Visiting Scholars

Established in 2007, the HM Fellowship Programme seeks to strengthen the international dimension in teaching and research at HM and to foster collaboration with partner institutions from all over the world. The programme supports visits of international scholars to Munich for a period of one semester (4-5 months).

Our Fellows will typically teach two to four courses in their area of expertise. The expected teaching load for the programme is four to six lecture hours per week, the language of instruction is English. Furthermore, they carry out an international teaching or research project of two lecture hours per week together with a HM professor.

The Fellowships include an honorarium for teaching and cover travel costs for the scholar and a monthly allowance for accommodation in Munich.

In addition, we provide a comprehensive welcome service and cultural programme as well as professional support with all organisational matters including visa application and housing. More details are available in the current calls for applications.

The HM Fellowship Programme call is announced once a year and has a form of a university-wide competition. For further information regarding the programme and conditions please contact the International Office.

Application Process:

To arrange an engaging visit program, please apply at least 2 months prior to your intended visit.

Finding a Host at HM:

We recommend finding a contact person or mentor at HM who can host you for the duration of your stay and whose expertise aligns with your own area of teaching. Applications without a relevant match are likely to be declined. Please also check HM’s academic calendar, as courses are typically not held during semester breaks.

If You Haven’t Found a Host Yet:

If you have not identified a host, please email us (contact details at the bottom of this page) with the following information:

• Name, home institution, position
• Desired duration of stay (minimum 2 days)
• Your CV
• Brief description of your teaching proposal, motivation and desired outcomes

We will forward your request to the relevant academic departments to help find a suitable host. If you have already identified a potential host within your field, please let us know.

Please Note:

Due to limited capacity, we generally do not host individual staff exchanges.

Requirements for ERASMUS+ STA Mobility:

• An ERASMUS+ Mobility Agreement must be concluded before the start of your STT.
• An Inter-Institutional Agreement is not required.
• Your home university will provide the necessary ERASMUS+ funding documents.

HM can provide:

• An invitation letter before your visit, if needed
• A confirmation of stay after your mobility.

Please Note:

HM usually cannot cover any costs related to your stay. However, we can provide access to the university’s workplace infrastructure and assist with organisational and administrative matters to support your visit.

A range of internal and external funding opportunities is available to support temporary teaching activities for international scholars.

Visiting Professorship Programme (Bavarian Ministry of Sciences and Arts StMWK):

HM academic departments can apply for teaching assignments or guest lectureships for international scholars through this programme. Applications are accepted twice a year:

By 15 January for the summer semester

By 1 July for the winter semester

The funding typically covers remuneration for lectures/seminars (both online and in-person) as well as travel and accommodation costs. For further details, please contact us.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD):

The DAAD offers a variety of funding programmes to support faculty mobility. Visit the DAAD Scholarship Database to explore funding opportunities for your project.

Funding in Bavaria:

For additional funding options in Bavaria, visit the Research in Bavaria website.

Finding affordable accommodation in Munich can be challenging due to a tight housing market and occasional shortages. For short visits, renting an apartment is often unnecessary—a hotel room will typically suffice. However, if you plan to stay longer and require an apartment, it is essential to start your search well in advance. This is especially important during peak times such as Oktoberfest or major trade fairs.

When renting accommodation, you will usually be required to pay a deposit. This deposit is refundable when you move out, provided no damage has been caused. Rent typically includes both the basic rent and ancillary costs, such as electricity, gas, heating, waste collection, caretaker services, and in some cases, internet and the television license fee.

Important Note: In Germany, it is mandatory to register your residence if you stay for more than three months. Re-registration is also required if you move within Germany. Registration must be done in person and completed within 14 days of moving into your new accommodation. For assistance with this process, please contact us.

For extended stays, the International Office team can support you with accommodation-related queries. Please complete the Accommodation Request Form (PDF download) and send it to the designated contact person listed on this page. We will assist you in searching the private housing market. Once a potential option is identified, it will be your responsibility to contact the landlord and finalise all contractual details.

Please note that this accommodation search service is resource-intensive, and we may forward options that do not meet all your preferences. We recommend staying flexible, maintaining realistic price expectations, and carefully considering all available options.

For special hotel offers, please reach out to us directly. Additionally, our information leaflet provides practical advice for finding accommodation in Munich.

Hochschule München is located approximately 40 km from Munich Airport and about 2.5 km from the main railway station. Our information sheet provides further details on how to reach the campus via public transport or taxi. There is an underground car park at the Lothstrasse campus; please let us know in advance if you require a parking space.

Munich offers a variety of options for getting around. The city's public transport network includes the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses. In addition to these, there are several alternative mobility services such as bike sharing, car sharing, and scooter sharing. For more information, visit the official website of City of Munich or the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV)website.

Upon arrival, you will receive a welcome package with information about Munich and our university. We also offer special welcome services and guided campus tours.

If you’re staying in Munich for an extended period and would like to improve your German, there are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the language and culture. We can assist you in finding a course that fits your needs.

Alternatively, you can explore German courses independently. We recommend the following providers:

• Goethe-Institut – One of the most renowned institutes for learning German, offering in-person and online courses, as well as exam preparation, across all proficiency levels.

• MVHS (Munich Adult Education Center) – A variety of German courses at different levels, typically at affordable rates.

• Deutschkurse bei der Universität München e.V. – A broad selection of German courses at LMU, including intensive courses, summer and winter courses, and German for professional purposes, among others.

The International Office offers a cultural programme for international guests, their families, and friends. This includes regular informal gatherings, excursions to notable sights in and around Munich, and a variety of cultural events held on campus.

For those who wish to explore Munich and its surroundings independently, our Cultural Guide — linked at the bottom of this page — provides helpful recommendations and insights.

If you plan to bring your family with you, there are several additional considerations, including childcare, schooling, visa requirements for family members, and career opportunities for your partner or spouse. Our goal is to provide as much support as possible to help you and your family settle in smoothly and get off to a great start in Germany.