Applying for a Semester Abroad

All students regularly enrolled at HSBI can apply for exchange places at the partner universities of their respective faculties as well as for university-wide collaborations from the first semester onwards.
Please note that you have to submit applications via the Mobility Online software. Please use the application link above.

• 1 December 2025–31 January 2026 for the winter semester of 2026/2027 and/or the summer semester of 2027
• 1 May 2026–30 June 2026 for places in the summer semester of 2027 that were not allocated in the first round

Students from Bielefeld School of Business can hand in their transcript of records and language certificates by 28 February. The only exception is the University of Alberta (see below).

Students of all faculties must submit their complete applications for the partner university University of Alberta (including transcript of records and language certificate) by 31 January. Only applications that specify the University of Alberta as first choice can be considered.

You can specify up to three favourite universities in the application.

Please see the PDF documents in the download box for the exchange places advertised at our partner universities from mid-November onwards (for the first application round) and from mid-April onwards (for the second application round).

A general overview of our partner universities can be found on the website.

• Current transcript: can be downloaded from the CAT portal; you can obtain an English transcript from the administrative employee responsible for you in the Registrar’s and Examination Office.
• Motivation form including list of courses (template in the online portal): please write the motivation form in the host university’s language of instruction. If you have specified several universities as favourites, please refer only to your first choice in the motivation form.
• CV in table format
• Proof of language skills (for all language skills required for your first, second and third choices)
  
  • Current transcript (if you attended language courses at HSBI)
  • Abitur/university entrance certificate with indication of the CEFR level (except Bielefeld School of Business, instead transcript with language course)
  • DAAD language test (free of charge at Bielefeld University’s Language Centre)
  • TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate or similar tests

Note on language skills: please see the PDF documents in the download box for the language requirements of our partner universities.

A selection committee, consisting of representatives of the faculties and the International Office, assesses the applications according to:

• Academic achievements so far
• Motivation and planning of the project
• Knowledge of the language (language of instruction, plus national language if necessary)

If we are unable to allocate an exchange place at one of your top three universities, the International Office will contact you to discuss alternative exchange places.

Following the selection, the International Office will note you to our partner universities who make the decision on admission.

For the first application round (winter semester and/or summer semester)

The selection procedure takes place in February so that applicants receive feedback about their application around the end of February/beginning of March. In Bielefeld School of Business feedback takes place at the end of March/beginning of April.

For the second application round (summer semester)

The selection procedure takes place in July so that applicants receive feedback about their application at the end of July/beginning of August.

Application requirements: General information

Scholarships under Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts exchange and cooperation programmes are awarded subject to the availability of funding and budgetary resources, and in accordance with the funding guidelines of the respective programme.

Fulfilment of the formal application requirements does not constitute an entitlement to admission to the selection process or to the award of a scholarship. Decisions on the award of scholarships are made at the institution’s discretion, taking into account, in particular, the number of available places and funding, as well as the quality of the applications submitted.

There is no legal entitlement to the award of a scholarship. Neither the application itself nor the fulfilment of any or all of the criteria listed constitutes a promise, assurance or guarantee of a scholarship.

We ask for your understanding that, despite careful consideration, we are unable to accept all applications. Information provided by individual staff members regarding application requirements or prospects of success does not constitute a binding commitment on the part of the university.