Study abroad – Outbound Bachelor

You’d like to go abroad, but a full semester doesn’t fit into your plans? No problem! There are plenty of short-term opportunities for you to gain international experience. For example by attending a language school or participating in a Summer School or Winter School.

General Information on Summer and Winter Schools

• Duration: Intensive study programmes usually lasting one to four weeks
• Content: Academic courses in general or specialised subjects, often combined with extra-curricular activities and cultural experiences
• Organisation: Application, travel, and visa arrangements are usually organised by you; accommodation is often included in the programme fee
• Credit Transfer: Check early whether credits earned abroad can be recognised for your HSBA degree. See “Step 4: Approving Credits from abroad” on the page "Organisation & Application Process"
• Recognition: Not all institutions abroad are recognised as higher education institutions in Germany – please contact the HSBA International Office for more information.
• Finances: Details about funding opportunities can be found under Financing Options
• Experiences: Read personal insights and tips from former participants in the Team Outgoings

Finding a Suitable Programme

• An updated list of current opportunities is available in Team Outgoings
• Explore further options at Summer Schools in Europe and Studieren-Weltweit.de

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship exchange programme, supporting study, teaching, and training experiences abroad since 1987. The current programme generation (2021–2027) focuses on sustainability, digitalisation, and social inclusion, helping students and staff across Europe gain valuable international experience.

At HSBA, we take part in the KA131 “Mobility of Individuals” track, which offers students the chance to study abroad for a semester (SMS) or complete an internship abroad (SMP).

To qualify for Erasmus+ funding, there must be an existing partnership between HSBA and the host institution. A study stay abroad must last at least three months, and an internship at least two months.

Studying abroad at an Erasmus+ partner has a number of benefits:

Financial Advantages

• No tuition fees or admin charges at your host university – and usually no language tests either.
• Financial support (partial scholarship) for study stays of usually three months, with the amount depending on your destination country and a number of other factors
• Additonal top-up funding is available for first-gerneration university students; students with special needs; students travelling with children
• Students travelling in an environmentally friendly way will receive additional funding

Support Before and During your Stay

• The International Offices at HSBA and at your host institution will support you throughout the application and mobility process.
• Both institutions provide guidance and assistance at every stage – from choosing courses to settling in abroad.
• Many partners offer accommodation support, and some even reserve spaces especially for Erasmus+ students.
• You can benefit from free language courses via the EU Academy.
• Make use of experience reports from previous HSBA students to help with your planning.

Join a European Community

• During your stay abroad but also afterwards, you’ll be part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) – a vibrant community that connects current and former Erasmus+ students across Europe.

In addition to its European Erasmus+ partnerships, HSBA also cooperates with partner institutions outside Europe. These include, for example, partners in Asia as well as North and South America. This international network is regularly reviewed and expanded to offer students exciting new opportunities around the world.

A semester abroad at one of our partner universities comes with many benefits:

Support and Preparation Advantages

• Simplified application process: The International Offices at HSBA and at the host university will support you throughout the entire process.
• Visa assistance: Many partner universities provide helpful guidance during the visa application procedure.
• Experience reports: In the Team Outgoings section, you can find useful insights and first-hand experiences from former HSBA students.
• No official language test required: In most cases, no TOEFL or similar certificate is needed – after you’ve been accepted for a place, the HSBA International Office can issue a confirmation of language proficiency.

Financial Benefits

• Tuition fee waiver at host institution
• Information about funding options can be found in the section Financing

None of our partner universities quite fit your plans or interests? No problem – you can also organise your study abroad independently as a Free Mover!

As a Free Mover, you’ll study as a visiting student at a university of your choice, completely independent of HSBA’s existing exchange agreements. This gives you the freedom to select a university that perfectly matches your goals and interests – whether in Europe or anywhere else in the world.

Of course, organising a stay abroad on your own can be a bit more demanding than going through a partner university. But the flexibility, independence, and unique experience of designing your own international adventure are well worth the effort. The HSBA International Office will, of course, be there to advise and support you along the way.

Important Information

• Tuition fees: As a Free Mover, you will be required to pay tuition fees at your host university. These vary depending on the country and institution.
• Availability: Not all countries or universities offer options for Free Movers.
• Language requirements: Most institutions will not accept the HSBA language confirmation; in such cases, you might need an official language certificate (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS).
• Application deadlines: The HSBA partner university deadline of 15 February does not apply. Please check the deadlines of your chosen host university.
• Application: You will still need to apply at the HSBA International Office for a semester abroad
• Credit transfer: Make sure to clarify early on whether your courses abroad can be recognised for your HSBA degree. See "Step 4: Credit Transfer from abroad".
• Recognition of institutions: Not every foreign institution is recognised as a higher education institution in Germany. The International Office will be happy to help you clarify this for your chosen university.
• Experience reports: In the Teams channel International Office, you can find reports and tips from previous HSBA students.
• Funding: Information on financial support options can be found in the section Financing.

Have you ever wondered what your company’s offices in Asia or the USA look like? Or are you eager to put your language skills to the test and work in international teams abroad?

Talk to your company about the possibility of spending some time working abroad. Such an assignment can usually be planned perfectly around your study schedule – overlaps with your theory semesters can be avoided, and your company doesn’t lose any valuable working time.

A work stay abroad also comes with many additional benefits: you can combine it with some holiday time, build international contacts, and make friends all over the world. And if your stay takes place within Europe, you may even be eligible for financial support through the Erasmus+ programme.

The “Study Trip” module is an integral part of the degree programmes at HSBA. Students select a specific topic, which they then explore in depth during a one-week trip abroad (with a few destinations in Germany each year as well). Company visits, guest lectures at partner universities, and a varied social programme make this week an unforgettable and enriching experience.

The EU Commission provides financial support for study and work placements abroad through the National Agency DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).

Funding is available for study stays of at least three months at a European partner university and internships of at least two months in a European company.

The grant amount is based on the cost of living in the host country as defined by the DAAD as well as other factors. All relevant information, including the required forms for students to be able to receive the funding, will be provided by the HSBA International Office in information sessions, in the Outgoings Team and upon request.

PROMOS is a scholarship programme run by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space Affairs.

It supports semesters abroad at non-European partner universities, Free Movers, and short-term programmes such as summer schools. Grants are awarded on a calendar-year basis, and the HSBA International Office publishes the annual call for applications with current conditions in April/May.

Please note: PROMOS funding cannot be combined with Erasmus+ or other DAAD scholarships.

Various scholarships and funding opportunities are listed in the DAAD scholarship database. In general, applications for scholarships must be received at a very early stage.

It may be worthwhile researching further options

Auslands-BAföG

An application may be worthwhile, even if you do not receive domestic BAföG.

Embassy of your host country

It is worth googling scholarships in the destination countries or enquiring about scholarships at the embassy there.

Fulbright Commission

Fulbright offers various scholarship programs for the USA (e.g. Summer Institutes for students of dual universities) 

Organisations offering (partial) scholarships when using their services to plan your Free Mover semester

Gostralia!Gomerica!; College Contact; World of Students

Institute Ranke Heinemann

This institute awards scholarships for Australia, New Zealand and Canada

MyStipendium.de

Europe´s largest scholarship platform shows that scholarships are something for almost everyone. The platform shows which scholarship match your profile. Please note: Search the small print for the status "dual student", as not all scholarships are open to you.

Partner institutions 

Some parter universities offer incoming scholarships. Switzerland, for example, awards SEMP scholarships to visiting students, and UNCC awards financial support to selected incoming students.

Foundations

Foundations are non-profit organisations that are endowed with specific assets and use them fo fulfil their defined objectives. These goals can be divers. Some foundations award funds specifically for stays abroad to promote international cooperation and/or for education and personal development. Further information: Stiftungsbüro Hamburg, Stiftung Mercator, Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes

Verein der Freunde und Förderer der HSBA e.V. (VFF)

In some cases, the VFF provides financial support to HSBA students going abroad. The association values international networking and helps ensure that HSBA’s innovative, globally minded students can pursue their study or short-term stay abroad as planned. More information at Association of Friends & Sponsors (hsba.de)