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​Exchange with partner universities in Canada

Students of Goethe University may apply for a semester abroad at one of the partner universities in the USA or in Canada. Tuition fees will be waived for exchange students nominated by Goethe University.

When to apply? 

next deadline: Tuesday, 4 November 2025 
(for a stay abroad during the acadamic year 2026/27)

Participating universities:

  • York University, Toronto: 1-2 students for one semester (grad./undergrad.)
  • Saint Mary's University, Halifax: 1 student for 1 semester (undergraduate) 

*Graduate: Please note that graduate admissions will have to be confirmed by the coordinator of the M.A. or M.Sc. program of the host institution. These individual decisions may take until May/June so that admissions or rejections may be communicated on short notice.

Below you will find basic information about our partner institutions. For more information please read the testimonials of former exchange students (in German) - see the tab above. 

YORK UNIVERSITY, Toronto

York University is situated in Toronto and was founded in 1959. With 50.000 enrolled students it is Canada's third biggest university. 


Important information about the exchange:

  • availability: 1-2 exchange students per semester (fall term: September - December, winter term: January - April)
  • graduate / undergraduate   
  • Please note the restrictions concerning possible areas of studies and only apply if you meet the requirements.  

At York University you may also apply as an International Visiting Research Trainee:
  • not part of the exchange program (application directly to York University, not to the Global Office at GU)
  • You will have to contact a Faculty member who is willing to host and supervise you during your visit as an IVRT to York University. 
  • costs: mandatory "University Health Insurance Plan" and "work permit application fee"  

SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY, Halifax

Saint Mary's University (SMU) was founded in 1802 and is situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its approx. 7000 students come from 115 countries - SMU is proud to call itself one of the most international universities of the country.


Important information about the exchange:

  • availability: one exchange student for one Semester (fall term: September - December, winter term: January - April)
  • only undergraduate  
  • humanities / social sciences / business/economics  
  • SMU explicitly points out that exchange students must be flexible in their course selection, as admission to specific courses cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, if it is absolutely necessary to take certain courses during the semester abroad, you should not apply to SMU.


accomodation: At SMU exchange students may apply for on-campus housing but it cannot be guaranteed!

general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

  • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
  • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
  • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
  • Good academic standing 
  • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
  • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
  • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
  • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
  • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
  • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

additional application requirements for this exchange:  

  • good academic standing (average grade: 2,0-2,5)
  • good English proficiency; certificates mandatory (valid 2 years):  
  • Graduate: Please note that placement in a graduate program is subject to admission by the person in charge of the program at the host institution. Since these are individual decisions that may take until May/June. In rare cases, this may result in rejections shortly before the planned stay abroad. 
Program benefits
  • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
  • Administrative support with application at host institution

Please note: Not all partner institutions offer student housing to exchange students. 


Costs before and during the stay abroad
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:

  • room and board 
  • travel costs
  • insurances 
  • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees    

Costs for room and board are approx. 6.500 C $ per semester on average, depending on the meal plan.

    When to apply?      Tuesday, 4 November 2025

    Please see German website for updated version. This site will be updated shortly. Please excuse any inconvenience!
    Application documents:
    • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
    • additional application documents
      please see       application manual
    • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
    Interviews:
    • middle/end of November
    • there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
    Selection of exchange students: 
    • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
    • all applicants will receive an email:
      • invitation to an interview OR  
      • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
    • interview will:
      • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
      • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
      • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
    • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
    • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them
    Final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them (undergraduate: March or April; graduate: May/June). 

    How to finance your stay abroad: 
    Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

    • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
    • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
    • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
    • Bildungskredit
    • other scholarships 

    More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

    Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

    You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).

    Participating universities:

    • York University, Toronto: 1-2 students for one semester (grad./undergrad.)
    • Saint Mary's University, Halifax: 1 student for 1 semester (undergraduate) 

    *Graduate: Please note that graduate admissions will have to be confirmed by the coordinator of the M.A. or M.Sc. program of the host institution. These individual decisions may take until May/June so that admissions or rejections may be communicated on short notice.

    Below you will find basic information about our partner institutions. For more information please read the testimonials of former exchange students (in German) - see the tab above. 

    YORK UNIVERSITY, Toronto

    York University is situated in Toronto and was founded in 1959. With 50.000 enrolled students it is Canada's third biggest university. 


    Important information about the exchange:

    • availability: 1-2 exchange students per semester (fall term: September - December, winter term: January - April)
    • graduate / undergraduate   
    • Please note the restrictions concerning possible areas of studies and only apply if you meet the requirements.  

    At York University you may also apply as an International Visiting Research Trainee:
    • not part of the exchange program (application directly to York University, not to the Global Office at GU)
    • You will have to contact a Faculty member who is willing to host and supervise you during your visit as an IVRT to York University. 
    • costs: mandatory "University Health Insurance Plan" and "work permit application fee"  

    SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY, Halifax

    Saint Mary's University (SMU) was founded in 1802 and is situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its approx. 7000 students come from 115 countries - SMU is proud to call itself one of the most international universities of the country.


    Important information about the exchange:

    • availability: one exchange student for one Semester (fall term: September - December, winter term: January - April)
    • only undergraduate  
    • humanities / social sciences / business/economics  
    • SMU explicitly points out that exchange students must be flexible in their course selection, as admission to specific courses cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, if it is absolutely necessary to take certain courses during the semester abroad, you should not apply to SMU.


    accomodation: At SMU exchange students may apply for on-campus housing but it cannot be guaranteed!

    general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

    • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
    • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
    • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
    • Good academic standing 
    • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
    • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
    • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
    • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
    • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
    • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

    additional application requirements for this exchange:  

    • good academic standing (average grade: 2,0-2,5)
    • good English proficiency; certificates mandatory (valid 2 years):  
    • Graduate: Please note that placement in a graduate program is subject to admission by the person in charge of the program at the host institution. Since these are individual decisions that may take until May/June. In rare cases, this may result in rejections shortly before the planned stay abroad. 
    Program benefits
    • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
    • Administrative support with application at host institution

    Please note: Not all partner institutions offer student housing to exchange students. 


    Costs before and during the stay abroad
    Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:

    • room and board 
    • travel costs
    • insurances 
    • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees    

    Costs for room and board are approx. 6.500 C $ per semester on average, depending on the meal plan.

      When to apply?      Tuesday, 4 November 2025

      Please see German website for updated version. This site will be updated shortly. Please excuse any inconvenience!
      Application documents:
      • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
      • additional application documents
        please see         application manual
      • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
      Interviews:
      • middle/end of November
      • there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
      Selection of exchange students: 
      • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
      • all applicants will receive an email:
        • invitation to an interview OR  
        • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
      • interview will:
        • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
        • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
        • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
      • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
      • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them
      Final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them (undergraduate: March or April; graduate: May/June). 

      How to finance your stay abroad: 
      Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

      • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
      • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
      • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
      • Bildungskredit
      • other scholarships 

      More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

      Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

      You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).