Exchange Worldwide

You can spend a semester or year abroad at a partner university in Europe (see Exchange in Europe) or at a university outside Europe. You have the opportunity to apply for one of the university-wide cooperation programs or to spend a semester or year abroad at the University of Tsukuba in Japan through the Faculty of Computer Science.

European Exchange Program of University of Tsukuba (Japan)

Students studying at the Faculty of Computer Science have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or a year at the Graduate School of Science and Technology as part of the European Exchange Program (EUXP) at the University of Tsukuba. Information about the University of Tsukuba can be found on our web site about the double degree program with this partner university.

Information about EUXP can be found on the websites of University of Tsukuba. As an EUXP exchange student, you will take courses totaling eight periods per week (equivalent to 600 minutes per week) and, with the consent of your academic advisor there, you may also carry out small research projects. Please check the University of Tsukuba’s course offerings early on to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of suitable courses for you.

Application as an EUXP Exchange Student

Applications should be submitted to the Faculty of Computer Science; please send the following documents to cs-international@rub.de:

  • Letter of motivation (one to two pages) explaining your motivation for studying abroad (academic and non-academic), as well as a brief description of your current study situation and future study plans, and the semester in which you would like to study abroad.
  • Tabular resume (CV)
  • Verifiable transcripts of your bachelor’s and master’s studies (the latter only if you are already studying a master’s program, of course).
  • Proof of Japanese language skills (if applicable)

Please note that after successfully applying to the Faculty of Computer Science, you must apply to the University of Tsukuba additionally.

Application deadlines:

  • For stays during the winter semester or winter and summer semesters: January 15
  • For stays during the summer semester: July 15

Funding

RUB students participating in the EUXP are exempt from the tuition fees normally charged by the University of Tsukuba. However, you will generally have to finance your actual stay (accommodation, food, etc.) yourself. For (financial) support, you can apply for various scholarships:

RUB exchange programs worldwide

RUB-wide exchange programs are offered and organized by the RUB International Office. They are open to all RUB students, so you can expect more competition here than with our faculty’s exchange programs. Nevertheless, it is worth applying, and it is also possible to apply to both RUB and faculty programs at the same time.

RUB currently offers university-wide exchange places in Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and the USA. Places in Latin America are often readily available. If you have any questions about the individual programs and partner universities, the International Office will be happy to help you. You can find contact on the websites for the respective continents.

Funding

RUB’s collaborations with universities worldwide are generally designed in such a way that participating students do not have to pay tuition fees at the partner university, which often is a significant financial relief already, for example in the US. In addition, it is possible to apply for a PROMOS scholarship through the International Office. Please note that, as with exchange places, many applications are received from students from other faculties. Accordingly, it is not almost certain that you will receive the scholarship, like it is within the Erasmus+ program.

In addition, it is possible to apply for a scholarship abroad through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and common foundations. “Auslands-BAföG” (BAföG for studying abroad) or student loans can also enable you to study abroad.