Uni-Tübingen

Application for Africa

Next regular application deadline:

July 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., for the African Semester 1/2027 (Summer Semester 2027) and/or the African Semester 2/2027 (Winter Semester 2027/28).

Please note if you wish to apply for the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship: If you are applying for the 2026 summer semester, you must FIRST apply for the BW Scholarship in February 2025 and then apply for a spot in the exchange program in July 2025.

Documents must be submitted online via the  Mobility Online application portal. The portal will open no earlier than mid-May.

Application instructions:

  • Please make sure to obtain the required application documents as early as possible, especially your language proficiency certificate and your transcript
  • Incomplete applications will not be processed
  • You can—and should!—list up to 5 preferred universities on your application

The following documents are required to apply for a spot at an African partner university:

Application materials

Online Application Form

Please fill out the application form. Here you can specify your preferences (start date and duration of your stay abroad, preferred universities). You will then receive an automated email with a link to log in. Please log in and provide the remaining required information. You can then upload your application documents to the system.

Passport

Please upload a scan of the photo page of your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return from abroad.

Resume in Table Format

  • For English-speaking universities (approx. 2 pages).
  • If you are also applying to, or exclusively applying to, French- or Portuguese-speaking universities, please include a resume in the respective language in addition to the English version.
  • Please also include information about your athletic and musical interests, memberships in organizations, and community involvement! You can find examples at:
    http://www.leaderspoint-coaching.de/bewerbung-lebenslauf/bewerbung-eu-lebenslauf-vorlage-2.html

Description of the Study Project (Statement of Purpose)

In English, approx. 1 page. (If you are applying to French- and/or Portuguese-speaking universities, please also include a version in the respective language.)

Please explain

  • why you want to study abroad (briefly),
  • why you are applying to your destination country (briefly), and what academic/personal interests led you to list your preferred universities (in detail).

You may name specific universities and courses. Please note that after your nomination for a partner university, you will in any case be required to submit a further study plan (tailored to that university).

Proof of language proficiency

TOEFL or “Institutional TOEFL” scores for English-speaking universities (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda).

  Note: TOEFL iBT Home Edition is no longer accepted!

For French- and Portuguese-speaking universities (Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia), appropriate proof of sufficient language proficiency—preferably at the B2 level—is required. Please contact Christian Möllmann (christian.moellmannspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de) for further information.

List of courses taken so far

Please upload a scan of your course registration record in German, stamped by the Registrar's Office, along with your current grade point average.

Bachelor's degree certificate (if available)

If you would like to study in Africa during your master’s program, please upload a scan of your bachelor’s degree certificate.

High school diploma

Please upload a scan of your high school diploma.

The Selection and Placement Process

Selection is based on the submitted documents.

The selection criteria are as follows:

  • Academic qualifications (grades)
  • The relevance and rationale of your study plan (statement of purpose)
  • Language proficiency
  • Non-academic criteria, e.g., practical experience, volunteer work
  • Formal requirements (completeness, adherence to formal standards, grammar and spelling, etc.)

You will receive the results of the selection process by mid-August at the latest. If we make you a concrete offer of admission, you must provide a binding written decision regarding its acceptance or rejection.

There is no entitlement to a study place abroad or at a specific university.

The admission process at the Partner University

The admission process at the African university, following approval by the International Office at the University of Tübingen, is completed no earlier than April and no later than July for the following “winter semester” starting in July (or in December/January for programs starting in February). Only then will you receive the final notification from the partner university. This short timeframe is standard.

Please note:

  1. You must take full responsibility for this entire process!
  2. Please check your emails very regularly, including your spam folder!

The process after applying

August 1

Deadline for submission of application documents

By mid-November

The selection committee reviews the applications and allocates applicants to the partner universities.

Mid-November

The International Office sends out letters of acceptance and rejection.

Between late November and end of March
This varies greatly depending on the host university and the timing of your study abroad semester (winter or summer semester).

 If accepted: The International Office nominates you to your host university.

You then apply to your host university and must submit additional documents or upload them to the respective university’s online portal.

Approx. March to June
After applying to the host university:

The host university reviews the application and subsequently sends the letter of acceptance, i.e., the official confirmation of if and when you will study at the host university.

Approx. 1–2 months before departure

 You will receive the letter of acceptance. Only then can you apply for your visa and should book your flight.

August/September or January
Start of the study abroad period