Welcome to IfKW! This website provides information for incoming students who are interested in spending a semester abroad or who have already been accepted for one or two semesters at the Department of Media and Communication (IfKW).
To ensure that everything goes smoothly, please read the following information carefully.
The application process at the IfKW and LMU consists of six sequential steps that must be completed one after another with sufficient lead time and careful planning.
After successfully applying through your home university, you will be nominated by your study abroad coordinator at LMU. You will then receive information regarding registration at LMU. The Learning Agreement is the core of the application process. Registration at LMU is completed with enrollment. And then you’re all set to go!
On this page, you will find a clear, step-by-step overview to guide you through the entire process and help you plan your stay at the IfKW with confidence.
First, you must apply through your own university.
Incoming students from partner universities: Please contact your local student advisor. A list of our partner universities can be found here.
Once your application has been approved at your home university, your home universities' coordinator will nominate you for a semester or a full academic year at LMU. If you have any questions, please contact your coordinator at your home university.
You cannot apply to LMU/IfKW without a nomination.
More information on the nomination process can be found on LMU's international office website.
After beeing nominated by your home university, we will contact you with information on the application process.
Further information on the application process, procedures, and required documents for LMU can be found on the website of our International Office.
All incoming students must submit either an Online Learning Agreement (OLA) or a Learning Agreement (LA) with their application. A Learning Agreement is a study agreement between the student, the guest university (receiving university), and the home university (sending university).
Incoming students at IfKW should list our international coordinator, Jessica Kühn, as the “responsible person” in their learning agreement. She reviews the incoming LAs and provides feedback and confirmation.
The LA is submitted with your application to LMU. However, this is a preliminary version, as course selection takes place close to the start of the semester. You will then have the opportunity to adjust the LA and consult with your home university regarding the recognition of credits. We are happy to help with any questions you may have about courses at IfKW.
Congratulations! You have made it and can look forward to studying abroad at the IfKW. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, please follow these steps:
Before you arrive in Munich, you will receive an appointment for enrollment at the LMU International Office. These appointments take place one to three weeks before the start of the semester. You can find more information about your registration at LMU here.
Registration number and email address: Upon enrollment, you will receive your personal student ID card (matriculation number). This number is essential for registering for seminars and lectures. Please forward your matriculation number to the coordinator of your department immediately upon receipt. You will also receive a campus email address (preceded by "name@campus.lmu.de") that you can use to log in to the various LMU systems.
To help you get off to a successful start at LMU, our International Office has put together some tips for your first steps in Munich. In addition to helpful advice on visas, health insurance, and bank accounts, these include tips and tricks for navigating the Munich housing market.
Starting your exchange at the IfKW means more than attending classes. Alongside key academic dates and deadlines, we place great value on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our incoming students.
From orientation events before the semester begins to informal meet-ups throughout the term, we offer opportunities to connect with fellow exchange students, get to know the department, and feel at home at the IfKW from day one.
LMU's summer semester lasts 14 weeks and the winter semester 15 weeks.
Semester Periods: The academic year is devided into two semesters.
Winter semester: October 1 to March 31 | Summer semester: April 1 to September 30
Lecture Periods: The lecture period in the winter semester usually begins in mid-October, and in the summer semester in mid-April (see the academic calendar for exact dates).
Exam Dates: The examination period is usually during the last week of lectures or at the beginning of the holidays. The specific times are determined by the lecturers. If the end of the semester overlaps with the start of the new semester at the home university, we will find a flexible solution to enable students to complete their stay with us.
© Lena Teresa Photography
Start your exchange at the IfKW with our Welcome Event, held in the week before the semester begins. Meet fellow incoming students, get to know the department, and kick off your semester in a relaxed and friendly setting.
All incoming students will receive the invitation and date of the Welcome Day by email a few weeks in advance.
Want to meet incoming students from all across LMU? The International Office hosts welcome and orientation events every semester—perfect for making new connections, getting helpful tips, and settling into life at LMU.
Curious about research and academic life at the IfKW? Each winter semester, Meet the Researcher invites you to step behind the doors of our offices and meet the people who make the IfKW what it is.
Hear about current research projects, get a glimpse of everyday academic life, and ask the questions that usually don’t fit into a lecture.
Every semester, we organize small and informal meet-ups for incoming students. From game nights to visits to the Christmas market, these events are a fun way to connect, unwind, and enjoy Munich together.
As part of our Incoming Series, we organize excursions to exciting media organizations. Ever seen a printing house from the inside or sat in on a press conference? Join your fellow students and experience Munich's media world up close.
If you would like some help finding your feet as a new student at LMU, why not join the LMU Buddy Program? Your buddy—an LMU student—will help you with things like getting your LMUcard, finding your bearings in the city, or figuring out your way around campus.
At IfKW, you'll find a wide range of courses in communication studies and media research.
Incoming students can take both bachelor’s and master’s courses. Most courses are taught in German, but we offer at least 30 ECTS credits worth of English-taught courses each semester.
We offer three different types of courses.
Lectures are usually attended by 100 to 200 students and held weekly by a professor. Discussions are the exception; students are not expected to participate actively. Students are expected to read the relevant literature at home. Towards the end of the semester, there is a final exam, a written test (usually in the last week of the lecture period).
At first glance, lectures seem easy, but consider the following: you cannot practice your German in a lecture. In addition, the written exams are often quite challenging.
A seminar usually has between 15 and 30 students. You will probably have to give a presentation (usually together with fellow students) and at the end of the semester you will most likely have to write a term paper. A seminar also involves reading relevant literature. Occasionally, practical exercises take place. Discussions play an important role in seminars. Presentations are usually not a problem for exchange students, but the assignments at the end of the semester are often demanding (however, you can discuss the requirements with your tutor).
Empirical research seminars are advanced seminars designed for third-year or graduate students, focusing on empirical research.
Students wishing to attend an empirical research seminar should have a high level of proficiency in the language of instruction and have comprehensive knowledge of empirical research methods.
The up-to-date course catalogue is available at: www.lsf.lmu.de. Specific courses, including titles and descriptions, are published each semester (two months before the beginning of each semester).
At IfKW, we offer at least 30 ECTS worth of English- taught courses at both BA and MA level each semester. Incoming students have the opportunity to choose from these courses.
This includes courses for exchange students only (incoming series), but also mixed courses / lectures. Our incoming series is open to all students (limited capacity). BA and MA courses are restricted to students in communication sciences or related fields—we also have a limited number of places available.
The courses are in the following modules:
Most courses have a specific focus. Therefore, the actual topic taught may change from semester to semester. The list of topics relevant to your stay will be available approximately two months before the start of the semester.
You will receive a current fact sheet as part of your application to LMU when you submit your learning agreement. Please do not hesitate to contact our International Coordinator when you create your first LA. The current fact sheet can be downloaded here.
The following ECTS guidelines apply to your semester abroad at the IfKW:
Primarily written exams (for lectures), presentations, and term papers (for seminars), as well as oral exams where applicable.
We are open to discussing specific exams to ensure they meet the requirements of the home university.
A few weeks prior to the start of the semester, the international coordinator will send an online form for choosing classes in our department (wishlist). Students do not have to apply online for courses in the field of media and communication by themselves. Our coordinator will apply for them.
IMPORTANT: This only works for courses at IfKW – if students would like to attend courses in other departments, too, they have to subscribe to them by themself (the best would be to write an e-mail to the international coordinator or lecturer).
The fact sheet contains all the key information about studying abroad at the IfKW: information about the institute, contact details for the study abroad coordinator, and details about the courses offered.
The general fact sheet for incoming students (PDF, 492 KB) at the IfKW provides you with all the necessary information at a glance (valid from the 2026/27 winter semester).
If you are an incoming student in the summer term 2026, you can download the fact sheet for the summer semester 2026 (PDF, 459 KB).
All your questions are answered here.
At IfKW, we have over 30 partner universities in European programs (ERASMUS+ and SEMP) as well as in non-European programs (LMUexchange).
To spend a semester abroad at the IfKW, you must apply to LMU. The process involves several steps: First, students are nominated by their home university to LMU, followed by the official application and enrollment.
Once you have been successfully nominated, the online application process begins. Here are the deadlines:
You can find all the information you need to apply online to LMU on the International Office website.
You can also find information about the required application materials on the International Office website.
A Learning Agreement is an agreement between the student, the host university (receiving university), and the home university (sending university) that is drawn up prior to the student’s stay.
However, this is a preliminary version, as the course selection will not be finalized until shortly before the start of the semester. You will then have the opportunity to adjust your study plan and discuss the recognition of credits with your home university.
At the IfKW, we offer numerous courses (theoretical and empirical) across various modules and degree programs.
New students have the opportunity to choose from these courses. We offer courses in both German and English. Most courses have a specific focus. Therefore, the actual topic taught may vary from semester to semester. The list of topics relevant to your stay will be available approximately two months before the start of the semester.
The current course catalog is available on the LSF website.
The individual courses, including their titles and descriptions, are published each semester (two months before the start of the semester).
Students coming to the IfKW should list our International Coordinator, Jessica Kühn, as the “contact person” on their Learning Agreement. She reviews the submitted Learning Agreements and provides feedback and confirmation.
Exchange students may register for courses in the bachelor’s and master’s programs. It is recommended that they coordinate their course selection at the IfKW with the coordinator at their home university well in advance.
If you would also like to take courses in other departments, you will need to register for them yourself (we recommend sending an email to the international coordinator or the instructor).
English (CEFR level B2)
Most courses are taught in German, but we offer at least 30 ECTS credits worth of English-language courses each semester.
Winter semester 2026/27: 12 October 2026
Summer semester 2027: 12 April 2027
Before you arrive in Munich, you will receive an appointment for enrollment at the LMU International Office. These appointments take place one to three weeks before the start of the semester. For more information on enrollment at LMU, please visit here.
Student ID Number and Email Address: Upon enrollment, you will receive your personal student ID number. This number is essential for registering for seminars and lectures. Please forward your student ID number to your department’s coordinator immediately upon receipt. You will also receive a campus email address (with the format “name@campus.lmu.de”), which you can use to log in to the various LMU systems.
A welcome day is held at the IfKW during the week before the semester begins. This is also an opportunity for you to meet all the exchange students at the IfKW who have already been in Germany for a semester.
All incoming students will receive an email a few weeks in advance with the invitation and the date of the Welcome Day.
At LMU, course times can be listed as c.t. or s.t.:
Important:
The first week of the semester is especially important, as assignments are introduced and deadlines are discussed.
If you are unable to attend a class for any reason, please inform your tutor in advance. A short email is sufficient.
No. If you miss a session, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered and whether any deadlines were discussed. We recommend asking fellow students and checking the course materials.
Please note that the first week of the semester is crucial.
No. Exchange students at the IfKW do not need to register separately for exams.
If you are taking an exam at another institution, you must follow that institution’s registration procedure. Please inform the institution that you are an ERASMUS or exchange student.
Yes. We strongly recommend that you discuss the exam procedures with your tutor a few weeks before the exam date. This includes, for example, questions about the use of a dictionary or the submission of papers in English.
After completing your studies at LMU, you can request a Transcript of Records showing the courses you have taken, your grades, and your ECTS credits. Please note that transcripts are not issued automatically—you must submit the request yourself.
The LSF system will guide you step by step through the application process. Please follow the instructions on the LSF website.
Most grades are typically available
We recommend checking LSF regularly to ensure that all grades have been entered.
Please ask the relevant instructors to send your grades and ECTS credits directly to the IfKW’s International Coordination Office.
At the IfKW, we offer English-language courses totaling at least 30 ECTS credits each semester at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. We are happy to assist with course registration in other departments.
Academic achievements at the IfKW are documented in the Transcript of Records. If you have any questions about obtaining your transcript or your Learning Agreement, please contact the IfKW’s International Office.
Whether the courses you take at IfKW will be recognized by your home university is ultimately decided by your home university. We therefore strongly recommend that you clarify this with your home university before your stay and sign a learning agreement.
You can find information on finding housing, visas and residence permits, health insurance, and the cost of living on the LMU International Office website.
Especially at the beginning, it can be challenging to connect with German students, as many already have established circles of friends. Don’t be shy, reaching out to fellow students is usually well received.
Our social events will help you get to know other exchange students. In addition, most courses are mixed, so you’ll also meet regular students.
You can also participate in the LMU Buddy Program, which pairs you with an LMU student to help you get started and make new connections.
Our International Coordinator, Jessica Kühn.
All LMU faculty members offer office hours, which are listed on their respective department’s website under “Faculty.” During office hours, you can generally visit faculty members without an appointment, unless otherwise noted.
If you are unable to attend the office hours, please speak with the instructor after class or send an email to schedule an alternative time.
Only during official office hours. Outside of office hours, you should never visit tutors without making an appointment in advance.
Yes. You can contact instructors by email at any time. We recommend using your LMU email address and including a clear subject line (e.g., “Seminar paper topic” instead of “Question”).
Punctuality is taken very seriously in Germany and at LMU. Arriving late for classes or field trips is generally frowned upon. Since Munich is a large city and the LMU campus spans several locations, we recommend allowing plenty of time for your commute, especially at the beginning of your stay.
Try to let someone know, for example, a classmate from the same course. When you arrive, a brief apology is always appropriate.
Once you arrive at IfKW, your contact person will be the IfKW International Office. If you cannot find the answer to your question online (here is an overview of questions for visiting students) or at your home university, please feel free to contact the International Office.
When contacting us, please provide your student ID number (if available), your home university (if available), and outline your request. Emails can be processed in German and English.
