Exchange semesters at IMC Krems

We have a network of partner universities all over the world. Is yours one of them? If the answer is yes, you can apply to your university for an exchange placement in Krems.

An exchange semester is definitely a rewarding experience, and you’re bound to feel at home here in Krems – a town in the picturesque Wachau region, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. You can choose to spend one or two semesters studying at our university.

Studying in the heart of Europe

Young people from all over the world study at IMC Krems. There’s also a thriving exchange community – every year, numerous students from our partner universities come to Krems for an exchange semester.

And if you can’t speak German, don’t worry – we offer a wide range of English-language courses. In fact, more than half of our degree programmes are taught in English.

There's also lots to discover in your free time. Surrounded by hillside vineyards, Krems is in an ideal location on the banks of the Danube. Vienna, the nation’s capital, is just an hour away by train. But that’s not all: spectacular mountain scenery, major European cities and beautiful lakes – all this and more are only a short train ride away from Krems.

Application process

Depending on the agreement we have with your university, you can spend either one or two semesters as an exchange student at IMC Krems.

To-Do's

1

Good to know

At our university, the academic year is split into two semesters.

Winter semester: mid-September until the end of January
Summer semester: from the middle of February until the end of June

You can find detailed information about the start of your studies in our overview of semester starting dates.

2

Nomination

Your home university sends us details of the nominated exchange students before the application deadline.

Application deadlines:

For the next winter semester: 1 May
For the next summer semester: 1 November

3

Online application

After you have been nominated by your home university, you will receive an e-mail with a link to our online application system, so you can apply for an exchange semester here in Krems.

4

Helpful information before arrival

Once your application has been accepted, we will send you useful information about travelling to Krems, accommodation, insurance and more. If you need any further information, feel free to get in touch with our International Welcome Center.

5

Course selection

Next, we will send you a login for our internal student platform, where you can put together your timetable before you begin your studies. Details of the available courses can be found in our course selection overview.

What can you do if your university doesn’t have a partnership agreement with us?

Students from higher education institutions that are not IMC Krems partners are known as free movers. We may be able to find a solution specifically for you, so please send us your application. You can contact our International Welcome Center Team for more information.

Financial support

Blue piggy bank on a stack of books with a blurred building background.

Financial support

Scholarships and grants for your exchange semester

Scholarships and grants

Selecting courses

Selecting courses: putting together your timetable

OVERVIEW

If you want to spend an exchange semester at our university, you can choose to attend any courses you like the look of and put together your own timetable. This means you can adapt your learning goals in line with your degree programme, in order to meet the requirements of your home university as effectively as possible.

We offer bachelor and master degree programmes taught in German and English.

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

You need at least level B2 English skills if you want to attend courses on a degree programme taught in English. For courses on German-language degree programmes, you must have achieved at least level C1 proficiency in German. You have to upload language certificates or other proof of language proficiency during the online application process.

AVALABE COURSES

Please note that if you are studying in Krems during the winter semester, you can choose courses from semesters 1, 3 and 5; during the summer semester you can attend courses from semesters 2, 4 and 6. Exchange students can also take additional courses such as German for beginners, or courses on the subject of cross-cultural skills.

Below you can find an overview of the English-language courses offered at IMC Krems, including course descriptions and details of ECTS credits.

Remember that this is just an overview of our degree programmes. The final version of the course prospectus for incoming students at IMC Krems will be available in mid-August for the winter semester and in mid-January for the summer semester. Available places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. We will send you further information by e-mail in good time before the start of your semester abroad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you would like to attend courses on Applied Chemistry (bachelor), Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (bachelor and master) and Informatics (bachelor), please contact us directly right at the start of the application process. If you select courses from these degree programmes, you must provide an up-to-date results transcript and consult the programme director concerned.

Additional Courses for Exchange Students

We offer additional courses for our exchange students. German courses or courses on intercultural competence broaden the knowledge transfer and experience during the exchange semester.

This course takes place during the Welcome Week and is compulsory for all exchange students.

The course is designed to combine various teaching approaches: A lecture-style introduction will be followed by team-building activities (workshops, first acquaintance of incoming students and their local buddies) which sharpens intercultural awareness among the participants. An excursion will allow students to experience the physical, cultural and social environment of their host region.

This course teaches the basics of the German language.

This course deepens existing knowledge of the German language.

The semester course content will be broken down into two main segments:

Theory: “The Big Picture” (history, economy, political and cultural parameters)
Practice: How to successfully communicate / do business in the colorful & diverse European environment

Upon completion of the course the students will be able to:

describe the major stages of historical, political and geopolitical development of Austria and Europe
identify the major “European players” (states, inter-governmental organisations, etc.) in a global context
define current economic challenges, opportunities and threats in Austria and Europe
reflect on Austria’s and Europe’s role in the world
identify opportunities the European Union offers individuals and businesses
define fundamental elements and players of the Austrian political and business world
describe particularities of the Austrian and European business sector and identify basic features of the business etiquette in Austria and Europe (“Do’s & Don’ts”)
recognise fundamental features of Austria’s general culture and identity
consider and evaluate criteria for starting a business in Europe

The semester course content will be broken down into two main segments:

Interactive working methods (e.g. Design Thinking, Storytelling)
Best practice cases in tourism with a focus on the introduction of new products in tourism, digitisation, regional development and niche tourism

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to:

define fundamental elements for the introduction of a new product on the tourism market
reflect on the challenges and opportunities of digitisation in tourism
recognise the constant need for tourism regions to adopt to external changes in the environment and develop their offers
identify sectors of niche tourism and recognise the necessity for clear target groups
apply different creative working methods like design thinking and storytelling
consider learnings from best practice cases in tourism and use them for personal work experiences

This class presents contemporary and important terms and concepts of sustainable development, both in society and business, and to what extent such development drives innovation – or whether innovation drives sustainability? We will look into the idea of social as well as technological innovation and ask, which of these two approaches might be more important in contributing to the ongoing global transformation. International examples of applied sustainable business models, such as circular economy, address the question of how organisations can strategically and efficiently accommodate sustainability and innovation. Next to learning about theoretical concepts, students will also learn about guidelines, methods and tools for practical application of the theoretical knowledge in a business context.

After completing this class students are capable of

explaining basic concepts, objectives, and important terminology of sustainable development
understanding and distinguishing technological from social innovation
illustrating the significance and application of sustainable development in a business context

This course provides the basics of intercultural communication as well as gender and diversity studies. Participants analyse the social construction of gender and diversity, explore historical developments and current debates, and examine the impacts on individuals and societies. The course promotes critical thinking and empathy for disadvantaged groups, with a focus on social justice.

Four individuals with backpacks standing on a path amidst greenery.

Always here for you: the International Welcome Center

Got a ton of questions? There’s only one place to go. The International Welcome Center is here to help you throughout your time in Krems.

More information

Welcome days

Getting off to a good start in Krems

If you've just arrived here in Krems, then our Buddy System and Welcome Days have been specially designed for you.

Your personal buddy in Krems

By the way: Every exchange student is allocated a buddy, a student who will be your contact during your time in Krems. This system is designed to help you settle in more easily, and buddies often go on to become lifelong friends

A group of students walk along a cobbled street.

Events for your arrival

At the beginning of the semester, we organise a colourful programme for new students: Meet & Greet, city tours of Krems, team building, intercultural workshops and excursions.