Swiss-European Mobility Program

The Swiss-European Mobility Program (SEMP) is the Swiss equivalent of the Erasmus+ program. Under the umbrella of SEMP, student mobility for study purposes between Switzerland and European countries is also promoted in the higher education sector (tertiary level).

Program benefits | Requirements | Application | Financing options | Obligations

Why SEMP?

The SEMP offers students the opportunity to study at a partner university in Switzerland.

Students can also complete several stays (study and/or internship) with a maximum total duration of 12 months per study phase (Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral student).

The aim of the SEMP program is to strengthen social and cultural skills and improve students’ career prospects. The study abroad program also gives students the opportunity to experience the academic system at a Swiss university and to benefit from its teaching and learning methods.

Program benefits

  • Simplified application procedure at the partner university
  • Tuition waiver at the host university
  • Support during the preparation of the stay abroad (culture, language, organizational matters)
  • Possibility of academic recognition of credits earned abroad
  • The Swiss partner university typically offers the opportunity to apply for a mobility grant for additional costs that arise from studying abroad

Participant obligations

  • Fulfilling the respective program requirements (e.g., timely submission of all documents required by the program)
  • Acting as an ambassador for the University of Hohenheim at the partner university, as well as for the respective partner university and the exchange program at the University of Hohenheim.
  • Participating in mandatory events for exchange students

Back to the top

What does program participation involve?

University place with no tuition fees — for at least 2 months and a maximum of 12 months — at a  partner university in Switzerland as part of an existing bilateral cooperation agreement.

Who is eligible?

Participants ...

  • are regularly enrolled in a degree program (Bachelor’s / Master’s) at the University of Hohenheim
  • have completed their first year in a Bachelor's degree program at the University of Hohenheim or at another recognized higher education institution
  • would like to complete one or two semesters studying or doing an internship at a partner university in Switzerland
  • are pursuing a degree (Bachelor’s / Master’s) at the University of Hohenheim and not the partner university
  • have a sufficient number of SEMP support days remaining for mobility (max. 360 days per study cycle)

Applying

Application procedure

1. Application rounds & regions

There is an annual application round for the European region, which applies to Erasmus+, SEMP, and the United Kingdom. You apply for the coming winter semester or for the summer semester of the following year (academic year). Up to three exchange places (three priorities) can be specified.

Once a year, at least four weeks before the application deadline, the exchange places are officially advertised via the AA-News on the University of Hohenheim intranet. 

2. Applications are made via Mobility Online

Applications for exchange places are submitted exclusively via the online portal Mobility Online.

Applications are made via Mobility Online

3. Selection procedure

After the application deadline, a selection committee chooses suitable applicants. The criteria are:

  • Professional and academic aptitude
  • Motivation for your stay abroad
  • Additional commitment (e.g. voluntary work)

Places are allocated on the basis of a ranking and taking into account the requirements of the partner university.

4. Nomination & application at the partner university

  • Once you have been selected and have accepted the exchange place, you will be nominated by the University of Hohenheim at the partner university.
  • You then apply to the partner university.
  • The partner university makes the final decision on admission.
Application documents

1. Letter of motivation

Consisting of three parts (max. 2,000 characters each including spaces):

  • Academic Statement 
    A separate statement for each priority specified. Please note:
    • Technical justification and study objectives
    • Your personal motivation
    • Discussion of the courses offered by the host university
    Note: In the exchange programs in Europe, at least 24 ECTS must be taken per semester.
  • Green Mobility Statement
    Explain how you want to make your stay more environmentally friendly (contribution to climate goals, reduction of carbon footprint, etc.)
  • Civic Engagement Statement 
    Describe how you would like to contribute to the promotion of tolerance, understanding, and global coexistence through civic engagement.

2. Résumé in table form (PDF)

  • Max. 2 pages
  • The following should be included:
    • Academic and professional background
    • Language skills, (voluntary) work, interests
    • Relevant awards or experience

3. Current transcript of records (in English, PDF)

4. Bachelor’s certificate with transcript of records (only Master’s students)

  • If no certificate in English is available, a certificate in German will also be accepted
  • No certified document is required

4. Language certificates (PDF) 

Application deadlinesTo the application deadlines for the University of Hohenheim’s mobility programs

Back to the top

Contacts

Office of International Affairs
Student Mobility and International Admissions Unit (AA2)
Student Mobility Team

The Student Mobility Team organizes regular information events about financing opportunities for a stay abroad.