Intercontinental Studies Abroad - ISA
Besides cooperation within the ERASMUS programme, the UdK Berlin maintains relations with a number of universities in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Israel, Japan and Australia. Students can apply to spend one semester studying at these universities.
How and when can I apply?
Exchange places for the coming academic year are advertised at the end of November or beginning of December. The most important information about the exchange will also be provided at events in the UdK Berlin's various buildings. Here you find the events for the current year.
The application period for exchange mobilities in the academic year 2024/25 is from 1 December 2023 - 8 January 2024. Detailed information on the application process can be found here in due time.
Applications must be submitted to the international coordinators of the relevant study programmes. They will provide information about any other documents required for the nomination procedure.
As an exception to the usual procedure, applications to the California Institute of the Arts are redirected, without nominations, to the partner university, which then makes the selection. However, the applications shall be forwarded to the International Office by the departmental coordinators in the respective study program. Application to CalArts is possible for students of Fine Art, Visual Communication, Art and Media, Stage Design, Costume Design, and Music and Voice, for one semester in each case. Only students who have not been nominated for a place elsewhere on the non-European exchange can apply.
Further procedure
At the end of January (please look here for the exact date) the nominated students' documents will be sent on to the International Office. The relevant staff member will contact nominated students and tell them about any other documents required by the partner university (e.g. language test, Transcript of Records, copy of passport) and the deadline by which these documents must be sent to the partner university.
Depending on the partner university's application deadline, you can expect notice of acceptance or rejection between March and July.
After acceptance by the guest university
When you have been accepted by the guest university, you can begin to apply for a visa. In some countries like the USA the guest university needs to issue a pre-document for the visa, in other cases confirmation of acceptance is sufficient.
In order to receive financial support from the UdK Berlin (800 euro for the whole semester), it is necessary to submit the declaration of acceptance to the International Office.
Other preparations
Health insurance: in order to register at the partner university, you will need to prove that you have adequate health insurance. At some partner universities it is possible or even compulsory to obtain insurance via the relevant university; at all others you must prove that you have private health insurance. Please note the requirements of your guest university.
There is the possibility to join the group insurance policy of the DAAD at your own cost.