SEMP (Erasmus+) programme
Please find below, information on the Swiss-European Mobility Programme (SEMP), the application procedure and deadlines at the University of Lucerne, as well as an overview of our current partner universities.
Online portal for outgoing students
The application link will be online on 1 February 2027.
To prepare for your application please gather the following documents (students of the faculties RF, WF, KSF, GMF and VPF):
- Motivation letter of one A4 side in lengt for each destination (1st and 2nd choice destinations)
- CV
Next application windows
(for University of Lucerne students)
Fall semester 2027/Spring semester 2028: 1. Februar 2027 until 1. March 2027
Spring semester 2028: End of April until 1. September 2027*
*For the spring semester, there is a second registration deadline on the 1st of September, provided there are still enough exchange places and SEMP funds available. Please contact your Mobility advisors in this regard.
Overview of the steps in a typical exchange semester (in German)
General information
Switzerland assumed the status of a partner country/third country at EU level in autumn 2014. The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and movetia (the National Agency for Exchange and Mobility) developed a transitional solution for Erasmus+ for Switzerland from the 2014/15 academic year onwards. The transitional solution SEMP (Swiss-European Mobility Programme), enables Swiss universities to remain networked with universities from numerous countries throughout Europe. The programme is based on the conditions and requirements communicated for Erasmus+.
Requirements for participation in the SEMP programme
- There must be an agreement between both universities in the corresponding major or minor subject.
- You must be enrolled at the University of Lucerne.
- It is possible to spend up to a maximum of 2 semesters on exchange within each study level (BA, MA, doctorate).
- At the beginning of the stay abroad, you must have already completed the 3rd semester of your Bachelor programme.
- A learning agreement must be drawn up in communication with study advisors at the University of Lucerne and the partner university.
- Good basic knowledge of the language of the host country, or the language of instruction is required in order to be able to manage studies in a foreign language.
- A study abroad report must be completed after your exchange.
Duration of the exchange programme
An exchange semester within the SEMP programme must last a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months.
Enrolment and tuition fees
SEMP students remain enrolled at the University of Lucerne during their exchange semester and pay their tuition fees here. No tuition fees are due at the partner university.
Credit transfer
Before the start of the exchange semester, a learning agreement must be arranged with the responsible mobility advisor within your home faculty. After you have completed your exchange semester, your successfully completed academic credits are generally recognised by the University of Luceren and are converted into ECTS credits on the basis of the Transcript of Records provided by your host institution. The recognition of externally completed study achievements is at the discretion of each individual faculty.
Attending intensive language courses before your exchange
There is no financial support available for intensive language courses in the current EU education programme Erasmus+. During the transitional period of the SEMP programme, no such language courses will be offered.
Study Abroad Reports
Students who have completed a SEMP stay are required to complete a study abroad report. This report serves as a valuable source of information for future outgoing students.
Preliminary information
You should use this website as a starting point to find out more about the SEMP programme, the most important requirements, questions about credits, and the ideal time in your studies in which to go on exchange. The study abroad reports written by your fellow students describing their own experiences abroad also provide useful input.
Talk with your faculty's mobility advisor/learning agreement
You should get into contact with your faculty's mobility advisor to discuss study programme related questions and the learning agreement.
Talk with the Outgoing Mobility Coordinator
The outgoing mobility coordinator at the International Relations Office (IRO) is available for any organisational and administrative questions you might have.
Application
I register via the online form. The link to the online form will be posted on this page 1.5 months before the registration deadline. After completing and submitting the form, I will receive an email with the access data required for the online platform. I upload a CV and a letter of motivation to the platform. I also download an application form from the platform and have it signed by my mobility counsellor. I then upload it to the platform again.
Nomination
The faculties decide on the allocation of study places at each partner university. You will be informed about your successful nomination by the IRO.
Registration at the partner university
If you are nominated for a study place, the International Relations Office will register your name directly with the partner university.
Information from the partner university
The partner university will subsequently send you all the necessary information and will inform you of the next steps.
Scholarship/Declaration of Commitment
Before starting your exchange semester, you will need to sign a 'Declaration of Commitment' in order to receive a scholarship for your period of exchange.
Learning Agreement
After receiving the course catalogue from your host university, you will select your courses in consultation with your study advisor. You will record these course choices in your Learning Agreement before you begin your exchange semester, and ensure that it has been signed by your study advisor. The Learning Agreement is then also signed by the partner university. You will be required to upload the document to the online portal.
Credit transfer
After completing your exchange semester, it is your responsibility to ensure that you receive a Transcript of Records from your host university and submit it directly to the IRO or to your study advisor for credit transfer.
As part of the SEMP program, Lucerne students can choose from numerous universities inside of Europe. Each faculty at the University of Lucerne has signed agreements with certain universities.
Hereyou will find the exchange possibilities offered by the University of Lucerne. The overview allows you to search and filter by degree courses, programs, countries, etc. Click on 'Agreements' in the list of results to find more information about the agreement. Further information on the partner university can be found in the list by clicking on the i-icon.
Please note that the availability of study places is limited. The faculties decide about a possible participation. We advise all students to start planning their semester abroad early so that the courses on offer in certain subject areas can be checked in advance.
Law students can only do an exchange semester at Master's level. If you are studying an integrated degree program, partners that do not cover your entire program will also appear in the search results. For example, if you are studying PPE, offers will also appear for economics or politics only. You can also select these depending on your specialization.
If a partner university offers suitable courses for you but is not listed as a search result, please contact mobility@unilu.ch.
Exchange semester grants are paid out by the University of Lucerne for within the SEMP (Erasmus) programme. The grants are a contribution and are meant to cover the additional exchange-related costs, which students incur during their stay abroad. They are awarded in the form of lump sums that are proportional to the duration of your exchange.
The following flat rates apply:
CHF 1'900 for a semester (when the duration of courses is longer than 3 months)
CHF 1'330 for a trimester (when the duration of courses is less than 3 months)
Annual flat rate for two semesters or trimesters/terms:
CHF 3'800 for two semesters (when the duration of courses is longer than 7 months)
CHF 1'900 for two trimesters (when the duration of courses is less than 7 months)
Furthermore students receiving a SEMP grant can also apply for a Green travel grant. More information can be found on the Greener Mobility Programme webpage.
Furthermore, swissuniversities (Rectors' Conference of the Swiss Universities) provides information on scholarships for study abroad.
