From application to visa
The preparation list for a stay abroad is long. We have summarised all the important steps and hurdles. At the end of this journey, we would like to welcome you to an unforgettable time studying at the HdM.
Application processes for international degree programmes
Social Media Marketing & Management
The application process for the SM7 degree programme differs slightly from the other application processes. You can find detailed information on the programme website.
Click here for the degree programme webs
Print Media and Packaging Technologies
Admission to the Print Media and Packaging Technologies degree programme also requires a special admission procedure, which is described in detail on the programme website.
Click here for the degree programme websOnline application for exchange students
Application period
Application period for the winter semester: 01 - 31 May
Application period for the summer semester: 01 - 31 October
Application instructions
1. nomination by your home university
Please make sure that your home university nominates you via e-mail to incomings@hdm-stuttgart.de (no later than 15 May for the following winter semester and 15 October for the following summer semester).
2. your study programme and second choice
Please choose one of our English-language minor programmes or one of our regular German-language degree programmes. It is important that you always submit a second choice, as some minor programmes have a limited number of places available.
English-language minor programmes
German-language degree programmes (Bachelor)
German-language degree programmes (Master)
3. account in Mobility Online
Please create an account in our application portal Mobility Online by using the link that will be sent to you in an official information email after the nomination.
4. last step: online application
Please confirm your account and start your online application.
The following documents must be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Letter of motivation (approx. one DIN A4 page)
- Current transcript of records from your home university (Please note that we can only accept documents in German or English)
- A language certificate for English (for English minor programmes, recommended level: B2) OR for German (if you want to attend regular courses/modules in German, recommended level: B2). This does not apply to native speakers.
- A copy of your passport (non-EU/EEA citizens) or identity card (EU/EEA citizens)
- Students from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland: Copy of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Passport photo (JPG, format 4:3) suitable for the student ID card
Costs
Costs
Contribution student union
As an exchange student, you do not have to pay tuition fees to the university. You only have to pay the student union fee (from winter semester 2024/2025: EUR 96.50 per semester).
Estimated costs per semester
- Accommodation: approx. 350-420 EUR per month (depending on the hall of residence) and a deposit (currently 400 EUR plus the first rent to be paid before arrival)
- Health insurance (compulsory for students without a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or bilateral insurance agreement between the home country and Germany): approx. 140-145 EUR per month
- Student ticket for public transport in Stuttgart: See information on ticket options below.
- Food: Prices vary depending on the shop. Previous exchange students have estimated that they spent an average of 200-250 EUR per month.
- Books and other study materials: Not all lecturers require students to buy books. Prices range from second-hand books to new books costing between 10 and 25 EUR. If you are on our German course, you will be asked to buy two books, which cost around 20 EUR in total.
- Exchange Student Network (ESN)card: 12 EUR.
Tickets for local public transport
DeutschlandTicket JugendBW
With the DeutschlandTicket JugendBW, you can use public transport throughout Germany around the clock. You receive the ticket as an annual subscription, i.e. you cannot cancel it monthly! You pay the higher of the two prices listed on the website below.
Further information and the online shop can be found on the VVS website.
GermanyTicket
The DeutschlandTicket is a nationwide ticket for local public transport. It allows you to use all means of local transport throughout Germany, with the exception of express trains. The ticket is offered as an annual subscription, but can be cancelled monthly.
Further information and current prices can be found here:
Bahn.deScholarships
The Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM is a scholarship programme that promotes international exchange for qualified students, young professionals and school pupils. The exchange programme is based on the principle of reciprocity. Scholarship holders from Baden-Württemberg who spend time abroad and scholarship holders from abroad who spend some time in Baden-Württemberg are supported. In this way, the scholarship programme as a whole contributes to the global networking of people associated with Baden-Württemberg.
Approximately 1000 scholarships are awarded each year of the programme. To date, around 4000 young people have received a Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM. The Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM has significantly strengthened the opportunities for international co-operation between Baden-Württemberg's public and private educational institutions and can thus make an important contribution to raising Baden-Württemberg's profile in the international endeavour to attract intelligent minds and future leaders. Further information on the Baden-Württemberg STIPENDIUM, the scholarship holders' association, the international network of scholarship holders and friends, and contact opportunities in Germany or elsewhere in the world can be found at: www.bw-stipendium.de
Application procedure:
Students from partner universities who would like to study at the HdM for one or two exchange semesters can be nominated by their home universities. All partner universities will receive details in good time.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the world's largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and academics. Since it was founded in 1925, the DAAD has supported over 1.5 million academics in Germany and abroad.
Visa
General requirements
All students from non-EU/EEA/Swiss countries require a student visa for stays of more than three months. Please do not apply for a tourist visa, as this will not allow you to study at the Hochschule der Medien. The type of visa cannot be changed after entry.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Jaben, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the USA
You can apply for your residence permit after entering Germany without a visa. This must be done within 90 days of entering the Schengen area*. We strongly recommend that students apply for a student visa at a German embassy/consulate in their home country before travelling to Germany. This way you can avoid visits to the authorities after your arrival in Germany. Waiting times for appointments in Stuttgart are extremely long, which may mean that if you exceed the 90 days in the Schengen area, you will not be able to leave Germany until you have received your residence permit. The Christmas period in particular is a challenge and would mean that you would not be able to visit your family or friends outside Germany. Therefore, please take care of your visa before the start of your semester at the HdM!
PLEASE NOTE that a new system will soon be introduced:
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to 30 European countries. It is linked to the traveller's passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of the listed European countries as often as you like for short stays - usually for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This means that you will need a student visa for a stay of more than 90 days. ETIAS is not sufficient for the entire semester.
Further information can be found here.
Citizens of all other countries (except EU/EEA/Swiss nationals)
You must apply for a visa at a German embassy/consulate before you arrive in Germany. We recommend that you apply for your visa as early as possible, as processing times are sometimes very long. Some visas are valid for the entire stay, others must be extended within 90 days of entry. If you wish to extend your stay in Germany at a later date, please remember to take care of your visa. You will receive further information on entering Germany at our orientation events. Please also read the information on the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) above. Even if you need a student visa, it may be advisable to also register with ETIAS. This may give you some time to extend your visa after it expires. You can always find up-to-date information on the official ETIAS website.
Useful links on the subject of visas
Accommodation
Living in Stuttgart
As it is very difficult to find accommodation in Stuttgart, we strongly recommend that you apply for a place in a hall of residence. The Studierendenwerk Stuttgart has numerous halls of residence in Stuttgart. Our exchange students are usually accommodated in the student residences in Esslingen or at Filderbahnplatz in Stuttgart-Möhringen.
Application
Due to renovation and refurbishment work in some halls of residence, Studierendenwerk Stuttgart cannot currently guarantee that all exchange students will be allocated a room. It is therefore extremely important that you apply here on time and as early as possible.
The HdM Exchanges Team will send you a short guide with further information on how to apply.
Health insurance
International students are only permitted to study at a German university if they have valid and appropriate health insurance. You must present appropriate health insurance at the latest upon enrolment. This is a prerequisite for your residence permit and for the further enrolment process. Statutory insurance rates may vary, as each health insurance provider may charge individual additional premiums.
Health insurance for your stay
If you are not studying in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland or do not have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or another valid document of this type, you must take out health insurance. Students from countries with which Germany has a bilateral agreement with an insurance clause remain insured through their home health insurance provider.
Provisional health insurance via the HdM
If you do not yet have adequate insurance, we will prepare a provisional membership document for German health insurance for you. Most exchange students opt for this option, which we will take out for you as part of your orientation process. Further information, including costs, can be found [here](link to DAAD page or relevant HdM page, if available).
Proof of your existing insurance
If you already have health insurance or would like to take out a new one, please send us a copy of your insurance after you have been officially admitted to our programme (and before your arrival) by e-mail to incomings@hdm-stuttgart.de. We will then check whether your insurance cover is sufficient.
Important note on travel insurance
Please note that most travel insurance policies are not sufficient. We strongly recommend that you do not just take out travel health insurance. Otherwise, this could mean that you are not entitled to purchase additional state health insurance.
Further information
Additional information can be found on the website of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).
Your start in Stuttgart
If you are new to a city, it can be complicated and difficult to find your way around at first. For this reason, all exchange students are looked after by an HdM Buddy.
A buddy is responsible for picking you up at the airport or train station in Stuttgart and taking you to your accommodation. Please note that the buddy is only responsible for pick-up times within the arrival time stated in the Acceptance Letter.
We will contact you a few weeks before the start of the semester regarding your travel arrangements so that your buddy can prepare everything for your arrival.
If you prefer to travel to your accommodation in the student residence on your own, please inform your buddy in good time. We can then organise the collection of your room key accordingly.