International Exchange Students

There are many interesting courses to choose from as part of our semester programme. To help you quickly feel at home in Karlsruhe and at our university, we offer individual support and organise an exciting social programme during the orientation period.

• Six-week intensive German language course - free of charge. To prepare you for the lecture period and facilitate communication with locals, different courses are available during the orientation period: one for beginners and one or two for advanced learners. The course content is tailored to the German language proficiency of our international exchange students.
• A wide range of day trips and evening events is offered free of charge by our International Club. he International Club organises cultural events, various city trips, and other fun activities throughout the semester. These events provide a great opportunity to meet other international and German students. The activities of the International Club are organised and supported by a team of students working for the International Office. The events take place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and attendance is, of course, optional. You will receive an overview of the planned activities at the start of the orientation period.
• Official Welcome Event with the President of our university.
• One-day workshop on Intercultural Competence.

But first of all, you will meet your personal buddy.

The range of courses varies from semester to semester. For information on current courses, please visit our online course catalogue on the LSF platform. Although the platform is set up in German, you can filter for courses that are taught in English or French. Here you can see how to use this search function:

If you are planning your stay abroad for the winter semester, take a look at the courses offered in the previous winter semester; for the summer semester, refer to the courses offered in the previous summer semester. This will give you an idea of the types of courses usually available at our university.

Regardless of your field of study, you may choose courses from all subjects, provided that your home institution agrees. You may also attend most practical modules in Arts, Music, or Sports - just let us know in good time before the semester begins.

Incoming exchange students can choose to stay for one semester or for a full academic year at the University of Education Karlsruhe. One academic year consists of two semesters: the winter and the summer semester. The table below provides the key dates for each semester. Please pay special attention to our orientation programme, which includes not only a free German language course but also a variety of activities.

• Select from the English courses offered at the Institute of Multilingualism (English Studies), such as courses in literature, linguistics, cultural studies, TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), and didactics.
• Study modules specifically designed for international students.
• Carry out an internship at a German school.
• Learn German  - we offer free-of-charge German language courses for different proficiency levels.

• Select modules from our bachelor’s programme in Teacher Education: you can choose from various modules, including Educational Sciences and Teaching Methodology, as well as subject-specific courses (such as French or English as a foreign language).
• Select modules from other bachelor’s or master’s programmes, such as Childhood Education or Intercultural Education, Migration and Multilingualism.
• Carry out an internship at a German school.
• Improve your German language skills - advanced language courses are offered before and during the semester.

Visiting students from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Japan and South Korea can enter Germany without a visa. They will receive a residence permit in Karlsruhe for the duration of their stay abroad.

Once you arrive in Karlsruhe, flexible office hours, a well-organised buddy programme, intensive German language courses, and a variety of leisure activities (including day trips and evening events) will help ensure the best possible start to your semester abroad at our university.

We are usually able to provide most of our international exchange students with accommodation in the residence halls near the university campus. Students have their own dormitory rooms but typically share a bathroom and kitchen.

If you would like to arrange accommodation independently, we recommend the following website:

• Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe - Housing
• Tips from the Studierendenwerk

Before you leave, your home institution will usually ask you to sign a learning agreement. However, it may be easier to select your courses and modules once you have arrived at our university, provided that your home institution can wait until then. The typical workload per semester is 30 ECTS credits. Please check with your home institution to find out how many ECTS credits you are required to earn during your stay abroad.

"Europa macht Schule" (EmS) is a programme designed to promote the encounter and exchange between young Europeans, which is carried out on a voluntary basis. The aim is to bring the idea of Europe-wide exchange to life and to encourage social engagement and foster political participation. This way, all participants can experience the cultural diversity of Europe hands-on and in a vivid manner.

The programme is funded by the  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)  and the voluntary association "Erasmus macht Schule e. V.".

Visiting students from all over Europe are invited to take part in a project with a German school class, where they can present their home country in a creative way: For example, by playing Gaelic football with the students, simulating the French presidential elections or letting the children experience a typical Turkish school day. Depending on their age, the participating pupils will be actively involved in organising, realising, and documenting the project. The programme will conclude with a closing ceremony, at which all the projects of the respective city will be presented to the public. This way, the pupils will get to know another European country hands-on and in a vivid manner, while the students from abroad can immerse themselves in part of German life and culture beyond the university. They are in contact with locals and feel like welcome guests.