Leibniz University Hannover - Schulich only
Founded in 1831, Leibniz is known for innovative research-driven education in one of Europe's greenest cities.
The Leibniz University Hannover is a member of the TU9 Alliance - Germany's leading universities in technology. In addition to research-based courses in engineering, Leibniz also offers an extensive university sports centre (ranked best in Germany in 2021) and a variety of cultural clubs which students can join: Big Band jazz, English theatre performance, literary & technology salons, and more.
Hannover is the capital of Lower Saxony, a German state bordering the Netherlands. With extensive gardens, a mild climate, year-round cultural & sporting festivals, and an excellent transit system (including regular trains to Berlin and Amsterdam), it's a great destination for students looking to immerse themselves in western Europe.
Key information
Student experience
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Program details
The information below was last updated on: July 24, 2025
The majority of Bachelor-level courses at Leibniz are offered in German, with a small selection of English-taught courses. Students in 4th year of their undergraduate degree may have access to Masters-level courses at Leibniz, which are mostly taught in English. For more information, see the Leibniz exchange student course page.
Currently, there is one faculty open to UCalgary exchange students: the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodetic Science.
Students at Leibniz typically take 24-30 ECTS credits per semester. 1 UCalgary half course equivalent (3 units) = 6 ECTS credits.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters:
- Winter semester (equivalent to UCalgary Fall) - early October to late March
- Summer semester (equivalent to UCalgary Winter) - early April to late July
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
The cost of living in Hannover is generally considered affordable, with lower rent and food prices than in Calgary. For instance, meals at the university canteen typically cost less than €5! Studentenwerk Hannover (Hannover Student Services Network) provides advice for how students can save money on daily expenses such as transportation.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while studying abroad, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Other funding opportunities for study abroad in Germany, including DAAD awards, the AGEC award, etc. are also available on the funding page.
Exchange students at Leibniz have access to 20 residence halls through Studentenwerk Hannover. Exchange students are not guaranteed housing, but will be guided to apply to their desired housing, and can generally find housing in one of their top choices. There is no housing located directly on campus but some residence halls are close to campus, and all are accessible by transit. Monthly rent generally ranges from €240-500 (a private room in a student residence hall with shared living space) to €500-700 (student apartments, usually intended for just 1 or 2 people).
There is also the option for exchange students to look for housing on the private market. Rent is usually a bit higher in this case.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in the Schulich School of Engineering, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).
Courses at Leibniz are primarily taught in German, so exchange students may be asked to show proof of German language proficiency at an intermediate level - at least B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR), which approximately corresponds to two or more 300-level GERM courses at UCalgary.
Students planning to study entirely in English are not required to show proof of German proficiency, however, they should be flexible in their course selection due to limited English course availability.
Do I need to speak German?
For studies in German, it is required.
In daily life, English speakers are able to function fairly well in German society with a basic knowledge of the language for shopping and eating out, etc. but it can be more difficult in terms of navigating housing or filling out forms.
Leibniz offers an intensive German language course for exchange students at the start of each semester. There is an extra cost to register.
Is the campus accessible?
The Leibniz Disability Services website provides information such as the process to request accommodations, an accessible campus map, inclusive sports at the university, etc. Germany as a whole is generally supportive of those with physical or other disabilities, although challenges can sometimes arise due to the nature of older cities and infrastructure.
For information on accessibility and support services of campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.
What else is good to know about Leibniz or Hannover?
Leibniz holds a mandatory Welcome Reception for new exchange students that covers key information for your arrival, followed by Orientation Days which combine academic and social events. Students are also recommended to sign up for the Buddy Program, which matches you with a local student who supports your adjustment to life on campus.
Their international office also coordinates social/cultural activities for international students throughout the year, and there is a selection of cultural clubs open to students.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.