FAQ Outgoing

Studying abroad with ERASMUS+ in Europe (outgoing)

FAQ

“What is Erasmus+?”

The Erasmus+ program was founded in 1987 with the aim to enable students to study abroad for one or two semesters at a European partner school; the experience of an Erasmus+ stay enriches students understanding of their discipline in terms of content, language, and culture. The exchange contracts between institutes of higher education adequately support the organization of and provide funding for the student’s stay abroad.
The Erasmus+ program began supporting traineeships in European countries in July 2007. Further information about funding possibilities and faculty leaves can be obtained from Career Service at the University of Münster.

“What does Erasmus+ offer?”

Participants of the Erasmus+ program who study abroad are not required to pay tuition at the receiving university. Additionally, the Erasmus+ program helps students organize their stay abroad. As a general rule, Erasmus+ scholarship holders are able to complete a free language course at the receiving university before the semester begins. The language course usually starts two weeks before the semester begins. Moreover, students of Erasmus+ receive monthly financial support, which is generally between 300€ and 400€. Travel and accommodations are not financed by the Erasmus program. As a general rule, the receiving university does not provide accommodations for the student; rather, they send the student a “welcome package” that contains information on the topic “lodging.” Finally, studying abroad through the Erasmus+ program ensures full academic recognition for the mobility period.

“How many places are available?”

The Department of Communication in Münster is currently involved in partnerships with different institutes for communication studies. Here you find a full list.

“When do the semesters at the receiving universities begin and end?”

Please see the receiving university’s academic calendar on their homepage.

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

Important: study places are awarded once a year. This means there is only one deadline for applications for winter and summer semester applicants. The deadline is announced at the beginning of the calendar year on our homepage and is also posted in the Department’s lobby. Students apply in written form (application materials should be mailed or submitted) to the responsible coordinator for the Erasmus+ partnership at the Department of Communication in Münster. The application should be written in German. It should contain a two-sided motivation letter, which describes your reasons for the exchange. You also need to present proof of your language proficiency (language tests, certificates, bilingual diploma, etc.) for that country. Moreover, the application should include a resume and a description of your course of study, which emphasizes the completed seminars and final grades (hard copy of 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 obtained at the receiving university are recognized by the Department of Communication in Münster?”

Partner universities are selected based on their expertise in the academic discipline. The Department of Communication in Münster cooperates with partner universities who are on an equal footing. However, you should always discuss your choice of courses with the Erasmus+ Coordinator before beginning your semester abroad. As a general rule, the credits from coursework abroad are recognized 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.

The Erasmus+ Coordinator will need the following information to determine which courses will be recognized:

  • course title
  • official course description in German or English
  • information about the ECTS credits for each course
  • information about the semester hours for each course
  • information about the required examinations for each course


“Will an Erasmus+ stay delay graduation?”

The duration of your studies can—but must not—be lengthened by an Erasmus+ stay. Due to the modular structure of the undergraduate program, we recommend students complete their Erasmus+ stay in the third or fourth semester. If enough credits are completed at the receiving university, students will not delay graduation. However, if students are unable to obtain enough credits from the receiving university, they can still complete the credits in semesters 4–6. Undergraduate students who plan their Erasmus+ stay in the fifth or sixth semester should understand that this could lengthen the duration of their studies.
The value of an Erasmus+ stay for your studies, professional qualification, and personal growth, in our opinion, is greater than the possible 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.