VIP
Virtual International Programme at JLU Giessen
Would you like to join?
JLU´s innovative virtual education programme invites international Bachelor's and Master's students as well as PhD students and teacher training from our partner universities worldwide to embark on an exciting global learning experience — entirely online and tuition-free. Through the VIP, you can enroll in up to six courses per semester, including German language classes ranging from Beginner to Advanced levels. Explore diverse course offerings, review admission requirements, and begin your remote learning journey with us.
Take your education to new international heights from wherever you are!
How does it work?
Explore courses: Browse the course catalogue for Bachelor’s and Master’s options. Be sure to check the prerequisites and schedules for each course. Submit application: Complete the online application form and email the required documents to VIPprotect me ?!admin.uni-giessenprotect me ?!.de
Watch for responses: Keep an eye out for acceptance emails regarding the status of each course application.
Enrol if accepted: Follow JLU's step-by-step enrolment guide after being accepted into at least one course!
For more details, check our Application page!
Benefits
Global Learning Community: Engage with international peers and professors from across the globe.
Tuition-Free Courses: Participate in semester-long courses without paying any tuition fees.
Flexible Study Options: Select up to six courses, including German language classes and subjects from various academic disciplines.
Fully Digital Process: Enjoy a seamless, entirely online experience — from application to enrolment, and through to classes and exams.
Exclusive Student Support: Benefit from dedicated support services designed to help you excel in your studies.
Any Questions?
Yes, participation in our virtual exchange programme is free of charge (no tuition fees) for students enrolled at one of our partner universities.
- The start of the lectures in the winter semester are around mid-October and end of lectures are beginning of February of the following year.
- The start of the lectures in the summer semester are around mid-April each year and the end of lectures are at the beginning of July the same year.
Virtual exchange students are officially enrolled at JLU. You will be assigned a JLU account (matriculation number, email address) and granted access to all e-learning systems.
After successfully completing your courses, you will receive an official Transcript of Records, which includes details of your attendance, grades, and ECTS.
Yes, it is an exclusively virtual offer. All courses and exams are conducted entirely online.
No, acceptance into the VIP does not automatically enrol you as an online Xchange student at JLU. You must complete the enrolment process as outlined in your acceptance email.
This depends on the course; you can find this information in our course catalogue even before enrolling. All courses are also supported by the Stud.IP platform, where lecturers can communicate with students and share supporting materials. Additionally, ILIAS and k-MED are used for specific courses.
If accepted and enrolled at JLU, you will receive a university email address, which will become the main channel for communication wth professors at the university. Make sure to monitor both email accounts to stay informed!
Virtual Course Catalogue at JLU
Virtual Course Catalogue
Our Virtual Course Catalogue is designed with flexibility in mind, offering a wide range of courses and formats to suit diverse academic needs and schedules. It accommodates time zone differences and aligns with the varied requirements of our partner universities, ensuring accessibility for participants worldwide.
Students and doctoral candidates can explore and choose up to six courses from across all 11 faculties at JLU, spanning numerous disciplines and fields of study. This diverse selection provides an excellent opportunity to tailor your academic experience and broaden your knowledge in areas that interest you the most.
Discover the extensive course offerings and unlock the potential of a truly global learning experience at JLU!
Testimonials
Lots of thanks to JLU for letting me feel your atmosphere of understanding, tolerance and activism. I am grateful not only for courses I have attended but also for different invitations to open lectures on law. It was a pleasure to work and study with you.
JLU gave me the opportunity to study International Humanitarian Law. These classes helped me understand the basics and made me realise that I want more!
My experience has been very rewarding since the university staff has been very attentive to the guidelines and instructions to adapt us to both the platforms and the content, the teachers always give us the best advice possible and the content of the course has been incredible. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to study here, I hope to continue learning at this university.
I joined the VIP program in its very first semester as an undergraduate, and it has been one of the most transformative experiences of my academic journey. Each semester, the program grew bigger and better, pushing me to expand my scope, challenge my thinking, and refine my skills. Through VIP, I had the opportunity to engage with brilliant professors and like-minded peers.
Beyond academics, VIP pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, explore new fields, and learn German—all without ever leaving my home country.
Because of the corona, I canceled my Erasmus in Germany. After learning about the VIP, I got the chance to be a student in Germany again thanks to JLU.
Being a VIP student was an amazing journey. I feel that I am a part of the JLU family.
I'm very grateful to be a virtual student because I get to make more friends and learn things I'm interested in.
I always thought of it as a great chance to broaden my horizons. I believe this experience indeed opens up new opportunities to access new knowledge.
I took part in courses that were related to English Linguistics, and I can say with all my heart that it was the best experience for me so far. What I liked about this programme was the flow of courses, flexibility, and how convenient the courses were.
I have always wanted to do an exchange, so seeing the offer on the university website seemed like a good option, to be able to study in another country without leaving aside my studies in Colombia, I definitely want to go at some point and live the experience in person. Because with the online game night and virtual quiz night I met people from different places and they told me how beautiful Giessen and the university is, all year round. Especially more at Christmas, the Christmas markets and they also talked and showed me other cities nearby with statues, architecture and very interesting history.