LLP/ERASMUS
Eu
Ropean
Action
Scheme for the
Mobility of
University
Students
The University of Siegen is involved in a wide range of student mobility activities within the LLP/ERASMUS programme. The LLP/Erasmus programme is based on bilateral agreements between the University of Siegen and partner universities, based on the Erasmus University Charta by the European Commission.
The University of Siegen has close to 100 ERASMUS partner universities in the countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) as well as in Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Every year about 120 exchange students from countries of the EU, the EEA, from countries within Central and Eastern Europe, from Switzerland and from Turkey are participating in this special European programme.
Academic Calendar
The academic begins on October 1st and runs until September 30th. It is divided into two semesters. The dates of the semesters vary annually. Winter semester classes officially start in the first week of October and end in mid-February. The summer semester classes begin in the first week of April, usually one week after Easter, and last till mid-July.
Holiday period: Christmas is usually December 23rd – January 6th
Exam period: There is no “official” exam period after the end of classes, exams are often scheduled during the semester breaks.
Please note: As a special service, the AAA usually offers welcome weeks 
for students from our partner universities and other scholarship holders in the first weeks of October and April.
Application Requirements
Applications consist of the following forms:
- Application for admission (with stamp of your university)
- 2 photographs
- 2 copies of your passport
- 2 copies of your health insurance card (for EU)
- 1 matriculation certificate
- 2 Learning Agreements with signatures
Addtionally, every Erasmus students will receive the form for the welcome week.
Status of programme students at the University of Siegen
Programme students (including free movers) will be registered as “Zeitstudenten” (non-degree, temporary students). They have the same rights and obligations as regular, degree-seeking international students, except that they may not take intermediate exams (e.g. for Bachelor or “Vordiplom”) or final degree exams (e.g. for “Diplom” or Master). Admission as a “Zeitstudent” is granted for a maximum period of one academic year (two semesters). Erasmus students do not have to take the German proficiency exam in order to be admitted.
The majority of all university courses is taught in German. Therefore, at least a medium level of German is necessary. For project work with some departments, a good command and knowledge of English is sufficient.
Erasmus students are actually not charged any tuition fees, but all students have to pay a semester fee of app. € 190,- which includes the “Semesterticket” that guarantees free public transportation in Siegen and the surrounding region for six months.
Special Service for incoming students
The “Akademisches Auslandsamt” (AAA)
- handles all incoming applications
- contacts academic tutors/supervisors
- issues admission documents
- reserves housing for incoming Erasmus students (note: this service is not available for all other students)
- tries to offer arrival assistance (pick-up at train station, transfer to student residences)
- organizes welcome weeks
- provides assistance with administrative procedures after arrival
- coordinates extra-curricular activities, often in cooperation with the ISIS (International Students in Siegen) and the sports department of the University
- holds regular office hours for international students
- assists with departure formalities
- issues transcript records
ECTS - Transcript of Records
ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) operates on a quantitative basis, e.g. in accordance with the work required for a teaching course. The necessary number of points for one academic year is 60 credit points (30 credit points for one semester). Every faculty/department awards points for lectures, seminars, etc. in accordance with the amount of work they involve in proportion to the total.
The University of Siegen has started to implement ECTS but it is not yet possible to have ECTS credits awarded for all courses at the University of Siegen. Some faculties/departments have already started to use this system, in other faculties/departments the introduction of ECTS is being prepared. The Erasmus co-ordinator of your prospective faculty/department will provide further information about the ECTS regulations for you.
Learning Agreements are signed by Erasmus coordinators at faculty level. Before coming to Siegen you should ask the coordinator of your home university whether ECTS arrangements also apply for your intended subject.
Should you require a Transcript of Records before your departure, this can be issued either by your Erasmus co-ordinator or – if you have been attending courses in several faculties – by the AAA.