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General information about ISEP

 is an international student exchange programme which has member universities all over the world. The programme is based on reciprocity in student exchanges between the member universities, and it is coordinated by the ISEP organization in the United States.

In the ISEP programme, you are required to apply to several universities (to 3 universities in the JYU internal application round and to 10 universities in the final application). The ISEP office in the United States places the applicant into one of the universities. ISEP exchange is therefore a good fit for applicants who can find suitable courses from several universities. Whether a student is selected into a university depends on the number of all applicants worldwide.

ISEP universities

You can browse the ISEP universities on the . Watch a video on .

ISEP countries:

Instructions for choosing host universities:

• You can apply for ISEP Exchange only.
• Many universities only offer Bachelor's (undergraduate) level studies for ISEP students.
• ISEP Direct universities have tuition fees. If the ISEP university is marked only as a Direct university, the applicant is required to pay the tuition fee of the host university in addition to the normal ISEP costs.
• Summer programmes are not available for JYU students.
• It is not possible to apply to European universities through ISEP because there are many placements available through the Erasmus+ programme.
• It is not possible to apply to universities in Australia and New Zealand through Mobility-Online because it has been very difficult for JYU students to get placed in these countries.

Fields of study, modes of study and course selection

You can take courses in your major or minor during the ISEP exchange. You can browse the ISEP universities and the fields on offer using the  on the ISEP website.

Many ISEP universities allow ISEP students to take Bachelor's (undergraduate) level courses only. Some universities also allow students to take Master's (graduate) level courses if the student has completed a Bachelor's degree. You can check the universities offering studies on graduate level for ISEP students on the .

Students in the US usually take 12-15 credits per semester (usually 4-5 courses). The general rule is that one American credit on the undergraduate level is equal to two Finnish credits.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation is included in the ISEP fee (see below). ISEP students are usually accommodated in student dormitories on campus. The apartments are often of the "double-occupancy" type. In Latin America, ISEP students often live with host families. 

Meals (min. 19 per week) are included in the ISEP fee (see below).

Language requirements

English ISEP destinations

Taking a TOEFL iBT test (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is usually required for English-speaking countries. The required language test score depends on the host university. Usually, at least 79 points are required. However, check the specific score requirements from the ISEP website. The applicants must enroll for a TOEFL iBT test as soon as the selection is completed at the Ģ��ֱ��. Note: you do not have to enroll for the test during the JYU application period.

The TOEFL iBT test costs 320 $ (2024) and you can take it in Helsinki or at home (TOEFL iBT Home Edition). 

Non-English-speaking ISEP universities

The language requirements for non-English-speaking countries vary from country to country. Usually approximately two years' of studies of the language of instruction are required. Check the country-specific language requirements from the ISEP website. 

A language certificate from a language instructor is required for most non-English-speaking countries. The certificate is required only after the student has been nominated by JYU for the ISEP exchange (i.e. not yet at the first phase of application).

Costs and funding

Costs of the ISEP programme

• Application fee: 100 USD (academic year 2024-2025, non-refundable)
• Placement fee: 450 USD (academic year 2024-2025)
• ISEP fee: 2800 €/semester (academic year 2024-2025), the fee covers housing and meals during the exchange.
• Mandatory ISEP health insurance: 28 USD/week (academic year 2024-2025)
• Visa (about 405 USD for the US/2024)
• TOEFL test: 320 USD (2024)
• Travel expenses 

Funding of student mobility

Accessibility and inclusion funding

Application

Application procedure

Step 1: Applying for ISEP exchange at JYU

Apply to ISEP exchange first by filling in the JYU online application. The annual application round the following academic year begins on 1 October and ends on 1 November. 

Study plans to three universities must be included in the application. Applicants will be informed of the selections by December. The selection is made by the Director of Student and Academic Services based on the proposal of the student exchange selection committee.

Application instructions

Step 2: Applying for ISEP exchange in the ISEP application portal

After you have been nominated for ISEP exchange by JYU, you are required to fill in the application in the ISEP application portal. List 10 universities in which you wish to study. List at least two programs that have a “good” or better. ISEP sends your application to one of the universities you have listed. Often, applicants are requested to fill in the application of the host university as well. ISEP is able to place approximately 95% of the applicants and approximately 95% of the applicants are accepted by the host university. However, please note that there are also very competitive ISEP universities in which is can be difficult or very difficult to be accepted.

Chances of being selected to ISEP exchange

As ISEP exchange is based on reciprocity, the annual number of ISEP placements depends on the number of ISEP students coming to JYU. 

ISEP exchange experiences

Travel reports are a great way to read about the experiences JYU students have had during their exchange. Follow also the ISEP Ambassadors through social media.

Contact us

Questions about internationalisation? For guidance on student exchange, please contact us through HelpJYU.