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Study abroad outside of Europe - ISEP

Explore the world as a student at MDU. Through ISEP's exchange program, you can spend a semester abroad at one of our partner institutions. Seize the opportunity to grow and deepen your understanding of other cultures.

If you want to study abroad as a full-time student, you need to meet certain requirements. Here's what you need to know:

To apply for exchange studies, you need to:

  • Be a full-time student at MDU when the application period ends.
  • Have earned at least 30 higher education credits at MDU.
  • Have successfully completed at least 75 percent of the courses you've registered for at MDU up to and including the previous semester when the application period ends.
  • Meet specific language requirements.

Before you start your exchange studies, you need to:

  • Still be a registered student at MDU during the semester closest to the exchange period.
  • Have earned at least 60 higher education credits at MDU.
  • Fulfill any special language requirements set by the foreign institution, for example, the TOEFL test if you apply through ISEP-exchange.

The idea behind the ISEP exchange program is that it shouldn't cost more to study in another country than it does to study in Sweden. If you are a student at MDU, this means that the price to participate in the ISEP exchange covers the cost of food and accommodation for one semester.

In addition to this, there are some other costs that you, as a student, need to handle:

  • From the academic year 2024/25, the ISEP exchange costs 42,000 kr. This covers the costs for food and accommodation at the foreign university.
  • Approximately 430 US dollars for the ISEP application fee.
  • 100 US dollars for the ISEP application processing fee.
  • 425 US dollars for the ISEP acceptance fee.
  • 250 US dollars for the TOEFL language test.
  • You also need to pay for ISEP's mandatory insurance.
  • You are responsible for the costs associated with visa application, so find out what applies to you.
  • Travel and transportation costs are extra.
  • If you accept a spot but later decline, you might need to pay about 2,000 kronor to the receiving university.

The application process for ISEP takes place once a year during the fall semester for the upcoming academic year and is divided into two steps:

1. Application to MDU

2. Application to ISEP centrally

(For students who have been offered an ISEP place via MDU).

  • The deadline for applying to ISEP is in February 2024. In the application, you choose up to 10 universities that are part of ISEP. Alternative universities.
  • Keep in mind that it's important to apply to a university that has a course offer that suits you. At every school at MDU, there is an international coordinator who can help you choose the right courses.
  • In the application to ISEP, you should also attach recommendation letters from teachers, motivation letters, and reasons for why you are applying to the respective university. All universities are categorized based on how tough the competition is for the spots. The categories then affect how your application should be designed. For example, you might only be allowed to choose a university with tough competition as one of the first alternatives. ISEP does its best to ensure that you as a student get one of your top choices, but you should be prepared for the possibility of being placed in any of your alternative choices.

When there are more applicants than spots in the ISEP program, a selection is made based on merit points. Since many students at MDU usually apply, there is often competition for the spots.

Once the selection is clear, you as a student need to accept a place if you are offered one. If you decline the place you were offered and then change your mind, you will receive information on how you can apply to ISEP. If you are motivated to make a central application, you have a good chance to get a place at a university in ISEP unless something unexpected occurs. Unfortunately, MDU cannot guarantee that you end up at the university you most desire.

Most universities require you to have good results on the TOEFL test to be admitted. On ISEP's website External link., you can find information about the specific TOEFL results each university requires. It's your responsibility as a student to find this out when choosing a university. The TOEFL test is held at various locations in Sweden. It's important to register as soon as possible once you have been offered a place.

For ISEP, you can only apply once a year, and the exchange lasts for one term. Here are the important dates for the academic year 2024/25:

Important dates for the academic year 2024/25

November 2023

  • November 3: Online application opens.
  • November 21: Last day to apply. The online application closes.

Drop-in times in the link, an international coordinator and case officer will be on site to answer questions regarding ISEP in Västerås and Eskilstuna:

  • November 6, 12:00-13:00 (Västerås)
  • November 10, 12:00-13:00 (Västerås)
  • November 13, 12:00-13:00 (Västerås)
  • November 16, 12:00-13:00 (Eskilstuna)
  • November 20, 12:00-13:00 (Västerås)
  • November 21, 12:00-13:00 (Västerås)

December 2023

  • December 5: You'll find out if you've been nominated. The decision will be published on the application portal where you submitted your application.
  • December 7: Last day to respond to the nomination.
  • December 11: Those who have been nominated and accepted are invited to a mandatory information meeting about the application process for ISEP.

February 2024

  • You need to have sent your application to ISEP. The exact date will be announced later.

March/April 2024

  • You'll receive a decision about your nomination from ISEP.

When there is competition for places in the exchange program, a point system based on the following factors is used:

Engagement

You get 20 points if you have been involved in the Student Union's international activities at MDU.

University Credits

You receive varying points based on how many university credits (hp) you have at MDU when the application period ends:

  • 10 points for 30.5–45 hp.
  • 20 points for 45.5–60 hp.
  • 30 points for 60.5–75 hp.
  • 40 points for 75.5–90 hp.
  • 50 points if you have at least 90.5 hp.

Completed Courses in Percentage

You receive points based on what percentage of the registered courses at MDU you have completed up to and including the previous term:

  • 20 points if you have completed between 80 and 90 percent of the courses.
  • 30 points if you have completed more than 90 percent of the courses.

Students who have experienced or previously been offered mobility are placed in a separate selection group which is offered nomination, subject to availability after everyone else.

Before you go on overseas studies

Here is information that may be good to know before you go on overseas studies.

Read more

When you return from overseas studies

Here is information that might be good to know after you have returned from overseas studies.

Read more

Questions?

For more information on exchange studies, contact your international coordinator: