Academic Mobility Guide
What is academic mobility?
Academic mobility is the opportunity for participants in the educational process (students, teachers, etc.) to study, teach, do internships or conduct research in another higher education institution or research institution in Ukraine or abroad.
The purpose of academic mobility is not only to gain new knowledge, but also to develop intercultural understanding and international relations. By participating in such programs, you can learn the language and culture of another country, as well as meet people from different parts of the world.
Studying and meeting people in a new environment can open up new opportunities and give you invaluable experience. The Student Council of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Relations has prepared a guide that will help you understand the application process and the conditions of academic mobility!
1. What are the requirements for a candidate to apply for academic mobility?
Usually these requirements include:
- Foreign language level not lower than B2 Upper Intermediate (80-90 points);
- You have completed the 1st year of your bachelor's degree;
- The average score is 80+.
2. Can I choose the country?
As a rule, the university/institute publishes an exhaustive list of offers on its information resources, which indicates the countries. You can choose any of these offers if you meet all the requirements specified in this offer.
3. Is a certificate of English language proficiency from a university acceptable or is IELTS required?
Usually, one of the requirements is a certificate confirming your English level (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, CAE, CPE, etc.), but there are cases when a certificate of language proficiency from a university is sufficient.
4. How can I find programs?
Usually, programs are published on the channels of the Student Council, as well as on these information resources:
You can also find programs for exchange students on the websites of foreign universities. You should check them throughout the year to avoid missing the deadline. For example, at the University of Zurich, the application deadline was April 30 for the fall semester and November 30 for the spring semester.
List of partners of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
The list of partners of the Institute of International Relations
5. How can I get on an academic mobility program?
The university/institute publishes offers for academic mobility on its information resources, where all the requirements are indicated. The requirements may vary, but they almost always include:
Trilateral agreement (if the university is a partner of your university/institute) or Learning agreement (if it is an Erasmus+ program)
An extract from the academic record translated into English (you need to ask for an extract from the methodologist and translate it yourself)
Application for exchange
Bilateral agreement
Motivation letter (you should check the requirements for it with the university that will accept you)
An individual schedule for making up the academic difference after returning from the exchange (at least 30% of the credits for the exchange must match)
6. How do I submit documents for an exchange?
First of all, you should contact the head of the department, who agrees and signs the application, invitation, certified translation of the invitation into Ukrainian, bilateral agreement, individual schedule, trilateral agreement (if the university is a partner) or Learning Agreement (for Erasmus+ programs), transcript with grades and grade point average.
The signed package of documents must be submitted to the Department of Academic Mobility of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (222 k.) no later than 10 days before departure. A copy of the application with the signatures of all responsible persons, the invitation and a translation of the invitation remain in the International Department of the Institute (261 k.).
When applying for an exchange for the fall semester, documents are submitted from April 15 to May 15 of each year;
For the spring semester - from October 15 to November 15 of each year;
In case of self-organization of the exchange, the documents are submitted no later than two weeks before the start of the study.
At the end, the signatures of the principal, deputy principal and methodologist will be required.
7. Do exchanges usually take place during the holidays?
No, exchange programs usually last for one semester: winter or spring.
8. From which course can I apply for academic mobility?
You can study on an exchange program starting from the 2nd year.
9. If you go on an exchange, do you study at two universities in parallel or only abroad?
You study only abroad. After it is over, you go home, provide documents confirming the completion of your studies abroad to your university and take an individual session at your educational institution. If you have studied the same subjects abroad as those taught during this semester at your university, there is a possibility of automatic re-enrollment, but you need to agree on this in advance with teachers and methodologists.
10. What are the benefits of exchange studies?
First of all, it is an invaluable experience, because you are immersed in a new environment. Since you are going through this experience alone, it can be a good test of independence and "adult life".
Secondly, you will improve your foreign language skills because you will be constantly speaking it. If you want, you can also start learning the language of the country where you will be studying, as it is much easier to learn a foreign language in such an environment.
Thirdly, you will meet many students from different parts of the world. This is a chance to learn about other mentalities and cultures. In the future, you will be able to keep in touch, visit each other and travel together.
11. Which candidate has the best chance of getting into this exchange program, what achievements and knowledge are required?
The requirements for all are equal, the main thing is knowledge of a foreign language at the B1/B2 level, as well as a high grade point average, i.e. good grades. It is also worth paying attention to writing a motivation letter if it is included in the requirements of the educational institution that will host you.
12. Will it be possible to participate in this program for boys who are over 18 years old during martial law?
The Ministry of Education and Science is currently working on this issue and developing a mechanism to provide bachelor's students, i.e., boys aged 18-22, with the opportunity to go abroad to study within the framework of academic mobility for one semester. Deputy Minister of Education Mykhailo Vinnytskyi said that this opportunity will be provided starting this semester. It is also worth noting that President Zelenskyy instructed the Ministry of Education to develop this mechanism.
13. How exactly can I get a certificate from the university confirming my English level?
To do this, you need to contact your English teacher and explain why you need it.
14. What do I need to get into an exchange program with full funding?
As a rule, both academic mobility programs and ERASMUS programs do not require any tuition fees. If it is ERASMUS, you usually have the opportunity to receive a scholarship.
15. Do grades affect the possibility of getting into the program?
Yes, a high grade point average is usually one of the requirements. However, this factor does not play the most important role. You can have high grades, but not a good enough motivation letter, which will negatively affect the selection result.
16. Is there a real limit to the maximum number of times you can apply?
Usually no, you can apply for an exchange program several times. However, remember that each time you will need to complete the session and debts at your university according to an individual plan.
17. How tough is the competition usually?
It depends on the country, the prestige of the university, which are indicated in the offer. However, usually the competition is not very strong and there are great chances to be selected. Again, the main thing is to be confident in yourself!)
18. From which course can I get into the Erasmus program?
You can apply for an exchange program starting from the 2nd year of study.
19. How long does the exchange usually last?
Exchange studies usually last for 1 semester: winter or spring.
20. Is it possible to understand the study program with a B1/B2 English level?
Yes, usually the foreign language requirement is B1/B2. However, the higher the level, the better.
21. Is it possible to go on an exchange to a country whose language I know, but it is not in my stream and how to confirm my knowledge in this case?
There are several possible options and this question should be clarified before applying to the program.
In one case, you will need to pass an international exam, after which you will receive a certificate confirming your level of knowledge. Or you can ask a teacher of the language, if it is taught in general at the university, to test your level of knowledge and ask for a university certificate. However, exchange programs are often taught in English, but this is not a mandatory rule.
Otherwise, no proof of knowledge or international exams are required.
22. In which countries does the educational program allow students to do an internship?
There are usually no restrictions. It depends on the offers that the university will offer.
23. Do I need a visa?
This is the first step after confirming your participation in mobility, as it is a long process. You will need to contact the embassy of the country that offers you a place at the university. We also recommend looking for Ukrainian students who are already studying in that country and consulting with them about the visa issue.
Important!
- Visa waiver applies only to holders of biometric passports. But not for the purpose of studying.
- It provides for a short-term stay in 30 European countries up to 90 days within 180 days. When crossing the border, you should have documents confirming the purpose of the trip, availability of a place of residence, sufficient financial resources (at least 50 euros per day), a return ticket, and a health insurance policy.
- For a longer stay in the EU, you need to apply for a visa.
- Visa-free travel does not mean the right to obtain residence, employment or study permits in the EU. In this case, it is necessary to contact the embassies and clarify the type of visa required (for example: national visa).
24. Does the host country provide accommodation?
The host country can provide a place in a dormitory. However, there are situations when there are no places in the dormitory, so you have to look for separate accommodation. Usually, a foreign university provides contacts that you can contact in this case. In any case, the payment for accommodation is made at the expense of the scholarship accrued during participation in the program. The issue of housing should be resolved before submitting a visa application, as it requires you to indicate your place of residence in a foreign country.