ISEP (INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM)

The University of Salzburg is part of the  International Student Exchange Program, a worldwide program, which offers the opportunity to study abroad within a network of around 300 Universities, including more than 150 institutions in the US. 


University of Salzburg students participating in the program are required to pay amonthly program fee of 800 €. The prgram fee covers a tuition waiver as well as room and board at the host institution.Participating students will also be exempt from paying the tuition fees in Salzburg during their studies abroad (Note: this does not apply for the ÖH (Austrian Student Union) fee, which still has to be paid in to avoid ex-matriculation).
In exchange, international ISEP students coming to Salzburg will benefit from the same exemptions during their study period at the University in Salzburg. The program fees paid by University of Salzburg students will be used to accomodate incoming ISEP exchange student in Salzburg.

Information on worldwide member institutions, as well as a search function by country and programs is available on the  ISEP-Website. 

Application deadlines:
Fall term (Winter Semester) and Full Year: February 1
Spring term: July 30

Application process

Step 1:
The students interested in taking part must inform themselves about the ISEP member universities and choose up to 9 possible universities for their application. Please pay attention to the information about the “chance of placement” according to the “Anticipated exchange openings” list on the ISEP website. Modules relevant to your current programme of study should be chosen for every university selected in the application. Please be aware that an important pre-requisite for a successful nomination through ISEP is the completion of the  TOEFL Test.

Step 2:
The next stage of the ISEP application continues online. You can find the link to the online application form  here. The following documents are part of the ISEP application and must be uploaded in their original form to the application portal.

• Transcript of Records (Studienerfolgsnachweis)
•  Language Proficiency Report
• Letter of motivation (in English, 300-500 words)
• 1  Academic Reference (written by a course leader from either the student’s main or secondary department at the University of Salzburg)
• Photocopy of passport

Step 3:
The application documents must be submitted online by the deadlines for the specific semester. Depending ont the number of slots availale, nominations will be made by the academic coordinator. Nominated ISEP students can apply for the Study Abroad grant. (Those receiving a study grant (“Studienbeihilfe”) from the Stipendienstelle, may apply for an additional study abroad grant at the grant office (Stipendienstelle). 

Step 4:
After the nomination has been made, students must wait for the placement at one of the universities of their choice. Students will be informed on the status of their placements by ISEP.. The signature on the Participant Placement Acceptance Form secures the study placement. ISEP will then issue a visa eligibility form (DS-2019), for visa application purposes..

Costs and funding
Nominated ISEP students can apply for the Study Abroad Grant at the International Office.
Cost breakdown
Costs to be paid to ISEP

  • USD 100 – application fee, to be paid when the application is
  • USD 450 – placement free (valid from 1.1.2015. If the student cannot be placed on the program the fee will be reduced to US $100.
  • US $73/month – ISEP compulsory insurance
  • €800/month (One Semester: 5 rates; two semesters: 10 rates). ISEP fee to be paid to University of Salzburg. Students will receive room and board at the host institution. We will use the money to pay for accommodation and meal stipends to the students coming to the University of Salzburg
  • Other general costs (also incurred by other Study Abroad students):
  • US $245 – TOEFL Test
  • Fees for student visa
    You can find out more information by contacting Benjamin Gauss in the International Relations Office (Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 18, 4th Floor, 5020 Salzburg) or Univ.-Prof. Dr. Ralph Poole at the Faculty for English and American Studies.