International Exchange
Gaining experience abroad, learning foreign languages and being able to fit in with a different culture is becoming increasingly important for students today. HfG would like to encourage you to find out about studying and spending time abroad.
The International Office at HfG can offer students advice on studying and internships abroad (outgoing students), as well as advising and looking after guest students (incoming students).
Contact
Christiane Kühn-Wilkens
team.internationales@hfg-offenbach.de
T +49 (0)69.800 59-149
Schlossgrabengasse 1, EG

Outgoing students – studying abroad
To make your stay abroad a success timely and comprehensive preparation is essential, and not only regarding the language. The following links provide you with specific information on the education and university systems of your destination, and offer general travel information and facts about the country itself.
DAAD Country Information worldwide
Country and travel information Federal Foreign Office

Scholarships
The Erasmus Plus Program for HfG students
If you are studying for a diplom you can take out a maximum of 24 months for an Erasmus program of your choice. Those studying towards a doctorate can spend twelve months abroad on the Erasmus Plus program. You can divide this time as you wish between study and internship. Moreover, it is possible to obtain funding first during diplom studies and subsequently during doctoral studies, making for a total of 36 months spent abroad through the Erasmus Plus program!
- Studying abroad between three and 12 months (between July 1 of any year and September 30 of the following year) at one of the HfG partner universities
- Internships abroad or Erasmus placements from two to 12 months
- Countries participating in Erasmus are the 28 EU member states plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Turkey, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
- Students pay no fees at their guest universities
- Students can attend a language course at their guest university
- Before travelling abroad students must check with their department whether the academic achievements gained abroad will count as part of their studies
- Students will receive monthly financial support – including those receiving a BAföG grant
- Special funds are available for students with special needs to cover the additional expenses incurred abroad
Erasmus+
Application deadlines
March – June
for the following winter semester (see Application deadline of the partner universities)
August – November
for the following summer semester (see Application deadline of the partner universities)
Downloads
- Students Charter
- learning_agreement_weltweit_Kühn.pdf
- erfahrungsbericht_.pdf
- Fördersätze_nach_Ländergruppen_ab_WS_2019_20.pdf
- -
- 0_Annahmeerklaerung_2019.pdf
- -
- Checkliste_für_Outgoings_Erasmus_Weltweit.rtf
- 2._Grant_Agreement_Studium_HfG_2019.docx
- confirmation_beginning_end_of_mobility.pdf
- 7-_learning_agreement_studies_hfg_english_Kühn.docx
Sprachkurse
Downloads
- Sprachkurs_in_Dublin_Angebot_von_Adam.pdf
- Wissenschaftliches_Schreiben_-_Angebot_für_Hochschulmitarbeiter_-_ETI_Malta_2019-20.pdf
- Berufliche_Kommunikation_i.d._Gruppe_-_Angebot_für_Hochschulmitarbeiter_-_Claret_Malta_Dublin_2020.pdf
- Berufliche_Kommunikationskompetenzen_-_Angebot_für_Hochschulmitarbeiter_-_York_Associates_ETI_Malta_2020.pdf
- Englisch_und_internationale_Kommunikationskompetenzen_für_IO_Mitarbeiter_-_York_Associates_ETI_Malta_2020.pdf
- Dorset_College_Erasmus___lq_0_(4).pdf
- Englisch_und_internationale_Kommunikationskompetenzen_für_Wissenschaftler_aus_Forschung_und_Lehre_-_York_Associates_ETI_Malta_2020.pdf
- Wissenschaftliches_Schreiben_und_Vortragsrhetorik_für_Wissenschaftler_und_Dozenten_-_York_Associates_(mit_Stundenplan)_2020.pdf
- Allgemeinenglisch_-_Angebot_für_Hochschulmitarbeiter_-_Claret_Dublin_2020.pdf
- Allgemeinenglisch_-_Angebot_für_Hochschulmitarbeiter_-_ETI_Malta_2020.pdf
Downloads
- Berechnung_der_ERASMUS__Zuschüsse.pdf
- erfahrungsbericht_Neu.pdf
- Ablauf_ERASMUS_STT.pdf
- Ablauf_ERASMUS_STA.pdf
- STT_Confirmation_of_Stay_.docx
- 12._Mobility_Agreement_teaching_HfG.docx
- 14._Mobility_Agreement_training_HfG_English.docx
- 5._Grant_Agreement_Lehre__Fort-_und_Weiterbildung_HfG_Deutsch.docx
- Bedarfsabfrage_STT.pdf

Exchange project between CPUT in Kapstadt and HfG Offenbach
Photo: Berenike Eimler
DAAD Strategic Partnerships Programme
Exchange with China and South Korea
Until 2020 financial support will be provided for this exchange program by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for specific subjects placed on a strategic footing with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). A wide range of measures is planned, applicable to all departments. Click here for more information.

Grants for France
The Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW) offers several programs for students destined to strengthen cooperation between universities, promoting young people’s experience of mobility and consequently improving their linguistic, social, intercultural and professional skills.
Students can currently apply for the following grants:
- Franco-German university seminars
- Grants for study-related internships in France (students who have completed no more than six semesters)
- Grants for collecting material in France
- Grants for studying in France for students at universities for Music & Theater / Visual Art Academies / Art and Design universities
- Grants for intensive language courses in France
Grants for France
Application deadlines
Grants for Franco-German university seminars
3 months before the start of the program
Grant for study-related internships in France
1 month before commencing the internship
Grant for collecting material in France
1 month before commencing the internship
Grant for studying in France
June 15 for studying in the winter semester
November 15 for studying in the summer semester
Grant for an intensive language course in France
2 months before commencing the language course
Download
Fulbright Grants for Studying in the United States
The Fulbright Commission fosters academic and cultural exchange between students and between academics. Every year some 700 German students have the opportunity to study at a US university as a guest student.
Fulbright Travel Grant
Application deadline for the following academic year
January 1
Fulbright One-Year Grant
Application deadline for the following academic year
July 1
Further Information
Kap der Guten Hoffnung, Südafrika
Photo: Klaus Hesse
Promos – Program to increase the mobility of German students
Students participating in this DAAD program can receive partial monthly grants and/or travel allowances.
Grants are offered for the following visits of German students/foreign students studying in Germany
- Studying within the EU (1 month min. to 6 months max.)
- Internships outside the EU (6 weeks min. to 6 months max.)
- Stays abroad at universities or in firms to complete a dissertation project (1 month min. to 6 months max.)
A special grant commission selects students according to specific selection criteria.
Promos
Application deadline
There is no set application deadline for the Promos Program. If you wish to apply for the program, please contact the International Office early to indicate your interest –even if you have not yet been accepted by a university or received an offer of a placement!

Workshop with Prof. Klaus Hesse at Nanjng University of the Arts (NUA)
Photo: Klaus Hesse
DAAD One-Year Grant for further artistic education abroad
The DAAD awards grants to highly qualified students of Music, the Visual Arts /Design/Film, the Performing Arts (Dance/Acting/Directing/Musical) for further artistic education abroad. The program is offered for all regions of the world.
DAAD One-Year Grant
Application deadline for studying the following academic year
October 1
Further Information
Downloads
Further grant options
Can be found in the DAAD grant database, the grant guide of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research or at mystipendium.de. The DAAD also provides a list of various funding organizations.
Take a look for yourself!
National cooperation
The Hessen-Queensland, Hessen-Massachusetts and Hessen-Wisconsin programs aim to promote the exchange of students and university staff between Hessen and Queensland, Australia, Massachusetts, USA and Wisconsin, USA.
They are based on agreements between universities in Hessen and universities in the state of Queensland, Australia and the states of Massachusetts and Wisconsin, United States. These national cooperations are instrumental in making Hessen universities more international.
Hessen-Queensland
Application deadline June 1 for the following year
Semester one: end of February to the end of June
Semester two: end of July to the end of November
Hessen-Massachusetts
Application deadline November 1 for the following year
Fall semester: end of September to the end of December
Spring semester: end of January to mid-May
Hessen-Wisconsin
Application deadline November 1 for the following year
Fall semester: end of September to the end of December
Spring semester: end of January to mid-May
BAFöG grant for study abroad
Students can apply for a special BAFöG grant (Auslands-BAFöG) to finance their studies abroad. As with the grant for students studying in Germany the amount they receive is based primarily on their parents’ income or their own income should funding not be based the parents’ income.
However, unlike grants for home study those for study abroad also cover travel costs, the costs incurred for health insurance and any additional costs that might arise in non-EU countries.
This may mean that even if you are not eligible for a domestic grant, you might receive BAFöG allowances during your study period abroad.

University Oslo and Askerhus
Photo: Marianne Löhr
Outgoing students – internships abroad
Are you interested in an internship abroad? We also recommend doing an internship in addition to your studies abroad.
We wish you every success in planning your internship abroad!
Internships in Europe for students
The EU’s Erasmus Placements Program offers students diverse options for doing an internship within Europe. Funding is available for students who undertake an internship for at least three months in an EU member state, an EU candidate country (also Turkey) or in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. The Erasmus Placements Grant constitutes a monthly allowance of EUR 350 and should last at least three months and not exceed 12 months.
Internships in Europe for Graduates
Graduates can receive funding for an internship in Europe (excluding Germany) with the Leonardo da Vinci Program. The Leonardo ad Vinci Program is ideally suited to bridge the period between completing studies and beginning work. Depending on the country in question allowances vary between EUR 700 and 1,000 per month. The duration for the placement abroad should be between two and six months.
For either program students are obliged to participate in online training on intercultural skills. By accessing an alumni forum, students can get tips and information from former internees regarding flat-hunting, life in their selected country etc. Naturally, after completing the placement you will receive a certificate testifying to participation in the program.
Where students already have an internship place they can arrange a consultation with a special advisor to determine whether the place can be funded via the Erasmus Placement or the Leonardo da Vinci Program, or whether other programs could be considered for this internship. Following consultation you need to submit your application documents to the International Office. Should your application be considered suitable a report is drawn up for you and you will be added in principle to the program.
Internships for Students outside of Europe
Under the PROMOS Program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) stays abroad either for study purposes or placements can be funded with partial monthly grants and/or allowances for travel expenses.
Application deadlines
Students must accept responsibility for arranging their own placement.
- If you have already been accepted your documents must be submitted 1 month before the start of the placement
- For those still looking for a placement papers must be submitted 2 months before the start of the internship
Links for finding placements abroad
Download
Field reports
Reports by HfG students on their stays abroad.

Downloads
- Antwerpen
- Antwerpen
- Brasilien
- Shanghai
- London
- London
- Helsinki
- Caen
- Bordeaux
- Athen
- Rekyavik
- Wien
- Moskau
- Moskau
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Barcelona
- Kapstadt
- Taiwan
- NYC
- Gent
- Beijing
- Beijing
- Gent
- Warschau
- Warschau
- Wien
- Beijing
- -
- Vilnius
- -
- Gent
- Madrid
- London
- Antwerpen
- Jerusalem
- Kopenhagen
- -
- -
- -
- Seoul
- Erfahrungsbericht_Leonie_Martin_SNU.pdf
- -
- Porto
- Erfahrungsbericht.pdf
- Erfahrungsbericht_Gent_B_Gräwe.pdf
- Erfahrungsbericht_Sonja_Borstner_online.pdf
- Exkursionsbericht_Quadriennale.pdf
- Idé_Stephan_Exkursions_Bericht_London.pdf
- Albano_Chongqing_Erfahrungsbericht_2019.pdf
Incoming students

Dear incoming students,
We are pleased that you are interested in spending an exchange semester/year at HfG! On this page we have assembled the most important information you will need to make your planning easier. If you have further questions on the application procedure, studying at HfG, life in Germany or anything else, you are welcome to contact the International Office at HfG.
The following information is for exchange students, who would like to study one or two semesters at HfG. If you would like to study more than two semesters at HfG please contact the Registrar’s Office.
Further information: Studying at HfG.
Here you will find a short film about university life in Germany. In the pocket guide for incomings you will find more helpful information. On the website www.study-in-germany.de international students will find further information and impressions about living and studying in Germany. And here you will find important information about health insurance in Germany.

Semester periods
Winter semester
October 1 to March 31
Lectures from mid-October to mid-February
Summer semester
April 1 to September 30
Lectures from mid-April to mid-July
Applications deadlines
for the winter semester
May 15
for the summer semester
November 15
course catalogue
sports program at HfG
Downloads
- Student Application Form
- Fact Sheet
- Courses_Art_German_English_short_form_neu.pdf
- learning_agreement_non_eu_incomings.pdf
- Enrolment Form for Incomings
- Application_for_a_room_in_a_student_residence_2019.pdf
- Draft Transcript of Courses
- infoblatt_Incomings_optimiert.pdf
- Courses_School_of_Design_Deu_Engl._Short.pdf
- Application_form_German_Language_Course.pdf
To apply for HfG Offenbach exchange program, your home university must first nominate you to HfG. Once nominated, HfG will provide you with the details about the application procedure.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
- Student application form (signed by you and your department coordinator of your home university)
- Letter of Motivation (free essay in English or German)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of passport
- Copy of university entrance qualification (i.e. A-level, high school diploma, gao kao)
- Transcript of records from your home university
- Learning Agreement
- Portfolio
All documents should be in English or German! The documents have to be uploaded via upload-link send by the International Office of HfG. Not via e-mail!
The selection of exchange students is made mainly on a portfolio basis. There is no automatic acceptance of nominated students.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
We expect a good command of English that enables incoming students to cummunicate well at an academic level. We also recommend acquiring basic knowledge of German language as it is the primarily language of instruction. HfG offers German language courses for exchange students. You can apply for the German course with this application form.
Buddy programm
The Buddy program is a collaborative initiative by HfG Offenbach’s international office and the AStA department for intercultural matters.
It aims to help international exchange students settle in to the country and university as pleasantly as possible. Here, current students play a crucial role as they function as cultural intermediaries and friends – buddies – before, during and after the international students’ arrival. They offer their time and knowledge in order to help with unexpected problems. All buddies work on a voluntary basis.
News
Excursion to Rio de Janeiro -- Merry Samba
16 December, 2014 / 7 p.m. / Linke Kapelle LixoLuxo invites you to a Brazilian Christmas with Bossa Nova, caipirinha, Salgados and pictures from the trip to Rio de Janeiro. In collaboration with Angela Carvalho the participants of the LixoLuxo project from the summer...
HfG postgrads as trainnes at the IDC International Design Campus
As part of their post-graduate desgin studies at HfG since mid-2014 students have been in Shunde as trainees. Shunde is in the Pearl River Delta, south-west of the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong - all within close proximity..
Design workshop and design talks in Oslo
At HIAO - Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences Prof. Frank Zebner talks about student exchanges.