FAQ Outgoing
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Studying abroad with ERASMUS+ in Europe (Outgoing)

FAQ

“What is Erasmus+?”

The Erasmus+ programme was founded  in1987 and aims to enable interested students to study at a European partner university for one or two semesters as easily and profitably as possible, thereby enriching their studies in terms of subject, language and culture. Fixed exchange agreements at university, department or institute level are the basis for ensuring that the participating students receive adequate organisational support and EU funding.

Promoting Europe-wide cooperation in all areas of education is an important concern of the European Union. The successful EU Erasmus+ programme for education, youth and sport will therefore be continued. The programme plays a key role on the path to a common European Education Area. Between 2021 and 2027, a total budget of around 26 billion euros will be available for this purpose.

Erasmus+ aims to promote lifelong learning, enable sustainable growth, strengthen social cohesion and European identity, and drive innovation. The programme focuses on the topics of inclusion and diversity, digitalisation, political education, and sustainability, which are closely interlinked.

In the current programme generation 2021 to 2027, even more Europeans will be able to participate in Erasmus+ more easily than before. It is particularly aimed at all those who have not previously been reached by the programme due to their personal or social situation or structural factors. Overall, access is to be made easier for all people and organisations.

Digitalisation is also an important building block on the way to this broader social participation in the Erasmus+ programme. In addition to digital management and administration, blended mobility formats are new to the programme. The programme relies on various measures to reduce the ecological footprint of Erasmus+. For example, financial incentives are being created for the use of environmentally friendly means of transport, green skills are being promoted and digital tools are to be used to a greater extent.

Since July 2007, the Erasmus+ programme has also funded practical placements in other European countries. Further information on funding opportunities and leave of absence can be obtained from the Career Service at the University of Münster.

"What services does Erasmus+ offer?"

Students who go abroad via the Erasmus+ programme are not required to pay tuition fees at the host university. The Erasmus+ programme also offers academic and organisational support during the stay abroad. As a rule, Erasmus+ scholarship holders can also complete a free language course at the host university before the start of the semester. This usually starts two weeks before the start of the semester. In addition, Erasmus+ students receive monthly financial support depending on the country group of the host university.

  • Country group 1: probably 600 euros for full months, otherwise pro rata
    Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden
  • Country group 2: probably 540 euros for full months, otherwise pro rata
    Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain
  • Country group 3: probably 490 euros for full months, otherwise pro rata
    Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Turkey

However, travel and accommodation are not funded by Erasmus+. The host universities do not usually arrange accommodation either, but they do send out so-called "welcome packs", which also contain information on the subject of accommodation. Finally, studying abroad with Erasmus+ allows you to receive credit for the academic work you have completed there.

"How many places are available where and when?"

Here you can find the Erasmus+ partner universities and the current number of places on offer.

"When do the semesters at the receiving universities in the different countries begin and end?“

Please refer to the homepages of the individual host universities for the relevant semester times.

“How do I apply for an Erasmus+ stay?”

Important: Places are only allocated once a year. Applications for the winter and summer semesters therefore take place at the same time. Applications are announced at the beginning of the calendar year on the IfK website and also posted in the department’s lobby.

You apply in writing by e-mail (application folder as a PDF) to the coordinator responsible for Erasmus+ partnerships at the Department  of Communication. The application should be written in German. It should include a two-sided letter of motivation explaining the reasons for the exchange and setting out your knowledge of the language (language tests, certificates, bilingual Abitur, etc.) of the desired host country. The application should also include a CV and a study plan showing the seminars completed and the grades achieved (printout from QISPOS).

“What should my language proficiency be in order to participate in an Erasmus+ exchange?”

To study abroad successfully, the student should have a good command of the language in which the courses at the receiving university are held. You should not only be able to follow the lectures but you should also be able to express yourself orally and in written texts about topics in your discipline. To ensure language proficiency, the DAAD requires Erasmus scholarship holders to demonstrate at least the language proficiency level B1 (however, most universities demand a B2 level). To brush up on your language skills, a free language course is usually offered to Erasmus+ students at the receiving university before the semester begins. We also recommend linguistic preparation before beginning your stay abroad. Free language courses are, for instance, offered by the Sprachenzentrum at the University of Münster.

“What other requirements must be fulfilled?”

Whoever wishes to study abroad through Erasmus+ and the Department of Communication in Münster should study communication in Münster. For undergraduate students, it does not make a difference whether communication is studied as a single or double subject (Ein-Fach or Zwei-Fach). Applicants for Erasmus+ scholarships should have completed their mandatory courses before beginning their Erasmus+ period of study. For undergraduate students, this means that an Erasmus+ stay is possible after the third semester. Graduate students should consult the Erasmus+ Coordinator.

"Which credits earned at the host university will be recognised at the IfK?"

When selecting partner institutes, the Department of Communication in Münster attaches great importance to professionalism. Co-operation with partner institutes is based on subject equivalence. Nevertheless, you should always discuss course requests with the Erasmus+ coordinator before starting a semester abroad.

As a general rule, the credits from coursework abroad are recognised when they are comparable to the credits from coursework at the Department of Communication in Münster. When planning your courses at the receiving university, please consider the module descriptions of the study program in Münster.

In order for the coordinator to be able to assess which courses can be recognised as adequate, the following information should be provided as completely as possible

  • Course title
  • official (!) course description in a language of the counsellors’ understanding (German / English)
  • Information on the ECTS points to be earned in the individual seminars
  • Information about the semester hours per week (SWS) in the individual seminars
  • Information about the examinations to be taken in the individual seminars

"Will a stay abroad prolong my studies?"

The programme can, but does not necessarily have to be extended by a stay abroad. Due to the modular structure of the Bachelor's degree programme, a stay abroad in the 5th semester is recommended for Bachelor's students in the single-subject BA (other semesters are also possible by arrangement, of course; this applies in particular to the two-subject BA). If sufficient credits are achieved abroad, it should be possible to complete the degree programme within the standard period of study. If not as many credits have been achieved abroad as perhaps hoped, it is possible to make up the modules in the 4th to 6th semester. Bachelor's students should be aware that their degree programme may be extended.

We believe that the added value of studying and gaining professional qualifications abroad, as well as the enriching life experiences that can be gained from studying abroad, outweigh any loss of time.

“Is it possible for students from other departments at the University of Münster to use the places allotted to the Department of Communication in Münster to study abroad?”

No. The Erasmus+ places allotted to the Department of Communication in Münster are only awarded to students of communication. But other institutes at the University of Münster offer this opportunity. We encourage you to visit the International Office for further information.

“Where can I obtain further information about Erasmus?”

You can contact the Erasmus+ Coordinator of the Department of Communication in Münster or the International Office at the University of Münster. In addition, the Student Council of the Department of Communication offers reports by communication students in the department who have already studied abroad through the Erasmus+ program.

“Are there other possibilities for studying abroad?”

Besides Erasmus+ , the DAAD offers various funding opportunities for students who would like to spend time abroad. You can organize your stay abroad on your own and make arrangements with the receiving university. In other words, you are a “free mover,” that is, you do not have to follow the structure of an exchange program. Please contact the International Office for further information.

Presentation information event for the WS 24/25

The presentation slides can be downloaded here.

What experiences have students had during their stay abroad with an Erasmus+ scholarship at a partner university?

In our Learnweb course, students can view anonymised experience reports from IfK students from previous semesters.

Contact the Erasmus+ coordinator for further consultation to help you make your decision.