LMUexchange
If you yre interested in studying abroad outside of Europe, LMUexchange is the program for you!
At a glance
© Office of International Affairs and Global Network - Chulalongkorn University
Since 2025, the Department of Sociology offers sociology students a subject-specific exchange program at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
One place for one year (or two single-semester places) are available per academic year for B.A. students.
The exchange takes place at the Faculty of Political Science with a choice of courses from the Politics and Global Studies program. More information can be found on the partner university's website.
Your journey starts here
Only two steps away from your goal
Step 1: Internal application via the Department of Sociology
Applications for subject-specific exchange places as part of LMUexchange are submitted via the Department of Sociology.
Students enrolled in our B.A. degree programs are eligible to apply.
The application process takes between 6 and 12 months.
Required documents:
Simple copies are sufficient — certifications are not necessary.
- Online application form
- Motivation letter (DE) for the host university.
- Tabular CV (DE)
- At least one academic reference in English
A total of two references are required for the subsequent application to the partner university - Language certificate
- Transcript of grades for both major and minor subjects (LSF transcript is sufficient); grade point average of 2.3 or better
- 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 August of the same year as well as for a stay abroad in the summer semester of the following year.
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.
English: at least B2 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
- IELTS
- Cambridge Certificate
- 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.
Requirements Chula University:
Please apply using the Department of Sociology's digital application form (available from the beginning of December for stays in the following year).
There is no need to submit your documents via mail 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.
Applications for interdisciplinary exchange places with LMUexchange are made directly to the International Office.
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 necessary.
Complete the application process at the host university (check their website for deadlines and required documents) and submit any additional documentation (e.g., language certificates). You will then receive a letter of acceptance from the partner university.
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.
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 exchange coordinator.