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Here you will find a compilation of frequently asked questions and answers on the subject of outgoing mobility and exchange semesters abroad. Further questions are answered in the FAQ of the Global Student Experience.
As part of the SEMP program, it is possible to spend an exchange period of up to 12 months at any study level (Bachelor's, Master's, doctorate). In addition, students can attend summer schools or complete international internships. Students applying for an exchange place for the first time have priority over applicants who have already completed an exchange.
The following categories of agreements exist for mobility:
No, an exchange is only possible if ECTS points can still be credited to your degree program.
In principle, yes. However, it is assumed that you also attend modules at the host university at the same time. In this case, please contact the mobility coordinator and your supervisor at the IPZ in advance.
Academic short programs can generally be credited towards the degree. The prerequisite for this is that you discuss the recognition in individual cases in advance with the mobility coordinator at the IPZ and can present an official transcript of records after attending the Summer / Winter School.
It is generally not possible to have language courses credited towards the degree.
For Bachelor students, the second year of study is particularly suitable for the exchange. The first year of study must be completed at the IPZ. You may also be able to plan a student exchange in the third year of your studies. For Master's students, the 3rd and 4th semesters are ideal for a semester abroad. All compulsory courses must be completed at the IPZ. The application deadline for both the coming fall semester and the following spring semester is January 15. Between June 1 and July 15, it is possible to apply for remaining places for the following spring semester.
Participation in the IPZ's annual information event on outgoing mobility at the beginning of the fall semester and in the GSE Global Experience Talks is recommended. Here it is possible to ask general questions and obtain further information.
The Global Student Experience Search Portal shows all available exchange options. The interactive IPZ map provides an overview of all partner universities.
You can find all the information you need on this Global Student Experience website.
Students on an exchange within Europe as part of the SEMP exchange program are usually awarded a grant to cover a part of their travel and accommodation costs. Students planning an exchange via a University-wide (GU) or Faculty Agreement can find all current information on financial support options on this Global Student Experience website.
The Mobility Online application tool is open from November 1 to January 15. In the summer, there is a second round of applications for the remaining open places from June 1 to July 15.
All applications must be submitted electronically via the Mobility Online application tool (MobOn). All documents must be uploaded there. The application tool is open for applications for the following academic year from November 1. Exchange places will only be allocated after the application deadline on January 15. An application from June 1 - July 15 for remaining places for the following spring semester is also only possible via MobOn.
Regardless of the type of mobility agreement, three priorities (preferred universities) can be selected in Mobility Online (MobOn). The general application process in MobOn is the same.
A list can be found on the Global Student Experience website. When applying for SEMP / Faculty Agreement, the same documents must be submitted.
We recommend writing a separate letter of motivation for each priority or, alternatively, going into detail about all three priorities in one letter. As there is only one upload field for the letter of motivation in Mobility Online (MobOn), you must combine and upload everything in one (multi-page) PDF.
Good knowledge of the language of instruction is a prerequisite for the mobility stay. When applying for an exchange place, the relevant language skills must be proven (e.g. school-leaving certificate, second mother tongue, etc.). All relevant language certificates already obtained (e.g. valid TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge certificates) can also be uploaded. If a partner university has defined proof of a higher language level (C1) as an admission requirement or only accepts certain certificates, it is the applicant's responsibility to be able to present these in due time. Good knowledge of the national language is an advantage. Necessary language tests may have to be taken in the semester before the application deadline.
For a corresponding confirmation, please send your language certificates (e.g. language proficiency certificate from the UZH Language Center) by e-mail to the IPZ mobility coordinator: mobility@ipz.uzh.ch.
A template for a provisional study plan is available for download on the Global Student Experience website. A separate study plan must be created for each priority. When creating a study plan, it is important that applicants have familiarized themselves with the courses offered by the partner university and have informed themselves about the credit transfer options.
Nominations are made from March to around the end of June by the mobility coordinator at the IPZ and the Global Student Experience outgoing team. The nomination windows and deadlines vary depending on the partner university. In some cases, nominations for the following spring semester can only be made in late summer. Once nominated, students will receive confirmation by email.
Yes, absolutely! The selection criteria for SEMP and faculty agreements apply to all applications. If an allocation for the first priority is not possible, an allocation for the second and third priority will be considered automatically.
Acceptance of the exchange place is binding. It is not possible to exchange an already accepted place for another one. The mobility semester can only be canceled for valid reasons (e.g. illness). In such a case, please contact the mobility coordinator at the IPZ mobility@ipz.uzh.ch, the Global Student Experience team outgoing@int.uzh.ch and the responsible coordinator at the partner university as soon as possible. Depending on the time of cancellation, the place may not be filled again. In exceptional cases, a postponement of the mobility semester is possible under certain conditions, but there is no entitlement to this.
For applications for university-wide and interdisciplinary agreements, the Global Student Experience team decides on the allocation. In the case of SEMP and subject-specific agreements, the IPZ mobility coordinator attempts to allocate an exchange place to all suitable applicants. This is done according to the order of priority indicated. If more applicants are interested in a partner university than there are places available, in most cases all of them can still be offered an exchange place from the second or third priority.
If the place offer or allocation contains an error (e.g. wrong semester), we ask applicants not to reject the offer but to contact the Global Student Experience outgoing@int.uzh.ch first. If the offer of a place has been rejected, changes are no longer possible for technical reasons.
Recognition of credits earned abroad is possible within the deadline in most cases. Students who wish to register for their degree immediately after their mobility should discuss this in advance with the mobility coordinator at the IPZ. The Dean's Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences must have recognized the achievements by the deadline for registering for the degree (15 March or 15 October) to ensure that all requirements are met. To avoid delays, the credit recognition agreement, which is drawn up on the basis of the official transcript, should therefore be finalized by the end of February or the end of September.
Students must inform themselves independently about the applicable deadlines and modalities for booking modules at the partner university. The admission restrictions and required language skills must be taken into account. Possible credit recognition is discussed in advance with the mobility coordinator of the IPZ on the basis of the completed study planning table and the detailed course descriptions.
No. The Learning Agreement basically serves to clarify which coursework completed abroad can be credited towards your studies at the IPZ and is a prerequisite for receiving the SEMP scholarship. However, the creditability of the achievements is confirmed exclusively by means of the recognition agreement, which is drawn up after completion of the mobility on the basis of the official transcript. The Learning Agreement is therefore not a binding confirmation of credit transfer.
Students have up to 14 days after the start of the semester abroad to upload the Learning Agreement signed by the mobility coordinator at the IPZ and the person responsible at the host university to Mobility Online. If, in exceptional cases, there are changes to the courses taken after this deadline, an updated version can be submitted again.
All mobility students of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities must conclude a credit recognition agreement after completing their mobility semester. In this agreement, the creditability of the individual modules is bindingly recorded. The agreement is drawn up on the basis of the transcript together with the mobility coordinator of the IPZ and then forwarded to the Office of the Dean. The final decision on the recognition of credits and the conversion of grades lies with the Dean's Office.
You can find more information on housing on the Global Student Experience website. Links and addresses are often provided by the partner university.
You can find the experience reports in the Mobility Online search portal.
