Other Forms of Mobility
Projects and Internships
Erasmus+ Traineeships:
Your home university is sponsoring your internship at RWTH Aachen University as part of the Erasmus+ Traineeships program? Register with us once you have independently organized your internship.
Visiting Project Students
Students coming to RWTH Aachen University for the purpose of completing a project only – for example an internship or thesis – can also enroll at RWTH Aachen for the duration of their stay, on the condition that they are enrolled as student at a university abroad.
Both ERASMUS+ Trainees and Visiting Project Students need to find a supervisor independently. For that, read our useful tips in our Info-sheet titled How to find a supervisor.
You have your invitation letter or confirmation of supervision? Congratulations, you can now apply at Incoming Student Services: Registration information for Visiting Project Students and Erasmus+ interns
Are you currently studying at one of the top universities in Japan or in Korea? You should definitely have a look at the following scholarship offers:
- RWTH Research Fellowship Japan
- RWTH Research Fellowship Korea
- RWTH Aachen University Exchange Scholarships
You can also contact the coordinator Bettina Dinter for further information.
Important Information
Preparatory intensive German courses are not available to Visiting Project Students, Free Movers and ERASMUS+ SMP interns. However, if your stay is planned to coincide with the semester dates, then you can take part in the semester courses offered by the Language Center.
Free Movers – non-exchange
Free Movers are students enrolled at a foreign university who are planning to study at RWTH Aachen for a short period of time. Unlike exchange and program students, there is no bilateral cooperation agreement between RWTH and the home university. Free Movers apply to RWTH and organize their stay in Aachen independently.
After you have successfully applied to RWTH Aachen as a Free Mover, you can be enrolled as a student and will be able to participate in courses and exams. You can achieve credits and request certificates to confirm your academic achievements. As a visiting student, it is not possible to complete your final exams or receive an academic title from RWTH Aachen University.
How to apply as a Free Mover – non-exchange
Although we welcome applications from Free Movers, please be aware that Free Movers are not automatically entitled to a university place at RWTH Aachen.
What is the difference between Free Mover and Visiting Project Student?
As a Visiting Project Student, the only purpose of your stay is your project work. Therefore, you are not allowed to take classes and exams beside it. For that reason, the application procedure is shorter and the deadlines are more flexible.
If you want to do a project and take classes and exams, you need to apply as Free Mover. Please refer to the application deadlines below:
| Winter Semester | Summer Semester | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Mover | May 31 | January 31 |
| Visiting Project Students and Erasmus Trainees |
October 31 | April 30 |
Enrollment for Free Movers, Visiting Project Students and Erasmus+ interns
Please note that Free Movers, Visiting Project Students and Erasmus+ interns can only enroll when they are still enrolled at a university abroad at the same time. Erasmus+ interns who make use of the program as graduates cannot enroll at RWTH Aachen!
Special Cases: Forschungszentrum Jülich and Fraunhofer-Institute
Students who are going to complete a project, a thesis work or an internship at Forschungszentrum Jülich or at the Fraunhofer-Institute, must explicitly be supervised by a RWTH professor in order to get enrolled. It means that the invitation letter or the confirmation of supervision must be signed by the RWTH professor him- or herself. Documents issued by another person, for instance by a scientific assistant, will not be accepted. Therefore you should request the necessary documents as early as possible from the RWTH professor so that you can enroll during the enrollment period.
Free Movers who are planning to study at RWTH Aachen, will receive an enrollment invitation with further information from the International Office shortly before the semester begins.
Free Movers, Visiting Project Students and ERASMUS+ Trainees can be enrolled as students at RWTH for a maximum of two semesters. It is not possible to extend the stay after this time.
Visiting Project Students and ERASMUS+ Trainees students can enroll at any time during the enrollment period upon arrival on the condition that their stay in Aachen will last at least two months. Please contact Incoming Student Services at the International Office for more information.
Please note: After enrollment you will need to pay a semester fee in order to receive a BlueCard and transport ticket. Further information about the fee and which services it covers can be found on our webpage for re-enrollment.