FAQs
Welcome to the Faculty of Architecture and UrbanIsm of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar! As an exchange student, you will find important faculty-specific information and contacts here. We look forward to welcoming you for one or two semesters!
In the following FAQ you can find answer to the most frequently asked questions.
Where can I find basic information? Who can I contact if I have further questions not answered on the website?
On the website of the International Office you will find all information about the application, deadlines, documents to be submitted, etc. (https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/international/nach-weimar/austauschstudium).
Please note that you must first apply to your home university, which will then nominate you. Please do not contact us with your inquiries until you have been nominated and we have confirmed your nomination to your home university.
Once you have been nominated, the entire application process takes place digitally. You can find further information on how to apply:
You can also get more information on the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies website:https://www.uni-weimar.de/en/architecture-and-urbanism/services/organizational-questions/incoming-exchange-students/
Which German skills do I need?
It is possible to take an exchange semester at the Faculty without German knowlege. Though, we recommend a level B1.
Please consider that most courses at our faculty are taught in German. You can gain an impression about the dimensions of english-taught courses in the archives of the course catalogues. You can also find information about the interdisciplionary Bauhaus-Modules which are often taught in English.
Design and planning projects are usually offered in German. However, it is also possible for exchange students with little knowledge of German to participate. Due to this special format, it is usually not a problem to integrate well into these projects, especially since several exchange students also participate in a design/planning project and the teachers are used to be flexible with this respect.
If your German language level is below B2 you are obliged to participate in the German Intensive Language Course offered by the Language Center.
You can find furhter information on the website of the International Office
When does the semester begin and end?
The winter semester usually starts on October 1 and ends on March 31. The lecture period already ends at the beginning/middle of February, followed by 2-3 weeks of exams.
The summer semester usually starts on April 1 and ends on September 30. The lecture period already ends in mid-July, followed by 2-3 exam weeks.
At the end of each semester there is an exhibition with students works.
You can find the archive of past exhibitions: Univeristy‘s annual show „summaery“ (2020: www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/aktuell/jaehrliche-veranstaltungen/archiv/jaehrliche-veranstaltungen-2020/summaery2020/), semester show architecture and urbanism „go4spring“ (2021: www.uni-weimar.de/de/architektur-und-urbanistik/aktuell/ausstellungen/go4spring/projekte/
What shall I consider when preparing the Learning Agreement?
The Learning Agreement is a contract between you, your home university and the host faculty at the Bauhaus Universität Weimar.
It includes a list of courses, which the Erasmus student should attend at the host university. As an exchange student, you will be advised by YOUR academic advisor from your home university about the courses offered at our faculty. You can obtain the relevant form from your home university.
The courses offered at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar for the upcoming semester will not be published until just a few weeks before the semester begins. Furthermore, due to the unique system used for project assignment it is not possible to define the exact courses which a student will attend and therefore you will have to fill out the preliminary Learning Agreement on the basis of the general disciplines offered in Weimar.
For a first orientation and approximation you can find the course archive here: https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/universitaet/studium/studienservices/bison-portal/veranstaltungsverzeichnis-archiv-pdf
Please wait with the preparation of the Learning Agreement until you will receive the acceptance letter from our International Office. We recommend that you prepare and sign the learning agreement "before mobility" by the end of September (for the winter semester) or by the end of March (for the summer semester). You can then complete and update the "during mobility" agreement during the semester.
Gabriela Oroz will sign your Learning Agreement. Please do not send your Learning Agreement before having been admitted by our university.
How and when do I get information about the courses of the semester?
You can find the courses in the course catalogue (BISON) approximately four weeks before classes begin: www.uni-weimar.de/qisserver/rds; category=event.browse&topitem=lectures&subitem=lectureindex&breadcrumb=lectureindex
Before that, you can check the course archive to see which courses were offered in previous semesters. You can also find courses listed according to subject groups and degree programmes there.
At the beginning of the semester, information is given about the design projects. You will also find further information about the courses on the websites of the professorships. (https://www.uni-weimar.de/de/architektur-und-urbanistik/struktur/professuren/professuren-und-juniorprofessuren/)
The courses are presented in the course catalogue according to study programs and examination regulations (PO). For exchange students this division might be a bit confusing - for you this division is not relevant, because for you the year of the examination regulations does not matter. You simply select the most recent year in the list to get an overview of the courses in your program.
The division into core modules, compulsory modules and compulsory elective modules is also not relevant for you, as you are not required to take any specific courses from our side.
In each course you can find further information on the course type, number of participants, professorship, ECTS credits, language, semester hours per week, dates, location.
What types of courses are there? Which courses can I choose from?
Common teaching formats are lectures, seminars, design and planning projects, workshops, etc.
Exchange students should take the majority of courses in the program they are studying at home. However, they may also take courses from other study programs or in other faculties. It is also possible to take courses from academic years others than your year. Please note that a maximum of 10 credits may be covered at other faculties.
There are a just a few two-semester courses where it does not make sense to participate if you are only studying in Weimar for one semester. Please keep this in mind when arranging your study plan.
In very few courses, teachers do not give grades (this is communicated in the course description and/or at the beginning of the semester in the course), but they only issue a certificate of participation. You should take this into account if you need a grade for the recognition of your achievements in your home university.
For students without sufficient knowledge of German (we recommend at least B1 level), please take a look at the English-taught courses (English-taught courses: www.uni-weimar.de/qisserver/rds) and the interdisciplinary courses of the Bauhaus modules ( www.uni-weimar.de/qisserver/rds.
You may also choose Bauhaus-modules which are interdisciplinary courses: - Veranstaltungsverzeichnis Bauhaus-Universitaet Weimar (uni-weimar.de)
Can I take a project in English if I know little German?
Design and planning projects are usually offered in German. However, it is also possible for exchange students with little knowledge of German to participate. Due to this special format, it is usually not a problem to integrate well into these projects, especially since several exchange students also participate in a design/planning project and the teachers are used to be flexible with this respect.
How many credits should I take?
Architecture students usually choose a design project (12 credits) with two accompanying seminars (3 credits each) and some other courses. You should take a maximum of 30 credits in total, otherwise the workload is too heavy. A language course normally can be credited with 3 credits.
Please discuss this with your home university, as we do not care about the number of credits you take. Your credits from Weimar will be recognized at your home university.
What is the relationship between credits and hours?
Can I use the workshops?
Exchange students can use the labs and workshop just like regular students at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Please note that you need a "licence" to use the facilities. Futher information
Can I complete my thesis in Weimar?
Unfortunately, it is not possible for you to follow and work on your thesis project in Weimar under supervision of university staff members. The exchange agreements between our university and the partner universities refer only to teaching cooperation. Thesis supervision is not possible within the framework of the exchange agreements.
How does the enrollment in courses at the faculty work?
Shortly before the start of the semester, we will provide more information on the faculty website about registering for courses together.
In addition, there is an (online) information event for Erasmus students (in September for the winter semester and in March for the summer semester), so that all information about enrolling in courses, registering for and deregistering from exams, and important semester dates will be well known.
In any case, you will need a university login and password to register, which you will receive upon regsitration at the Campus Office/International Office.
How do I find help for using the course catalogue BISON?
In BISON you will find a German-English manual: www.uni-weimar.de/fileadmin/uni/files/studium/lsf/Bison_Online-Hilfe_Zweisprachig.pdf.
Who can I contact with questions and problems?
Please contact us by mail or telephone. Please note that we are currently unable to offer regular office hours.
The colleagues in the International Office are your contact persons for general questions regarding arrival, visa, health insurance, housing, welcome events or similar. You can also have signed your Certificate of Attendance there.
Gabriela Oroz is your contact person for subject-specific questions about studying at the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies.
What is a Transcript of Records?
The Transcript of Records (ToR) documents the performance of a student by listing the courses completed, the ECTS credit points acquired, as well as the local grades obtained and the ECTS grades.
The responsible examination office issues this copy of the data to all students who have completed their stay abroad. In order to receive the Transcript of Records, you must contact Annett Wagner at the beginning of the respective examination period (July in Summer Semester / January in Winter Semester)
Please send an email to transcript[at]uni-weimar.de with the Transcript Generator Sheet. This sheet will be sent to you by Gabriela Oroz before. You will be able to generate your own ToR as long as you are matriculated. Please find further information in this Manual (page 7, "Notenspiegel").
As soon as all the examination results will have been entered in the BISON portal, you can generate your digital transcript of records. If you need a stamped and signed copy, please contact Nicole.Wichmann-Sperl.
Note: The Transcript of Records can only show the results / grading after being announced by the respective lecturer. This usually might take some weeks after the exam date (up to the end of September for Summer Semester / up to the end of March for the Winter Semester).
Can I extend my stay?
In certain cases it may be possible to extend your stay in Weimar. You can find further information and deadlines here.