Exchanges outside Europe: Call for applications Nov 1-20, 2025

Call for exchange applications at the University of Oulu is open for exchanges through bilateral agreements, north2north programme, ISEP Programme and Erasmus+ global mobility.

General information

In this application round, you can apply for an exchange either for autumn 2026 or spring 2027. The exact dates of exchange are determined according to the host university's academic calendar. The duration of exchange is always one term per student unless otherwise stated.

If more than one student is selected for the same host university, students may be placed on exchange for different semesters. During their studies at the University of Oulu, students can be selected for each exchange programme once.

The Call is open from Sat, Nov 1 at 12:00 to Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 23:59.
Please note that the availability of exchange destinations is subject to change.

The online application and required application enclosures are submitted through the University of Oulu SoleMOVE online system. Students log in to SoleMOVE with their University of Oulu personal account. Late applications will not be considered.

For further information

Info sessions on the call for exchange

Requirements and guidelines on how to apply

The call for applications is open for all students studying for their Bachelor's or Master’s degree at the University of Oulu. When planning your exchange destination note that some universities are open only for specified field(s) or level of study. This information is specified in the destination information below. Check possible restrictions also from the host university website. Students are expected to get full recognition for the studies completed during the exchange. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the host university where you want to apply organizes courses relevant to your degree studies at the University of Oulu.

You can apply to a maximum of three (3) host institutions with one application. Please note that ISEP and north2north programmes are considered as one destination each.

GPA requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from all applicants, and it must be maintained throughout the application process. GPA is a crucial factor in selection, and strong academic performance can enhance an applicant's chances. Some destinations may have higher GPA requirements, so applicants should ensure they meet all specific criteria.

Previous studies

Applicants' studies must have progressed at or near the target rate of 60 credits per academic year. For first-year students, this rule will be applied as applicable.
Master’s level students: please present your Bachelor's degree transcript in the application if you have not completed your Bachelor's degree at the University of Oulu.

Language requirements

Applicants are required to have achieved at least the grade 8 in their general upper secondary education certificate (lukion päättötodistus). If you do not have the required certificate or grade, you should take the CEFR test in English administered by the Centre for Languages and Communication Lingua.

If you have previously taken a TOEFL or IELTS language test, you can use that certificate as proof of language skills in your SoleMOVE application. In this case, a CEFR test is not needed.

If you have an IB diploma or you have done a previous degree in English, a CEFR test is not needed. In this case, please provide the IB diploma or degree certificate as proof of language skills.

For selected students, the language requirements may differ according to the host university and exchange programme. Please note that, at this point, you do not need to take a TOEFL or IELTS test. These will be requested later in the process if required by your host university.

Required application enclosures

Required attachments that must be uploaded in the SoleMOVE system. Only Word or PDF formats are accepted:

Selection process

Exchange student selections are made based on

  • study plan
  • general motivation and motivation towards exchange studies
  • language skills
  • success in studies
  • interview

Interviews are organised in December 2025. More specific times for each country/destination will be provided after the Call for Applications has closed. Students who have submitted their applications in time and who are eligible to apply will be invited to interviews. Interviews are a compulsory part of the selection process. If a student fails to participate in the interview, it will be considered a withdrawal from the application process.

Cancellations in previous Calls for Applications may weaken the possibilities in the application process. Selections are made by a team that consists of members from Academic Affairs and the Faculty Study Services. All applicants are informed about the selections by Fri, December 19, 2025.

When a selected candidate has confirmed his/her selection in SoleMOVE, the application process continues according to the host university’s application process. The final decision is always made by the host university. If a candidate from the University of Oulu withdraws from the host university’s application process without an acceptable reason (medical reasons or equivalent), Academic Affairs charges a Cancellation Fee of 200 €.

Travel grants

Selected students will receive a University of Oulu travel grant of 2 200eur.

Academic Affairs reserves the right to changes.

international.office@oulu.fi

Destinations

Check the university information for details on which fields are available in each destination. Note that the list of destinations available is subject to changes. Destinations available in the Call will be confirmed by start of the application period.