Get ready for your study exchange at MCI

Get ready for your study exchange at MCI

Now that you’ve decided for MCI - The Entrepreneurial School®, take some time to familiarize yourself with our processes and get ready for your student experience.

Video: IRO | #getready | for your Study Experience at MCI

IRO | #getready | for your Study Experience at MCI

Application as an incoming exchange

Nomination

The application process starts when coordinators from your home university nominate you as an exchange student on our online-nomination platform. If your international coordinator does not have an account yet, please ask them to contact incoming@mci.edu.

Upon approval we will confirm your nomination. 

After the nomination deadline (April 1/ October 1), you will receive your login data for the online application process. (Don’t forget to check your spam folder.)

Online Application

Please prepare the following documents in advance:

  • A scan (in JPEG or PDF format; maximum size: 3 MB) of your official transcript of records.
  • A scan of your identification card (ID or passport - in JPEG or PDF format; maximum size: 3 MB)
  • Language proficiency certificate OR MCI online English test (see English Requirements)

Next, login with your MCI application credentials into our online application platform; upload the required documents and choose your MCI study program & courses. Business courses are also offered in other programs, e.g. Management, Communication & IT, Management & Law, etc.

You can only choose courses from one MCI degree program plus courses from the International Program (if desired). Courses will be assigned on the first-come-first-serve principle. If a course is not visible on the application platform, this means that that course is already full.

For engineering students only: In case it is not mentioned on your transcript of records, please also upload a list of courses you are currently enrolled in at the point of application.

Subsequently, your learning agreement will be generated and emailed to you. Make sure to sign your learning agreement and have it approved, signed and stamped by the coordinator at your home institution. Digital signatures are also accepted. Then, upload the signed learning agreement again onto the platform. If your coordinator does not approve your learning agreement, you will have to reselect your courses on the MCI application platform. Once you have completed the application, you will receive your letter of acceptance within one week.

Please keep in mind the application deadline (May 1 / November 1).

Courses in English

You may choose courses up to 30 ECTS per semester from one degree program plus our International Program (optional). Our degree programs range from business, social sciences to engineering. There is no minimum amount of ECTS that you need to take from our side. 

  • International Program courses are on Bachelor’s level, but can be taken by Bachleor’s & Master’s students. 
  • Bachelor’s students may take undergraduate/Bachelor’s level courses only, in addition to courses from the International Program (and, if they wish, a German language course).
  • Master’s students may take courses at graduate/Master’s level OR undergraduate/ Bachelor’s level, including courses from the International Program (and, if they wish, a German language course).
  • Please understand that you can only be admitted to courses from our Master programs in case you completed 180 ECTS at the beginning of the exchange. In case you did not complete 180 ECTS at the time application starts, we do suggest the following procedure:
  • Attach your up-to-date transcript including all credits which you completed until this date; also include a short written statement from your coordinator, confirming that you will complete 180 ECTS before/at the time starting your studies at MCI. With this confirmation we can further process your application (we will ask you for your transcript including 180 ECTS before the start of your exchange).

Here you can find the courses that we offer in English, sorted by degree program (please note that not every study program offers courses in English in both semesters): www.mci.edu/courses-in-english 

English Requirements

All incoming exchange students* are required to show English language proficiency. We accept the following standardized tests:

  • TOEFL: TOEFL iBT: minimum score 85; In addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, MyBest scores taken from valid test scores within a two-year period are also accepted. Minimum Score 20 in each of the areas (reading, listening, writing and speaking)
  • IELTS or IELTS Online: minimum overall band score 6.0
  • Cambridge English Business Vantage (BEC Vantage): A/B in all four skills; alternatively, students may submit a BEC Higher exam result
  • Cambridge English Advanced (CAE): A/B in all four skills; alternatively, students may submit a CPE exam result
  • PTE Academic: (PTE): minimum overall score 50

Alternatively, we also offer an online English test free of charge. Details on our online test and the required scores are provided during the application period.

*Students whose native language is English (including French-Canadians) or who are enrolled in a program fully taught in English at their home university are not required to take our online English test.

Before arrival

Accommodation

Book your room immediately after receiving your confirmation of nomination. More information and the legit dorm providers can be found HERE.

  • Make sure that you read the section "Student Accomodation Service" with tips on how to prevent you from being a victim of any scams or fraud.
  • If a student dorm asks you to upload a letter of acceptance, you can upload the nomination e-mail (“Your nomination for study exchange at MCI Innsbruck”) in the meantime and add the letter of acceptance to their platform once you have received it.
Health Insurance

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland have to bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – this card affords you emergency insurance coverage in Austria. To be on the safe side, please check with your national insurance provider to make sure that you actually have/get this card before coming to Austria and that your insurance is valid in Austria throughout your stay.

Citizens of all other countries (“third countries”) also have to have international health and accident insurance valid in Austria (visa/residence permit requirement). As you do not have the EHIC card, you have to purchase international insurance for your time in Austria prior to coming here. Check very carefully what your insurance covers (are all sports injuries covered? Is repatriation covered? etc.) and check with the Austrian Embassy/Consulate General if your insurance is acceptable for your visa or residence permit.
It is also possible to purchase health insurance for students in Austria for approximately EUR 70 per month. However, the minimum duration of this Austrian insurance plan is six months and not all student are eligible. Should you plan to buy Austrian insurance once you are here, please make sure you get a travel insurance for entering the country and for the first few weeks here.

For more information on insurance for international students, please see OeAD’s website.

Activation of your MCI Student Account

You will receive the log-in data for your MCI student account one month before your semester starts, which must be activated. Make sure to check all your e-mail folders (including the SPAM folder) in case you haven’t received it.

The login data for the application platform will NOT be valid anymore.

Upon activation, you will have access to myMCI (your preliminary time table), Sakai (online learning platform) and Webmail.  Your time table will be set at the beginning of the semester. It is your responsibility to stay at MCI until the official end of the semester due to probable changes in schedules and exam dates during the semester.

Course selection

There will be a course selection prior to your studies (about 2 weeks before the start of the semester), in which you will meet up online with your study advisor from your study department to:

  • Solve possible course overlaps
  • Make course adaptations & changes if wanted or necessary
  • You need to sign up for this meeting via our online learning platform SAKAI. You will receive the link & further instructions via e-mail.  
Route planner (How to get to Innsbruck)

By train or bus

Innsbruck is easily accessible by train and bus. The main station is about 10 mins. from the city center. For more information visit following websites:

By plane

Innsbruck airport is very close to the city center. Bus F brings you directly into town in approx. 10-15 mins.

In addition to Innsbruck airport, Munich and Vienna are the two big international airports near Innsbruck:

  • Munich airport to Innsbruck: by train, bus (see above) or by airport shuttle (e.g. Four Seasons Travel).
  • Vienna airport to Innsbruck: by plane or train 

If you would like to calculate your carbon footprint and reimburse it, please check THIS website.

Things you need to bring

Here’s a short list of things you need to bring:

  • valid passport (and visa and/or residence permit, if applicable)
  • proof of valid health and accident insurance
  • proof of sufficient financial means for your stay in Austria (e.g. proof of stipend/scholarship, credit card or bank statement, financial support letter from your parents in English or German, etc.)
  • nationals of “third countries”: (copy of) acceptance letter from MCI
  • cash (in Euros) for your first days in Austria
  • credit card and/or debit card
  • any paperwork your university requires you to complete while in Innsbruck (if applicable)
German & other language courses

MCI’s Language Center offers German language courses at various levels as well as other language courses.

During the application for incoming exchange students, there is the possibility to add the German language course to your learning agreement. 
However, having the course on your learning agreement is NOT a registration.

For all language courses, a separate registration on the website of the MCI Language Center is necessary.
A course fee of 95 € (for regular courses once a week) / 150 € (for the intensive course twice a week) applies.

  • For the registration, you will have to login with your MyMCI data. Make sure to have activated your account beforehand.
  • Then you will see the courses offered in the respective semester and the exact course dates.
  • Once registered, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail.

Please note that the registration deadline for the language courses always ends before the official start of the semester, so make sure not to miss it! A registration after the deadline has passed is not possible!

Checklist for incoming students

Please find HERE the checklist for incoming exchange students

Upon arrival at MCI

Orientation

The mandatory orientation will take place during the first days of the official semester dates. You can also sign up for some optional social activities. Details on the program and activities will be sent one month prior to semester start via e-mail.

Administrative tasks

There are some legal tasks you need to do once you have arrived in Innsbruck.

  •  Mandatory for all students within 3 business days:

Register at the Residents Registration Office (“Referat Melde- und Einwohnerwesen”) at the town hall. Residency Registration (“Meldezettel”); Translation Residency Registration 

  • Mandatory for eu/eea/swiss citizens who are staying for more than 3 months (within 4 months):

Certificate of permanent residence

Translation certificate of permanent residence

  • Students from „third countries“  (outside European Union) who stay in Austria < 6 months.

- make sure to carry your passport including your visa with you at all times

- Visa D entitles you to stay in Austria for up to 6 months (check dates of your visa); visa cannot be renewed in Austria

- entitles you to travel to other “Schengen countries” for up to 90 days during its validity period

- Important: carry passport including visa and residency registration form (“Meldezettel”) with you at all times

  • Confirmation of arrival (Erasmus+ students)

Make sure to step by the International Relations Office in the first days of your semester to have your confirmation of arrival signed.

Make your stay sustainable

Together with you as a student, we want to be part of a sustainable future. As part of the largest stakeholder group in our community, you can make a meaningful contribution to a sustainable environment, both in your everyday life and with your commitment and support for our university’s efforts in this area. https://www.mci4me.at/en/student-life/sustainability-mci

Before departure

Housing
  1. Inform your dormitory authorities / your landlord of your departure; return your keys, etc.; make sure your rent is covered for the entire period agreed upon in the rental contract.
  2. Deregister at the town hall (“Rathaus”) within three business days before you leave Innsbruck (bring your "Meldezettel" form and passport).
    Deregistration Form (same as Registration Form), Translation Deregistration Form

Wohnsitzmeldung 

Attention: Please keep the deregistration confirmation, as your dorm may ask you for that paper!

Documents

If you need to complete any kind of paperwork with MCI for your university (e.g. learning agreement after mobility), please stop by our office or send us an e-mail.

For an "ERASMUS+" student, who may need a confirmation of stay (with your arrival and your departure dates), stop by at the MCI International Relations Office as we will only sign a paper version 5 days before your departure.

We will e-mail your transcript of records (pdf-document) to your home university (i.e. your international coordinator) once all grades have been submitted and this may take several weeks or a couple of months.

Please note, in order to get the paper version signed, you have to stop by in our office. We do only sign documents received per mail, if you will add a document showing your date of departure (e.g. train ticket, bus ticket, deregistration form,…)

Retake Exams

The following rules apply to retake exams:

  • If you have received a passing grade (1-4), it is not possible to retake an exam to receive a better grade.
  • You may retake an exam twice (= three attempts for every exam). The second retake exam will be an oral exam in front of a commission.
  • Unjustified absence from an exam leads to failing the exam (=one less retake possibility).
  • Most retake exams are scheduled after the official end of the semester and may need to be taken in person in Innsbruck at MCI.
  • Missing a submission deadline for a paper leads to negative grading.
Miscellaneous
  • Don’t forget to close your Austrian bank account (if you have one) and make sure to pay any outstanding dues beforehand (rent, internet/cell phone fees, etc.). 
  • Please complete our online survey on your exchange experience ("Exchange Program Evaluation") .
  • Disposal of clean and usable personal belongings at a local charity called WAMS Sammelstelle Innsbruck (Reichenauerstrasse 80, Innsbruck ; Phone: 0512 / 391 559; open: Mo – Fri, 08:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-13:00). They accept clothes, linen, bed sheets, pillow cases, shoes, bags, suitcases, kitchenware, lamps, mirrors, books, skis/snowboards and boots, hair dryers, shaving kits, coffee machines, toasters, etc. 
  • For disposal of  furniture go to the local charity called HoRUCK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose courses from different degree programs?

Students may choose courses from ONE degree program only (due to probable time clashes). They may supplement these courses with courses from our International Program (optional).

Undergraduate/bachelor level students cannot take courses from a master’s degree program.

Can I add/drop courses once the semester has started?

Yes, students are free to add or drop courses during the first few days of the semester.

When do I need to arrive in Innsbruck for my exchange semester/year?

You can find updated semester dates in the section “Academic Calendar”.
We ask students to arrive in Innsbruck at least one day prior to the start of the semester as mandatory orientation days are held in the first few days.

Are there any scholarships available for exchange students?

MCI does not offer scholarships to exchange students. Exchange students must apply for a scholarship in their home country (e.g. Erasmus scholarship). This also holds true for the "Ernst Mach Grant for studying at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule)". Exchange students from outside Europe taking master's courses or who have already completed two years of university education are eligible for this scholarship.

For more information on scholarships, please go to www.grants.at.

Are there any other fees for exchange students?

Yes, Each exchange student is required to pay an administrative fee of 50 EUR, which covers costs like course material, etc. as well as the membership fee for the Austrian Student Union (Österreichische HochschülerInnenschaft - ÖH). Furthermore, MCI offers activities for students during the semester (e.g. excursions) which are subject to extra charges.

How are my course grades calculated?

Grades range from 1 to 5; 1 is excellent and 5 is a fail

Grade 1: excellent (90% and more)
Grade 2: good (between 80% and 89%)
Grade 3: satisfactory (between 70% and 79%)
Grade 4: pass (between 60% and 69%)
Grade 5: Fail (less than 60%)

When are the final exams held?

This largely depends on the courses you choose - so it’s hard to say when your final exams will be held. Exams can be held immediately after the course has taken place i.e. during the semester or towards the end of your semester. Thus, we advise you to book your departure after the official end of the semester. Exams (first attempt) take place during the regular semester, retake exams are scheduled after the regular semester dates.

How often am I allowed to retake an exam?

Twice. However, retake exams are often scheduled after the end of the official semester; so you would need to come back to Innsbruck for your retake. You can only retake an exam if you have failed in your first attempt.

When will I get my transcript?

You are entitled to an official Transcript of Records (ToR) at the end of your studies. Your ToR will be sent via email directly to the International Office of your home institution. An original transcript will be sent via post upon specific request only.
Students who take courses offered by our Language Center may download their course certificate directly at myMCI.

What are the estimated costs of living in Innsbruck per month?

Housing including utilities (single room; studio apartment): EUR 400 - 700
Food and drinks: EUR 400 - 500
Public transportation: EUR 35
Cell phone: EUR 15
Internet, if not included in rent: EUR 20 - 50
Miscellaneous (books, leisure activities, trips, personal expenses etc.): EUR 400


In total, the average monthly cost of living for students is approximately EUR 1,250. The numbers above are rough estimates which may vary depending on students’ lifestyle.

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