Erasmus+ aims to improve the quality of higher education and strengthen its world dimension. It does this by encouraging transnational cooperation between universities, fostering the non-European mobility of students and teachers, and contributing to improved transparency and academic recognition of qualifications and studies throughout the non-European countries.
A Step-by-Step Guide
STEP 1
Contact your Local Erasmus+ Coordinator at your home University If you intend to study at Istanbul Kultur University to first check if our universities have an inter-institutional agreement between them. After this, discuss your application with her/him. If there isn't an inter-institutional agreement between our universities but you are interested in studying at IKU write to the Erasmus+ Coordinator of our University and suggest the implementation of an inter-institutional agreement. If they are willing to cooperate, we will establish an inter-institutional agreement and after the existence of this agreement you can proceed to the next step.
STEP 2
You need to be officially nominated to IKU by your Erasmus+ Office via a portal named KION.
Nomination Deadline:30 June (for Fall Term or Full Academic Year)
Application Deadline: 12 July (for Fall Term or Full Academic Year)
Nomination Deadline:30 November (for Spring Term)
Application Deadline: 12 December (for Spring Term)
STEP 3
Check the courses at our university
https://akademikpaket.iku.edu.tr/EN/ects_bolum.php?m=1&p=11&f=4&r=0&ects=ders.
At this address you can find the list of subjects available at our university. You will use them to fill in the learning agreement. The learning agreement includes all course units you are planning to follow at our university. Please pay attention to the fact that your learning agreement should only contain courses that are taught during the period of your stay (e.g. fall semester courses for students visiting us in the fall term and spring semester courses for students visiting us in the spring term).
The maximum workload per semester should not surpass 30-34 ECTS for undergraduate students and 30 ECTS for Master/PhD students.
If you have academic questions concerning the curricula of a certain programme or if you are unsure about the language of instruction of a course, you can always contact the IKU Erasmus+ Office.
STEP 4
Fill in the application documents in the section BEFORE MOBILITY and obtain from your institution's responsible persons the necessary signatures. Note we do not accept handwritten/incomplete documents.
STEP 5
Send Your application documents via KION.
In case of missing information/incomplete documents we will contact you to ask for specific updates.
Once your application is approved you will receive a WELCOME TO IKU! email including a Letter of Acceptance. If you have any questions, please contact via uib@iku.edu.tr
STEP 6
Optional Language Courses
Istanbul Kultur University provides Turkish language courses for Erasmus+ students which are held in the Department of Turkish Language and Literature.
You can choose different learning levels according to your Turkish language proficiency (Elementary or Intermediate).
STEP 7
Insurance Information
Health Insurance
All exchange students are obliged to obtain health insurance. The health insurance must cover your whole stay in Türkiye. You may choose one of the health insurance options below:
- General Health Insurance by the Turkish Social Security Institution
- Social Security agreements between certain countries and Turkish Social Security Institution
- A private insurance company in the home country
- A private insurance company in Turkey
You should carefully read the information on the insurance options.
STEP 8
Accommodation Arrangements
Apartment rentals in Istanbul can be expensive. Also, be sure to carefully read your lease or other agreements to rent an apartment before signing and make certain that you understand the terms. The owner/landlord will probably ask you for money before you move in. This is called a security deposit, and it is usually set at one/two months' rent. The deposit is an amount of money that is supposed to guarantee that the tenant will care for the property and will not leave the apartment before the lease ends. If the tenant does not care for the property, wants to leave the apartment too early or clean it before leaving, the landlord has a legal right to keep the deposit. Otherwise, the landlord must return it.
STEP 9
Visa Procedures
Exchange students are advised to acquaint themselves with the necessary formalities in connection with their entry to and residence in Türkiye. Students can find travel information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Consular Procedures of Republic of Turkey. If you need further information, please contact the foreign representation (embassy/consulate) of Türkiye in your home country. See here for the contact data of the relevant foreign representation.
Please note that incoming students are responsible for applying for a visa themselves. The International Office is not involved in the application process. As processing a visa application may take a long time, you are advised to file your application as soon as possible.
STEP 10
Enroll at Your Home University
Before leaving your home country, ensure you are officially enrolled at your home University.
STEP 11
Arrival at IKU
According to the information provided in your Acceptance letter, IKU Erasmus Office will organize an Orientation programme for incoming students one week before the courses start and students will be informed in advance about how it will take place.
STEP 12
Within a month after the beginning of your courses at IKU, if you need to change the initially proposed learning agreement, you should contact the Erasmus+ Coordinator of your home University to get approval for the changes.
Then you will have to complete the Changes to Learning agreement document and make sure it is approved both by IKU representatives and your home university's representatives.
STEP 13
Course Completion
After you have completed your study programme, a Transcript of Records will be handed out by the Faculty and the ECTS for the subjects mentioned in the learning agreement will be integrated into your curriculum at your home institution.
This transcript is sent to your home University and to your private email after the deadline for grade presentation. Before your departure from IKU, you should visit our Office to obtain your Certificate of Mobility.
