Applying

You will be regarded as an exchange student if you study at the University of Mannheim for one or two semesters and if your home institution has concluded a bilateral agreement with the University of Mannheim. Afterwards, you will return to your home institution. As a free mover you will not receive a degree from the University of Mannheim. 

How do I apply for an exchange program?
Exchange students always study at the University of Mannheim as part of an exchange program of their home institution. For information on the application process please contact the international office at your university.
If your application for a placement has been successful at your home institution, you must be officially nominated for a study place at the University of Mannheim. As soon as we have received the nomination of your home institution, you will receive an e-mail containing the log-in data for our study abroad application portal as well as further important information and data on your program. Please complete the online application as soon as possible. Only after you have completed the application you will receive an official letter of admission. You will need the letter of admission for your visa  application. You do not have to submit any further certificates or other documents for the application.

Deadlines for exchange students for completing the online application:

• April 30 for the fall semester
• October 31 for the spring semester

What level of language proficiency is required?
At the University of Mannheim, courses are taught in English and German. Students thus need at least German or English level B2 (in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Students do not have to prove their language proficiency by submitting any language certificates. We trust that our partner universities select students with sufficient English or German language proficiency. 
 

As a free mover you can spend one or two semesters at the University of Mannheim independently from your home institution. Afterwards, you will return to your home institution. Free movers cannot complete their degree at the University of Mannheim.

Which admission requirements do I have to meet in order to be admitted to a program at the University of Mannheim?
You should be enrolled at a higher education institution abroad and have completed at least two years of study in your desired field of study. Furthermore, you are supposed to have a clear and detailed conception of your study project in Mannheim and must be able to prove your English language proficiency (the minimum level required is B1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Which documents do I have to attach to the application?

• Application form   
• Enrollment certificate of the home institution
• Detailed description of your intended study project at the University of Mannheim (please provide your study proposal in English or German)
• CV
• Notarized copy of your secondary education certificate
• Notarized official transcript of records of your home institution confirming that you have completed two years of study
• Notarized copy of the proofs/certificates of your English language proficiency

Please note: A notarized English or German translation is required of all documents that were not originally written in one of these languages.

Please send your application to:
University of Mannheim
International Office
68131 Mannheim, Germany

When does the application period end?

The hard copy of your application must have been received by the University of Mannheim by mail by the following dates:

• April 15 for the fall semester
• October 15 for the spring semester

Which criteria are used to select applicants?
Based on academic quality criteria, the respective school will evaluate the free mover applications and select from all applicants the candidates to be admitted. However, the number of available study places is very limited.

When will I receive a letter of admission or a rejection?
The applicants will be notified of whether they have been admitted to the University of Mannheim by the end of June (for the fall semester) and by the end of November (for the spring semester) respectively. If your application has been successful you will receive an e-mail containing the log-in data and a link to the online application. Please complete the online application as soon as possible. Only after you have completed the application you will receive an official letter of admission. You will need the letter of admission for your visa  application.

At the University of Mannheim, international students also have the opportunity to gain practical experience. As for example, the exchange programs of several partner universities provide the option of completing an internship at the University of Mannheim. Moreover, at some chairs, international students have the opportunity to complete an internship independently from their respective home institution. 

How do I apply for an internship?
If you want to do an internship at the University of Mannheim as part of the exchange program of your home institution, please contact the international office at your university.
If your application at your home institution has been successful, you must be officially nominated for a study place in Mannheim. As soon as we have received the nomination of your home institution, you will receive an e-mail containing your log-in data and a link to the online application as well as further important information on your program. Please complete the online application as soon as possible. Only after you have completed the application you will receive an official letter of admission. You will need the letter of admission for your visaapplication.

Deadlines for completing the online application:

• April 30 for the fall semester 
• October 31 for the spring semester  

If you want to do an internship at the University of Mannheim independently from an existing exchange program, please contact the respective school or chair at the University of Mannheim.