Semester abroad

As a student in the Master's in Economics program, you have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at one of WU's partner universities. We are part of the European Education Area, enabling seamless study across European borders. Additionally, WU boasts a strong global network of international partner universities. An exchange semester offers a unique opportunity to deepen and broaden your understanding of economics.

Preparing for Your Semester Abroad

Most exchange opportunities are available during the winter semester (typically the third semester of your studies), with fewer spots offered for the summer semester. Please note that the application process takes approximately one year to complete. To ensure a successful application, it is recommended to start planning during your first semester.

Detailed information about the application process and space allocation is provided by the International Office. The within-cohort ranking will be based primarily on your admission score and GPA from your bachelor's program.

For some partner universities, only a few spaces are available. To maximize your chances of securing a placement, it is highly recommended to apply to multiple universities.

Credit Transfer

The Master's in Economics curriculum includes flexible components such as the "Course Abroad," the "Elective," and the specialization area "Economic and Social Policy," which facilitate the transfer of credits earned at partner universities.

The Course Abroad was introduced to support credit transfer after a semester abroad. It allows you to tailor your specialization by selecting from a wide range of field courses offered by our international partner universities. Similar to the field courses at WU, the Course Abroad focuses on a specific area of applied economics rather than theoretical models or methods.

The Elective offers considerable flexibility in course selection also during a semester abroad. Surplus credits can also be allocated to the Elective. For example, if your Game Theory course at the partner university is worth 6 ECTS, the extra 1 ECTS can be assigned to the Elective.

The specialization area Economic and Social Policy is very broad, making it relatively easy to find corresponding courses.

However, Specialization Courses at WU are typically offered only once per year. If you choose to study abroad without extending your program duration, you may miss certain courses offered at WU during your semester abroad. Given the unique format of our Research & Policy Seminars—which involve small groups, close interaction with professors, and independent research projects—it can be challenging to find equivalent courses at partner universities.

Since curricula and course offerings vary across institutions, it can sometimes be difficult to find enough suitable courses at the partner university. To address this, Recommended Destinations highlights institutions that are particularly relevant for economics students and have historically offered courses compatible with our curriculum.

The pre-recognition process provides clarity on transferable credits before you depart, ensuring that the courses you select meet your academic requirements.

Further Information

WU's International Office coordinates all exchange programs and provides comprehensive support to students planning their stays abroad. Information sessions are regularly held for all WU students, with a dedicated session for economics students every winter semester.

You can find the slides from the latest information session below for additional guidance.