necessary application.
  • During your internship, you may use the Hohenheim Mensa (canteen), but you will need a canteen card.
    - You can get this card at the Info-Point in the canteen.
    - Please note that all payments are cashless.
    - Cash is also not accepted for the deposit on the canteen card – you have to pay with a credit card or debit card.
    - Meal prices are tiered according to status groups. The staff at the Info-Point will check which group you belong to. We advise you to show your student identity card from your home university.
  • As an intern, you are not able to apply for a room in student residence halls. For information about housing, see our housing search pages.
  • You are not entitled to discounts on public transport that Hohenheim students receive for paying their enrollment fees. An overview of tickets is provided on the Student Services Tübingen-Hohenheim website.

Language courses

You can enrich your stay at the University of Hohenheim by participating in language courses. The Language Center of our university offers courses in 10 languages. The courses are offered both as semester courses and as intensive courses during the lecture-free period (August, September, and March). You can find an overview of the courses including information on the placement test, course registration, course fees, etc. on the pages of the Language Center.

Preparatory intensive course

In September and March the intensive German course takes place. The lessons are rounded off by a social program that includes cultural activities, excursions to the surroundings of Stuttgart, a welcome and graduation party, and an international meal. Once you have been admitted, you can register for the German course in your Mobility Online Account. There you will also find the current announcement and information about the participation fee for exchange students.

German courses during the semester

Of course, you can also learn German during the semester. Interested? Registration is done directly through the Language Center.

Other languages

Or how about an Italian course or Business English? You can also apply for these language courses as a non-degree-seeking student.

Language tandem

Would you like to improve your language skills, but are looking for another way to do it? How about a language tandem? The tandem database of our Language Center will help you.

Good to know

You will receive ECTS credits for all language courses. Please note: Since the language courses are not equivalent to a linguistic degree, the courses are not suitable for native speakers who wish to obtain an additional qualification in Business English or Español Comercial, etc.

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Semester dates

The academic year at the University of Hohenheim is divided into two semesters and begins with the winter semester. 

Official semester dates, which include days off, can be found on the Semester Dates page.
 

For exchange students and free movers, the following dates are also important:

Winter semester
(1st semester)		Summer semester
(2nd semester)
Preparatory intensive German courseSeptemberMarch
Orientation week In the week before the start of lectures
Lecture and examination periodsOverview of semester dates
Application deadlinesApplication and other deadlines

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Contact

Office of International Affairs
Exchange Students and Free Movers

Student Mobility and International Admissions Unit (AA2)
Student Mobility Team

Email

Zoom consultation hour
Wed 1 - 3 p.m., digital on Zoom
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