ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) is an international student exchange programme based on reciprocity, administered from the United States. The programme is particularly recommended if you are interested in exchange studies in the United States or other destinations outside Europe. There are two ways to go on exchange through ISEP: ISEP Exchange, for which you will apply for a placement from UEF, and tuition-based ISEP Direct. This page goes more in-depth about ISEP Exchange.
On this page:
ISEP Exchange
Next call for applications: 1–16 November 2026. You can apply for either autumn semester 2027 or spring semester 2028. The call for applications will be posted in Kamu by the end of October.
Who can apply?
ISEP Exchange is open to Bachelor’s and Master’s level students from various fields. There are more universities offering Bachelor’s level courses than Master’s level courses. You must have completed at least one year of academic studies before your exchange begins.
Please note! If you are a student from outside the EU/EEA, discuss with your study programme coordinator whether exchange studies could extend your studies and/or affect your tuition fee. You are required to be registered as present in a UEF degree programme throughout the exchange and until you have transferred credits completed during the exchange into your UEF degree.
If you have a contract of employment at UEF: you can apply for exchange, but your employment contract must expire well before the exchange begins. You cannot go on student exchange during a valid employment contract with UEF.
Duration
The exchange lasts one semester. The duration has been limited due to the programme’s popularity and the limited number of places available.
Where can you go?
Destinations include:
- North America,
- Latin America,
- Asia,
- United Kingdom,
- Selected destinations in Africa and Oceania.
The programme features hundreds of universities. Explore destinations on the ISEP website (new tab).
When searching for destinations on the ISEP website, you can filter results to show only ISEP Exchange options by selecting ISEP Exchange as the programme under More filters. This way, tuition-fee-charging ISEP Direct options are excluded from your results.
Good to know: ISEP Exchange has some partners from the EU region, including the United Kingdom. If you are interested in exchanges in countries within the EU (excluding the UK), we recommend exploring the Erasmus+, Nordlys, and YUFE Alliance programmes. During selections, students who are applying for non-European (excl. UK) host countries are prioritized.
Chances of Placement ranking
ISEP ranks its host universities by how likely it is for students to be placed there. Universities ranked as Most Competitive are extremely difficult to get into.
Keep this in mind when looking up possible host universities on ISEP’s website:
- Most (if not all) destinations in Australia and New Zealand are ranked Most Competitive. If you are interested in these countries, be prepared to apply to other countries as well.
- You can only list one Most Competitive university in your ISEP application.
- Include universities from as many ranking categories as possible.
How to apply for ISEP Exchange
The application process has two stages:
Stage 1: Apply to become UEF’s candidate for ISEP Exchange
- Submit your application in SoleMOVE during the application period (annually 1–15 November for the following academic year).
- Before starting your application, search for ISEP Exchange host universities that you would be interested in applying to (preliminary host options)
- In ISEP Exchange, you are required to apply to at least 5 and at most 10 host universities in the ISEP Exchange program. Make sure you check whether the university you are interested in is included in ISEP Exchange or ISEP Direct.
- Write a letter of motivation explaining:
- why you are applying through the ISEP programme
- which country or countries you plan to apply to
- whether there are at least five suitable host universities for you in the ISEP Exchange programme.
The countries you mention at this stage are not binding – you will select your specific host universities in Stage 2.
See general instructions for applying and the motivation letter on the page General instructions for applying.
A possible supplementary call for applications may be opened in 1-15 May, but it cannot always be organised because all places are often filled during the first application period.
Stage 2: Complete your application in the ISEP system
If UEF accepts you as a candidate, you will proceed to the ISEP online application:
- Create a user account on ISEP’s portal and send a request to start your application through the ISEP system. Your home university coordinator will approve it.
- List 5–10 host universities in your application. You may choose universities from different countries.
- Explore your options carefully before submitting – you cannot change your list after submission.
- Attach the required documents:
- Academic reference: Ask a UEF academic staff member who knows you to provide a reference. Send them a request through the ISEP system to complete the reference form. The reference may also be submitted as a separate document, but it must be uploaded through the ISEP request form.
- Proof of language skills (see below).
Required attachments may vary per host university. You will receive instructions for this stage by email from International Mobility Services.
Language requirements
All applicants must submit proof of language skills. Accepted options include:
- TOEFL iBT (new tab) – required by most universities in North America and the UK
- IELTS Academic (new tab) – accepted by some universities
- ISEP’s own LPR form (Language Proficiency Report) – you can ask a teacher from an English language course you have completed to fill out this form in the ISEP system. Check on a university-by-university basis whether LPR is accepted.
Always check the specific language and test requirements for each university. TOEFL and IELTS tests are paid exams (approximately EUR 400 including taxes), and UEF does not cover these costs. Do not book a test until you know you need an official test score.
All universities on your application list must accept the same type of language proof. If even one university requires an official test score and does not accept the LPR form, you must either take the official test or replace that university with another.
Exception: You do not need to submit proof of language skills if have completed an undergraduate degree or high school education in an English-speaking country. A degree diploma or high school diploma is required as proof. Note that an English-language degree programme or major/minor studies in English at UEF does not exempt you from this requirement.
Placement at a host university
ISEP will offer you a preliminary placement at one of the universities on your list. You will then create a study plan for that university. ISEP sends your application to the host university, which makes the final admission decision – your placement is confirmed only at this stage.
If you cannot be placed at any of the universities on your list, ISEP will contact you and try to find an alternative destination that matches your situation and preferences as closely as possible.
Funding and costs
You do not pay tuition fees in the ISEP Exchange programme. UEF covers the ISEP application and acceptance fees on your behalf. If your exchange is cancelled and the ISEP application and acceptance fees have accumulated, UEF will charge back the fees from you.
ISEP fee: You pay an ISEP fee to UEF before your exchange begins. For the academic year 2026–2027, the fee is EUR 2,800 for one semester. This fee covers your accommodation and meal arrangements at the host university (for example, a dormitory place and meal stipend). The specific arrangements vary by host university – you will receive detailed instructions once your placement is confirmed.
UEF mobility grant: You will receive a mobility grant from UEF. For the academic year 2026–2027, the grant is:
- European destinations: EUR 1,200 / semester
- Destinations outside Europe: EUR 1,800 / semester
More information on funding is available in the Funding your studies abroad page.
Costs you are responsible for:
- Mandatory ISEP insurance
- Travel, study materials, and leisure expenses
- Possible accommodation deposits at the host university
Good to know
- Studies completed at the host university must be included in your degree at UEF.
- You can combine your ISEP exchange with a study-related internship in the United States. The internship can be no longer than your study period at the host university. You apply for the internship after arriving in the host country and are responsible for finding the placement yourself.
- You apply according to UEF’s academic calendar, but the actual dates and duration of your exchange follow the host university’s academic calendar.
- You can search for feedback from previous exchange students in SoleMOVE. Instructions for finding feedback are available in the SoleMOVE guide. Select ISEP Exchange under Exchange program and leave the Your home unit filter empty.
ISEP Direct
ISEP Direct is an option for you if you want to apply to one specific university or a most competitive destination. With Direct, you are guaranteed a place at your chosen university as long as you meet the minimum academic requirements – the number of available places is not limited.
Some universities participate only in ISEP Exchange, some only in Direct, and some in both programmes.
Please note: As an ISEP Direct participant, you pay the host university’s tuition fees as well as other ISEP application-related fees. Application periods and practices differ from ISEP Exchange.
Tip: You can view the tuition fees of Direct universities on the ISEP website’s Find a Program section (new tab). Click Detail in the sidebar menu above the university list to see all Exchange and Direct options. The same university may appear multiple times depending on the programme (Exchange / Direct) and the exchange period (fall semester, spring semester, full year).
For more information about ISEP Direct, visit the ISEP website (new tab) or contact UEF International Mobility Services.