International Exchange Programs
Spending a semester abroad – An experience of a lifetime.
We aim to make your time abroad with us a unique experience, both academically and personally. WHU has two different campuses: Düsseldorf and Vallendar. Your study program will determine the campus you will study at during your exchange semester. As an exchange student, you will take courses in accordance with your academic background and the program studied at your home university. We welcome about 150 exchange students per semester from more than 220 partner universities worldwide.
Global Network
Information for WHU students: Please note that only a selection of partner universities can be offered each semester. This depends on a variety of factors, including the number of students we receive from abroad. Due to the current situation, all partnerships with Russian universities are suspended.
The University of Western Australia, Business School
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics
University of Alberta, School of Business
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
York University, Schulich School of Business
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics
PUC Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics
Peking University, Guanghua School of Management
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
INCAE Instituto Centroamericano de Administración de Empresas
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics
EM Lyon Business School
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business, Master in Finance
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
Keio University, Faculty of Business and Commerce
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
Emory University, Goizueta Business School
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
Tulane University, Freeman School of Business
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
University of Rochester, Simon Business School
Master in Finance
University of San Diego, School of Business
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business, Master in Finance
Master in Management / Master in Entrepreneurship / Master in International Business / Master in Business Analytics, Master in Finance
BSc/MSc Exchange
WHU is proud to welcome many international Bachelor and Master exchange students to Vallendar each year.
Vallendar is located in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65km stretch of the 1,230km Rhine River. With its castles, historic towns, towering vineyards, and steep slopes, this section of the river has been awarded UNESCO world heritage site status. Major cities are dotted along the banks, and Koblenz marks the meeting of the rivers Rhine and Moselle. Perfectly placed, Vallendar and its surrounding area offer plenty to see and do.
Term | September 02 to December 20, 2024 (*including exams) | |
Quarter I | September 02 to October 25, 2024* | |
Quarter II | October 28 to December 20, 2024* | |
Mandatory orientation | August 28 and 29, 2024* | |
*Please note: Dates might still be subject to change. |
Term | January 13 to April 30, 2025 (*including exams) | |
Quarter III | January 13 to March 10, 2025* | |
Quarter IV | March 11 to April 30, 2025* | |
Mandatory orientation | January 8 and 9, 2025* | |
*Please note: Dates might still be subject to change. |
Courses and workload at WHU
Each semester at WHU is divided into two quarters, with most courses spanning over just one. Additionally, WHU offers compact courses with a duration of just two or three full days. There are different methods of assessment including exams, papers, and presentations, for example.
100% of courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs are taught in English, with 20% of the undergraduate courses also taught in German. We consider the regular workload for exchange students as 5 to 7 courses per semester. However, you should always discuss your choice of courses with your home university to make sure that your semester abroad will be validated!
Generally, an undergraduate course has a total of 24 contact hours, whilst a graduate course comprises 30 contact hours. WHU awards ECTS credits, with 1 ECTS credit equal to 25-30 hours of overall workload, including lectures, group work, case studies, and exam preparation.
You can find some information regarding previoulsy offered courses in the online course guide.
Final course selection and course registration can only be made once the term has started at WHU. During the mandatory orientation days, there will be a separate information session dedicated to this topic. You will have access to a detailed schedule of classes and exams upon arrival at WHU, which will be available in our intranet. You will receive your login data during orientation.
WHU applies grading on a curve system whilst assessing the exams for each class. That means that grades are distributed based on the performance of the class as a whole. Grades at WHU are based on the following scale:
1.0 to 1.5 - VERY GOOD
1.6 to 2.5 - GOOD
2.6 to 3.5 - SATISFACTORY
3.6 to 4.0 - SUFFICIENT
5.0 - FAIL
Apply for admission as an exchange student
If you are interested in studying for up to two semesters at WHU and your home university is a WHU partner university, you may apply for admission as an exchange student after being selected and officially nominated by your university. Please contact the international office at your home university for details on your exchange program with WHU.
Once we have received your official nomination, our exchange coordinators will provide you with further information about our online application system. After submitting a complete application, you will receive an information package and your letter of acceptance, allowing you to start making your travel plans.
The nomination deadline for the fall semester is June 1, and the nomination deadline for the spring semester is October 1.
You do not need to prove your English proficiency, but we strongly recommend having an internet-based TOEFL score of at least 95 points or equivalent.
Freemover
If you are interested in studying at WHU for 1-2 semesters, but your home university is not one of our partner universities, you could benefit from a slot as a fee-paying guest student (freemover).
To apply for admission as a freemover at WHU, please send your application including your CV, motivation letter, and transcripts to our exchange coordinators. Freemover students must pay full tuition fees at WHU.
Housing options in Vallendar
Our WHU Housing Office will assist you in finding accommodation during your stay. WHU offers several housing options in Vallendar, ranging from studios and one-bedroom apartments to bigger apartments and rooms in shared flats. The monthly rent will be between €425 and €650, depending on the housing option. You can apply for housing with your exchange application - just fill in the form "accommodation for exchange students" and send it to the Housing Office. Please visit the website of our WHU Housing Office for more information on housing for international students.
Housing will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis - hence, applying early will pay off! The Housing Office will contact you shortly after you submit your application. Before arrival at WHU, you will receive a detailed map and description of the apartment. After having accepted the proposed accommodation, you will receive a preliminary rental contract. This is a binding document, and you will rent the apartment for the entirety of your stay. This contract cannot be revoked.
MBA Exchange
WHU is proud to welcome many international MBA exchange students to Düsseldorf each year.
Düsseldorf has about 600,000 inhabitants and is located in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a good-sized city, it benefits from very good infrastructure, including especially efficient public transport. Düsseldorf's cityscape is characterized by various cultures, with Düsseldorf even being home to the largest Japanese community in Germany. Internationality, its state capital status, and a strong economy are what make Düsseldorf unique. Moreover, there is a wide range of sports and cultural activities available, especially for our students.
Flexible Semester Dates | September 01 - December 31, 2024* | |
Orientation | Will be arranged individually |
*Please note: Dates might still be subject to change.
Flexible Semester Dates | January 01 - August 31, 2024* | |
Orientation | Will be arranged individually |
Courses and workload at WHU
The MBA Exchange Program offers a selection of courses from our WHU Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs, covering topics such as Marketing & Sales, Advanced Finance & Accounting, Operations, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Strategy & Organization. The classroom lectures are very interactive, often including guest speakers, company visits, and real-life case studies. Small class sizes allow the renowned professors to provide a high level of top-quality mentoring.
The course offer is normally available 2-3 months before the start of the semester and is sent to you via email. Registration takes place approximately 2 months before the start of the semester, also via email. Each Full-Time and Part-Time MBA course is worth 3 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). 1 ECTS credit equals 8 contact hours or generally 25-30 hours of overall workload, including lectures, group work, cases, lectures and exam preparation, for example.
A normal workload at WHU is 5-7 courses per semester. However, you should always talk to your home university advisers so that you can fulfill your home university requirements.
Career Services:
In addition to our regular course offers, exchange students are welcome to use the excellent services offered by our Career Center:
- Networking events, including company presentations
- Recruiting Days on our Vallendar Campus
- Customized Career Center Newsletter, including a job and internship database
Visit the website of our outstanding Career Centers to get more information, including active companies and placement statistics.
Apply for admission as an exchange student
After your home university has emailed your nomination to the MBA exchange coordinator at WHU, you will receive instructions for the online application procedure via email. Shortly after the application deadline, we will process the complete online applications and send the letter of acceptance electronically to the international office at your home university.
The nomination deadline for the fall semester is June 1, and the nomination deadline for the spring semester is October 1.
MSc and MBA exchange students may apply for our MBA Exchange Program if they fulfill the following admission requirements:
- Minimum Age: 24 years
- Fulfill one language requirement below:
- English as mother tongue
- Completed or currently studying in a university degree program taught and examined entirely in English
- Minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 100 points
- Minimum 7.0 in IELTS
- Additionally, MSc students wishing to enroll in our MBA Exchange Program need to prove two years of full-time work experience (full-time job or full-time internships).
Freemover:
If your home university is not a WHU partner university, you may, under certain conditions, apply to WHU as a freemover. For more information about our freemover program and our current tuition fees, please contact our MBA exchange coordinator.
Free travel pass for the NRW state
Unfortunately, WHU cannot offer exchange students university-sponsored housing in Düsseldorf. After the application deadline, you will be provided with additional information and resources, which you can use to find housing. It is each student's responsibility to secure accommodation, but we are happy to help and give you advice during the process.
The Düsseldorf campus is located in Flingern Süd, close to the city center and "student" districts such as Pempelfort, Friedrichstadt, Unterbilk, Düsseltal, and the trendy district of Flingern Nord. Our exchange students will receive a free travel pass for the NRW state, allowing for free travel to cities within the state (e.g., Cologne) and within Düsseldorf.
Private apartments vary in price and are between €400 and €600 depending on the equipment, size, and district. Electricity, heating, water, etc. are usually not included in the monthly rent and are paid separately. Please keep in mind that a deposit of up to three months rent may be required.
Pre-departure and arrival – Confident from day one.
Please find below useful information to prepare you for your study abroad experience. Once you arrive, we will provide you with further information about living and studying at WHU. We will also help you get familiar with the university, its surroundings, Germany, and your fellow students.
The WHU student initiative VIP (Vallendar Integration Program) supports the International Office by organizing trips and events during the welcome week, as well as throughout the semester. Among others, VIP organizes various teambuilding activities, barbecues, and pub crawls.
Please find below a list of things that you need to bring with you for your semester abroad at WHU.
Essentials:
- Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of Health Insurance
- Passport (or equivalent)
- Originals and copies of all travel documents
- Local currency (Euro)
Miscellaneous:
- Cell Phone
- Camera
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Adapter (In Germany two round pin plugs are used, and the voltage is 230V/50 Hz)
- Charger for all electronic equipment
- Weather-appropriate clothing (for warmer days but also for winter)
- Umbrella
- Medication (if needed)
- Business casual clothes for class presentations and company visits
- Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Sunglasses
- Backpack
Please take care of visa matters as early as possible to start your semester abroad without any problems. As you must apply for the visa from your home country (or country of residence), we suggest starting this process at least two months before your departure– visas are never issued in Germany! Please contact your local German Consulate or visit their website to find out if you need a visa before entering Germany/Europe. You can find a current overview on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
The visa will usually be issued for three months, regardless of the actual length of your stay. Once you have entered Germany with a visa, you can apply for a residence permit covering the entirety of your stay.
If you have to apply for a visa, please make sure to apply for a student visa, as a tourist visa is not valid for entering Germany to study. Tourist visas cannot be changed into student visas afterwards!
All Non-EU citizens staying in Germany for more than three months must officially obtain a residence permit after entering Germany. You will need to apply for your student residence permit at the local foreign office in Koblenz after your arrival. The International Relations Office will assist you in this matter and will inform you in detail about the process during orientation. To save time, we kindly ask you to gather the required documents before you leave your home country. Before booking your flight, please contact the IRO for information regarding the duration of your residence permit.
You need to bring the following documents for your Residence Permit application:
- One biometric passport-sized photo
- Valid passport photocopy (just the page with the photo and personal data – in case you have a visa also a photocopy of your visa page)
- Photocopy of WHU Acceptance Letter
- Photocopy (or print out) of recently-dated proof of sufficient funds (at least €992 per month) in English or German (bank statement, account statement, certificate of scholarship and/or parental guarantee including your parents' bank statement)
- Photocopy of proof of valid health insurance in English or German
We recommend all non-EU citizens who do not need a visa to enter Germany to apply for your residence permit only after your arrival in Germany. If you already apply for your residence permit in your home country/country of residence, you will have to apply again at our local foreign office in Koblenz, which will result in additional costs.
Internships in Germany
Exchange students can do an internship after attending WHU. For all non-EU citizens, it is important that the internship is legally permitted.
Option 1 (spring semester only):
Students staying at WHU during the spring semester can do a full-time internship of up to 120 days within their residence permit (when the permit is obtained via WHU). The spring semester officially runs from early January to end August but classes already finish in early May, giving you time to do an internship or travel afterwards until the end of August. No extra paperwork is required.
Option 2 (spring and fall semester):
Students joining WHU during the fall or spring semester can work up to 240 days part-time within the residence permit (when obtained via WHU). No extra paperwork is required.
Option 3:
Students joining us in either semester can do an internship that is required for their studies and relates to their field of study. This is considered student employment. You have to inform the foreign office if this will involve an extension of your stay. In some cases, the German Federal Employment Agency (ZAV) must be involved.
Option 4:
In all other cases you must apply for a work permit. Be sure to apply for your work permit as soon as you get confirmation from the company you will work for! The application process may take up to six weeks.
Working / doing an internship is normally not allowed within the scope of a visa – if you have a visa that already covers your whole stay in Germany AND you would like to work / do an internship during that period of time, you will probably have to apply for a residence permit (or work permit – please see different options above) in addition to the visa. Please contact your exchange coordinator at WHU if this is the case for you, as we can give you an update about the most recent options.
For additional information about the necessary steps, please contact the International Relations Office. More information on this topic will also be included in your welcome package, which you receive upon arrival at WHU.
As an exchange student, you will have access to our Career Center and its events. Take the chance and get connected!
Contact: Alyssa Scherer
The German health care system prides itself on being one of the best in the world. There is an extensive network of hospitals and doctors covering even the remotest areas of Germany. Medical facilities are equipped with the latest technology, and the national health insurance system offers nearly all medical treatments and prescriptions. When living in Germany, you are obliged to prove that you have sufficient medical coverage.
Therefore, upon arrival at WHU, all exchange students must provide proof of valid health insurance. The following aspects must be covered by your health insurance and be mentioned explicitly in your insurance documents:
- The period: Your entire stay in Germany has to be covered
- The region: Germany has to be covered
- Emergencies have to be covered
- All medical expenses have to be covered
Please note that health insurance with full coverage for sickness, emergencies, and all medical expenses is mandatory for all exchange students in Germany.
European citizens who are traveling or living within the European Union are eligible to receive a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their health insurance company in their home country. The EHIC simplifies the procedure when receiving medical assistance during a stay in a EU Member State and is sufficient as proof of insurance.
Non-EU citizens without an EHIC need to bring a confirmation letter written in English or German from their insurance provider. This confirmation letter must include all aspects mentioned above (period, region, emergency coverage and coverage for all medical expenses) as well as your name (i.e., the name of a parent or another family member is not sufficient). If any of these five aspects are not mentioned in your proof of health insurance, the authorities will not accept it.
If you do not have health insurance or if the aspects mentioned above are not or cannot be included in the confirmation letter from your home insurance company, you have to purchase (additional) health insurance. The International Relations Office will assist you in this matter.
Contact: Alyssa Scherer
Currency
The official currency used in Germany is Euro (€)
Credit Cards
MasterCard, Visa and American Express are usually accepted at major hotels. However, they are often not accepted at restaurants, supermarkets, or other stores. ATMs are easily accessible throughout Germany, and you should have no problem accessing your home credit or debit account.
Transferring money
In Germany, the common way to transfer money is bank transfers ("Überweisung"), standing orders ("Dauerauftrag") and direct debits ("Lastschrift"). It is very uncommon to write out a check to pay for your rent.
Banks
Usually, to open an account you need:
- Passport
- Any document with your home address (the best will be any of the documents you received from WHU showing your home address)
- Proof of legal residence (you get this by registering at the town hall) – with an address in Vallendar or Düsseldorf
- E-mail-account
The procedure at the bank will be conducted in German. If you are an exchange student in Vallendar, you can bring the necessary documents to the branch of Sparkasse bank in Vallendar, and we will arrange an appointment.
IMPORTANT:
Before leaving Germany, you have to close the bank account. Just go to the bank a few days before your departure and tell them that you will be leaving. You must not have any account movements four days before closing the account (which means that you should not use your bank account card).
Concerning the cost of living, Germany lies within the EU average and is therefore not excessively expensive.
We estimate that your living expenses will be between €800 and €1200 per month. Your budget will mostly depend on your accommodation and how you manage your free time (e.g., traveling, eating out, concerts, using sports facilities, visiting museums and clubs).
Here is an example of an average exchange student's monthly budget:
- Accommodation: between €400 and €650
- Mobile Phone: €30
- Food: €200
- Laundry: €20
- Local transportation to Koblenz: €70 (monthly bus ticket)
- Health Insurance: mandatory for medical expenses and emergencies (approx. €50 if acquired in Germany)
- Miscellaneous (leisure activities): €300
Incomings
For European exchange students:
WHU has been awarded an ERASMUS University Charta by the European Commission. Our ERASMUS Code is D KOBLENZ03. If your home university is also a university with an ERASMUS ECHE Charta, you might be eligible to apply for ERASMUS+ funding. Please contact your coordinator at your home university.
Online Learning Agreement (OLA) information:
Receiving Institution Information:
Country: Germany
Name: WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management
Faculty/Department: International Relations Office
Address: Burgplatz 2, 56179 Vallendar, Germany
ERASMUS Code: DKoblenz03
Receiving Responsible Person:
Name: Kristina Schwanitz
Position: Exchange Coordinator Europe
Email: Kristina.schwanitz@whu.edu
Phone number: +492616509163
Receiving Administrative Contact Person:
Same as above
For non-European exchange students:
We currently do not offer any scholarships for incoming students from oversea partner universities, but we encourage you to contact the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) where you will find further information on scholarship possibilities.
Outgoings
ERASMUS + 2021 - 2027
WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management has been awarded the ECHE Charta and is part of the ERASMUS+ network
- Every Higher Education Institution (HEI), which participates or would like to participate in the Erasmus+ Program, needs to be in possession of a valid Erasmus Charta (ECHE).
- The ECHE is granted by the European Commission. It proves that a HEI meets all requirements in order to be able to participate successfully in the ERASMUS+ Program. According to the prerequisites set by the European Commission, both ECHE and European Policy Statement (EPS) have to be published on the website of the HEI.
- ERASMUS University Charta
- ERASMUS Policy Statement (EPS)
- ERASMUS Student Charter
ERASMUS + 2014 - 2021
§ Liability clause
This project has been financed with support from the European Commission. The author is responsible for the content of this publication. The Commission is not liable for the use of the content.
Further information about the ERASMUS+ mobility programs can be requested from
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
Nationale Agentur für EU-Hochschulzusammenarbeit
Kennedyallee 50
53115 Bonn
Tel.: +49(0)228/882-8877
Fax: +49(0)228/882-555
E-Mail: erasmus@daad.de
www.eu.daad.de
More detailed information on the website of the European Commission
In their own words – Testimonials from our Study Abroad Ambassadors
Looking for the most relevant information from someone who has first-hand experience? Our Study Abroad Ambassadors spent a semester or year abroad at WHU and can answer all your questions and give you advice. Please find below statements from previous students who studied in Düsseldorf or Vallendar.
To get in touch just send them an email.
Follow International@WHU on Facebook and Instagram!
Frequently Asked Questions – Quick facts about WHU's Exchange Programs
No, all our courses are taught in English. Our undergraduate program offers 20% of classes also in German should you wish to take a German business class. However, if you wish to learn German, WHU offers free intensive German courses throughout the semester. Exchange students can participate in one of the four levels offered, from beginners to advanced.
If you are interested in studying at WHU, please contact the international office at your home university as they must officially nominate you. We will then contact you directly with more information regarding the application process.
The nomination deadline is June 1 (for the fall term and full year) and October 1 (for the spring term).
As an exchange student from one of our partner universities, you do not have to pay tuition fees at WHU, but you usually continue paying tuition at your home university. Please check with your home university.
Freemovers (i.e., students whose home university is not a partner university of WHU), however, do need to pay tuition at WHU. For more information, please check the section on our freemover program.
BSc and MSc exchange students do not need to prove their proficiency in English as we trust the selection process of our partner universities. MBA students, however, do need to prove their English proficiency (please see the section about MBA requirements).
Please check our section on visa and residence permit.
Please contact your exchange coordinator at WHU to inform them about your late arrival. Remember to read all information on our website carefully, since you will miss the orientation days that take place two days before the semester start. More detailed information can be found here.
Upon arrival, students will get access to WHU's intranet where they can register for courses. Registering for courses before arriving at WHU is not possible. At the beginning of the semester, there will be a detailed information session on how to register for courses using the intranet.
Information about course content can be found in our online course guide.
No, unfortunately this is not possible. All exams must be taken at the scheduled time at WHU. Only re-exams may be taken at the home university.
WHU offers various furnished housing options in Vallendar, ranging from single rooms to apartments. Housing prices vary from €425 to €650 per month. The application for housing is done as part of the online application and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For housing options in Düsseldorf, please contact our MBA exchange coordinator Sophie Schulze.
Please click here for detailed directions to Vallendar.
Please click here for detailed directions to Düsseldorf.
Get in touch – We're looking forward to hearing from you.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the programs, the courses, and general organization. For first-hand information from former exchange students, please contact our Study Abroad Ambassadors.