ISEP Exchange 

What is ISEP?

ISEP (International Student Exchange Programme), is an exchange network with over 300 universities in over 50 countries.

ISEP exchange gives you the chance to exchange places with a student from another ISEP exchange institution as an international student. By studying abroad on the ISEP exchange programme, you pay fees to ÅA (the student union fee), and open up a place for someone to come and learn at ÅA. Choose up to 10 universities and ISEP will place you at the best option depending on exchange space and your academic needs.

Application – How does it work?

Applications for exchange studies via ISEP are made in parallel internally within ÅA (deadline 31.01.2025). Always contact International Affairs to discuss your plans and obtain a username and password for ISEP’s system.

• You submit an application to ÅA no later than 31.01.2025 to go on an exchange via the ISEP network.
• You are informed that you can go on an exchange via ISEP (you get one of ÅA’s exchange places via ISEP)
• You submit an ISEP application (in ISEP’s online application portal) before the deadline – the application fee paid.
  • You apply to go on exchange to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 universities via ISEP, and you receive information about where you can go from ISEP. Exchanges to Europe do not go via ISEP, but always via our other agreements.
  • Attachments: approved study plans for all universities you apply to, letter of motivation, transcript of study performance in English, copy of passport, two recommendations (electronic Academic Reference Form and letter of recommendation) from an academic teacher or professor.
  • You are placed by ISEP at a university and are notified about two weeks after ISEP’s application deadline.

Chances of placement

Every university that is a member of ISEP has a “chance of placement” assessment. The assessment is based on how many outgoing students the university has and is renewed every year.

“Chance of Placement” for exchange programs ranges from “Excellent” to “Most Competitive”. Read more about “Chances of placement” on ISEP’s website.

One should choose one/some universities from each category, and rank them in the order of your preference. You may choose only one university that is “most competitive” and it must be first in the application.

How does ISEP’s search function work?

You can check ISEP’s website to see what opportunities you have as a student at Åbo Akademi (type Åbo Akademi in their search engine).

Familiarize yourself with the range and level of the participating institutions, as well as any subject restrictions and prerequisites. When choosing a university, carefully consider how ISEP assesses the placement opportunity (excellent, very good, good, limited, very limited chance of placement) and choose options from different categories to increase your chances of placement.

Always select “ISEP Exchange” in the search function to make sure you receive correct results.

Costs

The participation fee for the program is 2,800 euros/semester (ÅA invoices shortly before the exchange), which provides food and housing as well as exemption from semester fees. In addition, ISEP’s application fee (USD 100), ISEP’s placement fee (USD 425), possibly language test (TOEFL test/IELTS test approx. 250 euros), as well as costs for ISEP’s mandatory insurance (at least USD 86 per exchange month), plus travel, visas, study materials and other personal expenses.

The scholarship

ÅA grants a scholarship of 1,800 euros/semester for students who go via ISEP. Those selected to participate in the program pay the application fee before the application is processed by ISEP. The placement fee is paid when ISEP places the applicant at a suitable university, usually in April/October.

Language requirements

If you are nominated for the exchange, you should also meet the recipient university’s language requirements, which in most cases means either a language certificate from CSK or e.g. TOEFL test or IELTS test. The TOEFL and IELTS tests are subject to a fee, see prices and test times at www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register and https://www.ielts.org/

Some universities also require the ISEP form Language proficiency report completed for application.

TOEFL:

Find where you can test yourself here.

More information about Home Testing here.

IELTS:

Find more information on how to test yourself here.