1) What is ERASMUS?
With the ERASMUS program the European Union fosters cooperations between universities and the exchange of students in its 27 member states as well as Turkey, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Students have the opportunity to study for one or two semesters at a European university to strengthen their social and cultural competences and improve their position on the labour market. They experience the academic system of a European university and the corresponding teaching and learning methods. The ERASMUS program is open to all students of Leipzig University, independently of their nationality, form the 2nd year of study to the first doctoral degree. For B.Sc. students in physics, we recommend semester 3, 4, or 5 for a stay abroad.
2) How do I apply?
As a basic principle, you have to organise your stay abroad yourself; however, the application procedure is supervised by the International Center of Leipzig University. You should thus first enquire there regarding partner universities and their application deadlines, possible durations, etc. For information regarding a stay abroad the facebook group “#entdeckerbleiben – dein Auslandsaufenthalt” was set up. As a basic principle, you can go to those institutions abroad for which a cooperation agreement for your subject, physics, exists. This, you may inquire via this database.
When you decided about where you would like to go, you need to apply at the ERASMUS coordinator of your course. This is necessary, as the number of places at the partner universities is limited and thus are distributed via a selection process. (In practice, most physics students can go to their desired destination.) Usual selection criteria are: transcript of records, academic and personal motivation, intended studies abroad, language skills and social aspects.
3) What is the deadline and what should the application contain?
- The application deadline is January 31 of the previous academic year (i.e., of the same year if the stay should start during the winter term).
- The application must contain the completed Erasmus application form.
- The application must contain the completed and signed Learning Agreement. In particular, you should fill in table B1, stating your proposal for the recognition of the credits received abroad. For recognition in the (compulsory) elective area, please only indicate the respective (compulsory) elective area (numbered as in the study guide) and total number of credits that should be recognized in this area. Please also discuss your learning agreement with your coordinator BEFORE handing in your application.
- The application must contain the completed nomination form (which would then be signed by the coordinator).
- The application must contain a a letter of motivation, a CV, and a transcript of records as well as a language certificate. Inquire which language level is required at the guest university (usually B2). A language certificate is available via the online linguistic support (OLS) of Leipzig University.
The above mentioned documents (and further informationen) can be found on the pages of the Stabsstelle Internationales. The application should be addressed to the coordinator and sent via email to jochen.zahn@itp.uni-leipzig.de
4) What happens after I handed in my application?
The coordinator examines the wishes of the students and makes a selection, if necessary. He then hands out the signed nomination formula, contacts the coordinator at the guest university, and informs the International Office about your nomination. Then the student has to apply at the guest university and handle further administrative requirements with the International Office. Consult the corresponding information provided by the International Office.
Should changes to your Learning Agreement be necessary during your stay abroad, (because they do not take place or overlap, e.g.), you need to fill in the changes in the Learning Agreement, and let them sign by the local ERASMUS coordinator and myself.
5) What happens when I come back from my stay abroad?
Please take care that your transcript of records is sent directly to the Studienbureau. If your courses are indicated in the Learning Agreement (or its modification) then there should not be difficulties with the recognition. It is your responsibility to care for that (by handing in the corresponding form in the Studienbureau).