Language Requirement: Varies
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Europe, Germany
GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

This program offers you the opportunity to improve your German proficiency and expand your academic horizons through courses at any one of fifteen partner universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Located in the southwest corner of Germany, Baden-Württemberg is home to some of the oldest, most renowned and prestigious universities in Germany.

  • Encompassing fifteen different universities, the Baden-Württemberg program offers a wide variety of disciplines and courses for students of all majors. For more information on what each university has to offer, view the Baden-Württemberg Universities Overview sheet.
  • Students can take German language/culture courses and/or regular courses in almost any field of study.
  • There in only one university that does not require any Germany language. The rest require 1-2 years of German language to meet eligibility requirements.
  • An experienced full-time Resident Director provides on-site support to students.
  • Every student on the exchange program is eligible for a generous monthly stipend provided by the education ministry of Baden-Württemberg.

You may participate for a semester or the academic year. There are some programs taught all in English, particularly the fields of Journalism, Industrial Design and Computer Science.*  Other programs accept students with one year of German and consist of one semester of intensive German + a second semester of study in the student’s field with those courses then taught in German. These students will study intensive German the first semester in Tübingen, then stay in Tübingen or transfer to another Baden-Württemberg university the second semester.  Students with more advanced levels of German study can go into courses in their field of study immediately.

Students can choose between fifteen universities located in Freiburg, Heidelberg, Hohenheim, Ludwigsburg, Karlsruhe, Konstanz, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Trossingen, Tübingen, and Ulm. You can choose between a large modern city or a charming historic university town. You may live at the edge of the Black Forest, on a lake near the Swiss border, or in the heart of the Neckar river valley.  Students may select between traditional liberal arts universities, technical universities, a top rated business school, or institutions specializing in teacher education, music, or art. The University of Mannheim fall program is the only one that ends prior to winter break, all others continue until February. See your GEO advisor for details.

For further information about the program, including dates and course information, please visit: IE3: Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program

*The programs taught all in English do not require any previous language study, though it is always suggested as a way to feel more comfortable in Germany and in interacting with the local community.

Dates and Deadlines

Please note: Exact program dates can vary by specific university. Please consult with IE3.
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Spring Quarter 2025 11/15/2024 Early April Late July
Fall Semester 2025 03/15/2025 Early August Late December
Fall/Winter Semester 2025-26 03/15/2025 Late August Mid-February
Academic Year 2025-26 03/15/2025 Late August Late July

Early application is advised. NOTE: Some programs require earlier application dates; discuss with an advisor as early as possible.

IMPORTANT: There are two applications for IE3 programs that are both due by the application deadline:

  1. Completion of the GEO online application.
  2. Completion of the IE3 online application, which includes the following:
  • Essays
  • Two Recommendations
  • Official Transcripts

Application fees are due at the time the applications are submitted and are non-refundable under any circumstances.

Students are notified about acceptance AFTER the application deadline. 

Graduate Students

In addition to the process described above, graduate student applicants must also complete the Graduate Enrollment in GEO Study Abroad Programs form. This form requires that you obtain pre-authorization for your program from your adviser, department head and the Graduate School.

Application Link to IE3 Global App

IE3: Baden-Württemberg Exchange 

Hear from Our Students

Mitigating Culture Shock While Abroad

Kaden standing near buildings in Germany
According to the omnipresent Oxford English Dictionary, culture shock is defined as, “the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of… read more

3 Essential items no one tells you to bring on your study abroad

Kaden standing in a soccer stadium in Germany
Image A quick Google of “What to Bring on Your Study Abroad Program” will provide 20 different lists all containing the usual suspects: a power… read more

Academic Details

Upon arrival in Germany, you will participate in a four-week orientation in Tübingen, an intensive linguistic and cultural course. After this on-site orientation, you will move to your chosen university where you will take German for Foreigners ("DAF") classes or, if you are sufficiently fluent in German, take regular courses at the university in subject areas of interest to you. Several universities also offer classes taught in English in various disciplines such as, Anthropology, Architecture, Biology, Business, Journalism, Computer Science, Law/Pre-Law, Planning, Public Policy, and Management, and Global Health. Please note that the number of courses taught in English for each discipline may vary at each university. 

For high-achieving undergraduate students who will be in junior or senior standing while abroad, the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), offers scholarships for semester-long study in Germany. 

Fall semester is only open for the Mannheim location.

Note: Many German universities do not finalize their course offerings until a couple weeks before the semester starts. Courses offered by each university are subject to change from year to year, so it's important to be flexible as you are planning your class schedule in case a course you are interested in is either unavailable or not offered during your time abroad. 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

The Baden-Württemberg exchange program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all fields of study. To be eligible, students must meet the following minimum requirements before departure:

  • 45 credits or more (sophomore standing)
  • an overall GPA of 2.75 or above (3.25 for graduate students)
  • at least one year of college-level German with a GPA of 3.00 or higher*

* If you have only one year of college-level German, you will be required to study intensive German the first semester in Tübingen. The second semester, you may stay in Tübingen or transfer to another Baden-Württemberg university. Students with two or more years of German may choose from any of the Baden-Württemberg universities.

Housing Description

Housing varies from university to university, however, there are a few commonalities at all housing facilities: all students will be housed in single rooms in university student housing (Wohnheim). Each room typically has a bed, desk, chair, shelves, large closet, and a sink. Usually about 8-12 students share a kitchen, showers, and toilets. Your floor mates will be German and other international students.

The dormitories are co-ed but bathrooms and/or shower stalls can be locked. Shared laundry facilities exist in each building complex. All student housing has in-room internet access.