Exchange studies in North America
Contact
Study abroad advisor for Latin and North America
Exchange studies in North America
The next call for exchange places in North America in Winter Semester 25/26 or in Summer Semester 2026 will take place from October 15 to November 26, 2024.
Partner universities
A study visit as part of the exchange programme can be carried out with the following North American partner universities:
Canada
- Acadia University (Nova Scotia)
- University of Calgary (Alberta)
- University of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan)
- York University (Ontario) (only Sports)
USA
- California State University Channel Islands (California)
- California State University Long Beach (California)
- California State University Monterey Bay (California)
- Florida International University (Florida)
- Florida State University (Florida)
- Northern Michigan University (Michigan)
- Oakland University (Michigan)
- St. Cloud State University (Minnesota)
- Towson University (Maryland)
- University of North Carolina Wilmington (North Carolina)
- University of Northern Colorado (Colorado)
- University of South Dakota (South Dakota)
- University of West Georgia (Georgia)
- University of Wisconsin La Crosse (Wisconsin)
- University of Wisconsin Superior (Wisconsin)
- University of Wyoming (Wyoming)
Prerequisites and language certificate
Requirements for participation
- Applicants must have completed at least one year of a degree programme at the time of departure
- Good academic standing
- Good English proficiency (supporting evidence required)
Language proficiency
Unless otherwise stated, our partner universities accept the DAAD language certificate (at least B2 level). The DAAD language certificate can be obtained from the Language Centre by successfully completing a language test.
Some universities require a TOEFL or IELTS test. Please note that the TOEFL itp (institution based) is not accepted. Most universities accept the internet-based (ibt) or the paper-based TOEFL.
Application
Available places in the exchange programme at our North American partner universities will be announced in the autumn for the following academic year. Students can apply from 15th October until 26th November 2024 for participation in the programme during the academic year 2025/26 (beginning in August/September 2025).
Applications will be assessed by a member of the International Office and the academic representative for our North American partners.
After you have been selected for the programme you will be nominated at the partner university and receive all relevant information on the next steps and the application forms required for enrolment at the partner university.
Applications for the exchange programme will only be accepted during the call for applications.
Study
The North America programme is generally open to Bachelor's and Master's students from all degree programmes.
However, there are also restrictions due to individual cooperation agreements with our North American partner universities. In the mobility portal of the University of Oldenburg Mobility Online, you can find out about any applicable restrictions by clicking on the info button on the details page of your destination university.
You can also use the websites of our partner universities to find out whether your subject and the courses and modules you are interested in are offered there. Please clarify any questions regarding credit transfer with your subject (module coordinator and/or academic advisor) or with your administrator at the Examinations Office.
Not all partner universities offer Master's courses for exchange students. Oldenburg exchange students normally attend courses at Bachelor's level. If you are already studying for a Master's degree at the time of your semester abroad, please clarify with your department whether you can also have courses at Bachelor's level credited to your studies in Oldenburg.
Semester times
| Canada | USA |
|---|---|
| Fall term: September – December | Fall term: August – December |
| Winter term: January – April | Spring term: January – May |
Workload
Undergraduate studies in the USA take four years; in Canada, three to four years, depending on the degree programme. The Master's programme (graduate studies) lasts two years or longer, depending on the qualification objective.
Courses are offered rather than modules. The workload per course is generally much higher than for a course in Germany: there is a lot of homework, sometimes weekly tests, presentations, etc.
One US credit corresponds to approximately 2 ECTS/KP. For full-time study, exchange students take 3 to 4 courses per semester (= 12 to 15 US credits). In Canada, courses are usually offered with 3 credits each. You will typically also take 3 to 4 courses per semester, possibly fewer in the Master's programme.
Costs
While you are exempt from tuition fees at the partner university through the exchange programme or you can cover the majority of the tuition fees through BAföG abroad, you will still incur some costs.
Plan for the following costs:
- Language certificate (DAAD test approx. 20,- EUR, TOEFL/IELTS approx. 200,- EUR)
- Semester fee at the host university (between 0 and 600 USD per semester)
- Host university application fee (40 to 150 USD)
- Fees for individual courses, if any
- Visa fees (visa application approx. 160,- USD, SEVIS fee, travel costs to the embassy)
- Health insurance at the host university (up to around 700 USD per semester)
- German health insurance abroad, if applicable
- Books and material costs (200 to 600 USD)
- Travel costs to North America
- Field trips and travel in destination country
- Housing/apartment (approx. 2,500 to 3,000 USD per semester in a dormitory with meal plan)
- Higher cost of living (compared to Oldenburg)
- Special purchases at the beginning of the stay (bike, kitchen utensils, bed linen, etc.)
You can get a first impression of the cost of living atNumbeo. Please also note that the cost of living can vary greatly depending on the region and city.
Entry & Visa
Canada
German citizens are exempt from the visa requirement for temporary stays in Canada. This also includes study-related stays abroad of up to six months.
In order to enter Canada, you must apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). You can easily apply for your eTA online. The cost is $7 CAD.
You will usually receive your eTA within a few minutes, but in some cases the processing time can take several days. It is recommended that you only book your flight to Canada after you have received your eTA.
USA
To study in the USA, you need a visa, which you must apply for before entering the country. The student visa can only be issued after a successful application to an American university. Cost of the visa: MRV: $ 160 US / SEVIS fee (F visa): $ 350 US. A personal embassy appointment in Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich is also required.
F-1 or J-1 visa?
To obtain a student visa in the USA, you must be enrolled as a full-time student. A full-time study program corresponds to 3 to 4 courses (= 12 to 15 US credits).
The type of visa you need to apply for is stated on the immigration paper ("I-20" or "DS-2019" form), which you will receive from your host university together with your admission documents.
A validity period is stated on the form (usually from the first to the last day of the semester). However, you can enter the USA earlier and stay longer: For J-1 visas, the grace period is 30 days before and 30 days after the specified period; for F-1 visas, the grace period is 30 days before and 60 days after the specified period.
Semester abroad with subsequent internship in the USA
If you are planning to complete an internship in the USA after your semester abroad, you need to be aware of special requirements when applying for a visa:Fact sheet on "Combining a visa for studies and an internship in the USA".
Note: For organisational reasons, the team of the International Office of the University of Oldenburg is not allowed to adviseon visa issues!
Prerequisites & language certificate
Participation requirements
In order to participate in the North American exchange programme, you must meet the following requirements:
- 3rd Bachelor's semester or higher at the time of the stay abroad
- Good academic performance
- good language skills (at least English B2 CEFR)
Language certificate
Unless otherwise stated, our North American partner universities accept the DAAD language test (at least B2) as proof of sufficient English language skills.
Note: You can find this information in themobility portal of the University of Oldenburg(Mobility Online) on the details page of your target university by clicking on the info symbol.
You can take theDAAD English language test at the Language Center of the University of Oldenburg, which offers these exams on a regular basis. However, the available examination dates are quickly filled, especially during the periods when exchange places abroad are advertised. You should therefore make an appointment in good time. Students only pay 20 euros for the DAAD language test at the Language Centre, which is much less than other internationally accepted language tests, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
The language certificate must be up-to-date, i.e. the certificate may not be older than two years when the application is received.
Note: Proof of English language and literature studies or an Abitur certificate are not acceptedas proof of language level B2!
Application and selection procedure
Exchange places in North America are advertised once a year via various channels. The application period is in October/November and usually lasts six weeks. The earliest start of the stay abroad is in August/September of the following year.
For the academic year 2025/26 you can apply for exchange places in North America from 15 October to 26 November 2024 on the mobility portal of the University of Oldenburg (Mobility Online).
For detailed instructions on the application process visit North America Programme 2025.
Students will receive confirmation of receipt of their application by email and can view the status of their application at any time in their personal user portal in Mobility Online. After the application deadline, the International Office reviews all applications received and allocates the applicants to the available direct exchange and self-pay places at the North American target universities. The selection is made in consultation with the partnership officer. You will receive a notification by email approx. 6 weeks after the end of the call for applications.
Once you have been nominated for the partner university by the International Office, you will receive an email with all the information about the next steps and the application forms required for enrolment at the partner university.
You will need the following documents for your application:
- Letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae
- Language certificate
- Grade certificate
- Certificate of enrolment