International students in the robotics program

Programme overview

Erasmus+ programme website

The Erasmus programme was launched by the European Union in 1987 as a European exchange programme for cross-border student mobility. Since then, more than four million students have travelled around Europe with the help of Erasmus funding.

Erasmus+ is the European Union’s programme for education, youth and sport and enables exchanges of students, pupils, young people, teachers as well as higher education institution staff today and also includes many other opportunities for cross-border projects to promote mutual understanding in Europe and worldwide, distinguishing three key actions:

• Key Action 1 – Mobility

• Key Action 2 – Cooperation for Innovation and Exchange of Good Practices

• Key Action 3 – Support for Policy Reform

At THWS, you have a whole range of opportunities with Erasmus+. Since 2017, there has been the option to benefit from mobility with partner countries (non-EU countries) in addition to mobility with programme countries.

You can choose an Erasmus+ stay abroad to study at a partner higher education institution or do an Erasmus+ internship. The Erasmus+ programme also offers funding for a graduate internship within the EU.

In addition to student mobility, there is also the exchange for THWS staff with Erasmus+ staff mobility for teaching and training.

Erasmus+ funding can generally always be granted after successful application it the programme requirements have been met and the funds are available.

The Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission initiates a new programme generation in 2021. This means new funding opportunities for the international mobility of students and university staff. We briefly presented the new Erasmus+ programme at a kick-off event on 25th November 2021. The information from the event can be downloaded in this PDF (German language only).

Detailed information on the new funding opportunities, most of which can be used from the winter semester 2022/23 onwards, will be successively updated on the website of the THWS International Office.

Students for study purposes (SMS) and higher education staff (STA) can only be sent to a higher education institution and receive Erasmus+ funding, if an Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) has been concluded for the duration of the agreement beforehand. IIAs can be concluded for one or more years. They must be available in full for each period in which an exchange with the respective partner takes place and must have been signed before the exchange. Updates and additions are made through informal correspondence before the grant recipients leave the country. For more information, please see partner higher education institutions.

Students enrolled at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt who apply to stay abroad with Erasmus+ through the International Office by the deadline are eligible to participate. For information on the Erasmus+ application, please see outgoing exchange students.

Please also note the information on insurance cover during your stay abroad.

Advantages of a stay abroad with Erasmus+:

• Academic recognition of study achievements earned abroad (SMS)

• Exemption from tuition fees at the host higher education institution (SMS)

• EU internship agreement between higher education institution, company and students (SMI)

• Academic recognition of the internship (SMI)

• Support during the internship by a contact person at the home higher education institution and in the company (SMI)

• Allowance for additional costs related to the stay abroad

• Free online language training (OLS) 

• Special grants for students with special needs and students who are parents

Lecturers and staff at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt who apply to stay abroad with Erasmus+ through the International Office by the deadline are eligible to participate. This possibility also exists for international lecturers who would like to carry out a teaching/research stay at THWS.

Information about Erasmus+ staff mobility for teaching and training from Erasmus+ partner higher education institutions worldwide to THWS (‘incoming’)

Information about Erasmus+ staff mobility for teaching and training from THWS to Erasmus+ partner higher education institutions worldwide (‘outgoing’)

Erasmus+ participation requirements

• Study visit at a THWS partner higher education institution

• Full-time enrolment at THWS

• Bachelor: study visit abroad from the 3rd programme semester

• Master: study visit abroad from the 1st programme semester

• Length of the study visit abroad: at least 3 months, up to a maximum of 12 months for each part of studies

• Compliance with the application deadlines

• International health insurance (compulsory for THWS students)

• Full-time enrolment at THWS

• Full-time study-integrated internship (at least 35 hours/week) in one of the participating programme countries (EU) or partner countries (non-EU)

• Internship placement after the first semester

• Length of internship: 2 months (60 days) at least, 12 months (360 days) at the most

• Compliance with the application deadline

• International health, liability and accident insurance

• The following applies to THWS students: Internships with a monthly payment of more than EUR 800.00 will not be considered when grants are awarded.

• Inter-Institutional Agreement – (IIA) with the host higher education institution

• Teaching stay between 2 and 60 days (excluding travel days) in one of the participating programme countries (EU) or between 5 and 60 days (excluding travel days) in one of the participating partner countries (non-EU)

• At least 8 hours of teaching

• Application for an Erasmus+ grant prior to the stay abroad

• Participation in conferences and congresses, research projects directly related to research, and “pure” partner visits are not eligible for funding through the STA programme lines

• Parallel funding from other EU programmes is excluded

• Stay abroad between 2 and 60 days (excluding travel days) in one of the participating programme countries (EU) or between 5 and 60 days (excluding travel days) in one of the participating partner countries (non-EU)

• Application for an Erasmus+ grant prior to the stay abroad

• Participation in conferences and congresses, research projects directly related to research, and “pure” partner visits are not eligible for funding

• Parallel funding from other EU programmes is excluded

Selection criteria for Erasmus+ Student Mobility with programme countries (KA 131)
When the selection criteria set by your faculty are met, you can be funded through Erasmus+, if the programme requirements are met and funds are available.

Selection criteria for Erasmus+ Student Mobility with partner countries (KA 171; KA 131 international)
• Academic performance
• Personal motivation 
• Personal commitment (e. g. in the field of expertise)

Please also note the information on applying for a grant for a stay abroad, which is necessary for funding from Erasmus+ KA 171 and KA 131 international funds.

Erasmus+ funding is possible several times, up to a maximum of 12 months (360 days) for each part of studies (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral degree, Ph.D).
From this time allowance, periods with and without funding (so-called zero grant periods) are deducted.

Example: A student spent a period of 6 months and 4 days abroad for studying and doing an internship, so there is still a period of 5 months and 26 days left of the Erasmus+ time allowance.
In case of another application for Erasmus+ funding in the same cycle of study, the student has to make sure to not exceed the remaining time allowance.

Erasmus+ funding

The mobility grants awarded by the EU are based on the different costs of living in the countries of destination and are divided into three groups:

Group

Destination

Erasmus+ grant SMS/month

Erasmus+ grant SMI/month

Erasmus+ grant STA+STT/day

1

Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Norway, Sweden

EUR 600

EUR 700

EUR 180

2

Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus

EUR 540

EUR 690

EUR 160

3

Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Republic of North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Hungary

EUR 490

EUR 640

EUR 140

STA/STT travel allowance

In addition to the above-mentioned daily rates, travel costs are reimbursed, which are calculated uniformly throughout Europe using theEuropean Commission's distance calculator, depending on the real distance between the place of departure and destination

The one-way distance is the basis for calculating the travel allowance.

 

10 to 99 km

EUR 20

100 to 499 km

EUR 180

500 to 1,999 km

EUR 275

2,000 to 2,999 km

EUR 360

3,000 to 3,999 km

EUR 530

4,000 to 7,999 km

EUR 820

8,000 km or more

EUR 1,500

Student mobility

Students can be funded several times in each study cycle (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) up to a maximum of 12 months.

Studies (SMS)

For THWS students, Erasmus+ funding for a study abroad periods of one semester is limited to a maximum of four months, for a study abroad period of two semesters it is eight months. Periods above this limit are recorded as zero grant periods.

Internships (SMI)

For THWS students, funding for an internship is limited to a maximum of 4 months (120 days). Periods above this limit are recorded as zero grant periods.

Staff mobility for teaching (STA) and training (STT)

For THWS lecturers and staff, funding is limited to a maximum of 5 active days (working days) at the host higher education institution or receiving organisation. The teaching days or active days are subsidised. Travel days, weekends and public holidays in the country of destination are not funded.

• Students to Germany: EUR 850 mobility grant per month

• Students from Germany: EUR 700 mobility grant per month

Please note: For THWS students, funding is currently only available for mobility to the partner country Jordan.

 

• Higher education staff to Germany: EUR 160 mobility grant per day

• Higher education staff from Germany: EUR 180 mobility grant per day

A flat-rate travel allowance according to the EU distance calculator is added to these funding rates:

  • Jordan: EUR 360

GREEN TRAVEL

Student mobility can be made low-emission, especially within Europe - why not take the train, carpool or bus instead of the plane if possible? The journey to the semester abroad is part of the experience, makes the departure feel real. 

Tips:
The initiative Erasmus by train e.V. offers tips and planning aids: https://erasmusbytrain.eu https://www.interrail.eu/de/interrail-passes 

The ESN Green Erasmus toolkit for ideas on how to implement sustainability before, during and after mobility: https://www.greenerasmus.org/ 

Your journey will be low-emission? 
Then you have the opportunity for a „Green Travel" Top-Up within an Erasmus+ grant from the winter semester 2022/23 onwards.

- Green Travel" means travel that uses low-emission means of transport such as bus, train or carpooling for the majority of the journey (Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2021, p. 318).

- Financial Top Up: Possibility of one-time 50 EUR and funding of up to 4 additional (travel) days

The additional financial support for sustainable travel is regulated by the Erasmus+ grant agreement. The Declaration on Honour „Green Travel" explains all the details regarding the amount of the grant as well as the qualification criteria. The document must be filled in, signed and submitted via email to the International Office before the grant agreement is drawn up if you are interested in applying for the top up.

„Fewer Opportunities“ – Erasmus+ for inclusion und diversity

For study-related stays abroad of students with "Fewer Opportunities" there will be the possibility to receive a "Fewer Opportunities" top up starting in winter semester 2022/23 under certain conditions. This additional funding opportunity is offered by the THWS International Office in addition to the regular Erasmus+ monthly grant for student mobility.

- First-time students 

- Employed students

- Students with child(ren) during international mobility

- Students with disabilities or chronic illnesses

For explanation of each target group, the exact requirements for receiving the top up, and the funding amount, please check the Declaration on Honour "Fewer Opportunities" for details. The document represents at the same time the application for the granting of the Top Up as well as a contractual annex of the Erasmus+ grant agreements.

If you are interested in applying for the top up, you have to fill in and sign the declaration on honour and submit it via email to the International Office before the grant agreement is drawn up.

Student mobility

Students can be funded several times in each study cycle (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) up to a maximum of 12 months.

Studies (SMS)

For THWS students, Erasmus+ funding for a study visit (3 months at least) is limited to one semester. If you stay abroad for two semesters, the second semester is recorded entirely as a zero grant period.

Internships (SMI)

For THWS students, funding is possible for internships lasting 2 to 5 months in one of the participating partner countries.

Staff mobility for teaching (STA) and training (STT)

For THWS lecturers and staff, Erasmus+ funding is possible for stays of between 5 and 20 days (depending on the agreement) at a partner higher education institution.

 

Ethiopia

Addis Ababa University

·    Applied Social Sciences

Ghana

KAAF University College

·    Plastics Engineering and Surveying

Cape Coast Technical University

·    Plastics Engineering and Surveying

Jordan

German Jordanian University 

·    Architecture and  Civil Engineering

·    Applied Social Sciences

·    Electrical Engineering

·    Visual Design

·    Mechanical Engineering

·    Business and Engineering

·    Economics and Business Administration

Nigeria

University of Nigeria Nsukka 

·    Applied Social Sciences

Russia

St. Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics 

·    Business and Engineering

·    Economics and Business Administration

Plekhanov Russian University of Economics 

·    Economics and Business Administration

National Research University Higher School of Economics 

·    Computer Science and Business Information Systems

·    Business and Engineering

·    Business and Engineering

·    Economics and Business Administration

South Africa

University of Cape Town

·    Applied Social Sciences

Uganda

Makerere University

·    Applied Social Sciences

Ukraine

Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics / State University of Trade and Economics

·    Economics and Business Administration

Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture

·    Plastics Engineering and Surveying

Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University 

·    Plastics Engineering and Surveying

National Technical University Kharkiv Polytechnical Institute 

·    Electrical Engineering

·    Computer Science and Business Information Systems

·    Economics and Business Administration

 

Technische Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Würzburg-Schweinfurt

Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt

Erasmus higher education code: D WURZBUR03

ECHE agreement number: 29966-LA-1-2014-1-DE-E4AKA1-ECHE-1

University’s official representative: Prof. Dr. Robert Grebner, President

University’s Erasmus+ coordinator: Dr. Daniel Wimmer

Inclusion and equality for potential participants is a central concern of the Erasmus+ programme. This applies to students and staff with chronic illness or disability as well as to students and staff who go abroad with a child.

1. Real cost application for students and staff with chronic illness or disability

Students with a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 20 or with a chronic illness that results in additional financial needs abroad, who are funded for a study or internship abroad through Erasmus+, can apply for a financial Top Up ("Fewer Opportunities") to their Erasmus+ funding in the amount of 250 EUR per month. More information can be found under "Erasmus+ Funding" on this page.

Students and staff with a degree of disability (GdB) of at least 20 or a chronic illness, due to which there are additional financial needs abroad, who are funded through Erasmus+, can also submit a separate application for a grant towards the real costs (real cost application):

Grant: max. 15,000 EUR/semester, max. 30,000 EUR/year.

Application deadline: at least 3 months before the start of the mobility (THWS International Office - will be forwarded to the NA DAAD).

In the case of funding for real costs, an informal experience report must be submitted to NA DAAD after the mobility.

2. Preparatory trips for students and staff with disabilities or chronic illnesses

Participants in the Erasmus+ program (students and staff) with a disability of GdB 20 or more or with a chronic illness have the possibility to submit an application for real costs for a preparatory trip to the NA DAAD via the THWS International Office. Preparatory trips are intended to support students and staff with disabilities or chronic illness to explore the circumstances on site as preparation for the stay abroad. In addition, a maximum of one person can be funded to assist on the trip.

Grant: max. 15,000 EUR

Application deadline: at least 3 months before the start of the trip (THWS International Office - will be forwarded to NA DAAD)

In case of funding of a preparatory travel, an informal experience report has to be submitted to NA DAAD after the mobility.

3. Real cost application for parents with child(ren) (students and staff).

Students who are funded for a stay abroad through Erasmus+ and travel abroad with their child/children can apply for a financial Top Up ("Fewer Opportunities") to their Erasmus+ funding of 250 EUR per month. More information can be found under "Erasmus+ Funding" on this page.

Students and staff who are funded through Erasmus+ and travel abroad with their child/children can also submit a separate application for a grant towards the real costs (real cost application):

Grant: maximum 15,000 EUR/semester, maximum 30,000 EUR/year.

Application deadline: at least 3 months before the start of the mobility (THWS International Office - will be forwarded to the NA DAAD).

In case of funding of real costs, an informal experience report after the mobility has to be submitted to the NA DAAD.

If the Learning Agreement is accepted by the responsible examination committee before the mobility starts (and changed accordingly in consultation with the examination committee during the mobility), THWS will fully transfer the credits earned abroad.

To have your study achievements (including diploma supplement) accredited, please contact your faculty’s examination committee with your application for accreditation, the complete Learning Agreement (Part 1, 2 and 3), and the transcript of records from the host higher education institution on your return to THWS. If you have questions on the procedure for the recognition of credits within your degree programme, please contact the responsible member of staff at the Department of Student Affairs.

Send the fully completed and signed Learning Agreement (part 1, 2, and 3) and your transcript of records as PDF file to the responsible member of staff at the International Office after the credit transfer has been approved by the examination committee.

Information about Erasmus+:
The inter-institutional agreement stipulates that the host higher education institution automatically sends the transcript of records to the home higher education institution of the exchange students within a maximum of 3 months after the end of the mobility.

In case of incomparable grading systems a conversion will be carried out according to the so-called “modified Bavarian formula”:

Grade THWS = 1 + 3 x E grade abroad – A grade abroad

                                Z gradeabroad – A gradeabroad

The result is rounded to the nearest THWS grade, where: A grade abroad: the highest achievable grade, Z grade abroad: the lowest grade leading to passing the examination achievement, and E grade abroad: the grade achieved (= to be credited) in the other higher education institution’s grading syst

Female students who have been affected by sexual discrimination, harassment and/or violence within the higher education institution can contact the respective faculty’s women’s representative or the THWS women’s representative, Prof. Dr. Völkl-Wolf. These offer both assistance and personal counselling – strictly confidential and anonymous of course.

Complaint options for Erasmus+ outgoing and incoming THWS students:
If you have studied at an international partner university as part of Erasmus+ or are spending your semester abroad at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt as part of Erasmus+ KA 107 and have experienced difficulties in the application process on the part of THWS or in the handling of your Erasmus+ funding, please contact Dr. Daniel Wimmer. 

These projects are funded with support from the European Commission. This publication only reflects the views of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Erasmus+ Student Charter 

Erasmus+ Charter for Education (ECHE) 

European Policy Statement (EPS) 

Click here to go to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) website

For further information and advice on the Erasmus+ mobility programmes, please contact the

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Nationale Agentur für EU-Hochschulzusammenarbeit
Kennedyallee 50
53115 Bonn

E-mail: erasmus[at]daad.de
Website: www.eu.daad.de