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ERASMUS+ Application Process

Here´s your guide:

1. Ask your home university's Erasmus+ coordinator if your institution has a valid inter-institutional agreement with us for the study program you are enrolled in.

2. Provided a valid exchange-agreement exists, submit your application to your home university's Erasmus+ selection committee and wait for their decision. Your home university then has to officially nominte you as an exchange student for a semester at HfS Ernst Busch.

3. Successfully nominated applicants are then asked to apply with us. You will be asked to submit application documents and to participate in an application interview with a commission of teachers from the study programme you are interested in. For specific instructions and any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our International Office (t.lebens@hfs-berlin.de) or contact the respective programme's responsible teacher directly:

Acting: Prof. Margarete Schuler (m.schuler@hfs-berlin.de)
Choreography: Prof. Susanne Vincenz (s.vincenz@hzt-berlin.de)
Contemporary Puppetry: Prof. Melanie Sowa (m.sowa@hfs-berlin.de)
Directing & Dramaturgy: Friederike Heller (f.heller@hfs-berlin.de) / Dr. Bernd Stegemann (b.stegemann@hfs-berlin.de)
Play & Object: Prof. Hannah Perner-Wilson (h.perner-wilson@hfs-berlin.de) / Prof. Sebastian Quack (s.quack@hfs-berlin.de)

The application deadlines for international exchange students at the Ernst Busch University of Theatre Arts are:

• December 15th (for the following summer term)
• July 15th (for the following winter term)

[Please note that deadlines at your home university may be significantly earlier!]

Application Documents: After you have been officially nominated by your home university, send the following documents by e-mail to our Erasmus+ Coordinator, t.lebens@hfs-berlin.de.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Transcript of Records (ToR)
• Erasmus+ Application Form

Learning Agreement: Erasmus+ participants must outline the desired courses for their study period abroad in form of an Online Learning Agreement.  Follow the instructions provided by your home university to fill out the OLA.

Language Proficiency: The language of instruction at the Busch is German. Therefore, you must demonstrate German language proficiency at level B1 (CEFR) or higher, depending on the study program. Please submit the required language certificate along with your application at your home university.

Erasmus+ participants can improve their language skills before and during their stay abroad using the online language support tool available on the EU Academy platform.

Our intensive course "Deutsch als Fremdsprache" is designed for all international students who wish to improve their German language skills, especially in phonetics.

Before the Mobility

Enrollment: You must remain enrolled at your home university throughout the entire mobility. Once admitted, you'll receive an official letter confirming your status as an HfS student for the semester abroad.

Visa: If you need to apply for a visa, you may also need the letter of admission by the time of your appointment at the German embassy in your home country. If you are not an EU national but have a valid residence permit for the EU country you are studying, you won´t need a visa. 

Health insurance: All students in Germany, including those from EU countries, require proof of sufficient health insurance coverage. While the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offers basic coverage, we strongly recommend obtaining additional private travel health insurance (including accident and liability insurance) for your entire exchange stay.

Accommodation: Finding an affordable place to live in Berlin can be tricky, especially for incoming exchange students. We recommend starting your accommodation search as soon as possible.

Apply for a room in the StudierendenWERK Berlin dormitories. While there's no guaranteed placement, choosing the WH Neue Hochstraße 49 residence in your application might increase your chances. Applications are open through https://www.stw.berlin/wohnen/

On the same website you can find external accommodation options https://www.stw.berlin/wohnen/woanders-wohnen/

Shared Flat Rentals: Plan for monthly rents starting at €500 and expect a deposit of 1-3 months' rent (returned if there's no damage). Always get a legal contract detailing the agreement!

Be aware of fake advertisements on the internet.  Do not make any money transfers before you have visit the flat. Tips on how to protect yourself from real estate fraud on the internet and how to recognise a false advertisement can be found at the Webseite der Verbraucherzentrale.

Get Connected: Follow our social media channels @hfs_ernst_busch  and Facebook HfS Ernst Busch

During the mobility

Confirmation of arrival: Make sure to get  your arrival confirmation stamped by our international office upon arrival at HfS. If your home university has a template of this document, bring it with you. 

City registration: All exchange students are legally required to register within two weeks of arrival. Find more information at https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/120686/. Additional appointments are daily released at short notice, the registration office recommend to check the calendar regularly for free time slots.

Semester ticket: Your personalized Semester Ticket grants unlimited access to public transportation (ÖPNV) across Berlin and Brandenburg throughout the entire term (01.10. to 31.03) or (01.04. to 31.09).

If you want to have the semester ticket you must pay an extra fee. Let us know your decision early enough so we can organize the semester ticket for you.    

MensaCard: HfS students can enjoy cheaper meals at any Berlin canteen. Get your MensaCard at the entrance to the main building of the university. Opening hours: Mon-Thu: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM and Fri: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

University Sports: HfS students get exclusive access to the diverse sports program offered across Berlin universities. Dive into an exciting range of activities, from heart-pumping aerobics to the rhythmic flow of Zumba. Whether you dream of joining the Academic Sailing Club, mastering badminton smashes, or scaling new heights with rock climbing, there's something for everyone!

Participation in the university sports courses is subject to a fee. Further information can be found at:

Hochschulsport TU
Hochschulsport FU
Hochschulsport HU
Hochschulsport Beuth
Hochschulsport HTW

In the StudierendenWERK's calendar you will find numerous events, workshops and offers that are well suited for international students: https://www.stw.berlin/#jump_veranstaltungskalender

Information on Ernst Busch events can be found under the following link: https://www.hfs-berlin.de/kalender/

For more information on outside activities visit: https://www.berlin.de/en/events/

After the mobility

Transcript of Records: Once you've completed all your exams and projects for your exchange semester, your Transcript of Records (ToR) will be issued by our international Office and sent to you by e-mail.

Confirmation of Stay: Please obtain the appropriate form from your home university and submit it to our International Office for signature before your depart.

Exmatriculation: You'll be automatically exmatriculated from HfS at the end of your exchange semester. If you need to leave earlier for any reason, submit a request to our Student Services department.

Deregistering: Remember to deregister at the Residents' Registration Office ("Bürgeramt") before heading back to your home country. Just follow the same steps you took when registering upon arrival.