Exchange
The Animation Bachelor offers students a variety of possibilities for expanding their horizon and gaining new experiences in a new environment. On this page you will find some possibilities for doing so.
Please note: Spending an entire semester for an exchange while receiving ECTS points is only possible once during your time at the HSLU. If you wish to visit a partner school and complete an internship, we recommend the school exchange for receiving ECTS points and organizing your internship to take place during a semester break, so that you don’t miss any official modules. We are happy to assist you in making the right decision, should you have questions or doubts.
Financial aid: Be sure to check in advance whether you might be elegible for a stipend from the Swiss European Mobility Programme. If you are, please mention this whenever you inform us of your plans!
Partner school exchange
During your third or fourth semester, it’s possible to do a school exchange for a whole semester (or parts of it) at one of our partner schools. To increase your chances of going abroad, you can apply for 2 schools, indicating your 1st and 2nd priority. If you are accepted to your first priority, you are obliged to accept immediately without waiting for the second priority school’s notice. We assembled a list of International Animation Schools although not all of them are partner schools.
Application deadlines:
for a school exchange in the third semester: end of March
for a school exchange in the fourth semester: end of September.
To apply, follow the steps listed on the official HSLU page: Vorgehen für ein Austauschsemester im Ausland
Please inform us of your plans in advance, so that we can keep track of the numbers of incoming/outgoing students. (i.e. "cc/bcc" the ASO in your E-mails with the HSLU international office)
Internships
An internship in Switzerland or abroad is a great way for students to test and improve their skills in an existing work environment and take on new challenges, as well as to make professional connections prior to graduating. An internship is also recommendable if one already has a studio in mind where one would like to later find work. Past interns are often preferred by studios when a new job opening comes up.
Application deadlines:
for an internship during the 3rd semester: end of August. You will have to have a signed agreement from a studio, so usually it’s a good idea to start contacting studios in late spring already.
for an internship during the 4th semester: end of January. You will have to have a signed agreement from a studio, so usually it’s a good idea to start contacting studios in late autumn already.
To apply, follow the steps listed on the Mycampus page: Praktika im In- und Ausland
Download the document "Antrag Praktikum" and bring it -filled out and signed- to the ASO.
Need inspiration? Read about some of our student’s experiences here!
Further education and residencies
Residencies: do you need to take some time to develop your next idea? To experiment with a style? To write a script? To be inspired by a different location? We recommend this for students who are just about to finish their studies.
Focal: Workshops and courses organised by the "Schweizerischen Stiftung für Film und Audiovision" (SSA)
Movietia: international workshop cooperations
ASF (Animation Sans Frontières): International project development workshop for animation directors and producers. During the course of one year, 4 week-long workshops are offered in 4 world renowned animation schools and studios.
Questions?
If you have questions such as: "Which school could I visit if I'm particularly interested in XYZ?" "Where can I find a list of animation studios in Switzerland?" "Has anyone already tried to get in to XYZ and can give me tipps?" you can contact our ASO.
For questions concerning financial support, informationa bout ERASMUS programs (or similar) as well as everything to do with your ECTS points during the time you’re gone, contact HSLU’s official student exchange/international office.
