Your semester abroad in distance learning

The costs for your semester abroad at a foreign partner university are not included in the IU tuition fees and must be borne by you. The fees per semester vary depending on the country and partner university. However, through cooperation with our partner World of Students, you benefit from discounts at many universities in the portfolio. Our partner World of Students will advise you on the exact costs for the desired university. Note that you will also have to bear the living costs in the respective country. 

Yes, you can receive BAföG during your semester abroad – specifically, BAföG for studying abroad (Auslands-BAföG). It differs from the domestic BAföG, which means you have to submit a separate application for it. In general, the BAföG assessment limit for studying abroad is higher, so people who are not eligible for regular BAföG may be eligible for Auslands-BAföG. The prerequisite is that the semester abroad is recognised and eligible for funding as part of your studies. The amount of the monthly BAföG payment depends on various factors such as your income, your parents' income, and the living costs in the host country. You can also receive funding for your tuition fees and a travel allowance that you do not have to repay. It is important that you inform yourself in good time at the responsible BAföG office about the exact conditions and the application process in order to secure the financial support for your semester abroad.

In some cases, you are still covered by your German health insurance during your semester abroad. Especially if you are planning to do your semester abroad outside the EU, it is often necessary to take out additional health insurance, as the German health insurance usually does not cover all costs abroad. International health insurance provides additional protection in such cases and should definitely be considered. Inform yourself early about the existing insurance conditions of your health insurance and specifically ask whether special regulations or supplements are necessary for your stay abroad. 

The entire portfolio of our partner World of Students is available for your semester abroad. This includes 52 universities in Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. You can find out more about the selection of your partner university at information events with our partner World of Students. 

During your semester abroad, you study on the campus of your partner university and take the courses you applied for in advance. As a change from your distance learning, you can enjoy real campus life here, meet fellow students from all over the world, and benefit from the leisure activities offered by your university. 

For your application, you go to our partner World of Students. The process starts with filling out an individual form on the World of Students website. After submitting the form, World of Students will contact you and your counselling process will begin. The team accompanies you from start to finish in organising your semester abroad. 

The application deadlines vary from university to university. A key point for the application time is always the duration of the visa application for the country where the semester abroad takes place. Let our partner World of Students advise you individually on this. 

The modules you take abroad can be recognised for your distance learning after an individual examination after your stay. They cannot, however, reduce your study and contract period at IU. Tuition fees are also not reduced.