Exchange Programs Scholarships

What is a student exchange program?

A student exchange allows you to study temporarily at another university without permanently transferring your degree.

Instead of completing an entire bachelor’s or master’s programme abroad, you normally spend:

• one semester
• one academic year
• a shorter study period

at a partner university before returning to your home institution.

The courses completed abroad may then be recognised toward your original degree.

This makes exchange programmes very different from applying independently for a new university degree.

You normally remain a student of your home university

During a traditional exchange, your primary degree usually remains with your home institution.

For example, a student completing a bachelor’s degree in Indonesia might spend one semester at a partner university in Europe.

After the exchange, the student returns to Indonesia and continues the original degree.

The foreign university provides temporary study opportunities, but it does not normally replace the student's home university.

This distinction matters for:

• tuition
• academic credit
• graduation
• immigration status
• scholarship eligibility

Exchange and transfer are different

A transfer student moves from one university to another with the intention of completing the degree at the new institution.

An exchange student normally goes abroad temporarily and returns.

Do not apply for an exchange expecting automatically to remain at the host university until graduation.

If you later want to transfer permanently, that normally requires a separate admission process.

Exchange programs are usually based on university partnerships

Most university exchanges exist because two institutions have signed an agreement.

The agreement may determine:

• how many students can participate
• which faculties are included
• tuition arrangements
• academic calendar
• credit recognition
• exchange duration

This is why students cannot always choose any university they want.

Your university might have 50 international partners, but only 15 may be available to students in your particular faculty.

Start with your international office

For most exchange students, the best first step is not emailing the foreign university.

It is contacting your own university’s:

• international office
• mobility office
• exchange coordinator
• international relations office

Ask for the current partner list.

You should find out:

• which countries are available
• which universities accept your major
• nomination deadlines
• GPA requirements
• language requirements
• scholarship availability

The home university often decides who can be nominated.

Nomination and application are different stages

Many exchanges have two steps.

Step 1: Home university nomination

Your university selects you and sends your information to the partner university.

Step 2: Host university application

After nomination, you complete an application with the foreign university.

Being nominated is important, but it does not always mean the host university has formally admitted you yet.

You may still need to submit:

• passport
• transcript
• learning agreement
• language certificate
• photograph
• course choices
• financial documents

Follow both universities' instructions.

Do not apply directly when nomination is required

A common mistake is finding a partner university online and applying directly.

The host institution may reject the application simply because no official nomination was received.

If the exchange page says:

Partner university nomination required

contact your international office first.

Do not skip the institutional process.

Erasmus+ is one of the largest exchange systems

Erasmus+ supports study mobility across European higher education and also includes international cooperation with institutions outside the European Union.

Students participating in Erasmus+ study mobility must be enrolled in a programme leading to a recognised higher-education qualification, and the study period abroad must form part of their academic programme.

The programme can provide students with structured mobility and financial support through participating institutions.

Erasmus+ long-term study exchange

Current Erasmus+ rules allow long-term higher-education study mobility lasting:

2 to 12 months

Students can participate more than once, but the general maximum is 12 months of physical mobility within each study cycle.

Study cycles broadly include:

• bachelor’s or equivalent
• master’s or equivalent
• doctoral level

For certain one-cycle degrees such as medicine or architecture, a higher total mobility limit can apply.

Short-term Erasmus+ mobility also exists

Students who cannot spend an entire semester abroad may have shorter options.

Under current rules, short-term blended study mobility can involve:

5 to 30 days of physical mobility

combined with a compulsory virtual component.

For study mobility, the programme must normally award at least 3 ECTS credits.

These short programmes can make international mobility more accessible to students who cannot leave their home institution for several months.

Erasmus+ does not mean you can choose any European university

A common misconception is:

I am a university student, so I can apply for Erasmus and choose any university in Europe.

That is generally not how it works.

Your home institution and host institution normally need an appropriate mobility arrangement.

The exact opportunities available to you depend on your university.

Ask your international office for the destinations available during the current academic year.

Students outside Europe can also participate in some Erasmus+ exchanges

Erasmus+ includes international higher-education mobility involving institutions in countries outside the core programme area when the required institutional partnerships and funding arrangements exist.

The current programme rules specifically provide for mobility involving higher education institutions in third countries not associated with Erasmus+, under eligible projects and agreements.

This means students in Africa, Asia and other regions should not automatically assume Erasmus+ is only for European citizens.

However, participation depends on institutional arrangements.

Your nationality alone does not create an Erasmus exchange place.

Erasmus funding is not automatically identical for everyone

Financial support can depend on:

• destination
• duration
• mobility type
• sending institution
• available project funding
• participant circumstances

Students may receive support through their university under the applicable Erasmus+ grant agreement.

Do not copy another student’s grant amount and assume yours will be the same.

Ask your university for the funding attached to your specific mobility.

An exchange can exist without a scholarship

Exchange and funding are two separate things.

You can be accepted for an exchange but receive:

• a full grant
• partial financial support
• tuition waiver only
• no financial assistance

This is extremely important.

The phrase:

“You have been accepted for exchange”

does not necessarily mean:

“Your living expenses are funded.”

Ask for a written financial breakdown before committing.

Tuition waiver does not mean fully funded

Many bilateral exchange agreements include a tuition arrangement.

A student may not need to pay tuition to the host university.

However, they may still need to pay:

• home university tuition
• accommodation
• meals
• insurance
• flights
• visa
• transportation
• personal expenses

A host tuition waiver is valuable, but it should not automatically be described as a fully funded exchange.

You may still pay tuition at your home university

Some exchange arrangements require students to continue paying normal tuition to their home university while the host university waives its own tuition.

Other arrangements work differently.

Before accepting an exchange, ask both institutions:

Where do I pay tuition during the semester abroad?

Do not assume that "exchange student" means no tuition anywhere.

Scholarships may be added to an exchange

Students may sometimes combine an exchange place with financial support from:

• Erasmus+
• home university mobility grants
• host university scholarships
• government mobility schemes
• external foundations

Eligibility rules matter.

A student may be allowed to combine two sources of funding, while another programme may restrict duplicate scholarships.

Ask before accepting multiple awards.

Japan offers exchange support through JASSO

Japan has an important programme for international exchange students through the Japan Student Services Organization, commonly known as JASSO.

Its Student Exchange Support Program supports qualified international students accepted by Japanese institutions under exchange agreements or other approved short-term exchange arrangements.

The exchange period can range from:

8 days to one year.

Current JASSO exchange stipend

JASSO currently lists the scholarship amount for eligible incoming exchange students at:

¥80,000 per month.

However, students do not simply submit an independent scholarship application directly to JASSO.

The Japanese host institution submits the relevant programme and scholarship applications, and selection procedures can differ by university.

Students should therefore ask their home or host university whether their exchange is eligible for JASSO support.

JASSO exchange eligibility

Current JASSO conditions include requirements such as:

• acceptance under an exchange agreement or other approved arrangement
• strong academic and personal record
• financial need
• eligibility for the appropriate immigration status
• returning to the home university after the exchange

JASSO also restricts students receiving other scholarships above the programme's permitted funding level.

The scholarship is therefore not automatically available to every international student going to Japan.

The purpose is temporary study

JASSO expects participants to return to their home institution after completing the exchange and continue toward their original qualification.

This reflects the general principle behind student exchange.

It is temporary academic mobility.

Students looking for complete bachelor's or master's funding in Japan should investigate degree scholarships such as MEXT rather than treating a JASSO exchange grant as a full-degree scholarship.

Credit recognition is one of the most important issues

An exchange should ideally contribute to your degree rather than delay graduation.

Before leaving, confirm which foreign courses your home university will recognise.

Questions to ask include:

• How many credits do I need?
• Which host courses replace my home courses?
• Are elective credits acceptable?
• What happens if a course is cancelled?
• What grade do I need?
• How will foreign grades appear on my transcript?

Get approval before travel.

Do not rely only on a verbal conversation.

Learning agreements

Structured exchanges often use a Learning Agreement or similar document.

This identifies:

• courses at the host university
• expected credits
• academic recognition at the home university

For Erasmus+ study mobility, the study period is supposed to form part of the student's programme, making academic planning and recognition central to the exchange.

If course choices change after arrival, follow the official procedure for updating the agreement.

Course availability can change

A host university may publish hundreds of courses, but not all may be available to exchange students.

Some classes can be:

• full
• restricted to degree students
• offered only in another semester
• taught in a different language
• unavailable to your faculty

Choose backup courses before departure.

This is especially important if you need a particular number of credits to graduate on time.

Academic calendars can be very different

Semester dates differ internationally.

For example, your home university may begin a semester in February while the host university begins in April.

This can create:

• overlapping classes
• examination conflicts
• late return to the home university
• graduation delays

Compare the complete academic calendar before accepting the exchange.

Look at:

• orientation
• classes
• exam period
• holidays
• expected departure date

Your major matters

Some university partnerships are institution-wide.

Others are limited to specific schools or faculties.

For example, an agreement may exist only between:

Faculty of Economics at University A

and

Business School at University B

A computer science student may therefore not be eligible even though the universities are official partners.

Check faculty restrictions.

GPA requirements

Home universities often use GPA as part of the nomination process.

A university may require:

• minimum GPA
• no failed courses
• satisfactory academic progress
• minimum completed semesters

The host university may impose additional requirements.

Meeting the home university's minimum does not necessarily guarantee nomination when places are limited.

Competition can occur inside your university

Students sometimes assume exchange programmes are easy because only their university's students can apply.

But if a prestigious destination has two places and twenty students apply, internal selection can be highly competitive.

Your university might consider:

• GPA
• motivation
• English ability
• extracurricular activities
• interview
• study plan

Treat the nomination seriously.

Motivation letters

A good exchange motivation letter should explain more than:

I want to experience another culture and make international friends.

Those can be benefits, but the programme is primarily academic.

Explain:

• why the host university fits your degree
• which courses interest you
• what academic skills you want to develop
• how the exchange supports your goals
• what you can contribute

Be specific.

Do not choose a country only for tourism

It is completely normal to be excited about travelling.

But an academic exchange should also make sense academically.

Before selecting a destination, examine:

• available courses
• university strengths
• teaching language
• semester calendar
• credit compatibility

A beautiful city is not useful if none of its available courses can count toward your degree.

Language requirements

Host universities may require proof of the language of instruction.

Possible requirements include:

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• university English certificate
• Medium of Instruction letter
• local-language certificate

Some partner agreements allow your home university to certify your English ability.

Others require a standardised test.

Do not pay for IELTS before checking whether it is actually necessary.

English-taught courses may be limited

A university can advertise hundreds of English-taught programmes while offering only a small number of English courses to exchange students in one semester.

Read the actual exchange course catalogue, not just the university's general degree website.

This is especially important in countries where the normal teaching language is not English.

Accommodation

Some host universities guarantee exchange students a dormitory.

Others only provide housing information.

Possible arrangements include:

• student residence
• shared dormitory
• private apartment
• host family

Ask:

• Is housing guaranteed?
• How much is the deposit?
• Are utilities included?
• When must I pay?
• Can I stay during holidays?

Do not wait until a week before arrival.

Housing support may be separate from the exchange grant

Even if you receive a mobility stipend, accommodation may not be free.

For example:

Monthly exchange grant: €850
Rent: €600
Food and transport: €400

The student already has an estimated monthly shortfall of €150 before considering travel and personal expenses.

Calculate this before accepting.

Compare the grant to the destination

A €700 monthly mobility grant can have very different value depending on where you live.

The same amount might be manageable in one student city and inadequate in an expensive capital.

Research:

• rent
• public transport
• groceries
• insurance

Do not compare exchange grants only by converting them into your home currency.

Travel costs

Mobility programmes may:

• pay airfare directly
• provide a travel allowance
• reimburse travel later
• offer no airfare support

Check this carefully.

A scholarship may be generous after arrival while still requiring you to purchase an expensive flight using your own money.

Ask when reimbursements are made.

First-month expenses

Exchange students often spend more during the first month because of:

• housing deposit
• residence registration
• SIM card
• transport pass
• bedding
• household items
• temporary accommodation

The first scholarship payment may also arrive after you have already settled in.

Keep accessible emergency funds if possible.

Health insurance

Exchange students may need:

• university health insurance
• national insurance
• private international insurance
• travel insurance

Requirements depend on the destination and immigration status.

Ask both the university and relevant immigration authority what coverage is required.

A normal holiday travel policy may not satisfy a semester-long study requirement.

Visas depend on nationality and duration

An exchange student may need:

• student visa
• residence permit
• short-stay visa
• another study authorisation

Requirements depend on:

• nationality
• country
• duration
• programme type

Do not assume that because the exchange lasts only one semester you can enter as a tourist.

Study and tourism are legally different activities in many countries.

Start immigration preparation after nomination

Once you receive formal host-university acceptance, start researching immigration immediately.

You may need:

• acceptance letter
• passport
• proof of funds
• accommodation
• insurance
• scholarship confirmation
• medical documents

Some embassies have appointment delays.

A late visa can cause you to miss orientation or even lose the exchange semester.

Scholarship does not guarantee the visa

A mobility scholarship can strengthen your financial documentation.

It does not guarantee immigration approval.

The embassy or immigration authority still evaluates your case.

Do not purchase expensive non-refundable travel simply because your university nominated you.

Wait until you understand the visa requirements.

Exchange duration matters for immigration

A 20-day programme may follow different rules from a six-month semester.

For example, JASSO's current incoming exchange programme supports study from eight days to one year and specifically distinguishes immigration arrangements for programmes of 90 days or less.

Always provide the exact programme duration when asking about visa requirements.

Part-time work should not be assumed

Work rights for exchange students vary.

Your:

• immigration status
• host country
• programme
• university

may determine whether you can work.

A full-degree student may have employment rights that an exchange student does not.

Never build your financial plan around finding a job without verifying the rules first.

Exchange students should budget before applying

Create an estimated budget for the full mobility period.

Include:

• home tuition
• host tuition if applicable
• airfare
• visa
• insurance
• rent
• deposit
• food
• transport
• personal expenses

Then subtract:

• mobility scholarship
• travel grant
• housing support

The remaining amount is what you realistically need to finance.

Academic performance abroad still matters

An exchange is not a long holiday.

You may need to:

• pass a minimum number of credits
• maintain scholarship eligibility
• submit a transcript
• complete academic reports

Failing courses abroad could delay your degree at home.

Understand how your university handles failed exchange credits.

Teaching methods may be different

Students can experience different academic expectations abroad.

You may encounter:

• more independent study
• frequent presentations
• group projects
• laboratory work
• oral exams
• research papers

Orientation programmes can help.

Ask previous exchange students what academic differences they experienced.

Cultural adjustment is real

Living abroad temporarily can be exciting, but students may also experience:

• loneliness
• language difficulties
• different food
• unfamiliar administration
• homesickness
• different social norms

This is normal.

Use:

• international student services
• university counselling
• exchange networks
• student clubs

when you need support.

Learn some of the local language

Even if all your courses are taught in English, basic local-language skills can make daily life easier.

Learn practical phrases for:

• transport
• shopping
• restaurants
• accommodation
• healthcare

It can also help you build stronger relationships with local students.

Make local connections too

Exchange students sometimes spend the entire semester only with other international students.

International friendships are valuable, but try to engage with the local university community too.

Join:

• clubs
• societies
• academic events
• sports
• volunteering

The academic and cultural value of an exchange is greater when you interact beyond the international-student group.

Keep your documents organised

Before travelling, keep digital and physical copies of important documents such as:

• passport
• acceptance letter
• scholarship letter
• visa
• insurance
• learning agreement
• accommodation contract
• emergency contacts

Store backup copies securely.

Do not rely on having everything inside one phone.

Changes after arrival

You may discover that a selected course:

• is unavailable
• clashes with another class
• is too advanced
• is offered in the wrong language

Contact your academic coordinator immediately.

Do not simply drop courses without updating your learning agreement or home-university approval.

Transcript after the exchange

Before leaving the host university, find out:

• when your transcript will be issued
• whether it is sent electronically
• who receives it
• how your home university converts grades

Credit recognition can take time.

Keep copies of course descriptions and syllabi if your university may need them.

Exchange grades may be converted

A host university's grading system may be different.

Your home university may:

• convert grades
• record pass/fail
• transfer credits without the foreign grade
• use another recognition method

Ask before departure.

Students should understand whether exchange grades affect their home GPA.

Exchange programs can help your career

A meaningful exchange can help demonstrate:

• independence
• adaptability
• intercultural communication
• international academic experience
• language skills

But simply writing “exchange student in Europe” on a CV provides limited information.

Explain what you actually did.

For example:

• courses completed
• academic project
• research
• international teamwork

Exchange can help with graduate applications

A strong semester abroad can later support master's or scholarship applications.

It may provide:

• additional academic references
• international coursework
• research experience
• clearer career direction

However, an exchange itself does not guarantee graduate admission.

Use the opportunity well.

Ask previous exchange students

Students who previously attended the same host university can provide useful practical information about:

• housing
• transport
• course selection
• budgeting
• visa experience

But regulations change.

Use former students for practical experience, not as the final source for current visa or scholarship rules.

Avoid exchange scams

Exchange opportunities should generally be traceable to recognised institutions.

Be suspicious if someone claims:

• guaranteed Erasmus exchange for payment
• guaranteed university nomination
• guaranteed visa
• private access to exchange places

If an exchange is supposedly between your university and another institution, your international office should know about it.

Verify before paying anyone.

Exchange agents are usually unnecessary for university partnerships

Traditional university exchanges are generally coordinated by the institutions involved.

A private agent cannot create a nomination from your university.

If someone says:

Pay me and I can guarantee you an Erasmus nomination.

verify that claim directly with your international office.

The university controls its nomination process.

Application timelines can start early

An exchange beginning in September may require your home-university application in:

• January
• February
• March

or even earlier.

The host university may then have another deadline after nomination.

Do not wait until the semester before travel to start researching.

Plan around graduation

Students close to graduation should be particularly careful.

An exchange can delay graduation if:

• credits do not transfer
• transcripts arrive late
• required home courses are unavailable
• thesis deadlines overlap

Before applying, ask whether the exchange fits your remaining study plan.

A great opportunity should not unexpectedly add another year to your degree.

What applicants should check before applying

Before applying for a student exchange, confirm:

• partner university status
• eligible faculty or major
• study level
• minimum GPA
• minimum completed semesters
• nomination requirements
• language requirement
• exchange dates
• course availability
• credit recognition
• tuition arrangement
• scholarship amount
• accommodation
• airfare support
• health insurance
• visa requirements
• application deadline
• nomination deadline

Also calculate what you will still need to pay personally.

How to use the Exchange Programs listings below

The opportunities below include exchange and academic mobility programmes available through The Scholarship Circle.

Not every listing has the same structure.

An opportunity may be:

• semester exchange
• one-year exchange
• Erasmus+ mobility
• bilateral university exchange
• short-term academic mobility
• government-supported exchange

Open each listing and check:

• who can participate
• whether university nomination is required
• funding
• duration
• destination
• academic credit
• application procedure

Then confirm the information through your university and the official programme provider.

Final advice

A student exchange can provide international experience without requiring you to leave your current degree permanently.

But the strongest exchange is one that makes sense both academically and financially.

Before applying, make sure you understand:

Where will I study?

Will the courses count toward my degree?

Who pays the tuition?

How much funding will I receive?

What expenses remain mine?

Does my university need to nominate me?

Erasmus+ remains one of the major mobility systems, with current long-term study exchanges generally lasting 2 to 12 months and shorter blended study mobility lasting 5 to 30 days.

Japan also provides an important exchange-funding route through JASSO. Its current Student Exchange Support Program can support eligible international students studying in Japan for 8 days to one year, with a scholarship of ¥80,000 per month.

In both cases, participation depends heavily on universities and their agreements.

Use the exchange opportunities listed below to discover possible programmes, then confirm nomination, academic recognition, funding and current application procedures with your home university and the official host institution.

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026