FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):


In which semester may I study abroad?

Although no policy at ZU determines precisely when you may study abroad, the IO strongly suggests that you ‘go out’ in the 5th semester. The curriculum at ZU is designed for this eventuality. Hence, unless extraordinary circumstances intervene, you should plan to go overseas in your 5th semester.

Where can I go?

Determining where to study overseas is generally guided by at least two factors: first, does the school have a slot or place for you in the semester that you plan to go out? This is determined by the balance of exchanges that currently exists between Zeppelin Universität and any given partner school. Second, does the school have the courses you need?

Students should always develop a list of their top five preferences and submit these to the IO. We will do our best to place you where you want to go. However, the IO is not a travel agency. You may be allocated your second, third or even fourth choice depending upon the balance of exchange and the courses offered at the partner school.

If you intend to attend a school that is not part of a partnership agreement with Zeppelin Universität, please coordinate these plans closely with the International Office and the Examination Office.

Click here for Application for Overseas.pdf.


Do I have to pay?

If you choose a ZU partner university as your overseas study destination, you will not be required to pay tuition at the partner school. You will be required to pay for housing, meals, and additional expenses. Students who attend a partner school will pay ZU tuition normally and then study on a tuition-free basis overseas. This is called an ‘integrated semester abroad,’ meaning that you will not be required to study an additional semester at ZU.

If you study at a university that is not part of a partnership agreement with Zeppelin Universität, you will be required to pay tuition, room and board at the overseas school but not at ZU. To do this, you need to apply for a ‘vacation semester,’ or Urlaubsemester, in the ZU Examination Office. The credits earned at the non-ZU partner school may be counted as additional (but not required) credits when you return, if they are counted at all. You may be required to complete another semester at ZU if you choose this option. Please check with the IO and the Examination Office well in advance.

Criteria

The criteria for going overseas to a ZU partner university are simple:

1. You must have a GPA (Durchschnittsnote) of 2.5 at the time you apply for an overseas semester. Grades that have not yet been submitted will not be considered in the decision. The GPA at the time of application is the only relevant figure.

2. You must have a higher-than-average GPA in the language of instruction in the host school. You do not have to speak the host nation’s language, but you must be very competent in the language of instruction.


What happens if two or more students want to attend the same school?

In many cases, students want to travel overseas in a ‘buddy system.’ It is not uncommon for two students to wish to attend the same partner school. Although it is highly discouraged, there have been instances where as many as five ZU students have attended the same school in the same semester.

The ability of any student to attend a partner school is fully incumbent on the number of positions that the school offers to ZU in any given semester or year. In the vast majority of the cases, ZU will be given two (2) positions at a partner school per semester.

In cases where more than two students apply to attend a particular school, and given that only two slots are available, preference will be given to applicants based on overall grade point average. In the event of a tie in the overall grade point average, the applicants’ grade-point-average in the language of instruction will be the determining factor.

Students who do not have the necessary GPA or language scores will be ‘bumped’ to their next choice on the list of preferred schools.


What are the steps required?

1. Complete the Application for Overseas Semester (available in the IO or upon request from the IO)

2. Provide letter of motivation for studying overseas at a partner school

3. Secure one letter of recommendation from a ZU professor

4. Provide a current transcript of records (please keep in mind that this process will take about 3 to 4 days!)

5. Visit web pages of prospective partner schools and determine which courses you want to take

6. Submit this list of courses, together with course descriptions if available, to the Examination Office. The course descriptions must originate from an official source, such as a university course catalogue or homepage. The descriptions should be as detailed as possible, to include course content, requirements, and the number of credits if possible.

7. Parallel to this, students should apply for a 'semester abroad' (Auslandssemester) or ‘vacation semester’ (Urlaubsemester) in the Examination Office. Applicants should clearly indicate on the form that the reason for the vacation semester or for your abroad semester is to study abroad at a ZU partner school.

8. Coordinate your overseas semester with the Examination Office and with your Program Director well in advance. Parallel to selecting your courses, the IO will determine the number of slots available at your prospective partner schools.

9. A committee in your discipline (CCM, CME or PMG) will determine whether the courses you intend to take at a ZU partner school will be accepted for credit. If they will be accepted for credit, and if there is space available at the selected school, the IO will inform you and set up a time to meet with you.

10. Once you are in the pipeline to go to one of the schools that you selected on your Application for Overseas Semester, you will begin to receive information from that university, such as class schedules, information about rooms, travel to the host school, and, of course, visa information.


Deadlines


Because the timeframe for applying to go overseas is narrow, the IO asks that students adhere to these dates:

If you plan to go overseas in the fall semester, you must apply no later than 15 March.

If you plan to go overseas in the spring semester, you must apply no later than 15 July.





Funding for Overseas Study

A variety of sources exist to alleviate the substantial costs of overseas study. For ZU students, the Vetter Stiftung is designed to help offset the costs of travelling to the overseas destination. You may apply for this grant in the student secretariat, Mrs. Karin Mühl.

If you are going to or coming from the USA, you can apply for a Fulbright Travel Scholarship.

Once a year, Zeppelin Universität awards two Baden-Württemberg Stipend scholarships. Applications are taken in the spring for the fall semester. One scholarship goes to an outgoing student while another goes to an incoming student.

ZU students who wish to compete for the scholarship should contact the ZU International Office for more information. Incoming students who wish to compete for this scholarship should contact their respective international offices.

The DAAD also offers travel scholarships.

What happens if it all doesn’t work?

Placing students at overseas universities is not a perfect science. Each year a small number of ZU students, owing to personal or systemic reasons, do not get their preferred school; some do not go overseas to study at all. If you wind up in this group, do not be discouraged—there will be other opportunities. Graduate students at ZU may also study at an overseas partner university.

If you must withdraw your application, please do so as early as possible so that another ZU student can take your position at the overseas partner school.

Please visit our list of international partners therefore please follow the navigation to "Our International Partners" on the left side.