Academic Program

Wuerzburg University offers two distinct curriculums to international students:

1. The Main Academic Curriculum - offers many disciplines with some offering coursework in English. The vast majority of the student population studies in this curriculum, however, the timeline does not align too well with the US academic calendar. If you would like to study in this curriculum, you can only study for the Spring semester ONLY, OR the full Academic Year (because the Fall semester would overlap with US Spring semesters).
2. The INSIGHTS Program - offers courses taught in English on German culture, history, and tradition. These courses are are built to align with the  US academic calendar, allowing students to study in Germany for the Fall semester. Please note that each course is worth 3 ECTS credits, so you will likely be taking many courses for the semester.

Most universities in Europe use the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to give their courses credit values. The ECTS credit value is weighed differently than the credit system at SUNY (or the United States in general). The ratio of an ECTS credit to a SUNY credit is 2:1. Therefore, in order to understand the credit load of a course abroad, you would divide the ECTS credit totl by two to get the SUNY equivalent. If this quotient is a decimal, round up to the nearest whole number to get the true SUNY credit equivalent.
For Example:
3 ECTS credits (divided by 2) = (1.5 but round up) 2 SUNY credits
4 ECTS credits (divided by 2) = 2 SUNY credits
5 ECTS credits (divided by 2) = (2.5 but round up) 3 SUNY credits
6 ECTS credits (divided by 2) = 3 SUNY credits

Students studying abroad for a semester must take between 12 and 19 SUNY equivalent credits at the university abroad. Please note that the ECTS-SUNY credit conversion is done on a class-by-class basis.

Wuerzburg offers German language programs before the semester begins (taking place in September and March for the fall and spring semesters, respectively). These pre-semester language classes can count as 3 or 4 SUNY credits - depending on the level of German taught. You can find more information on these courses, HERE.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

The current courses in the INSIGHTS program are available online, HERE.
Other courses taught in English can be found here online HERE.
Review Wuerzburg University’s website for more information regarding the program.
 

Course equivalency information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form. 

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 

All courses successfully completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.

Housing

Housing is guaranteed if you apply before June 15^th for Fall or January 15^th for the Spring. More information can be found here: Accommodations through the Studentenwerk.  Note, that the length of stay is 6 or 12 months and an extra month can be added if you are participating in the language course. A tutor (mentor) will help you get your keys when you move in. 
Students also are able to make their own housing arrangements for the program.

Meals

There are many places to eat on and near campus. No meal plan is provided. You can get a discount at the student Cafeterias by showing your student ID card. 

Estimate of Costs

Germany: Wuerzburg Exchange Estimate of Costs

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.

Academic Requirements

Experiential Learning

As part of WELP: Every semester the program offers also extracurricular activities. Manifold events outside the classroom include receptions by state authorities and visits to local museums, as well as guided tours and excursions (e.g., to Bamberg). Social life is fostered by a wine tasting and a brewery visit. There is also an excursion to Berlin that takes place every spring term. 

Student Clubs and Organizations

Funding Opportunities

A scholarship of around 600€ per month is available for exchange students studying for a period of up to 10 months.  Details about the scholarship are available during the application process. This scholarship is subject to change in amount or availability. 
Check out the Gilman Scholarship program for options in Germany and around the world. 

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.

In Their Own Words

"Going abroad was one of my main goals ever since I came to UAlbany back in 2015. I got the opportunity to study in Würzburg, Germany last year and it was undoubtedly one of the best experiences of my life! Being able to experience another culture was extremely rewarding for several reasons. First of all, it allowed me to not only gain more perspectives that previously I would have never even thought about, but it allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and emerge as a more mature and nuanced person. While living and studying abroad I got the opportunity to experience a completely different culture and do some amazing things like visit beautiful palaces and castles, meet new friends from all over the world, try new foods that I still love to eat, and improve on my German skills by gaining firsthand experience. Because Würzburg is right in the center of Germany, travelling to places like Munich or Berlin was easy. There are tons of deals that you as a tourist can get from the DB (Germany's state railway network) or other places like EuRail that allow you to travel around Germany and Europe for relatively cheap. Travelling around the cities were fairly easy to navigate. The cities encourage tourists and do their best to make sure that you have as much fun as possible! My favorite cities have to be Munich, Nuremberg, and Berlin. Overall, I am so glad that I decided to apply for UAlbany's Study Abroad program. If you're still unsure about whether or not you should apply to study abroad, stop worrying and just do it! Trust me, you will not regret the experience for a second." - Matheson Curry, History Major

Funny anecdotes, interesting tips and reasons to come to Wuerzburg! Read here, what international students have to tell about their stay in Wuerzburg.

Speak with an Advisor

About the City

Where in Germany is Würzburg located?
Studying in Würzburg means living right in the middle of Germany. The city is situated so favorably along railway and motorway junctions that it is inevitable. With its 124,000 inhabitants it is large enough to offer everything a student needs for living. Yet it remains small enough to provide everything within reach. Frankfurt International Airport is also close by.
Learn more about the City of Wuerzburg.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. You do not need a visa before you arrive however, You will need a residence permit upon arrival. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.

Application Availability

• Spring programs: July/August
• Fall/Academic Year programs: December/January

Program Dates

Academic Year 2024-2025

Please contact us if you are interested in participating for a full academic year, separate from the INSIGHTS.
A full academic year in INSIGHTS may not be possible. Please contact your study abroad advisor for clarification.

Fall 2024

WELP Courses: 10/16/2024 to 12/20/2024
*Wuerzburg calls this the Winter Semester

Spring 2025

 *Note: Housing applications for the Spring (summer) programs are due by January 15th.
Review the Academic Calendar online. Housing is rented in 6 or 12 month leases. Your arrival and departure date could be significantly different than the dates listed above. Also note, the 4 week intensive language course is NOT included in the dates above and is held in September and March.

About the Program

Program Orientations

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted in late April/early May and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Before departure to Wuerzburg, you can attend "First Steps" seminars and welcome events for you to prepare for your semester abroad. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university, and it is an excellent opportunity to meet other international students preparing to study at Wuerzburg as well.

Support Services

UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
University of Würzburg's International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.