Short-term stays abroad (BIP, language courses and summer/winter schools)

In addition to the usual stays abroad of 1 semester or 1 year, there is also the option of short-term stays. For example, you can improve your language skills at a language schools or take part in summer or winter schools at universities. Many universities offer summer/winter schools in which 1-3 courses (usually two courses) can be completed. The courses last between 2 and 6 weeks and usually take place between June and September or January / February. Depending on the programme content, the programmes can also include specialist courses (in the sense of in-depth specialist training). However, many courses are less of a specialisation and more of an introduction to the culture and history of the country. In fact, the range of courses on offer and participation fees is very broad.

 

In addition to the summer/winter programmes, there is also a newer opportunity to study abroad for a short period of time: BIP (Blended Intensive Programmes). 

There are a few universities which offer online schools as well. Please find some examples down below:

Hong Kong University Summer Virtual Programme

Hanyang International Summer School (Application Deadline May 23, 2025)

Hanyang University: Hanyang Online Pre-Exchange Program (Full semester online; Application Deadline: Spring Semester Jan 15 / Fall Semester July 15) 

 

Please note that in most cases courses taken online cannot be recognized in Pforzheim. 

Language courses are offered by private institutions as well as by public institutions (usually universities). The quality of language courses varies greatly. A rather good language school can be recognised by the following features, among others:

a) course participation is dependent on a placement test
b) the language school offers several levels in parallel
c) the language school discloses how many participants from which countries take part in the courses and creates a rather heterogeneous learning environment
d) the language school can prove that the teachers are qualified and have been teaching at the language school for a long time

 

Further information (including possible scholarships) can be found on the DAAD website.

Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Europe

Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) are short study visits abroad in Europe, which are offered as part of jointly planned courses at a university abroad or at home. Within this programme, you can study at a foreign university for usually 1-2 weeks. In addition to the physical stay, there is also at least 1 day of virtual lectures/preparations. The courses totalling at least 3 ECTS can also be credited if possible. 

Funding

Short-term stays within the European Union (Erasmus programme countries) can be funded by Erasmus if there is sufficient budget. As with longer stays, applications are made via our partner organisation KOOR. All further information such as the amount of funding can be found here.

Application

Once you have found a suitable BIP, please contact the International Office ( outgoing(at)hs-pforzheim(dot)de ). We may need to finalise contracts at short notice to ensure that you are eligible for funding for your stay and participation. You can then apply for the BIP with the partner.

 

BIP offers

General search machine for BIPS (incl. NON-Partner schools): https://erasmusbip.org/list-of-bips/ 

Please make sure to only select BIPS for students and not staff. You can reserach about other BIP offers online as well. 

Application deadline: May 18 2025.

The aim of this BIP is to provide undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students from European universities with a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles and concepts of structural health monitoring in various engineering structures.

In addition, participants will have the unique opportunity to attend the lectures and workshops of the IMST 2025 Conference – International Conference on Innovative Materials, Structures, and Technologies, as well as students will participate in a group project where they will jointly develop and present a project related to structural health monitoring. 

The programme combines an online activity and a one-week physical activity, taking place in Riga, Latvia:

  1. Lectures and group work for the Project |  June 30 – July 4, 2025 | Virtual Component
  2. Lectures, practical activities, site visits, attendance of IMST 2025 and Project development and defense |  September 8 – 12, 2025 | Physical Part in Riga
  3. Language: fully taught in English
  4. 3 ECTS will be awarded upon successful completion  

Finances:

  • You can employ an Erasmus+ scholarship for your stay in Riga to be provided by your home University;
  • Lunch and social programme is provided by RTU (travel costs need to be covered by the participants);
  • No fees for the BIP will be charged.

Do not hesitate to reach out with any clarification and further information requests: eriks.badamsins(at)rtu(dot)lv 

All information about the BIP and application at the following link: https://incomingexchange.rtu.lv/courses/course/50-structural-health-monitoring

IMT Business School invites you take part in a short term program!

You can choose between 3 different programs: 

  • Management Project & Teamwork with International Students (June 23 - July 4)
  • Innovation & Digital Health (June 30 - July 4)
  • Entrepreneurship Challenge (Nov 03 - Nov 08)

Find more information here

For questions in regard to the program: incoming-exchange(at)imt-bs(dot)eu

 

APPLY HERE NOW

On-site programme: 15 September–19 September 2025
Organisation: Faculty of Economics and Business
Venue: Maribor, Slovenia
ECTS: 3

Website: CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, STRATEGIC AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Erasmus+


The Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Maribor is organising an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme “Corporate Governance, Startegic and Project Management for Sustainable Development”, which will take place in Maribor, Slovenia.

You can check the BIP programme here.


APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Deadline: 24 June 2025


Step 1: Before applying, students should send to intsummschool.feb(at)um(dot)si

– A signed confirmation from their home institution that it will allow them to apply for an ERASMUS+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) scholarship if their application for the summer school is successful.

– Short CV (up to 1 page)

– Short motivation letter (up to 150 words)

Claim for Establishing a Unique Personal Number (EMŠO)

Step 2: Students apply at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/deq3QUH3RW.

Step 3: Accepted students will receive confirmation of their acceptance (Acceptance Letters) and pre-completed Learning Agreement by 30 June 2025.

NOTE: After the summer school, students will receive certificates of attendance. This Summer School is a one-week intensive program, so students will not receive grades.


FINANCIAL ASPECTS

There is no tuition fee.

Students cover the travel and accommodation costs from the ERASMUS+ BIP grant.

The University of Maribor covers the costs of at least one meal a day and the expenses of attending social events within the International Summer School Programme.

The University of Maribor will accommodate students in twin rooms in the student dormitories of the University of Maribor (presumably in Dorm 3, Tyrševa ulica 30, 2000 Maribor, https://sd.um.si/portal/index.php/nasi-domovi?id=122). Students will pay the cost of their accommodation during their stay in Maribor (110 EUR for the entire week).

CONTACTS:

Sanja Kocijan, MSc, Head of FEB International Office, e-mail: intsummschool.feb(at)um(dot)si.

We will be happy to advise you:

Annika Klein - Outgoing Coordinator at the International Office

In addition to all the information on our website, we also offer a colloquium. This always takes place on Tuesdays - Thursdays from 11.00 to 12.30 and Thursdays 14.00-15.00 in room W1.2.13 & by telephone on 07231-286876. You do not need to register in advance. During the lecture-free period and outside office hours, you can make an appointment with us.

Online counselling is available by prior appointment.

 

For course-specific questions, please contact the coordinators of the faculties.

School of Engineering: Prof. Dr Moritz Peter/ Henriette Schürger

Business School: Prof. Dr Thomas Cleff/ Susanne Glas

School of Design:Prof. Dr Sibylle Klose/ Barbara Dofek