International Medical Studies

Take advantage of the Erasmus+ programme to expand your studies across Europe! Students from the 5th semester onwards can spend one or two semesters studying at one of our partner universities abroad. However, we recommend undertaking a study period abroad no earlier than the 7th semester, to ensure that you are well established in the clinical phase of your studies and to minimize any delays in your degree progression.

The application deadline for a study period abroad is always January 15 of each year. This deadline applies whether you plan to go abroad in the winter semester, summer semester, or for the entire academic year. Detailed information on the application process can be found in the document “Application Process for Outgoings (German Link)”. We strongly recommend scheduling a personal consultation with the International Office before submitting your application. Please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Each study period abroad requires the completion of an Online Learning Agreement (OLA), in which you define the courses you intend to take during your stay. The OLA is a mandatory requirement for receiving the Erasmus+ scholarship. Further information on the OLA and Erasmus+ funding can be found in the documents “Application Process for Outgoings (German Link)” and the “Online Learning Agreement (OLA)”.

In addition to gaining intercultural experience and insight into different healthcare systems, a key aspect of studying abroad is the recognition of academic achievements earned during your stay. This recognition is carried out exclusively by the respective subject representatives, not by the International Office of the Faculty of Medicine. Detailed information on this process, as well as the necessary forms, can be found in the documents “Recognition of Academic Achievements (German Link)” and “Erasmus+ Equivalency Certificate (German Link)". 

You are also welcome to check the notice board (German Link) under “Study Abroad,” where up-to-date information—such as the allocation of remaining places—is regularly published.

Clinical electives (Famulaturen) abroad take place during the lecture-free period and must be organized independently by students. If specific documents are required—such as a letter of recommendation—you are welcome to contact us. However, arranging a placement, accommodation, insurance, and all related matters is your responsibility.

Similarly, (half) final-year clinical rotations (PJ tertials) abroad must also be organized independently.

For stays of 60 days or more, you may be eligible for Erasmus+ funding. Applications for funding must be submitted to the International Office no later than one month before the start of the internship.

If you plan to complete half of a PJ tertial in an Erasmus+ programme country, you may apply for a PROMOS scholarship. Further information is available on the website of the International Office. Please ensure that your elective or (half) PJ tertial is fully arranged before applying for funding.

Clinical electives and (half) PJ tertials are also generally possible at our three partner universities in Japan: Nara, Aichi, and Hiroshima. Please note that a separate application process applies and that places are limited. Detailed information can be found in the document “Clinical Electives in Japan (German Link) ”. Applications to these three universities will only be accepted if they are submitted via the International Office of the Faculty of Medicine at RUB.

Application Process for Outgoings (German PDF) 

Application Form for Outgoings (German PDF)

Recognition of Academic Achievements (German PDF)

Erasmus+ Equivalency Certificate (German PDF)

Online Learning Agreement (OLA) (German PDF)

Clinical Electives in Japan (German PDF) 

Students from Erasmus+ partner universities can plan a study period at our Faculty of Medicine after being nominated by their home university. Nomination deadlines are March 1 for the winter semester or the entire academic year, and September 1 for the summer semester. Nominations are submitted via the International Office of Ruhr University Bochum.

After nomination, you will receive all relevant application information from the International Office and the Faculty of Medicine. The Erasmus+ coordination team at the Faculty of Medicine will personally send you all necessary application documents by email and inform you of the individual deadline for submitting them.

We are happy to assist you in selecting your courses. Please note that we do not accept nominations or applications outside of existing partnerships.

Students from our partner universities may either attend curricular courses (see above) or complete clinical placements at our university hospital as part of their study period. Further information can be found in our “Internship Information Sheet”. As part of your application, you may indicate your preferred specialties and the time periods for your placements. We will then arrange suitable placements in our clinics or offer alternatives if there is no availability in your requested area.

Please note that clinical placements at our university hospital are available exclusively to students from our partner universities. Applications from students or postgraduates who are not enrolled at one of our partner institutions cannot be considered.

As a visiting student, you are generally responsible for arranging your own accommodation. Support is available from our International Office; detailed information and contact details can be found here.

Rooms in our student residences can be rented for stays of six months or longer. For shorter stays, you can contact private hosts. Suitable offers can be found in the document “Private Accommondation in Bochum”.

Information Sheet for Incomings (German PDF)

Private Accommodation in Bochum (German PDF)

Belgium
Ghent University
KU Leuven

Bulgaria
Trakia University

France
University of Lille
University of Strasbourg

Greece
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Ireland
National University of Ireland Galway

Italy
University of Bologna
University of Messina
Sapienza University of Rome
University of Siena

Croatia
University of Zagreb

Poland
Wrocław Medical University
Jan Kochanowski University

Romania
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași

Switzerland
University of Basel
University of Lausanne

Spain
University of Alcalá
University of Oviedo

Czech Republic
Masaryk University in Brno

Türkiye
Hacettepe University

Japan
Nara Medical University
Aichi Medical University School of Medicine
Hiroshima University Faculty of Medicine

Language Requirements of Partner Universities (German PDF)

RUB International 

RUB International Student Services

Erasmus Programm

Erasmus Student Network Bochum

Erasmus Internship

German Academic exchange service

French-German doctoral college

State Examination Office (German Link)

Clinical Elective Exchange BVMD (German Link)

International Federation of Medical Students' Associations

Studentenwerk (Student Services Organization) AKAFÖ (German Link)