You are studying abroad, but wish to come to Leipzig to do a semester at IALT? Here, you can find important information to help you prepare for your stay.
General information
Find out more about what you need to know before planning your semester at the Institute of Applied Linguistics and Translatology.
The academic year consists of two semesters:
The academic year consists of two semesters:
- Semester 1: Winter semester from October to March – classes end in February
- Semester 2: Summer semester from April to September – classes end in July
Exams may also be held after teaching has ended. Please plan to stay for at least two extra weeks.
The dates for the current and following semesters can be found on the Academic Year webpage (German link).
After your home university has nominated you for the exchange, you will receive all the necessary application information from the University of Leipzig’s International Centre (German link). For any administrative questions, please e-mail the International Centre.
Please note the following application deadlines
- July 15 for Semester 1 or the entire year
- January 15 for Semester 2
We also encourage you to visit the website of the International Centre (German link) at the University of Leipzig.
There are various options available.
Hall of residence managed by Studentenwerk Leipzig.
If you wish to apply for a hall of residence, please send in your application to Studentenwerk along with your programme application.
Flat share
This popular type of accomodation is not provided or managed by the university. This means you must make your own arrangements. If you begin your search early enough, there is a good chance you will find something. If you do not have contacts in Leipzig, you can search on the following websites (German links):
Students taking part in the ERASMUS+ programme do not normally need a visa. If you are visiting with another exchange programme, you may need a visa. You can find out more on the website of the International Centre.
Semester fee
All students who are enrolled at the university, including exchange students, must make a one-time payment to Studentenwerk Leipzig by the beginning of the semester. This is the so-called semester fee, which is 240,00 Euros for new students. This fee is not a tuition fee. For more information about the semester fee, please visit this website.
Rent
Rent can cost from 180 to 350 Euros per month, depending on the type of housing. Rooms in a flat share are generally more affordable than hall accomodation.
Public transport
Your university student ID also functions as your semester ticket for all forms of public transport (trams, suburban and regional trains, buses) in the city and region. The cost of a semester ticket (125,00 Euros) is included in the semester fee. Compared with buying a monthly ticket for five or six months, the semester ticket is very affordable.
Food
You should budget 100 to 150 Euros per month. The cost of groceries in Germany is lower than in many other European countries. There are good discount stores which are much more affordable than normal supermarkets. Even the prices in restaurants and bars are cheaper than in countries like the United Kingdom, France, or Ireland.
Cultural activities
Most institutions offer a discount. Some have a student pass that reduces the entry fee (Example: The Juniorcard offered by Leipzig Opera costs 10 Euros and allows the holder to get all tickets for opera and ballet performances for 10 Euros at the box office).
The “most international student club” WILMA plays an important role in organizing events for German and exchange students (parties, excursions, etc.). You can find current information and events on the WILMA Facebook page (German link).
Students are represented by the student council at the IALT, the Fachschaftrat (FSR) ALuTi. The student council organizes various events for students of the institute and assists them with any questions they may have. You can get in touch with the student council if you have any questions on life in Leipzig, even before you arrive! Students are usually much better at answering these questions than ERASMUS coordinators.
Courses and ECTS-Credits
Here, you can find out more about how to organize your semester abroad at IALT and how to earn ECTS credits in your courses.
The courses offered at the Institute of Applied Linguistics and Translatology vary from semester 1 to semester 2. The following overview of subjects offered in the BA Translation is a useful guideline as you select your courses.
Subject area | Semester 1 (October-February) | Semester 2 (April-July) |
|---|---|---|
General translatology | x | – |
General linguistics | x | – |
Language-specific linguistics | x | – |
Language competence (English, French, Spanish) | x | – |
Language competence (Russian, Catalan, Galician, Basque) | x | x |
Language-specific translatology | – | x |
Translation into German | x | x |
Translation from German | x | x (German-English for native speakers of English and German only) |
(Introduction to) Interpreting | x | x |
Terminology studies | x | – |
Translation tools | x | x |
Cultural studies (not for English) | x | – |
Text analysis/Text editing | x | x |
Text linguistics (specialist texts) | – | x |
When preparing for your stay, you can use the course catalogues of the previous Semester 1 resp. Semester 2 as a guideline. Courses tend to be offered again, though the day and time may change.
Important
Exchange students do not register for modules with TOOL or Almaweb. If you would like to attend a whole module – usually a compilation of three classes with one final grade and 10 ECTS credits – please contact the institute offering the module in question. You can find the name of the module coordinator and how to contact him/her in the course catalogue (Almaweb link) for each institute. Parallel German courses will be offered by Studienkolleg Sachse. You can find more information about these courses here (German link).
Complete a whole module and earn 10 ECTS credits
If you attend a complete module (usually comprised of three classes) and pass the necessary exams, you will be awarded 10 ECTS credits by the Institute of Applied Linguistics and Translatology. You must register with the IALT secretary’s office by January 15 resp. June 15 to be admitted to the module exam. You cannot register with Almaweb or Tool.
Attend individual classes and receive ECTS credits
Registration for individual classes tends to be done in the first session. All courses can be completed with a grade. Please get in touch with your teachers at the beginning of the semester to discuss how to obtain this final grade. At IALT, the following ECTS credits/credit points are awarded:
- BA Translation programme: Courses with 1 weekly hour: 2 ECTS points for passing examination grade (written test, term paper, presentation, oral exam)
- BA Translation programme: Courses with 2 weekly hours: 4 ECTS points for passing examination grade (written test, term paper, presentation, oral exam)
- MA programmes: Courses with 1 weekly hour: 3 ECTS points for passing examination grade (written test, term paper, presentation, oral exam)
- MA programmes: Courses with 2 weekly hours: 5 ECTS points for passing examination grade (written test, term paper, presentation, oral exam)
If you do not pass the exam for a course (written test, term paper, presentation, oral exam), you will not get credit points. Because your stay at the University of Leipzig is limited to your exchange programme, you will generally not be able to sit a repeat exam.
It is not possible to issue certificates of attendance.