It may not be as difficult as you think - we are here to help you arrange it...
Often it can be a quite long and dilatory process to go abroad, but as soon as the adventure begins, most students forget about all the previous troubles. Even though the exchange places are offered by SDU, you are still the one to take initiative and make sure that the exchange materializes. Below you can see how to go about it step by step.
► Prepare carefully
Use this booklet to find out what your possibilities are in relation to your degree, your language abilities and your wanderlust. Then search for more information about the universities that might be interesting for you. Use the homepages of the universities (find the links on our webpage), and drop by the International Office to borrow brochures or student reports from the relevant universities. Our experience tells us that the hardest part for the students is finding courses, so you need to be thorough when you do your research. Please be aware that it might not be possible for you to find updated information on course offerings, however. Sometimes you may need to settle for information about courses from previous semesters alone.
► Fill out a ‘learning agreement’ with your intended study programme
When you have found one or more study opportunities abroad, you need to put together a study programme for each place you apply for. Here you need to use the ‘learning agreement’ form, which is found on our webpage. The basic concept is to find information about the subjects you want to study abroad and then put them together as a study programme that can replace a number of courses that you have to take at SDU. You will need to find course descriptions as well as information about the number of credits for each course. If you are in doubt, you should contact your own academic student advisor (faglig vejleder) at SDU. We recommend that you apply for more than one place since this will give you a greater chance to go abroad.
► Apply for the exchange place or for a grant
Once you have constructed your study programme(s) abroad, you should fill out our digital application form on our webpage. The application form must be filled out on you computer, printed and then signed. You can either send it to us or hand it in at the International Office in Esbjerg or Odense. You need to enclose the following with your application:
- proposed learning agreement for each exchange place you apply for
- most recent SDU transcript of records including all examinations (i.e. both passed and failed)
- copy of BA diploma (if you are a graduate student)
If you choose to arrange a stay abroad individually, you also need to submit a description of your study abroad stay in which you note how far you are in planning the stay. Please enclose copies of relevant correspondence with the institution (if any). You do not need to have been officially admitted yet - you can forward a copy of your admission offer at a later stage, but please be aware of the host university's application deadline.
► Wait for nomination
When the application deadline expires, we begin to consider all incoming applications. If there are more applicants for the same place, we prioritize according to criteria agreed upon with each faculty. Primarily, the average grade will decide whom we nominate. Please note that the host institution may require a certain grade average for you to get the place, so just because you might get the exchange place - it doesn't automatically follow that you will be admitted to the host institution. Other factors may also be decisive, such as the number of passed exams and ECTS. With some exchange agreements, it is stated that the places should be distributed in a particular way between the faculties. Usually it is possible to be flexible when distributing the places, so that most applicants receive an exchange place.
► Apply for pre-approval from your study board
When you have been awarded an exchange place, you will need to have your proposed learning agreement approved by your study board. Send the learning agreement pertaining to your exchange place to your study board together with course descriptions. Each study board may have different rules that you need to be aware of.
► Apply for admission to the host university
Once your study programme has been approved by your study board, you are ready to apply for admission at the host university. The International Office will nominate you, and typically you receive an email from the host university. Typically you will receive an email from the host university to inform you about their application procedures. In case you don't hear anything, don't assume that everything is fine. Some universities expect you to follow their online application guidelines, so it is important that you are active in this process. When in doubt - contact the International Office here at SDU. Final acceptance should always come from the host institution. Later on you will receive information about the grant from e.g. Erasmus, Nordplus or Internationalization Fund - when applying for exchange, you automatically apply for a grant, too.