ISEP
ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs) is a worldwide network of universities and colleges organising student exchanges. ISEP unites 300 universities all over the world; about half of them are in the US. The University of Tartu is the only institution of higher education in Estonia affiliated with ISEP.
ISEP-EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
Target group
The programme is designed for Bachelor's and Master's students, wherein Bachelor's students have a wider range of options. Students of all specialties and faculties can apply, although medical students' chances are quite limited (as many universities do not admit exchange students to medical studies programmes).
As an ISEP student, you can study at a foreign university for one or two semesters at a time (but you can always apply again).
Selecting the university
As all ISEP members do not participate in student exchanges every year, it may not be possible to choose from among all 300 schools at one time. Please visit the ISEP website to find out which are open to exchange students at any given time. In order to apply, students must draw up a priority list of maximum 10 schools. Based on the openings, ISEP places the student in one of these. Certain rules must be followed in making this list (check: How to Apply) - the first three preferences are the most important ones, as ISEP usually tries to place the student in one of these schools. Students must find suitable foreign universities themselves, and in selecting these it is essential to follow the application rules and limitations set by the university, as well as language requirements.
Language of instruction
It is very important to find out what the language of instruction will be and what kind of documents on language proficiency the university requires: many universities request the results of international language tests, but quite often the special ISEP form on the assessment of a student's language abilities completed by the language teacher from the home university will suffice (ISEP Language Proficiency Report).
ISEP application fee
Every student selected by the University of Tartu grant committee and whose documents are submitted to ISEP has to pay an application fee of US $390 (for the 2013/14 academic year) to ISEP (the application to ISEP should include the student's credit card information). Should ISEP fail to place students at any of the universities selected by them, the application fee is refunded (except for US $100 for administration expenses). If students decide to give up their placement, the application fee is not refunded!
Scholarship and expenses
The participants in the programme are guaranteed free tuition at a foreign university, free accommodation and a monthly allowance or free meals (e.g. a meal plan at US universities including 19-21 free meals per week). Students have to cover their travel expenses and the cost of study materials themselves. Generally, students are required to buy ISEP health insurance themselves: this costs around US $55 per month (ISEP insurance is not mandatory in some countries requiring local insurance; also, students do not need to buy insurance if they are going to study in EU Member States and they have EU Health Insurance Card).
Application process
ISEP's main competition for ISEP-Exchange programme is held in December/January. ISEP has a special application form that needs to be completed and submitted to the International Student Service. If the University of Tartu grant committee approves student's application, documents are forwarded to ISEP headquarters. ISEP places applicants at foreign universities in February/March and forwards their documents to them. The final decision is made by the host university. The process is thus quite time-consuming and students may only learn of the foreign university's decision as late as April or May.
ISEP-exchange competition for the 2013/14 academic year
ISEP-DIRECT PROGRAMME
In addition, students can also apply for the paid ISEP Direct programme, meaning that students must pay the semester fee at a foreign university (including the tuition fee of the foreign university, accommodation and often also meals). ISEP-Direct students don't receive any scholarship. The advantage of the ISEP Direct programme is that the number of universities open for applications is higher than under the ISEP Exchange, and there is no strict competition deadline. Further information on the programme and semester fees of the universities is available on the ISEP website (ISEP Direct), but you can also contact the International Student Service.
Further information.
Further information on the programme is available on the ISEP website. Should you have any question, feel free to contact Piret Must at the International Student Service.