Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Study at one of Germany's largest and most reputable technical universities.
- Take your classes in German.
- Experience the natural beauty of the Baden-Württemberg Region.
- Multiple scholarships for this program available. See Further Reading section below for more information.
KIT was established in 2009 with the merger of the University of Karlsruhe and the Research Centre of Karlsruhe (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe), a national nuclear research center. The university specializes in technical fields and is a member of the TU9, an association of the nine most prestigious, oldest, and largest technical universities in Germany. KIT enjoys an outstanding reputation for innovative research and student-centered teaching. With an annual budget of €900 million, six Nobel laureates affiliated with the university, and more than 120 specialized research institutes, KIT is one of Germany's top universities in the technical fields. KIT is an excellent option for KU students studying science, technology, math, and especially engineering.
KIT has 26,000 students including 4,000 international students and 500 visiting and exchange students. The campus is located near the city center and the Karlsruhe castle garden. Lecture halls, libraries, laboratories and administration facilities are all within walking distance of the city center. The campus boasts many recreational areas and is within easy reach of the nearby beautiful forested area konwn as the Hardtwald.
Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 by the Duke of Baden-Durlach. Today Karlsruhe has a population of 300,000, making it the Baden-Württemberg region's second largest city. The Karlsruhe Castle lies at the heart of the city. The city's nickname "Fächerstadt" (Fan City) comes from the unusual urban design with a fan-shaped road network radiating out from the castle. Karlsruhe is one of Germany's warmest cities due to its geographic location in a protected valley of the upper Rhine River. It offers a diverse array of leisure, cultural, and sports activities including well-known museums such as the Staatliche Kunsthalle, the Centre for Arts and Mediatechnology (ZKM) and the Badische Landesmuseum as well as theatres such as the Badische Staatstheater. The Black Forest and Alsace region of France, as well as cities including Freiburg, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg are easily reached by train in an hour or less.
Baden-Württemberg Region
Baden-Württemberg is a state in southwest Germany that includes the city of Karlsruhe, plus Freiburg, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and more. It shares borders with France and Switzerland in the heart of Western Europe. Baden-Württemberg is known as the "sunny side of Germany" and is famous for its beautiful forests, lakes, and castles. It is also an important center of industry and research, home to international industrial enterprises such as Daimler Chrysler, Porsche, Bosch, and SAP.
KIT offers coursework in science and technical fields. Visiting students can choose courses from the following KIT teaching departments:
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences
- Chemistry and Biosciences
- Chemical and Process Engineering
- Economics and Management
- Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Informatics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
Most courses are taught in German, however, limited English course options are available in some departments. For example, the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Economics offer a larger number of classes taught in English.
Course Information
Students typically earn 12 to 18 KU credit hours during one semester abroad. You are encouraged to use the following resources to research available courses and to determine if these courses will meet your academic requirements at KU:
KIT Course Information:
See KIT Course Information. Course information is available on individual departments' webpages. Select a department of interest to access course information.
KIT Course Catalog:
See the KIT Course Catalog to search among all course offerings in the University Calendar of the Campus Management System.
KU Course Equivalency Database:
The KU Course Equivalency Database is a list of courses currently pre-approved for KU credit (approved equivalency) and courses that students have had approved for KU credit in the past (possible equivalencies). Use 'KIT' in the search field.
German Language Courses:
Students may take German Language Courses for credit prior to the semester or concurrently with other courses during the semester. Courses are offered at all levels.
Credit Approval Process
Visit the Credit Approval Process page for detailed information on the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad. All courses taken and grades earned while abroad must be posted as KU equivalents on a student’s KU transcript and grades will figure into a student’s KU GPA. The relevant KU academic department will make the final decision regarding posting of credit, and their application toward graduation.
KIT reserves rooms for exchange students in student residence halls located around the city and offers guided assistance in obtaining housing. Most rooms are furnished single rooms with shared kitchen and bath. Students can cook meals on their own or purchase inexpensive meals in the student cafeterias ("mensa") and cafes around campus.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Considerations for Germany
Germany has laws in place to protect ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, the differently abled, and other groups. Same-sex marriage is available in Germany and most large city governments officially encourage and host LGBTQIA+ pride events. Most German universities have student groups and community organizations to support LGBTQIA+ students.
Germany’s cities and public transportation are generally accessible to individuals with disabilities. Older sections of the cities and smaller towns may be less accessible due to centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and small indoor spaces. Germany offers services for people who are mobility, sight, or hearing impaired.
Source: U.S. Department of State country information pages and Diversity Abroad.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to KU students with sophomore status or higher and a 2.75 cumulative GPA who have completed at least two semesters of college-level German or the equivalent by the beginning of the program. Students with less than the required two semesters can take intensive language courses prior to the start of the semester or year.
Students with less than two semesters of German may be admitted on a case-by-case basis while some departments may require a higher level of language proficiency. Contact the Program Coordinator for Germany in Study Abroad & Global Engagement for more information on language requirements.
KIT Website for Visiting Students
Drs. Dean T. and Elisabeth Collins Scholarship
The Drs. Dean T. and Elisabeth Collins Scholarship is a fund created by an estate gift from the late Dean and Elisabeth Collins for semester study abroad in Germany. Awards up to $10,000 per semester or $20,000 for year-long programs to Germany. Open to all majors but preference for students studying music and particularly opera. Additional preference given to students studying German language and culture. Minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. Apply online at Drs. Dean T. and Elisabeth Collins Scholarship.
Baden-Württemberg Scholarship
The state government of Baden-Württemberg has set up a scholarship foundation providing scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate German and foreign exchange students. Learn more through the Scholarship Outline. For more details and application forms, contact Study Abroad & Global Engagement.
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
A wide range of scholarships are also available through the German Academic Exchange Service. Please contact Study Abroad & Global Engagement for more information.