Studies abroad for Students
In today’s world, oversees experience is for many companies and employers a must. A study abroad programme offers much more: you are able to improve your knowledge and skills in your chosen study programme, improve foreign languages, learn the everyday culture from another country, gather international experiences, and last of all, make friends with people from all over the world.
The faculty supports you throughout the entire length of your study programme abroad: from the planning, assistance with selecting, taking and recording appropriate examinations, and finding contact persons who will be able to help and advise you during your stay.
On this page you will find:
- Information about contact persons and exchange programmes from the faculty.
- Important Dates/Deadlines and tips for the application.
- Information on recognition of examinations taken abroad.
- A timeline for the preparation of a study abroad programme.
- Organisations for Scholarships along with links for further information about study programmes or internships abroad.
You are able to choose between a Study programme or Internship abroad. Currently, there are many opportunities abroad for agricultural students to gather practical knowledge and experiences. This could be as a driver of a large tractors or harvesters in Latvia, a laboratory assistant in the USA, or becoming involved in development aid projects with sustainable nutrition in Africa. An overview of the differing Internship options can be found on the following website: http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/557216.html.
Many of you would be interested in going abroad for a Study programme. For this, the faculty and university have developed a contract with other Universities worldwide, so that you are able to complete a study semester abroad. All important information can be found under the links on the right side of this page, or feel free to contact us!
In short: An overseas experience is a fantastic experience and we are here to help you make it possible!
FAQs and Answers
For the answers, please click on the questions.
The world is big, and there are many Universities worldwide. If you are enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters programme in Göttingen, can you complete studies abroad at any university?
Generally, no. The Georg-August University has agreements for student exchange with overseas partner universities, a so-called “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU). For these universities, there are no study fees charged. The faculties, including the faculty of Agricultural Science, have signed contracts with other universities as well. As a student of the agricultural faculty, you are able to apply for a place from the university and from the agricultural faculty, but not the places from other faculties of the university. Normally, there are 2 places per university. On the following webpage, there is a database with information about the partner universities: Partner Universities of the Georg-August-University Göttingen.Are you able to study at a university where there is no MOU?
There are a few universities abroad that have special 1-semester programmes for student exchanges. For these programmes there are study fees, for example Lincoln University in New Zealand- $12,000 each semester. For more information on their programme, you can visit their website: Lincoln University of New Zealand.
When is the right time for a semester abroad?
In the bachelors programme, it is best after the foundation courses have been completed, for example in the 4th or 5th semesters. In the master programme, it is not permitted in the first semester, therefore at best in the 2nd or 3rd semesters. Please Note: Many universities request, like we do at the Faculty for Agricultural Science, only offer English-based courses at the Masters level. Modules from master programmes should therefore not be taken before the 5th bachelor semester.When should I apply for a Semester abroad?
For Erasmus (Europe), at least 6 months before you would like to have your semester abroad (make sure to check the exact deadlines). For semesters abroad outside of Europe, you need to plan between 12 and 18 months in advance.Why does it take so long?
The application needs to be submitted on time, so that application periods of the overseas universities are also adhered to. Sometimes, a spot may not be able at the first-choice university, and then there is still time to submit a second application to another.
Where should I go?
Erasmus: Structured Semester abroad in Europe
There is an Erasmus study programme offered for Bachelor students in Europe. This type of programme is structured, and you receive a lot of help with the planning and abroad, for example with the application, enrolment, finding accommodation etc. Usually there is a support programme at the chosen university. As an Erasmus student, you do not only meet many other Erasmus students, but also receive a small scholarship.
The faculty has contracts with differing universities in Europe, although for each faculty there is only a limited number of places. When more students apply for places, than there are available places, they will go through a standard application procedure. There is a lot of information available about Erasmus in Europe in this document: Information about Erasmus (only available in German). A link to the Erasmus webpage of the faculty can be found the righthand side.
Erasmus Plus: Erasmus worldwide
Erasmus Plus is the new Erasmus Worldwide Programme. Programmes from Erasmus Plus are relatively structured, with organised assistance abroad and scholarships. As these contracts are organised through the university and not the agricultural faculty itself, not all of the partner universities offer programmes for agricultural students. This will need to be checked on the website of the desired university. For more detailed information, you may put yourself in contact with Grete Thinggaard-ter Meulen (see contact information at the bottom right).
Further Faculty contracts
Along with the Erasmus contracts, the faculty also holds Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with other Universities worldwide. These MOUs are generally organised for professors for research purposes, but there can be opportunities for student exchanges as well. If you are interested in studying at one of these universities, you must confirm if the course is in English, or if it would only make sense to complete the Master Thesis at the university. For more detailed information, please contact Grete Thinggaard-ter Meulen (see contact information at the bottom right).
Double Degrees
The master programme Sustainable International Agriculture (SIA) has a Double Degree (DD) programme with Talca in Chile. When you have chosen to undertake a Double Degree, you will study two semesters in Göttingen and two in Talca. You will need to contact the Programme Co-ordinator as soon as possible during your studies, to ensure that you study all necessary modules in Göttingen. Further information can be found on the SIA homepage: SIA Master Programme Göttingen.
Further Selection Criteria
Language Skills: If are not proficient in Spanish or Portuguese, then South America is not an option.
University ranking: Not many people first think about going to Japan for a semester abroad, but the faculty has student exchange places with Kyoto University- ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide.
Country preferences: For the USA, it is possible to apply and receive scholarships, for example a Fullbright Scholarhsip: Fullbright Scholarships.
Subject Preferences: Example edible insects: you can select a country, where insects have always been eaten, for example Thailand.