Application

Your application will be submitted online. 

• Online application form (in German) (not available until Summer 2025)
• Photo
• CV or resumé (in German or English)
• Enrolment Certificate
• Transcripts of Records: Include transcripts from all past and current study programs.
• Confirmation of your GPA ("Durchschnittsnote") from the Examinations Office: Apply for this through the Examinations Office. The PDF documents generated in BOSS do not suffice. Please be sure to take care of this on time! Is this your first semester at TU Dortmund University? Upload your GPA/grade report from your past studies or school (again). 
• Answers to the following questions in English (max. 150 words per question):
• What experiences or events in your life have motivated you to spend time abroad?

• How have you interacted with other cultures or different perspectives in your everyday life and what have you learned from this?

• What do you expect, personally and academically, from your stay abroad and how would you like to incorporate the experience into your further study and career planning? Name 1-3 specific goals.

• What creative idea do you have (name just one!) to make TU Dortmund University better known to the students at your host university and to promote exchange between the two universities?

You are free to select multiple countries in your application. It is important that you give us - if applicable - a ranking according to your priorities (in the online application).

Your application needs to be submitted online. You do not need to turn anything in to the International Office. The application deadline ends at midnight on 30 October.

Unfortunately we cannot consider incomplete or late applications.

Applications will be accepted from all departments.

In this program, your grades in your studies are not necessarily decisive: the criteria listed below are much more important:

• Volunteering and intercultural engagement
  An important part of preparing for a stay abroad is getting involved in activities on the TU Dortmund University campus or where you live. Especially if you get involved in international or intercultural activities, you will learn important things about the desired host culture or about working with people from other cultures in general. You will also gain a much better understanding of what you need to prepare yourself for in order to cope well with your stay. You will learn more about TU Dortmund University, especially during the activities on campus, which is also important for your role as an ambassador at the host university. Find out about events and programs, such as buddy programs, in which you can get involved.
• Academic and personal motivation
  If you would like to take part in an academic exchange, professional reasons are relevant when applying. Nevertheless, your personal interests are also important.  Explain your motivations (professional and personal) for this application or for your choice of university so that the selection committee can find the right place for you.
• Creativity
  Show us your personality and your (creative) strengths in your answers to the questions above. There are no limits to your creativity!

You will receive a response to your application approximately by the end of November and will then know if you are being invited to an interview. About 50% of the applicants are invited to an interview.

The interviews typically take place at the beginning of December, and each one is very short (about 10 minutes). In the interview you will be asked questions about your application as well as more general questions. The interviews typically are in English; you may also have to be prepared to show us how much you know in the host country's language. We cannot give any more information about the interviews.

You will most likely be informed of the selection committee's decision before Christmas. Should we be unable to offer you a space in the exchange program, you should check on the possibility of carrying out an independently organized study abroad (as a so-called Free Mover); sometimes such study abroad plans can be completely financed through AuslandsBAföG.

If you receive a spot in the program:

No matter which exchange program, the International Office will be helping you every step of the way. You will receive more information at this time about the necessary steps and any possible scholarships.

• If you receive a spot in the bilateral exchange:
  You will find out at this time which university you will get and whether or not you will need a language certificate.
• If you receive a spot in the ISEP exchange:
  You will receive more information about the further process and are allowed to pick ten universities for the nomination. ISEP will then place you at one of these universities.  Thus, you will not know until later which universiity you have received. Many of the ISEP universities require in this next step a current TOEFL test score. You will have plenty of time to register for and take the test after the selection committee sends out its decisions.