Planning Your Stay Abroad

The Basics

  • Duration: minimum 6 months (24 weeks) for BA Majors, 3 months (12 weeks) for BA Minors
  • Receiving ECTS: all students receive a set amount of ECTS depending on the duration of their stay, regardless of whether they work or study. 
    • 24 weeks = 10 ECTS
    • 12 weeks = 5 ECTS
    • Other lengths of stay are calculated accordingly.
    • In order to receive ECTS points, you must be matriculated during your stay abroad and have a stay abroad agreement signed by Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger.
  • Workload: students working abroad must complete minimum 40%, i.e., 16 hours/week average for each week you want counted. 
  • University Courses: students studying abroad can have a maximum of 30 ECTS accredited in addition to the stay abroad points. Please make sure to get the International Coordinator’s agreement before you leave.
  • English-Speaking Countries: countries in which English is an official language and/or English is spoken by the majority of the population. Other countries in which English is a major language may br possible upon request to Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger.
  • Splitting the Stay Abroad: the 6 months stay can be done in maximum 3 parts, the 3 months stay in maximum 2 parts. Each part requires its own agreement sheet. All documentation remains with the students until completion of the full requirement.
  • Waivers: waivers or partial waivers are possible for students who have done a stay abroad, no more than 2 years prior to beginning their studies, which fulfils the usual requirements concerning duration and workload. To request a waiver, please write a formal letter including all necessary documentation, addressed to the Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger.

It is advised to start the planning phase early as there are binding deadlines and the process can be lengthy. Most students report that it is best to think about your stay abroad as soon as you begin your studies, and to start planning a year before your intended departure. The resources below will help.

Once your plans are fairly concrete and you have read all the information on this site, please see the International Coordinator Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger (D 208) during her walk-in consultation hours and bring along the Stay Abroad - Agreement Sheet (ideally already filled in). For walk-in consultation hours, no appointment is necessary (i.e. you just walk in during the set hours). 

 

List of Downloadable Resources

Students who wish to study abroad can opt for one of several programmes to help organise their studies, or choose to self-organise their studies. Choosing a programme can facilitate the organisation process. Additionally you may be provided with financial support (depending on the programme). Self-organising students always have to pay their fees on their own but have access to a wider range of universities. 

In order to get your studies abroad acknowledged, you must fill in the Stay Abroad Agreement Sheet and have it signed by the Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger before you leave. Use the checklists (for both study and work) to make sure you follow all the required steps.

 

SEMP (Swiss-European Mobility Program - colloquially referred to as “Erasmus”)

SEMP ("Erasmus") - Application Deadline: 1 December

What is SEMP? The SEMP programme allows students of the department to study at universities in Europe. Places are limited so it is advisable to think of an alternative should your application be unsuccessful. 

Financial Support and Cost: SEMP provides financial support to students. You pay a set fee for the programme and you have to pay for accomodation, however the tuiton fee at the host university is covered by SEMP. Additionally, students receive a scholarship by SEMP to partially cover costs of living. The amount will depend on the length of your stay. For detailed information, please consult the SEMP website. 

The Department of English currently has agreements with these universities: 

  • University of Limerick
  • University of Birmingham
  • University of Malta
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Essex
  • University of Warwick

Some universities allow you to study for one term (3-4 months), two terms (6 months), or an entire academic year. More information can be found on the SEMP website (Swiss-European Mobility Program).

Application Requirements: application takes place through the Department of English of the University of Bern. To apply for the Autumn term of the following year or the following Spring term (e.g. December 2024 deadline for Autumn 2025 / Spring 2026), please address a motivational letter to the International Coordinator Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger.

  • You can use this template for your letter.
  • Please note that, depending on the number of application, your success rate may depend on the strength of the motivational letter (only electronic submissions will be considered, thank you).
  • If your application is successful, you will be asked to provide further documents to your university via the SEMP programme.

Application Deadline: 1. December

Late applications for remaining places during the year are possible; pleace contact Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger to inquire about open places. You will be informed on the success of your application by the end of December. Should your SEMP application be unsuccessful, you can apply to other programmes until the 15 January.

 

Exchanges Worldwide

Exchange Worldwide - Application deadline: 15 January (with 15 June for late registration for any remaning places).

What is Exchanges Worldwide? The University of Bern has exchange agreements with a variety of universities worldwide. The exchange is possible for one or two semesters within an academic year.

Financial Support and Cost: study and accommodation fees will vary depending on the university you choose. Please consult the websites of Exchanges Worldwide, the international office, and your chosen university for details.

A number of universities in English-speaking countries have agreements with the University of Bern through “exchanges worldwide:” They include:

  • University of Wisconsin, Whitewater Campus (USA)
  • Sam Houston State University (USA)
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute (USA)
  • University of Ottawa (Canada)
  • University of Technology, Sydney (Australia)
  • Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
  • Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)

Application Requirements: application takes place through the international office of the University of Bern. Please consult their website for the general application requirements

  • Please note that your chosen university may require you to submit further documentation. The specific requirements for all partner universities can be found on the international office's website.

 

ISEP (International Student Exchange Program)

ISEP Application deadline: 15 January (for Autumn Semester and/or Full Academic Year), 31 July (for Spring Semester).

What is ISEP? ISEP is the largest network for student exchanges worldwide. Like with SEMP, ISEP is partially in charge of the fees and organisational process of your study abroad. Other than with SEMP, exchanges outside Europe are possible.

Financial Support and Cost: ISEP requires you to pay a basic fee for application and an additional fee if you are successfully placed, as well as a set fee for each semester you partake in the programme. Please consult the ISEP and international office website for further information.

Application Requirements: You can apply through the university's international office. Please consider that ISEP requires you to submit more documents than other programmes. The exact requirements can be found on the websites of the international office and the ISEP programme.

 

Self-Organised

What are self-organised studies? It is also possible to organize your study abroad independently. This will give you access to even more universities, but application effort is likely to be higher and places may be limited. 

Financial Support and Cost: if you decide to self-organize, you will need to cover the tuition and accomodation fees at your host university yourself. These fees will vary depending on the university you choose. Self-organizing is likely to be higher in costs than choosing a programme.  

The University’s International Office might offer some helpful tips if you wish to self-organize. Make sure to consult the checklist (study and work) and especially the reports written by students who have self-organized their study abroad.

If you do not wish to study abroad, you can instead choose to work abroad. You can look for work placements on several platforms (listed below) or self-organise. Students usually take on jobs as au-pairs, working on farms or helping families with their daily chores, and doing small renovations. Some also work at animal shelters or hostels. Occasionally, more unique work placements may be available.

Financial Support and Costs: if you choose to use a platform, you will most likely pay a small registration fee. In most cases, you will not receive financial compensation for your work, but accommodation and groceries will be covered. This may vary in some cases, so do make sure to check the conditions on your chosen platform.

Application Requirements: in order to get your work abroad acknowledged, you need to fill in the Stay Abroad Agreement Sheet and have it signed by Dr. Nicole Nyffenegger before you leave. The minimal workload is 40% for each week you wish to have acknowledged. 

  • Please note that neither the Department of English, nor the International Office can help you find work abroad.
  • Please make sure to get the necessary information concerning work permits through the respective embassy or through the EDA's page on "Auslandaufenthalte".

IMPORTANT: please note that Brexit has made it increasingly challenging to obtain a work permit for the United Kingdom (UK). You may find it easier to find a placement in the Republic of Ireland (IR).

Here are some platforms that can help you to find a work placement abroad.

You can consult the reports of the students who have worked abroad and the checklists (for both study and work).

Some students also decide to self-organise their work abroad without the help of any platforms listed above. This is usually facilitated by having friends or relatives abroad who can provide accommodation and help with finding a job, but some students have successfully self-organised without such help.