Academic Mobility Guide

What is academic mobility?

Academic mobility is an opportunity for participants in the educational process (students, teachers, etc.) to study, teach, intern or conduct scientific activities at another higher education institution (scientific institution) in Ukraine or abroad.

The goal of academic mobility is not only to acquire new knowledge, but also to foster intercultural understanding and establish international connections. 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 making new friends in a new environment can open up new opportunities for you and give you invaluable experience. The Student Council of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations (ESIIR) and the International Office of the Institute have prepared a guide to help you understand the terms and conditions of academic mobility and the application process! 

1.   Where and how to search for programs?

Programs are usually published here: 

Also, you can find programs for student exchange on the websites of foreign universities, particularly those that are partners of TSNUK. You should check throughout the year to avoid missing the deadline. 

List of partners of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv

 

2.   Can I participate in academic mobility outside the framework of a foreign university's program or competition?

 

Yes, academic mobility for students also includes short-term trips for internships, participation in conferences and other educational and scientific events. The main requirement is that your activities during the trip contribute to improving your qualifications and provide new knowledge in the field of your future activities and educational program.

 

3.   What are the requirements for candidates to apply for academic mobility?

Typically (but not always), these requirements include:

1.         A foreign language level of at least B2 Upper Intermediate;

2.         You have completed the first year of your bachelor's degree;

3.         You are not in the final semester of your degree program;

4.         An average grade of over 80.

 

4.   Can I choose the country I want to study in?

Choose any of the offers officially published by our University if you meet all the requirements specified therein. Even if none of the published offers suit you, you should know that the principles of academic mobility do not limit you to only the offers available from TSNUK partners. 

You can independently find a competition announced by a foreign university that is not a partner of TSNUK, apply for it, win, collect the necessary documents and go to study. It will just be a little more difficult at the stage of collecting documents.

 

5.   I have found an interesting competition that I am eligible for. What should I do next?

 

You need to submit documents to participate in the competition. The announcement of the foreign higher education institution always includes a list of documents that you need to collect and submit to the TSNUK International Relations Department. Usually, these are:

  • Language certificate
  • CV in EUROPASS format
  • A tripartite agreement (prepared if the program is not part of ERASMUS+) or a learning agreement (if the program is part of ERASMUS+)
  • Transcript of records translated into English (you need to request a transcript from the methodologist)
  • Exchange application
  • Bilateral agreement on academic mobility between you and TSNUK
  • Motivation letter (requirements should be clarified with the host university)

Individual plan with dates for completing academic differences after returning from the exchange (usually at least 20 credits must coincide for the exchange). Brief instructions for completing the plan (in Ukrainian).

 

 

6.   How to prepare all the documents and submit them for exchange?

First of all, you should contact the methodologists of your department, who will help you prepare an individual schedule, and the head of the department, who signs the application, invitation, bilateral agreement, individual schedule, Learning Agreement (for ERASMUS+ programs) or trilateral agreement (for other cases), transcript with grades and average score.

After your department head has approved the documents, they must be signed by the academic mobility coordinator of the ESIIR (room 261 of the Institute building).

If necessary, in accordance with the competition’s term, the signature of Institute’s director or his deputy may be required.

The signed package of documents must be submitted to the Academic Mobility Department of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (room 222 of the main building) no later than 7 days before departure. 

If you are organising the exchange yourself, the documents must be submitted no later than two weeks before the course start.

 

7.   Which candidate has the best chance of getting into this exchange program, and what achievements and knowledge are required?

The requirements are the same for everyone. The main thing is to have a foreign language proficiency level of B2 or higher, 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 required by the educational institution that will accept you.

 

8.   I have collected all the necessary documents to participate in the competition and submitted them to the international relations department of TSNUK. What's next?

You should receive confirmation that your documents are correct and have been accepted for consideration at the email address you provided in the papers. You will also be notified of your application number. Now just wait for notification that you have passed the competition. The results, in the form of the winning application codes, are published on the same official TSNUK resources.

 

9.   I received a notification that I won the competition! Can I buy tickets now?

After receiving notification that you have passed the selection process, you need to prepare the final set of documents. Usually, these are almost the same documents that you prepared for participation in the competition, but in addition to them, a bilateral agreement on academic mobility between you and TSNUK is attached, the individual plan is carefully reviewed once again, and related issues are resolved.

 

10. Is a certificate of English language proficiency from TSNUK sufficient, or is IELTS required?

Unless otherwise specified in the competition conditions, the internal language certificate from TSNUK is acceptable. However it is not prohibited to submit an international certificate (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, FCE, CAE, CPE, etc.).

 

11. How can I obtain a certificate from TSNUK confirming my level of English or another foreign language?

To do this, you need to contact your foreign language teacher, explain why you need it, and if the teacher agrees that you have a sufficient level of proficiency in the language, they will sign the certificate for you. You can download and print the language certificate form yourself.

 

12. Is it possible to understand the curriculum with an English level of B1/B2?

It is possible to understand it, but to pass the competition, your English level must be at least B2.

 

13. Is it possible to go on an exchange to a country whose language I know, but which is not offered in my program, and how can I prove my knowledge in this case?

You can submit an international language proficiency certificate. In addition to English, certificates are also available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and other languages.

 

14. Which countries are available for academic mobility?

There are usually no restrictions. It depends on the offers that the foreign university will provide.

 

15. Do exchanges usually take place during the holidays?

No, exchange programs usually last for one semester, typically in either the winter or spring semester.

 

16. If you go on an exchange, do you study at two universities at the same time or only abroad?

You study only abroad. After it is over, you return home, provide documents confirming the completion of your studies abroad, and take exams at your educational institution on an individual basis. If you studied the same subjects abroad as those taught during this semester at your university, they will be automatically transferred. For this purpose, an individual plan is prepared before departure.

 

17. Do grades affect the likelihood of being accepted into the program?

Yes, one of the requirements is usually a high grade point average of at least 80. However, this factor is not the most important one. You may have high grades, but if your motivation letter is not good enough, it will negatively affect the selection result.

 

18. Is there a limit to the maximum number of times you can go?

Usually no, you can apply for exchange studies several times. However, remember that each time you will need to complete a session and pay off your debts at your university according to an individual plan.

You should also bear in mind that the total duration of your participation in academic mobility programs cannot exceed half of the duration of your studies at the Institute. In other words, if you are a bachelor's student and study for 4 years, you cannot study abroad for more than 4 semesters in total.

 

19. How competitive is the competition usually?

It depends on the country, the prestige of the university and the educational programs listed in the offer. But keep in mind that programs are usually designed not only for students of the ESIIR!

 

20. Is it possible for young people over the age of 18 to participate in academic mobility during martial law?

Yes, according to changes in border crossing rules, young Ukrainian men under the age of 23 can freely travel abroad, including for study purposes. If you are over 23 years old, you will need to obtain separate permission to participate in academic mobility before departure.

The final decision on granting permission to cross the border will be made by the State Border Service!

 

21. What do you need to get into a funded exchange program?

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.

Please note that travel expenses are not covered.

 

22. Does the host institution provide accommodation?

The host institution may provide accommodation in a dormitory. However, there are situations when there are no places in the dormitory, so you have to look for separate accommodation. Usually, the foreign university provides contacts that you can refer to in this case. In any case, accommodation is paid for by the scholarship awarded for participation in the program. The issue of accommodation should be resolved before applying for a visa, as you will need to indicate your place of residence in the foreign country.

 

23. Do I need a visa?

Visa-free travel allows for short-term stays in many EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. When crossing the border, you must have documents confirming: the purpose of your trip, your place of residence, sufficient financial means (at least €50 per day), a return ticket, and medical insurance.

If the duration of your studies exceeds 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa through the embassy/consulate of the country where you plan to study. Be sure to consult with your host university!

We recommend that you find Ukrainian students who have already studied or are studying in that country and consult with them about visa issues. 

 

If you have any further questions, please contact the International Office of the ESIIR!