An alternative to exchange programmes and university partnerships is to organise your period abroad independently. What not all students realise is that they have the opportunity to apply for a semester abroad at any higher education institution in the world. 

Going abroad as a so-called “Free Mover” has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, you can apply specifically to your preferred university, even if the University of Augsburg does not have an agreement with it. In many cases, you also require less advance planning time than when applying through an exchange programme. On the other hand, a “Free Mover” stay requires a high degree of personal initiative and additional organisational effort on your part. Financing can present a further obstacle, as tuition fees and other costs usually apply. However, these may be partially funded through "Auslands-BAföG" or scholarships.

As each university has its own admission requirements and application procedures, it is essential to consult the websites of your preferred institutions and/or to contact their international offices. If you meet the requirements, you can apply directly to the foreign university as a guest student - depending on the institution, this status may be referred to as a “visiting student”, “study abroad student”, “non-degree student”, or simply a “free mover”.

1. Clearly define your wishes and objectives. Which country would you like to go to? For how long? What is important to you when choosing your host university?
2. Gather general information about your destination country and its higher education system. This will help you refine your ideas and better understand the information provided on university websites.
3. Search specifically for universities that broadly match your criteria and create a preliminary list of institutions that may be suitable.
4. Research these universities in more detail. Pay particular attention to their websites, but also consider student testimonials, rankings, and similar sources. This will help you determine which universities truly meet your criteria.
5. Find out whether these universities accept “Non-Degree Students” or “Visiting Students”. If you cannot find any information on their website, contact the university’s International Office and enquire directly.
6. Organise all the important information you have gathered through your research and correspondence. For example, create an Excel spreadsheet that allows you to compare all universities at a glance.
7. Continuously review and refine your list. Remove universities that generally do not accept Free Movers or fail to meet your most important criteria. Rank the remaining institutions according to your personal preferences.
8. Check the specific application requirements for your top three to five preferred universities. Obtain all necessary documents well in advance (e.g. language certificates, transcripts, references).
9. Submit your applications in time. Depending on the university, the application process may take some time. If your application is unsuccessful, you will still have sufficient time to apply elsewhere; if you receive an offer, you will have enough time to arrange any additional documentation, your visa, and other formalities.
10. There is a high likelihood that you will receive at least one offer of admission. If not, simply return to step 7 and apply to the next universities on your list.

     

So‑called “education agents” work with specific foreign universities and help place students at these institutions. For each student they place, these agencies receive a commission from the host university. As a result, students can make use of the services provided by an education agency free of charge.
Such agencies are particularly well established in Australia and North America, but they are now available for almost all regions of the world. As the range of services and the quality of the institutions offered can vary significantly between agencies, it is always advisable to review their offers critically and compare them with your own research before making a decision.
Even if you do not intend to obtain a study place through an agency, it may still be worthwhile to browse their websites, as they often provide well-structured information on the higher education system and visa requirements of the destination country.

If you have any further questions regarding the administrative procedures at the University of Augsburg, please do not hesitate to contact us: