Students with children
If you have children, you can still go abroad during your studies. On this webpage, we provide an overview of specific funding opportunities, different stay formats, planning tips, contacts and experience reports.
Additional funding with Erasmus+
If you are planning on doing a semester or a work placement/traineeship abroad within Europe, you will find some information on studying in Europe with Erasmus+ here and Erasmus+ work placements/traineeships here.
In addition to an Erasmus+ grant, you can request a top-up or additional funding.
Top-up
If you are a student who will be taking your child(ren) abroad with you on an Erasmus+ programme, you can apply for a top-up. In this case, you will receive €250 per month in addition to your Erasmus+ grant. You will automatically receive your top-up application documents during or after your Erasmus+ grant application.
Additional funding
If you expect considerable additional costs when going abroad with your child(ren), you have the option to apply for additional funding. You can apply for a maximum of €15,000 for one semester and a maximum of €30,000 for two semesters. You can receive support for expenses such as increased travel and living costs as well as childcare. As the additional funding is based on your real expenditures and your application has to be submitted to the DAAD at least two months prior to your stay, please contact us as early as possible if you are planning on applying for additional funding.
Further funding options
BAföG grants for stays abroad
Students who are not eligible for BAföG grants in Germany may still be eligible for BAföG for stays abroad (Auslands-BAföG). Students may also receive additional funding for children. You can get advice on BAföG grants for stays abroad from the UDE General Student Committee (AStA) (in German only).
State funding
You may continue to receive your parental allowance (Elterngeld), child benefit (Kindergeld) and housing benefit (Wohngeld) during your stay abroad. To do so, contact your family benefits office or housing benefits office as early as possible to inform them of your stay. You may also be eligible for child benefits or other benefits in your host country during your stay. For information on these options, please contact your host university.
Scholarships/grants
Students can apply for a PROMOS grant for stays abroad outside of Europe. Stays abroad may also be funded with the Deutschlandstipendium, foundation grants/scholarships or the Christiane Nüsslein-Vollhard Foundation scholarship (for doctoral candidates). This funding may be combined with Erasmus+ or PROMOS grants; if you receive more than one grant/scholarship, please ensure that they may be combined.
Further options for stays abroad
Aurora
UDE is a member of the Aurora University Alliance, a network of European universities. Aurora offers various formats for students, such as online or blended courses as well as short-term stays abroad at partner universities. Some Aurora stays abroad may be funded with an Erasmus+ grant. Please find further information here (English version available soon).
Erasmus+ blended short-term work placements
Students with children planning a work placement/traineeship abroad can do a short-term placement including a virtual stay abroad. The physical stay abroad lasts a minimum of five and a maximum of 30 days. There is also a mandatory online component. Please find further information on Erasmus+ for work placements/traineeships here. For details on the grant amounts for short-term stays, please contact us.
DAAD Chancen:Digital-Stipendium
Students who cannot do a long-term stay abroad for various reasons have the opportunity to receive funding for an online master’s programme abroad with the DAAD Chancen:Digital-Stipendium grant (German only). Students with children may apply for this funding.
Planning your stay
Three to four semesters ahead of your stay
- First, gather information on universities or institutions/companies that may be suitable for your stay abroad. To research universities, you can check our database of partner universities for semesters abroad here (German only).
- Research information on your host country such as childcare costs or your eligibility for housing or child benefits.
- Take advantage of the consultation services offered by UDE and other institutions.
At least 12 months ahead of your stay
- Get in touch with the UDE International Office, e.g. to clarify whether you are eligible for additional funding through Erasmus+.
- Get in touch with your host institution to get information on local aspects such as childcare or housing options.
- Plan and apply for your funding.
Several months ahead of your stay
- Find accommodation in your host country.
- Arrange for the childcare you need in your host country.
- If necessary, organise and discuss your absence with your childcare provider in your home country.
Going abroad soon?
The planning periods mentioned above are just recommendations. If you cannot adhere to them, it does not mean that you will be unable to do your stay abroad. Some steps, however, such as the application for an Erasmus+ semester abroad or the application for additional funding, cannot be planned short-term.
Contacts at UDE
Studierendenwerk
The Studierendenwerk provides advice on all matters relating to studying with children. Please find further information here (German only).
AStA
Students with children can contact the AStA’s social advisory service and social policy unit (website in German only.)
Family Service Office
The Family Service Office (webpage in German only) provides consultation primarily for UDE staff, but they may also be able to help you with childcare or related matters.
International Office
If you have any questions about going abroad with children, the International Office will be happy to help!
Further links
Familie in der Hochschule
This association provides detailed information on its website (German only) about stays abroad for students with children and also provides personal reports of experiences.
‘Studieren weltweit’
This DAAD website (German only) provides information on financing stays abroad with children, childcare options abroad and experience reports.
‘Studieren weltweit’ podcast
In this podcast episode (German only), a student talks about her semester abroad with her son.
DAAD experience reports
Erasmus+ semester abroad in Spain
In her experience report (German only), Ténia Meisel talks about her Erasmus+ semester abroad in Santander, Spain, with her two children.
Erasmus+ semester abroad in Great Britain
In her experience report (German only), Elisabeth Herzog talks about her Erasmus+ semester abroad in Bristol, UK, with her two children.
Erasmus+ semester abroad in Italy
In this experience report (German only), a student from Leipzig University talks about her Erasmus+ semester abroad in Bari, Italy, with her child.
Do you still have questions?
Contact and consultation
Essen campus
Lisa Otto
Phone: +49 201 183 2063
lisa.otto@uni-due.de