ITMO University’s internationalization strategy is focused on building long-term partnerships in education and research, expanding contacts with its European partners, and diversifying the student body through internationalization. To that end, ITMO annually welcomes a large number of students from partner universities in Europe coming to participate in credit mobility projects. The European Union's Erasmus+ program supports academic mobility of students and staff from Europe who wish to experience the study and work environment of ITMO University.
Exchange students are entitled to study at ITMO University for one semester in English (please see the list of our English-taught courses here). Note that exchange students are also welcome to attend the courses offered within ITMO’s international Master’s degree programs. Partaking in a mobility program is only possible for students who come in the framework of a duly signed agreement in the relevant field of study between ITMO University and their home institution. At the end of the mobility period, students can obtain an official ECTS certificate of their studies at ITMO University.
In order to participate in the Erasmus+ mobility project with ITMO University, a student must be registered at a higher education institution which has an Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreement with ITMO University. The enrollment at the home institution must lead to a recognized degree or other recognized tertiary-level qualification (including Master’s degree and PhD). The home institution must also be a holder of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education.
Candidates are selected by their home university based on their academic merit, performance, motivation, language abilities and research topics pursued. Successful candidates will need to have expertise and technical skills in a relevant area of study. In case of equivalence, preference is given to candidates from socially and economically disadvantaged groups. All selected students will have to comply with the minimum English language skills requirement of B1-B2 level.
Students must be nominated for an Erasmus+ exchange at ITMO University by their home university. After that, they must also be accepted by ITMO University’s International Admission Office.
Deadlines for nomination: April 30 for the winter semester, September 30 for the summer semester.
Application deadlines: June 30 for the winter semester, November 15 for the summer semester.
Students with physical, mental or other health-related conditions may apply for additional funding after they have been selected to study abroad.
ITMO University will provide successful candidates with the information about Russian visas, registration procedures, housing, cultural activities, language courses, buddy system, visa support, accommodation search and insurance. Rooms at ITMO's dormitories will be booked well in advance for the duration of stay of each student. ITMO will also provide grantees with temporary student ID cards and organize their access to libraries.
The mobility semester starts with orientation days and ends with examinations.
ITMO offers a specially designed orientation and buddy program to help foreign students integrate. Grantees with special needs are welcome to make use of the support available. Exchange students will have an opportunity to enroll themselves into complementary Russian and English language courses. ITMO University also offers exchange students to partake in elective courses aimed at boosting their transversal skills.
The results of students' studies conducted at ITMO University will be academically recognized by their home universities using ECTS credit system as an integral part of the BSc / MSc / PhD programs. Upon successful completion of the six-month mobility period, Master’s students will receive 30 ECTS, PhD students will receive ECTS in accordance with their individual plan, and participants of two-month traineeships will obtain 15 ECTS.
Further information is available on the Erasmus+ website.