Call: Exchange programs USA and Canada 2026/27
The University of Trier offers students from all disciplines the following opportunities to spend an academic year in the United States or Canada:
- Study at a university affiliated with the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) in the USA and Canada.
- Study at partner universities in the U.S. (Georgetown University, Bloomsburg University, Clark University, Hamline University, Gardner Webb University, Francis Marion University, Saint Martin's University)
- Study in Canada at the University of Manitoba.
- Language assistantships in the German department: Gardner Webb University, Texas Christian University
For the Kanada/USA exchange programs of Trier University listed below, the following conditions apply uniformly for the awarding of scholarships:
- Good knowledge of English (proof e.g. by English test of the Sprachenzentrum of Trier University; Students of English or in englisch MA courses do not need a language test)
- At least 3 completed semesters in the Bachelor's degree program at the beginning of the program. In the Master's programme, stays are possible from the first semester.
(Additional conditions may be listed for each program.)
Please also note:
- Unless otherwise stated, the duration of the programs is one semester (4-5 months) or two semesters (9-10 months).
- The program usually begins in August or September.
- The application documents will be available in the download area from July of the respective application year.
- When applying for the exchange place, you can apply for a partial scholarship from funds from the DAAD-PROMOS programme .
- Unless otherwise stated, one exchange place is available at the respective university.
International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP) at various American universities (including universities in Puerto Rico)
Up to 4 exchange places have been agreed with ISEP at the approximately 100 participating universities in Canada, the USA and Puerto Rico.
Target group
Students of all disciplines
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees, room and board
Own contribution
5.000,- (for one academic year); 3.500€ (for 1 Semester)
Further information
www.isep.org
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts
Target group
Students of all disciplines (bachelor and masters studies)
Benefits
payment of tuition fees, room and board
Own contribution
5.000€ € for 2 semesters, 3.500€ for 1 semester
Further information
www.clarku.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Hamline University, St Paul, Minnesota
Target group
Students of all disciplines represented at Hamline University (undergraduate studies)
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees, room and board
Own contribution
5.000€ for 2 semesters, 3.500€ for 1 semester
Further information
www.hamline.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina
Target group
Students of all disciplines represented at Francis Marion (undergraduate and graduate studies)
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees
Further information
www.fmarion.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Saint Martin's University, Lacey, Washington
Target group
Students of all disciplines represented at Saint Martin's University (undergraduate and graduate studies)
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees
Own contribution
600 € university fee at the host university
Further information
www.stmartin.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania
Target group
Students of all disciplines represented at Bloomsburg University (undergraduate studies)
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees
Further information
www.bloomu.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Exchange with Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Exchange agreement with the German Department (graduate programme)
Target group
Students and graduates of German Studies
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees (for three courses per semester); partial scholarship from the host university as a contribution to living costs, if applicable
Further information
www.german.georgetown.edu
Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Andrea Geier, German Studies
Application deadline
probably November/December – see: www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Exchange with Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Blacksburg
Target group
Students of mathematics with a bachelor's degree
Benefits
Free study place, which is usually combined with a teaching assistantship, for which the participant receives a salary
Further information
www.vt.edu
Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Ekkehard Sachs, Mathematics
Application deadline
Please consult with Prof. Sachs
Study and work as a tutor/language assistant for German as a foreign language at Gardner Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Part-time or full-time study and work in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Target group
For students of English, DaF and/or German Studies in the advanced Bachelor's or Master's programme; completion of the basic DaF programme or completion of DaF modules 1-3 by the start of the stay is desirable
Benefits
Expected waiver of tuition fees for up to 2-3 courses per semester, free room and board, monthly stipend
Further information
www.gardner-webb.edu
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Language Assistance Semester in German as a Foreign Language at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
In addition to working in the German Department, students can take a course from the university's range of courses.
Target group
Students of German Studies, German as a Foreign Language (DaF) or a foreign language philology; modules 1-3 of the Bachelor's degree programme DaF or the basic study programme DaF must have been completed before starting the stay
Benefits
Tuition fee waiver for one course per semester, free accommodation and meals, health service, transport ticket
Further information
www.mola.tcu.edu
Coordinator
Dr. Renate Freudenberg-Findeisen, German as a Foreign Language
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Fulbright Commission: Full and partial scholarships to study at a graduate school in the USA
Scholarships for four to nine-month studies at Master's level (Law: only 9-month LL.M./M.C.L-programmes)
Target group
Graduates of all disciplines with german citizenship
Further information
www.fulbright.de
Application deadline
usually annually in August
Fulbright Commission: Travel grants for study visits to the USA
Travel grants for one or two-semester study visits within the framework of exchange agreements of the home university
Target group
Students of all disciplines with german citizenship
Benefits
Travel and incidental expenses allowance of approx. 2,000 €, preparatory seminar by the Fulbright Commission
Further information
https://fulbright.de/stipendien/programm/reisestipendium-ma-uni-und-fh
Application deadline
usually annually in January
Fulbright: Fulbright Summer Study Programme in the USA: ‘Diversity Initiative’ at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
During the fully funded four-week programme, participants attend courses on history, politics and society at Trinity University and gain insights into American society and culture through exchanges with US students and teachers.
Target group
Full-time bachelor's students with a migrant background from all degree programmes at German universities and universities of applied sciences (prerequisite: German citizenship)
Duration
4 weeks from mid-August to mid-September
Benefits
Financing of programme and course fees; coverage of accommodation costs (in double rooms) and meals on the university campus; transatlantic flight based on a group flight arrangement; international health insurance for the duration of the programme; support from Fulbright Germany in Berlin and from the host university in the USA; Participation in a preparatory meeting; Admission to the network of Fulbright Germany scholarship holders and alumni.
Further information
Detailed information on the scholarship programme can be found on the Fulbright website.
Application deadline
Usually mid/late February
Arnold Heidsieck – Scholarships for study visits to the USA
Target group
Students of Humanities and Cultural Studies in the Bachelor's programme
Benefits
Monthly partial scholarship of up to 500 €, flat-rate travel allowance
Further information
www.zeit-stiftung.de/en/scholarships
Application deadline
usually in March/April
Exchange Programme of the Association of German-American Clubs e.V.
The Association of German-American Clubs e.V. arranges one-year study visits in the field of undergraduate and graduate studies in the USA.
Further information
www.vdac.de/en
McCloy Academic Scholarship Programme
Full scholarships for a two-year Master's programme at the Harvard Kennedy School to qualify leaders for public and international organisations.
Target group
Graduates of all subjects with very good academic results and, if possible, first professional experience
Further information
McCloy-Stipendienprogramm
Application deadline
usually in November
ERP Scholarship Programme for Postgraduate Studies in the USA
Full scholarships for one to two-year study or research stays at top American universities (e.g. to obtain a Master's degree or a PhD).
Target group
Graduates of all subjects with very good study results
Further information
www.studienstiftung.de/erp/
Application deadline
usually annually in October
Please also note the DAAD's transnational funding programmes!
International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP) at various canadian universities
Up to ten exchange places have been agreed with ISEP at the approximately 100 participating universities in Canada, the USA and Puerto Rico.
Target group
Students of all disciplines
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees, room and board
Own contribution
5.000€ for 2 semesters, 3.500€ for 1 semester
Further information
www.isep.org
Application forms (available in July)
www.ins-ausland-downloads.uni-trier.de
Application deadline
usually in November – see call for applications
Academic Year at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Target group
Students of all disciplines (especially with additional studies in Canadian Studies) with at least three completed semesters of study at the start of the programme. Interested students from Master's programmes should contact the International Office.
Benefits
Payment of tuition fees; as an alternative to PROMOS, scholarships from the ERASMUS+ programme with non-European countries may also be available
Further information
www.umanitoba.ca
Application deadline
No call for applications for the academic year 21/22
Study Place at Ryerson University, Toronto
For students in the Bachelor's programme in Educational Science - SOP, there may be five free study places available for one or two terms at the School of Child and Youth Care at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, as part of an exchange agreement.
For further information
contact: Mr Philipp Annen, FB I
Sponsorship awards of the Society for Canadian Studies for theses
Several funding awards are made annually to carry out a research project (Master's, dissertation) related to Canada.
Benefits
Prize money of approx. 1,000 €
Further information
www.kanada-studien.org
Application deadline
1 November of each year
Please also note the DAAD's transnational funding programmes!
Exchange with the University of New England in Armidale (NSW) (Exchange is currently suspended).
At the Faculty of Arts of the University of New England in Armidale (NSW) there are one to two tuition-free study places available for one semester (exchange is currently suspended!).
Target group
Students of English Studies from the 3rd semester (at the beginning of the programme). In addition, the willingness to take on a tutorial or to otherwise work in the German Department of the host university is desired.
Benefits
Waiver of tuition and other fees at the host university. Please also note the funding opportunities in the chapter Financing!
Further information
www.une.edu.au
Coordinator
Dr. Markus Müller, English Studies
Duration
One trimester: mid of February - end of july
Two trimester: mid of February - end of october
Application deadline
usually annually in August/September
Scholarships from the Australian side to study in Australia
Further information
www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/australian-education/scholarships
Scholarships from New Zealand to study in New Zealand
Further information
www.studyinnewzealand.gov.nz/how-to-apply/scholarships
GOstralia!-GOmerica
Free study advice and placement for semester abroad and study abroad in Australia, New Zealand and Asia
Attention! In 2025 they have several Anniversary scholarships! See https://gostralia-gomerica.de/auslandssemester/finanzierung/stipendien/25-jahre-25-stipendien
Further information
https://gostralia-gomerica.de
Please also note the DAAD's transnational funding programmes!
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS-Test and DAAD-Sprachnachweis
No TOEFL test is required to apply for the University of Trier's North America programmes – proof of language proficiency from the University of Trier Language Centre is sufficient!
If the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required for the respective programme, you should register for it early.
Registration information is available at www.toefl.org, and practice material is available at the Self-Study Centre of the Media Centre Languages (contact person in B 311/313). In addition, you can find some sample exercises at www.toeflgoanywhere.org.
Please take theTOEFL iBT, NOT the Toefl Essentials!
Alternative test
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): www.ielts.org Preparation: www.britishcouncil.de/pruefung/ielts/vorbereitung and www.ielts.org/about-the-test/sample-test-questions
DAAD-Sprachnachweis
For some programmes, the DAAD-Sprachnachweis is sufficient. Here is the template.
Comparison Toefl points with the Europäischen Referenzrahmen (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR)
https://www.ets.org/s/toefl-essentials/score-users/scores-admissions/set/
| Anfänger | Grundkenntnisse | Mittelstufe | Fortgeschrittene Mittelstufe | Fortgeschritten | Fließend | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.5-4.5 | 5.0-6.0 | 6.5-7.5 | 8.0-9.0 |
| EF SET | 0-30 | 31-40 | 41-50 | 51-60 | 61-70 | 71-100 |
| TOEFL iBT | 42-71 | 72-94 | 95-120 | |||
| Cambridge Certificate | YLE | KET | PET | FCE | CAE | CPE |
| CEFR | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
Destination Codes (Status Dezember 2021)
Please check before your test application: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/destinations !
Trier University: 9208
ISEP: 9250
Bloomsburg University: 2646 (TOEFL may not be necessary)
Clark University, graduate programmes: 5969
Francis Marion University: 5442
Hamline University: 6265 (TOEFL may not be necessary)
St. Martin University: 4676
Georgetown University: 5244
Recognition of study abroad results
As part of the agreements with our partner universities, mutual recognition of academic credits is provided for and encouraged.
The recognition process is similar to the European Erasmus programme (see https://www.uni-trier.de/international/erasmus-begruessung/erasmus-studium-outgoing ):
- You consult with the coordinator for study abroad in your programme about possible courses at the host university and whether/in what scope they can be recognized for your studies here.
- The departments have their own information on the recognition process on their websites: Fachbereich I, Fachbereich II, Fachbereich III,Fachbereich IV, Fachbereich V,Fachbereich VI
- Please use the Non-Erasmus Learning Agreement to make the recognition agreement.
- Fill out the Learning Agreement (LA) yourself (digitally) after consultation with your coordinator, sign it and have the coordinator sign it (digitally).
- Then send it by email to the International Office of the host university and ask for signature and return of the LA.
- If you would like to make any changes to the courses during your study abroad, you must update the LA and have it signed again by the home university and the host university (this way all parties are always up to date).
- After your return, submit the LA together with the "Transcript of Records" to your home coordinator and ask for recognition of the completed achievements (if necessary with a separate "Application for Recognition" – depending on the subject area).
- The "Prüfungsausschuss" of your department will then review the application. You will then receive written notification of the recognition.
American Credits and ECTS Points
Synonyms for ‘credit’: credit hour, credit unit, unit
There is no uniform rule for the conversion of credits. It is often stated that 1 credit point is equivalent to 2 ECTS points. This simple doubling usually applies to undergraduate programmes in the semester system (but not to all!), but not to graduate (Master's) programmes! In the Master's programme, less than 15-16 credits per semester are usually required in the USA. In addition, at some universities the academic year is divided into quarters instead of semesters. Here, different credit values apply to the quarters.
From our point of view, it is therefore safest to check on the website of the host university what the regular workload is in the respective Bachelor's or Master's programme per academic year and then relate this to the 60 ECTS (for 1 year) that is usual here (summer schools/summer quarters do not usually count towards the annual credits).
The standard value at Trier University for 2 semesters (1 academic year) is 60 ECTS. This results in the following examples:
- At your host university, the standard value is 30 credits per year. You divide the 60 ECTS by the 30 credits > 1 credit corresponds to 2 ECTS (and 1 ECTS corresponds to 0.5 credits).
- At your host university, the benchmark is 24 credits per year. You divide the 60 ECTS by the 24 credits > 1 credit corresponds to 2.5 ECTS (and 1 ECTS corresponds to 0.4 credits)
Or in "percentages" - another example:
100% of the ECTS for one academic year are usually 60 ECTS in Germany.
100% of the credits for one academic year at your host university would be 48 credits, for example.
If you now achieve 42 credits in one year at this host university, that is 87.5% of the credits.
These 87.5% are then in turn 52.5 ECTS from the "home ECTS full credit score" (60 ECTS).
Important: Full-time study!
To maintain your visa status (and Bafög status, if applicable), you must study "full-time". This usually means (but better check again!) undergraduate at least 12 credit hours, graduate at least 9 credit hours.