Studying abroad
Discover new ways of living, thinking and studying, get to know a foreign culture, gain experience and broaden your horizons – studying abroad is an exciting option and an investment in your professional future.
Partner universities of ZHAW Schools
Your choice of partner university for your semester abroad depends on your degree programme. You will find detailed information on the website of each School:
ICOS Module
ICOS (Intercultural Competence for Outgoing Students) is an interdepartmental and interdisciplinary module for students who wish to enhance their intercultural competence during their outgoing semester. The module consists of a pre-departure workshop, a critical incident to investigate and deal with in tandems during the semester abroad and a reflective workshop after re-entry. For further information please refer to our flyer(PDF 176,4 KB).
Student testimonials
“The semester abroad was a wonderful experience for me. Such an international exchange allowed me to gain new perspectives on social work and question my existing assumptions.”
Cristina Hanser, Master of Social Work
“The highlight of my master’s degree programme was my semester abroad at MICA in Ahmedabad, where I spent three unforgettable months. Why did I choose India of all places? Because it is just so incredibly interesting, exciting, enriching and different!”
Dominik Véron, Master of Applied Linguistics
“Studying in a dual programme is ideal because it allows me to apply what I've learned to my everyday work. I also have the chance to spend a semester abroad, which really appeals to me.”
Céline Graber, BSc student in Business Administration
Planning a semester abroad
It is important to prepare your period of study or work placement abroad carefully. The ZHAW offers the following options:
| Incoming students | Outgoing students | |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP) | Exchange students coming to the ZHAW from other countries in Europe can apply for a grant (SEMP). They pay their tuition fees at their home universities, remain enrolled at their home universities and do not pay any tuition fees at the ZHAW. | ZHAW students planning to go for an exchange in an European country can apply for a grant (SEMP). They pay their tuition fees at the ZHAW, remain enrolled at the ZHAW and do not pay any tuition fees at their host universities. |
| Bilateral agreement | Exchange students from partner universities outside Europe pay their tuition fees at their home universities, remain matriculated at their home universities and do not pay any tuition fees at the ZHAW. | ZHAW students who go to a non-European country on a bilateral agreement basis pay their tuition fees at the ZHAW, remain matriculated at the ZHAW and do not pay any tuition fees at their host universities. |
| Fee-paying | Visiting students from a partner university who pay ZHAW tuition fees because the number of exchange places available under the SEMP programme or a bilateral agreement is limited. | ZHAW students who study abroad under the SEMP programme or a bilateral agreement but who are required to pay tuition fees at their host university because the number of places available there is limited. These students are exempt from paying ZHAW tuition fees for the period of their study abroad. |
| Free movers | Visiting students from universities outside the ZHAW partner network who pay tuition fees for the period of their studies at the ZHAW. Not all ZHAW Schools accept free movers. You can obtain further information directly from the International Relations Offices of the individual Schools. | ZHAW students who study abroad at a university outside the ZHAW partner network are largely responsible for organising this themselves. Since they pay tuition fees at their host university, they are exempt from paying ZHAW tuition fees for the period of their study abroad. Not all ZHAW Schools accept free movers. You can obtain further information directly from the International Relations Offices of the individual Schools. |
Please contact the International Relations Office in your School for information on the application process.
Work placement abroad
In addition to the opportunity to study abroad, the ZHAW also offers you the opportunity to complete a work placement abroad. If you are interested in pursuing a work placement abroad, please contact the International Relations Office in your School.
You can also receive support in finding the right work placement from the following organisations:
Insurance and liability information for outgoing students
The Insurance and liability fact sheet for outgoing ZHAW students contains information and recommendations on insurance and liability issues for ZHAW students who are interested in spending an exchange semester or doing an internship abroad. Students take personal responsibility for all matters related to insurance, including health, accident and liability insurance. The ZHAW accepts no liability.