Exchange & International students

All students coming to TUM via one of our exchange programmes or partner agreements are called exchange students. They can attend lectures from all departments/faculties and have the advantage that their application and matriculation procedure is simplified.

The regulations and conditions are the following:

• You have to study at a partner university of TUM and apply there for an exchange programme (e.g. ERASMUS or TUMexchange) or a bilateral agreement.
• The maximal study length at TUM as an exchange student is three semesters.
• To enrol succesfully at TUM you have to pay the 42 Euro student union fee (essential to obtain your student card and to gain access to all student services: cafeteria, library, internet, etc.) and show proof of your health insurance to the International Office. Deadlines are February 15th for the summer semester and August 15th for the winter semester. Although matriculation is still possible 5 weeks after the semester starts at the latest, it is very much appreciated and convenient for you to have done it in advance.

As international students, we refer to all regular TUM students coming from abroad either for their full studies or part of it. Their regulations and conditions are as for any regular TUM student, but they receive extra support from us!

Useful links

For exchange students:

• Main page of the International Office: Introduction for exchange students
• Erasmus: Application and enrolment at the TUM
• TUMexchange: TUM's exchange programme for students from all over the world

For exchange and international students:

• Handbook for international students: presented by the International Office
• Incomings guide for Physics students: presented by the Physics department
• Incomings guide for Physics students online: presented by the Physics department (under construction!)
• Student Union Munich

Course selection

The new and complete course directory of the TUM is TUMonline (Path: Fakultäten >> Physik >> Lehrveranstaltungen). You can find more information about TUMonline here.

You can also look up the Physics courses specific to the courses of study:

• Bachelor: basic studies (1st and 2nd years) and specialisation (3rd year)
• Master: special courses and advanced lab course (4th year)
• Diplom (running out): Physics special courses

or in general in the courses catalogue, with the recommended schedules and Physics lectures.

Exams always take place at the end of the semester. Please talk with the lecturer well in advance in order to take part on the exam. Collect all "Scheine" as certificates of attendance.

Transcript of Records for exchange students

At the end of your stay in the TUM and once you have collected all "Scheine", fill out your course in this form. With all these and making an appointment with the Academic Advisor for Internationalisation, your Transcript of Records and Confirmation of Stay will be issued.

Cultural and social programme

TUM international (TUMi): Orientation programme for TUM international students

TUMi offers Orientation Weeks before the beginning of academic activities. These include support in administrative affairs (residence permit, enrolment, public transport, etc.) and a cultural programme to get to know Munich and its surrondings. Remember to register well in advance to ensure you a place (typically a month before the beginning of lectures).

International Café

This is a project jointly organised by the faculties of Infomatics, Mathematics and Physics. Once per month we meet to learn about and discuss different topics in a cosy atmosphere. The International Café is open to all TUM students: no matter if permanently residing in Germany, just coming for an exchange programme or being an international full-time student.

Fellow programme

Every Physics exchange student will get contacted by a "Fellow", a TUM Physics student who voluntary stands beside you for questions regarding the studies in the TUM and the leisure time in Munich. For activities on campus, pay attention to announcements and postings.

If you are an international student and you would like to have a "Fellow", please contact the Academic Advisor for Internationalisation.

TUMi Activities

Homestays for foreign students (FAS).

Orientation weeks and Stammtisch.

Housing in Munich

To find appropriate accommodation in Munich can be very difficult, especially in October when the semester begins. Exchange students from outside Europe can be offered a room by the International Office, whereas Erasmus students and international full-time students have to find something on their own. However, the International Office has a page that offers helpful tips and links to find accommodation.

German language courses

TUM's language center offers during the semester German courses. All international students are welcome to join, but register well in advance! The courses are free of charge, except for a 30 Euros fee for photocopy material.

Working in Munich

If you would like to work during your studies or do an internship, there are several possibilities on campus. For example, in terms of research, you could work either in a group of the Physics Department or at one of the Max Planck Institutes. Please have a look at the announcements or contact directly the professors in each institution. For an internship in the industry sector, you can check a list of possible employees for Physics students here.