In order to keep track of which students are abroad and when, all students who choose to spend a semester abroad as Freemovers are asked to register in our Mobility Online database and create an account using the following link.
Registration Mobility Online.

In our Partnerdatenbank you can find a selection of testimonials from HSPF students. 

Please make sure to click on “Questionnaires” and choose “Freemover” as the program.

The German Academic Exchange Services provide much information about potential destinations through their Country Profiles and Student reports.

Students can apply directly to the foreign university or through an agency. Be sure to check the specific application requirements and deadlines. During both the application phase and while studying abroad, the university provides little support.

At the selected foreign university, it is best to contact the International Office, where you can find application materials and program descriptions.
A study abroad organized through an agency is generally easier to arrange – which is why it is so popular. Agencies collaborate with universities in various countries and often offer attractive packages that include studies, accommodation, transfer, etc. Agencies are particularly active for destinations like Australia and New Zealand. Well-known agencies in Germany include the Institut Ranke-Heinemann and GOSTRALIA. College-Contact offers a broader selection of countries (and Scholarships), as do IEC Online and World of Students. For Study & Work programs in English-speaking countries, college-council provides a wide range of options.

Faculty of Engineering Students: You can also apply as a Freemover at one of the universities that are part of the GE4 network. If you are applying to one of these institutions as a Freemover, please be aware that you must inform the International Office in advance, as we need to register it in our system and coordinate with the institution if it is already a partner university.

Application Deadlines
In general, applications for a semester abroad should be made about 6 - 8 months before the start of your studies. Some agencies may accept applications on shorter notice (6 - 8 weeks).

To have your exam results from abroad recognized, you should create a "Learning Agreement" with the respective faculty coordinator before starting your studies abroad. The Learning Agreement specifies which courses will be taken at the foreign university and which ones may be recognized by Pforzheim University in accordance with the study and examination regulations.

The recommended workload for a semester abroad is typically 24 ECTS in European countries and 22 ECTS in non-European countries. After completing your studies abroad, you must submit the "Transcript of Records" with the grades from the foreign university to the faculty coordinator at Pforzheim University.

For recognition of your courses (Credit Transfer), the following steps are recommended:
0. Step only For Business School students: Make an appointment for general advice with the Dean responsible for internationalization, Prof. Dr. Thomas Cleff.

1. Before applying to the university, have the International Office confirm that the foreign university you have selected is internationally recognized and/or accredited.
2. Register in Mobility Online.
3. Contact the outgoing advisor from your faculty to create your Learning Agreement. You can reach the Business School advisor at susanne.glas(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de, the Faculty of Engineering at moritz.peter(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de, or the Faculty of Design at exchange.design(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de . Bring the International office certificate to the meeting.