Erasmus+

Erasmus+ is the largest exchange program in Europe. For more than 35 years, it has enabled students to study abroad at a European host university.

At a glance

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  • Credit acceptance from the host university.
  • Monthly stipend (€540 - €600, depending on the destination country).
  • No tuition fees for the host university while abroad.
  • Special funding opportunities for students with disabilities, students with children, first-time university students, and working students.

Your journey starts here

Only two steps away from your goal

Step 1: Internal application via the Department of Sociology

Applications for an exchange place via Erasmus+ at the LMU are made directly through the Department of Sociology.

Students enrolled in any of our degree programs (all levels, all formats) are eligible to apply.

The application process takes between 6 and 12 months.

Required documents:

Simple copies are sufficient — certifications are not necessary.

  • Cover page (PDF, 160 KB)
  • Digital application form (will be available in December 2025)
  • Motivation letter (DE) for the host university with the highest priority.
    If you are applying for both your major and minor, focus your motivation letter on the highest priority at the relevant department. In Sociology, it is sufficient to hand in a motivation letter for your highest priority. Other departments may have other rules and regulations.
  • Tabular CV (DE)
  • Language certificate
  • Transcript of grades for both major and minor subjects (LSF transcript is sufficient)
    For M.A. students in their first semester: B.A. transcript of records and current course list
  • When applying for both LMUexchange and Erasmus+: Priority list (PDF, 53 KB)

The application deadline is January 15th for both a semester/year abroad beginning in September or October of the same year as well as for a stay abroad in the summer semester of the following year.

Yes, multiple applications (i.e., for both major and minor) are possible. In this case, you can apply to a maximum of four partner universities.

Please list up to four preferred partner universities on the digital application form. The order should be according to your priorities.

Take a closer look at the "Required documents” section on this page.

You can find more detailed information on each point in the LMU Workspace.

Englisch: at least B2 CEFR

All other languages: B1 CEFR

Accepted certificates:

  • High school diploma (language level according to CEFR must be clearly stated)
  • Language courses in the transcript under “Additional credits”
  • Language exams
    • TOEFL iBT
    • IELTS
    • Cambridge Certificate
    • DELF/DALF
    • AbiBac
    • DELE
  • LMU language certificate

Please note that a high school diploma is not sufficient as proof of language proficiency for later registration at the host university. Please check with the host university to find out which language certificates are accepted for registration.

Please apply using the International Office's digital application form (available from the beginning of December for stays in the following year).

There is no need to submit your documents to the Department of Sociology as well!

In addition to the quality and completeness of the application documents, the following criteria are decisive in the selection process:

  • Benefits for the course of study and professional development (both subject-specific and interdisciplinary)
  • Personal suitability
  • Language skills
  • Previous grades

Our goal is to offer you a place at one of your preferred universities. Due to the large number of partnerships we have in multiple European countries, this is not unlikely; however, we cannot guarantee you will be placed at your requested university.

Step 2: External application at the partner university

Once you have received an offer and confirmed your place, we will nominate you to the partner university. You must then apply directly to the partner university. Check their website for application deadline(s) and required documents.

Find out whether your host university requires a specific language certificate (such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, DALF, etc.) or a higher language level than the LMU, and prepare yourself linguistically if needed.

During April, you will receive the first information email from the International Office along with access to a Moodle course that contains important information about the next steps.

Well in advance of your departure, make yourself familiar with the course program offered at your host university and clarify which credits can be accepted.

Finally, it is best to fill out the online learning agreement before your outward journey.

Check the partner university's website for the exact semester dates. These may coincide with those at the LMU, but in most cases they differ.

Find out whether there are any overlaps with the exam period at the LMU. Overlaps are quite common in the summer semester, but less so in the winter semester. At some universities, for example, the summer semester starts at the beginning of February, with preparatory days still in January, even though the winter semester at the LMU is still ongoing.

If there are any discrepancies, talk to your lecturers at the LMU to find out how you can still take your exams, even if the new semester starts before the end of the lecture period at the LMU.

In the case of a leave of absence, your semester count for your degree program will not increase (only the "Hochschulsemester" overall).

As your semester count will in most cases be extended by a stay abroad due to, for example, challenges with credit acceptance, a leave of absence is advisable if you need to comply with the standard period of study.

Credits earned abroad can be accepted regardless of whether you take a leave of absence. However, you cannot take any exams at the LMU during your leave of absence (exception: repeat examinations).

It is possible to accept credits obtained abroad. Make yourself familiar with the course program at your host university and discuss possible credit acceptance options with the International Office.