What is "nomination"?
Once you have accepted the offer for the exchange place, International Office will nominate you to the host university. Nominating you means that we will contact the host university and let them know that you have been chosen to do an exchange at their institution.
You are not accepted as an exchange student until the host university provides you with the final acceptance letter/email.
When will you be nominated?
Some universities open for nominations later than others: usually from February to May for exchange in the autumn semester, and from August to October for exchange in the spring semester. We therefore ask you to be patient and await further information.
What happens after the nomination?
Once the International Office has nominated you, you will typically receive an email from the host university about the application procedure. Some universities send the email right away and some send it after the nomination period has ended, so please be patient.
Note! Remember to check your SDU student email's junk folder regularly!
In case you do not hear anything, do not 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. If in doubt, you are welcome to contact the International Office.
Application to the host university
Below, you will find relevant information in regards to the application to your host university.
It takes time to obtain and gather the necessary documents, insurance, language test, visa, etc. We recommend that you to go through the host university’s admission requirements before you apply, to ensure you have everything ready to complete the application.
Most universities will send application instructions directly to students by email, so remember to check your SDU student email regularly (including the junk/spam folder). However, please be aware that not all universities send such information, so keep yourself updated on the university's website.
Good search words are the university name + incoming exchange.
From time to time, universities will change their admission requirements, and it is hence not possible to include them all here. You will need to check host university's website carefully.
If you get an exchange place you will not pay for tuition.
However, you will still need to pay for various living expenses, insurance, travel, books, etc.
You may need to prove that you have sufficient funds in advance in order to be admitted to the host university. Documentation could be Danish SU, a bank statement, support from parents, grants, etc. Please check out the host university's requirements.
If you have been offered an exchange place by SDU, you have automatically been awarded a grant to help you cover some of the costs. The grant depends on your destination.
The International Office will send you more information on the grant and the requirements to receive it, so remember to check your SDU student email.
Documentation that might be required
The host university will usually require you to hand in specific documents when you apply for enrolment as an exchange student. Examples of such documents can be:
- Letter of enrolment from SDU
- Documentation of English skills
- Reference letter
- Motivational letter
- Nomination letter
- Approval of exchange
- CV
- Certified grade transcript
How to obtain the documentation
As an exchange student, you will automatically receive a document from the International Office confirming your enrolment at SDU, your nomination, and your English skills based on your acceptance to SDU (CEFR level B2).
Please note that some universities might require you to complete an English language test, such as TOEFL or IELTS. Read more about the two tests in the section below.
A certified grade transcript can be ordered via SPOC > Registration and Educational Law > Verification of diplomas and transcripts
If a reference letter is required, we recommend that you reach out to one of your professors or the people in charge of your study programme and ask for their assistance, as the International Office cannot issue such letters.
Some universities require you to complete a certified English language test to be enrolled at the university.
If you travel under the Erasmus or Nordplus programme, you will most likely not be required to take a language test before admission, but it is expected that you have adequate languages skills in the language of instruction.
There are different kinds of languages tests - each with a separate score system. The host university will state the minimum score to get admitted. The results can usually be forwarded directly to host university or verified by the host university online.
We recommended that you brush up on your English grammar and spelling before taking the test. Remember to sign up early; places are often booked quickly.
Some of the most common English language tests are TOEFL and IELTS:
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL is the most widely recognized international language test. In Denmark, you can take the test at the test centers in Copenhagen or online.
For more information, visit www.ets.org/toefl
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
IELTS is almost as widely recognized as TOEFL. If your host university mentions the TOEFL test, you can often ask them whether they also accept the IELTS test. The test is offered in Copenhagen or online.
For more information, visit www.takeielts.britishcouncil.org
Make sure to comply with the host university’s application deadline for incoming exchange students.
The deadline is usually stated in the application information sent directly to you (if the university sent you an application information email) and on the university's website for incoming exchange students.
If you look for the deadlines yourself, make sure to find the deadline that applies to international exchange students. Many universities have seperate application deadlines for international exchange students and international full degree students, so make sure you find the deadline that applies to you as an exchange student.
Note that it typically takes 6-8 weeks for the host university to process your application. Final acceptance should always come from the host institution.