UROP International – Information for Students
UROP International offers a wide range of research internship option in a variety of different disciplines. There are currently around 100 UROP International research projects for you to choose from. This website walks you through what it takes to become part of the program.
Project Database
RWTH Aachen University’s research supervisors publish their project ideas in our UROP project database. We invite you to browse the database for projects that you find interesting and to select up to three different projects when applying for UROP International.
As the database not only contains projects for UROP International but also for the two other program components – RWTH UROP and UROP Abroad – please make sure to activate the UROP International filter on the left-hand side when searching the database.
Application
After having chosen your prospective projects from the project database, please register on our MoveON online platform next and submit your application. Please also upload the following application documents as PDF files:
Since we update the UROP project database each November and add new projects in the process, please make sure you do not submit your application before the end of November. The application deadline for UROP International is January 10 of each year, by which you will need to have submitted all application documents. Your application automatically serves as an application for a UROP International scholarship as well.
We will share the results of your application with you no later than the first week of March. You will then have one week to inform us as to whether you would like to become a part of the next UROP International class.
Eligibility, Scholarships and Fees
Undergraduate students from North American universities who have a GPA of 3.2 or higher are welcome to apply to UROP International. Ideally, you are a sophomore or junior at the time of application, but freshmen and seniors are also very welcome to participate. You are not required to have any prior knowledge of German and will be assigned to a German language class based on your proficiency, which we will be assessed in a placement test prior to the beginning of the program. In total, up to of 60 students may participate in UROP International each year.
UROP International offers a scholarship of 1,850 euros to 30 students each year, which will cover a large part of your living expenses during your stay in Aachen. RWTH primarily awards scholarships to students from partner universities. Should you not receive a scholarship, we recommend you calculate with around 2,500 euros (airfare excluded) for your stay here, as you will need to cover three months of rent and the enrollment fee, which amounts to approximately 320 euros and includes a public transportation pass for the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia throughout your stay.
Housing and Visa
UROP participants will be assigned a room a student dorm for the entire duration of the program. Should you prefer a different type of accommodation, you may arrange this independently of course. Rent for a student dorm room usually ranges between 300 and 500 euros a month and can be covered by the scholarship. Additionally, you will be asked to pay a deposit of two months of rent, which will be reimbursed when you move out provided that you leave the room in good condition.
US or Canadian citizens usually do not need to apply for a visa if their stay in Germany does not exceed 90 days. If you wish to stay longer than that, you can have your residence permit extended at the RWTH Branch of the Immigration Office while in Germany.
Buddy Program
We strongly encourage you to participate in our BeBuddy Program and team up with an RWTH student who will help you settle in during your first few days, show you around and be there for you throughout your stay in Aachen. Your RWTH buddy will also pick up your dorm keys prior to your arrival in Aachen and meet you at the train station. We will get in touch with you with more detailed information once you have been selected for the UROP International program.
The program is a great balance between the "serious summer research experience" and the ‘fun traveling/backpacking across Europe’ experience, as well. RWTH Aachen is a great university, and my research experience was wonderful – I also loved the campus and all the events that were always happening there, UROP or not! Aachen is also a great location for traveling; the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as some of the nicest cities in Germany (Cologne, Düsseldorf) are within a few hours' travel. It's awesome, I did good research, and I was never bored in my free time, either!”
Audrey Coble, University of Michigan
I couldn't recommend it more highly. This program has changed my life. It is so ideal. It's wonderful in itself to live in Aachen for a summer – which is a beautiful city – and get to work on a project that is career-relevant. But UROP is unique in that you get to experience this internship with 40 other students and make lasting friendships along the way.
Stephanie Dimitroff, McGill University