Skip to main content

Your Study Abroad Semester at ISM

We are excited to welcome you as our exchange student here in Germany! The ISM campuses offer you an international atmosphere with a constantly growing number of exchange students coming to ISM every year. At ISM, you can study small in international teams and meet students from all over the world.?

If you would like to apply as an exchange student, you need to give a short notice to our Öйú×ãÇò²ÊƱÊÖ»ú°æ Office and to your home institution¡¯s international office, so that we can jointly organize your exchange semester with us.

If you are not a student of a partner university, please contact the Öйú×ãÇò²ÊƱÊÖ»ú°æ Office online. In both cases, please use the online online application form and fill in your personal data and tell us what further information you require.

For more information, please see the Fact Sheet for Öйú×ãÇò²ÊƱÊÖ»ú°æ Incoming Students (PDF).

Exchange student at ISM

Patrick from the Netherlands spent a semester abroad at ISM in Dortmund.


Academic Calendar

ISM offers two semesters per academic year:

  • winter term: September - December
  • spring term: March - June
Fall Term 2025/26
  • The fall term will start on Monday, September 15th and will end on Friday, December 19th, 2025.
  • The exams take place within the last two weeks of the semester.
  • We offer an Orientation Day on Friday, September 12th. This is mandatory for all international exchange students and is offered on campus.?
  • A German Language Course three weeks prior to semester start can be booked for an additional fee of 480 Euro.
  • This will take place online, from August 18th until September 5th.
    Spring Term 2026
    • Will start on Monday, March 16th and will end on Friday, June 19th, 2026
    • Exam period in at the beginning of June, in the last two weeks of the semester. ?
    • The Orientation Day will take place on Friday, March 13th, 2026.
    • The German Intensive Language Course is taking place from February 16th, 2026 until March 6th, 2026.

    Important to know

    Transportation for guest students at arrival in Germany

    We try to offer a pick-up service for our international guest and exchange student arrivals at the following airports and main train stations.

    Important: You have to inquire about and book this service (if available at the time of your travel) not later than two weeks prior arrival. You will get a form which you have to fill out via email.

    • Dortmund: Duesseldorf international airport (NOT Duesseldorf-Weeze), Dortmund airport and main train station
    • Frankfurt: Frankfurt international airport and main train station
    • Munich: Munich international airport and main train station
    • Hamburg: Hamburg international airport and main train station
    • Cologne: Cologne/Bonn international airport and main train station
    • Berlin: Berlin airport and main train station

    The service costs 10/15 € per trip and per person (in Munich: 20 € from the airport per trip and per person). You can pay in cash when you meet the driver.

    For further information, please contact the Öйú×ãÇò²ÊƱÊÖ»ú°æ Officer at your ISM campus.

    Arriving by Car

    If you decide to come to Germany by car please note that in Germany environmental zones have been introduced. It is therefore necessary for you to buy an environmental badge which is obligatory for driving in green zones in Germany. For more information please visit: umwelt-plakette.de - here you will be able to choose your native language for further information. Be aware that should you be driving without the badge in green zones and be stopped by the police ¨C they will charge you a fine.

    Health insurance in Germany

    To answer a common asked question: Is health insurance compulsory for Germany? Yes, all students must bring proof of valid health insurance. The German social security system generally treats German and foreign students the same, i.e. foreign students can take out insurance with the statutory health insurers in Germany, currently for about 140-150 euros per month. Students from selected countries (mainly from the EU) can claim an exemption under certain circumstances.

    Öйú×ãÇò²ÊƱÊÖ»ú°æ students with private insurance can be exempted from the compulsory health insurance only if they present a certificate of insurance from their home insurance company, translated into German, which precisely describes the content and scope of the insurance coverage. The health insurance company in Germany will check this and may issue an exemption.

    Note: Students older than 30 years of age are not eligible for student health insurance through the statutory health insurance companies and must take out private insurance either in their home country or in Germany. Please note that travel insurance cannot be accepted.

    You can find more tips on health insurance and our partner Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) in the ISM Study Guide (PDF).

    #Best Practice Exchange Students

    Travel, motivation, inspiration

    Three words that best describe Aneliya Georgieva semester abroad at the ISM. "I think Germany is one of the best places in the world to live. You have so many opportunities to progress and broaden your horizons. The quality of teaching is very high. The academics are well grounded in the business world and provide us with lots of practical knowledge."

    Do you have any questions about studying? Please contact us!

    Send us your questions from Monday to Friday. We'll reply from 10 am to 3 pm (CET German time) on weekdays. Looking forward to chat! Alternatively, you can use our ChatBot or send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    Our student advisors are happy to answer all your questions about the ISM and our programs as well as financing options in a personal online appointment.

    Alternatively, you can simply come by your favorite campus on Wednesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. - no prior registration needed.?

    Contact

    Coordinator Incoming students at ISM

    Coordinator Incoming Students

    Eva Quel

    +49 231.97 51 39-556

    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.