Free Movers or Visiting Students

Most study programmes offered at Ulm University are open for applications from Free Movers. You can find a list of regularly offered courses here. Free Mover applicants are responsible for choosing an appropriate study programme and relevant courses.

Please note: We cannot accept Free Movers into the following programmes:

If you would like to apply for Free Mover status to work on a research project at Universität Ulm, please be aware of the following: 

• Finding a research project/supervisor in Ulm: You are responsible for finding a research project and supervisor that is relevant to your studies. It is recommendable to reach out to potential supervisors far ahead of time via email.
• After you have found a research project/supervisor in Ulm: Please use the document linked under “Application Form” on this website. On page 1, be sure to select “final thesis” or “research” as your Study Purpose and also enter the name of your supervisor. On page 3, please write “Research: Your Project Name” under Course Title and have your supervisor sign on the bottom righthand side under “Ulm University Approval.” Finally, if your supervisor has provided you with a letter or email sharing the details of your planned work together, please submit this with your application. 

Admission to study levels:

Admission to Undergraduate Programmes:

• Proof of one successful year of study at home university in the same field (at the time of application)

Admission to Graduate Programmes: in the field for which the student applies as visiting student (at the beginning of the study abroad period at Universität Ulm)

• a Bachelor degree or
• 3 years of successful study  or
• an equivalent of 180 ECTS

Language Requirements:

Proof of proficiency must be submitted in all languages that will be used during the Free Mover period in Ulm. If coursework or research is only to be done in English, then only proof of Englisch language level is necessary. If both English and German are used for coursework and/or research, proof of proficiency in both languages must be submitted.  

English:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Score 5.5 or better,
• First Certificate in English (FCE), Certificate in English Language Skills (CELS) Vantage
  oder Business English Certificate (BEC) Vantage Cambridge exam English for Speakers of
  Other Languages (ESOL) (Cambridge University),
• Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC): Score 400 (listening), 385 (reading), 160 (speaking) und 150 (writing) or better,
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based (TOEFL iBT): Score 72 or better,
• UNIcert® Level II,
• PTE Academic, Score 59 or better

German:

• Goethe Certificate B2,
• telc Deutsch B2-Certifikate (exam passed),
• Österreichisches Sprachdiplom (ÖSD) B2-Zertifikat,
• Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) with a total score DSH-1
• Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF): results with level 3 or better in all four partial exams (paper-based or digital),
• a university degree for a programme which was partially taught in German.

All temporary non-degree students have to pay the following fees

• administration fee
• student union fee
• fee for the constituted student body

For amounts and details refer to the information of the registrar's office. Please note: These fees are different from the tuition fees charged to non-EU students!

Tuition fees for non-EU students: Non-EU students who wish to enroll for courses or do their final thesis at Ulm University are also subject to tuition fees. No tuition fees are charged to students who come exclusively for research, however they must pay the fees listed above.

Download Application Form

Additional Documents:

• Copy of Passport or National ID Card
• Copy of Higher Education Entrance Qualification / Diploma
  →Copy of Translation (English or German) if the original is in another language
• Transcript of Records from Home University
• Current CV
• Recommendation Letter by Professor of Study Programme at Home University
• Proof of Foreign Language Proficiency (see Language Requirements above)
• For research projects only: Proof of contact with supervisor in Ulm (invitation letter, screenshot of email correspondence)

1. The International Office carries out a preliminary check of application documents. 
2. For complete applications which meet minimum requirements: Application documents will be sent to the faculty / department for the respective study program for review.
3. If the faculty / department agrees to accept the applicant, the approved learning agreement will be sent to the International Office.
4. If necessary (dependent on applicant's country of residence): Export control check will be initiated by the International Office. 
5. The International Office issues the official acceptance letter for admission as temporary non-degree student.
6. The International Office supports accepted students with the enrolment procedure.

Please note: All resources regarding visa necessity and processes can be found via the link “Visa & Residence Permit”. We cannot provide further information on visa processes or offer advice regarding this matter.

General Information for New Internationals

German universities do not award any scholarships or provide financial aid. Incomings may apply for a scholarship at any institution in their home country or at German institutions through the German Embassy, the Goethe-Institute or the DAAD office (German Academic Exchange Service) in their home country.

The International Office does not provide accommodation for temporary visiting students.