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When is the best time for a mobility semester? What are the prerequisites? A mobility semester requires a good deal of planning – make sure you start early enough. Here you will find everything important to consider when planning.
In the following document you will find a checklist with all important steps for an application as an exchange student:
At Bachelor's level, we recommend the fifth semester for a semester abroad; at Master's level, the third semester is recommended. The assessment level must be successfully completed before the start of the exchange semester. Likewise, at the Master's level, all requirements must be completed before the start of the exchange semester.
If you do an exchange semester shortly before your graduation, please note that the official transcript of records from the host university must be available at the latest on the registration deadline for graduation.
Find out about the existing programs and partner universities. First-hand reports from former mobility students will also give you a first impression. These can be found on the Global Student Experience (GSE) website:
Partner universities
First-hand reports
Research the semester dates, language of instruction and course offerings of the universities that you are considering.
There is only one guaranteed application deadline per year for the entire subsequent academic year (fall and spring semesters): 1 November to 15 January. If available, any free offerings for spring semester are posted again in June. Information for the second nomination period (for the remaining FS places) will be sent by e-mail at the end of May each year. It is possible and recommended that you apply for multiple mobility programs. Contact persons and helpful documents for the application can be found on this page.
Students apply online via the Mobility Online application platform run by the Global Student Experience (GSE) Office. The application platform is open from 1 November to 15 January for the following academic year.
Please use the link below to apply:
Mobility Online Registration
Mobility-Online Login (to edit application)
For a complete and correct application, you must upload the following documents to the UZH Mobility-Online platform:
The nominees will be selected by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics by mid-February.
After you have successfully applied for an offering, you must be nominated by the relevant UZH offices. The final decision on admission comes from the respective partner university. As a rule, students who are nominated are accepted. Be aware, however, that applying to the partner university is a separate application process. The partner university may require some of the same documents required by UZH. These always include a copy of your current transcript of records in German and English. Older documents, which you haven't automatically received in English, can be translated using the templates in the download area at right.
Registration is binding. Changes may only be made for a compelling reason and must be explained to the partner university, the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, as well as the Global Student Experience (GSE) Office of UZH in writing.
The eligibility for transfer of credits must necessarily be clarified by concluding a credit-transfer agreement. This is done after nomination for a specific partner university and before the semester abroad is actually started. The credit-transfer agreement need not be uploaded to Mobility Online.
A mobility semester should not be considered a language studies program. Very good language skills in the language of instruction are required (level B2). If you apply for an exchange program coordinated by the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, it is sufficient to demonstrate the relevant language skills in a plausible way (e.g., Swiss university entrance qualification, enrollment in one of our English-language Master's programs or the like). In the case that a partner university requires a more advanced language level (C1) or only accepts certain certificates, it is the responsibility of the student to produce this on time.
Exceptions for Faculty agreements: Applications for the Faculty agreements with the USA, Canada, and Singapore must include valid TOEFL or IELTS certificates.
Good language skills in the language of the country are an advantage. In some cases language tests must be completed in the semester prior to the application period.
During the course of a mobility semester, you remain enrolled at UZH and continue to pay semester fees here; you are exempted from paying tuition fees at the partner university. The SEMP Programme and some university-wide agreements include partial grants. You will find information on additional financing possibilities on the Global Student Experience (GSE) website.
