Have you received confirmation for an Erasmus+ international stay at a host institution? Congratulations! To ensure everything goes smoothly, you will find the most important preparation tips here.
Note: The following information is regularly updated to reflect the latest program regulations.
After we have informed the host institution that you have been selected for an Erasmus+ international stay abroad (= nomination), you will usually receive an email with all the necessary information regarding the next steps, such as application deadlines and required documents. The application to the host institution must now be completed independently.
Learning Agreement & Pre-recognition notification
According to the program guidelines, you need a Learning Agreement (LA) signed by all parties (yourself, the host institution, and the University of Graz) before the start of your stay. A template can be downloaded from Mobility-Online and edited further. Another component of the LA in Austria is the pre-recognition notification (in German: Vorausbescheid - VB), which provides the legal basis for the recognition of courses completed abroad. The VB must be requested via UNIGRAZonline.
Note: If your host university requires the Learning Agreement for the application, prepare the pre-recognition notification simultaneously. The average processing time for the pre-recognition notification by the respective dean's office or examination departments is around 3 to 6 weeks. In some cases, the processing time may also take the maximum allowed period of 2 months.
To ensure timely submission of both documents, please follow the instructions in the email and this handout. The deadlines for submitting the documents depend on the semester. Please refer to the deadlines communicated via email.
Attention: If you do not submit a signed Learning Agreement and an approved pre-recognition notification (Vorausbescheid) before starting your stay, we will withdraw your nomination at the host institution.
Important information:
- Joint Programme Students going on their mandatory mobility semester do not need a pre-recognition notification (VB) - only the LA is required. In case of an additional mobility, the pre-recognition notification is required.
- You should complete the equivalent of 30 ECTS credits per semester spent abroad. These ECTS must be recognized for your studies at the University of Graz which means that you should still have enough ECTS available in your studies when you go abroad. As a minimum requirement, you must complete 3 ECTS credits (recognized in Graz) per month of stay. If you are writing a thesis (Master's thesis, dissertation ...), the ECTS credits awarded by the supervisor for the successful progress in your work are also considered. In case of free electives, keep in mind that they must be recognized in your curriculum.
More information:
Grant Agreement & Payment of the Mobility Grant
At the earliest 30 days before the start of your stay abroad, you can download the so-called Erasmus+ Grant Agreement via Mobility-Online. This agreement is the funding contract between the University of Graz and you, in which the rights and duties (Erasmus+ student charter) of both parties are regulated, as well as the funding rates and payment conditions.
Important information:
- To receive the top-ups, such as for students with fewer opportunities, additional documents will be required.
- You will only receive the mobility grant for the time you physically spend at the host institution's location.
Double funding for one and the same activity from EU funds or grants directly funded by the BMBWF or other Austrian federal agencies is not allowed. Receiving an Austrian or foreign study grant, foreign or provincial grant does not constitute double funding.
Tuition fees and continued enrolment at the University of Graz
As you must remain enrolled at the University of Graz during your stay abroad, paying the student union fee (ÖH fee) to the University of Graz is mandatory.
Important Information: We will report your stay abroad to the Department of Student Affairs only once you have submitted the original signed Erasmus+ International grant agreement and uploaded the arrival confirmation signed by the host university in Mobility-Online.
For students required to pay tuition fees: You must re-register by paying the required fee within the given deadline. More information about the deadlines can be found on the website of the Department of Accademic Affairs.
If you have already paid the tuition fee, you must apply for reimbursement independently and within the deadline after we have reported your stay abroad. More information about the refund process can be found here.
Online Language Support (OLS)
Online Language Support (OLS) offers you the opportunity to assess your language skills before your stay and to learn (new) foreign languages. OLS is part of the EU Academy platform, where other learning content (e.g., MOOCs) is offered in addition to language tests and language courses.
More information on how to use OLS will be sent to Erasmus+ International students via email.
Insurance in the host country
You are not insured through the Erasmus+ International Program. This means that you are responsible for obtaining adequate health, accident, and liability insurance while abroad.
Please make sure to independently and promptly take care of all necessary arrangements before the start of your stay abroad. It is recommended, for example, to coordinate with your health insurance provider and gather information about any existing co-insurance or travel insurance coverage through your credit card, among others. The insurance coverage must include at least health insurance, liability insurance, and accident insurance. Additionally, it is also recommended to have your own insurance against the loss or theft of documents, travel tickets, and luggage.
Through the paid ÖH contribution, you are covered for accidents and liability. Coverage applies exclusively to accidents and damages that occur within the scope of your studies, but not in private settings. More detailed information about insurance coverage abroad can be found at https://www.oeh.ac.at/en/study-2/insurance.
Accomodation in the host country
Depending on your study abroad destination, we recommend you begin your accommodation search as early as possible. If you need support or further information regarding accommodation in the host country, it is best to contact the International Office at your host university directly. Another option is to visit our Experience report portal to receive valuable guidance on this topic from former Erasmus+ International outgoing students.
Visa and travel warnings
Depending on the country where your Erasmus+ International study stay will take place, we strongly recommend that you contact its relevant representative authority in Austria well in advance. Since your stay abroad is for academic purposes rather than tourism, it is your responsibility to secure the appropriate visa or residence permit for the host country. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete your visa application before your planned departure.
Useful links:
Please note the current information and travel warnings on the website of the Austrian Foreign Ministry. All Austrian citizens are advised to register for their study abroad period ⇒ here. In the case of all non-Austrian participants, it is advisable to inquire about this in advance at the respective embassy of their home country.