Free movers - the individual way
You would like to organize your study abroad as a free mover completely independently?
On this page you will find some useful tips and links to help you prepare your stay abroad. We also present some agencies that help students prepare for a semester abroad as a free mover.
Free movers
General information
For your study stay as a free mover, please consider the following:
- Check the financial aspect
- How high are the tuition fees at the university of your choice?
- What other costs will you incur?
- What funding opportunities are available?
- Inform yourself in advance about the requirements (grade, language skills, etc.) and application deadline at the university of your choice.
- Find out about the specific courses offered. If you want your academic achievements from abroad to be recognized, we recommend drawing up a learning agreement. You can find further information under "Academic Recognition".
- Clarify any visa issues and necessary vaccinations in advance.
- Make sure you have sufficient insurance coverage, clarify any necessary additional insurance.
- Travel and safety advice: always refer to the website of the Federal Foreign Office. In addition, it is always advisable to register in the crisis precaution list (ELEFAND).
GOstralia!-GOmerica!
GOStralia/GOMerica offers a comprehensive range of information and services related to studying abroad. Not only do they assist students in selecting a suitable university and complete the application process for that university, but they also assist students throughout their stay - all completely free of charge and without obligation!
More information: GoStralia/GoMerica (Website in German)
College Contact
College Contact is the official German representative of around 130 universities abroad. It is College Contact's task to advise prospective students on the study opportunities at the partner universities and to support them in the application process. Since College Contact is funded by the partner universities, all services are completely free of charge for prospective students and applicants at all times.
More information: College Contact (Website in German)
World of Students
World of Students is a creative team that specializes in offering travel-loving adults the opportunity to find the right university at home or abroad and the chance to spend an unforgettable time abroad. All team members have spent some time abroad themselves, for example as part of a student exchange, gap year, internship abroad or study abroad. These stays abroad have been incredibly enriching for everyone on the team and have created memories that will never be forgotten. That's why they want to give students the chance to find the perfect study program with the help of the database.
More information: World of Students (Website in German)
IEC
IEC supports students on their way to studying abroad at universities in 26 countries around the world - e.g. in the USA, South Korea, Spain or South Africa. As the official representative of the universities, IEC provides free, non-obligatory, competent and committed advice on all aspects of planning, applying and financing and even relieves students of the tedious task of submitting their application to the universities. In this way, IEC maximizes the chances of acceptance and an unforgettable time abroad!
More information: https://ieconline.de (Website in German)
Mobility Online Portal
Students who are doing a semester abroad as a free mover can register at any time in the Mobility Online portal. Here you can find our online registration portal and further information.
Recognition for free movers
Agreement for recognition – general information
Students who go abroad as free movers do not have to conclude a Learning Agreement. However, if you want to be sure that your achievements from abroad are recognized for your study program at the KU, it is advisable to conclude an agreement for recognition.
From the 24/25 academic year onwards, agreements on recognition will exclusively be recorded via the KU credit transfer platform. More information is available in the next tab.
Recognition – before the mobility
An agreement for recognition is not necessary as a free mover or as an participant in a short program, but is recommended so that you can be sure that your achievements are credited to your study program.
- Step 1: First, please discuss your selection of courses abroad with your degree program coordinator as soon as you have received the course offer from your host university.
- Step 2: Register in Mobility-Online: Registration for Free Movers.
- The International Office checks whether the host university is recognized as a university and activates the university for use in the online credit transfer portal. You will receive an e-mail informing you that the registration was successful and that you can now create a preliminary recognition (Learning Agreement) in the online credit transfer portal.
- Step 3: Please log in to the credit transfer platform and enter the necessary details.
- Login: Online credit transfer platform
- If you have any problems or queries during this step, please contact: anrechnungen(at)ku.de
Recognition - during the mobility
If you find out at the partner university that some of your courses are not offered, you can have additional courses pre-approved in the credit transfer platform at the beginning of your stay.
Recognition – after the mobility
Once you have completed your semester abroad, you will usually receive your transcript of records from the host university within 8 weeks. With this document you can apply for credit transfer.
Please log in to the KU’s credit transfer platform and complete the necessary steps.