Exchange semester at ITMO University

Exchange semester at ITMO University

Want to gain new insights into your favorite study subjects and expand your cultural horizons? Thinking about doing a double-degree Master’s program or pursuing your PhD at a university away from home? A semester exchange will be an excellent springboard for that experience. Studying at ITMO University will not only contribute to your academic and professional development but also enrich you with intercultural experience and personal skills which will no doubt contribute to your CV and advance you in your future career. Not to mention the fun you’ll have exploring our beautiful city of St. Petersburg and the rest of Russia while hanging out with people from all over the world!

One of Russia’s leading and most innovative higher education institutions and seven-time world programming champion, ITMO University offers dozens of educational tracks in a variety of cutting-edge scientific fields such as economics and innovations, IT and programming, control systems and robotics, as well as environmental studies, all taught by leading researchers and industry specialists.

The tentative list of courses to be offered in the 2024-2025 academic year is available via the link. Note that exchange students are also welcome to attend the courses offered within ITMO's international Master’s degree programs

And if you're still deciding, read about the experiences of students who participated in our exchange semester:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for exchange studies, you must:

  • be enrolled in a degree program at your home university;
  • be an undergraduate (3rd or 4th year) or a Master’s student;
  • be nominated for exchange studies by your home university;
  • have good academic performance;
  • have B1-B2 level of English;
  • be highly motivated to spend one/two semesters at ITMO University;
  • be a mature person able to take responsibility for your actions;
  • be ready to abide by the rules and regulations of the exchange program.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Fall semester:

  • Study period: September 1 – December 31
  • New Year holidays: January 1-10
  • Examination period: January 11-31

Spring semester:

  • Study period: February 1 – May 31
  • Examination period: June 
  • Holidays: July-August

ITMO Grading System

Russian grade to ECTS grade:

5 (excellent) = A (91-100%), high level of competence

4 (good) = B (83-90%) or C (74-82%), good general performance

3 (satisfactory) = D (67-73%) or E (60-66%), fair general performance

2 (unsatisfactory) = F (59% and less), failure

Passed = U/T (60% and more), ungraded test

*1 ECTS credit is equal to 36 academic hours (including in-class and individual learning)

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN EXCHANGE AT ITMO UNIVERSITY

Nomination

Before starting the online application for incoming students, please be sure to be nominated for the exchange studies by your home university. A person in charge of outgoing mobility at your home university should send the nomination details to ITMO International Office at incoming@itmo.ru (including your full name, your study program at the home university, and your email address).

Nomination deadlines

  • September 30 for the spring exchange studies
  • April 30 for the fall exchange or for the whole academic year

Online application

Please proceed with online application only after having been nominated by your home university.

Application deadlines

  • November 15 for exchange studies in spring

  • June 15 for exchange studies in fall or for the whole academic year

To complete the application, you will be required to:

  • enclose scanned copies of your valid passport, your transcript of records and English proficiency certificate (for non-native speakers). The latter may be either an international examination certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, FCE) or a certificate issued by your home university. Please note that all documents should be submitted in the PDF format.
  • select the courses you would like to study during your exchange at ITMO University.

Acceptance confirmation

After you complete the online application, you will receive a Letter of Acceptance from ITMO International Office (it will take 2-3 days).

Visa application

Last but not least, wait for your visa invitation (the invitation procedure takes up to 30 days).

Upon the reception of your visa invitation, you will be able to apply for a student visa.

After you obtain the student visa, book your flight and inform ITMO International Admission Office of the date and time of your arrival.

Still got questions?

Incoming Exchange

Lomonosova St. 9, office 2139c, St. Petersburg, Russia, 191002
ITMO International Office
Yulia Shik, Darya Pavlichenko
incoming@itmo.ru