Hochschule Darmstadt International Winter University: HESSEN
The Hochschule Darmstadt International Winter University: HESSEN is a three-week intensive program that runs during the winter.
An adventure you won't forget. The Hessen Universities are a unique opportunity to learn interactively with like-minded students.
Spend three unforgettable winter weeks in Germany and experience academic life at Hochschule Darmstadt. The Hessen International Winter University (Hessen: IWU), also called Winter University Program (WUP), combines English-taught courses, cultural experiences and international exchange in one of Germany’s most student-friendly regions.
Field of Study
- German Language'
- Social Media Marketing and Sales
- Engineering - Energy
Courses
You can choose between two exciting academic courses:
- Business: Social Media Marketing and Sales (6 ECTS)
- Engineering: Energy Lifestyles - A Technical Comparison Between Nations (6 ECTS)
- Each course is completed by a German language course
For more detailed information about these courses, go to the host university website.
Credit Equivalent
6 ECTS = 2 UQ Units. A maximum of 2 UQ Units if 6 ECTS are successfully completed (pending UQ faculty approval).
Visa Information
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority, we cannot provide visa advice.
Eligibility and Application
All applicants must meet the UQ short-term experience eligibility criteria and any additional eligibility criteria set by Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences and HESSEN - Short-term Programs.
Applicants must apply to the Global Experiences team by 24 September 2026 to be considered for this experience.
Applicants will be required to submit additional documents to Global Experiences by 24 September 2026, either within your application or by email: gex@uq.edu.au:
- HESSEN application form,
- Copy of your most recent university transcript,
- Copy of your passport
- German language certificate (if applicable)
The Global Experiences team will nominate successful applicants to the host upon receipt of the above documents. Students will then be contacted by the host university with further application instructions.
Cost
The participation mode of this experience is Exchange.
You are responsible for paying tuition fees to UQ instead of the host. For the duration of your short-term global experience, you will be automatically enrolled in EXCH codes (#2-4 UQ units) on My SI-net.
You will pay all other associated program and administration fees directly to the host.
The UQ tuition fees that you pay are determined by your status as a UQ student. For more information, please refer to the Tuition and Program fees - Exchange tuition fees.
It is your responsibility to check that you are enrolled correctly by the appropriate UQ census date, or you will be charged a late fee.
Program fees include the basic offer of seminars in the study program, workshops, the German language course, excursions, accommodation (in some cases also meals), health insurance and study materials. Additional costs may arise through tickets for public transport, a security deposit for keys, or some meals.
Please see the host university website for more information.
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged as part of the program and is at no additional cost. More information regarding accommodation can be found on the host university website.
Funding
Global Experiences Grants
When you submit your application for an experience, you are considered for funding that is relevant to your nominated experience. Please refer to the Short-Term Experiences Funding page for details.
OS-HELP Loan
You may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student.
Key Dates
Application Deadlines
Apply to UQ: 24 September 2026
Program Dates
Start: 28 December 2026
End: 15 January 2027
Fast Facts
Type: Study
Mode: Exchange
Location: Darmstadt, Germany (In-person)
Credit: For-credit
Cohort: Undergraduate
OS-HELP Loan
If you participate in a short-term program you may also be eligible to submit an application for an OS-HELP loan if your program is for-credit and you are enrolled as a Commonwealth-supported student.
Application Deadlines
OS-HELP loan applications open on 5 January each year.
OS-HELP loan applications can’t be accepted:
- any earlier than 6 months before the official start date of your overseas study
- any later than 3 months before the official end date of your overseas study.
*OS-HELP Loan applications are closed between 17 December and 5 January. Please visit the OS-HELP Loan website for more information on how to apply for an OS-HELP loan.
Refer to the funding page for more information on eligibility requirements and loan amounts.
Global Experiences Information Sessions
Students are encouraged to register and attend an information session to receive more details on the short-term application process, eligibility criteria, funding etc.