1. What does the Office of International Programs (OIP) do?

The Office of International Programs supports the internationalization of both education and research at Koç University.

The Office of International Programs (OIP) works in order to increase the awareness regarding Koç University in the field of international higher education, to ensure that it is one of the prestigious universities, to increase the number of students coming to Koç University from different countries through student mobility, and to ensure Koç University students benefit from different exchange programs. In addition, OIP provides the introduction of the university and Turkey to students coming from abroad through international projects or programs it has designed, guiding the initiation of scientific collaborations with institutions and experts abroad, in line with the fields of expertise of the scientists working at Koç University and the strategic priorities of Koç University. It aims to ensure a smooth adaptation process by providing various support/integration services for foreign faculty members, employees, and students who are part of the Koç University community.

In this way, OIP plays an active role in Koç University’s internationalization efforts and supports the internationalization of both education and research by working closely with faculty members in order to be at the top of international rankings.

2. What are the types of exchange programs? How and when can you apply for exchange programs?

The Exchange Programs and International Partnership Development unit, established under the Koç University Office of International Programs, allows you to study one or more semesters (Fall/Spring/Summer) at our global partner higher education institutions during your undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate studies at Koç University. Erasmus+, Erasmus+ Worldwide, Global Exchange, UNIC Virtual Mobility, Summer Exchange, and Research Mobility are the exchange programs Koç University Office of International Programs (OIP) offers to all KU students. Furthermore, students can apply to Erasmus+ and Erasmus+ Worldwide Internship programs and benefit from the funding opportunities for their internships abroad.

You can study at one of our 300 global partners, spreading to more than 60 countries such as The Netherlands, Germany, The United States, Thailand, Canada, Japan, China, The UK or South Korea without paying a tuition fee to the partner university for the exchange semester. The courses that you will take at the partner university during your exchange will be planned with your Faculty Exchange Coordinators and advisors prior to the start of your exchange semester.

Each student, provided that the student matches the application and selection criteria, can apply for all exchange programs (Erasmus+, Erasmus+ Worldwide, Global Exchange, Summer Exchange, and Research Mobility). Students who apply for Erasmus+ and Erasmus+ Worldwide programs will have the right to receive Erasmus+ grants allocated by the Turkish National Agency. Koc University OIP also offers scholarship opportunities for Global Exchange applicants who meet certain criteria to receive scholarships.

Global Exchange Applications:

The dates for the applications are announced through our Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods.

How to Apply? 

Students can apply online through the KUAPP system (https://kuapp.ku.edu.tr) There is also a demonstration video on our website.

The minimum GPA to apply for Global Exchange is 2.50 for undergraduates; 3.00 for postgraduate students. Students can apply using one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS, KUEPE 60 and they can apply using their expired TOEFL/IELTS scorecards.

Documents required for online application are specified on the website and announced to students via e-mail and on KU Daily with each application round.

Where can the students see the universities suitable for their department? 

From the OIP website (https://oip.ku.edu.tr) > Exchange Programs > Institutional Partners List, students can see the list of our Global Exchange partner universities by using the filters on the page.

Each of our partner universities has up-to-date information on the OIP website. On the partner pages, you will be able to see where the partner university is located; which faculties and departments are under our agreement; websites, most recent fact sheets, the minimum GPA and minimum language scores that the student must have in order to be eligible to apply for an exchange program offered by OIP.

Students can do their research on the universities they want to study at according to all the information provided on our website and complete their applications for the exchange programs.

Students can see the courses that they can take during their exchange semester on the websites of the partner institutions. In addition to this, students can also consult their departmental exchange coordinators for course equivalency and transfer procedures.

Students can also apply to receive the Global Exchange Scholarships. The Scholarships are need-based and distributed after careful evaluation of students’ financial status.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round.

Erasmus+ Exchange Applications:

The dates for the applications are announced through our Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods.

How to Apply?

Students can apply online through the KUAPP system (https://kuapp.ku.edu.tr)

The minimum GPA to apply for Erasmus+ Exchange is 2.20 for undergraduates; 2.50 for postgraduate students. Students can apply using one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS KUEPE 60 and they can apply using their expired TOEFL/IELTS scorecards.

Documents required for online application are specified on the website and announced to students via e-mail and on KU Daily with each application round.

Where can the students see the universities suitable for their department?

From the OIP website (https://oip.ku.edu.tr) > Exchange Programs > Institutional Partners List, students can see the list of our Erasmus+ partner universities by using the filters on the page.

Each of our partner universities has up-to-date information on the OIP website. On the partner pages, you will be able to see where the partner university is located; which faculties and departments are under our agreement; websites, most recent fact sheets, the minimum GPA and minimum language scores that the student must have in order to be eligible to apply for an exchange program offered by OIP.

This exchange program is established with the European Union countries and the student must plan the courses amounting to 30 ECTS (15 KU) credits.

Students can do their research on the universities they want to study according to all the information provided on our website and complete their applications for the exchange programs.

Students can see the courses that they can take during their exchange semester on the websites of the partner institutions. In addition to this, students can also consult their departmental Erasmus+ coordinators for course equivalency and transfer procedures.

Our outgoing students will be able to receive the grant based on the budget given to our University by the Turkish National Agency.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round.

Erasmus+ Worldwide:

Erasmus+ Worldwide is a program that enables students to participate in Erasmus Study Mobility in countries outside of Europe. The institutions that are open to exchange within the scope of this program may vary each academic year.

The dates for the applications are announced through our Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods.

How to Apply?

Students can apply online through the KUAPP system (https://kuapp.ku.edu.tr)

The minimum GPA to apply for Erasmus+ Worldwide Exchange is 2.20 for undergraduates; 2.50 for postgraduate students. Students can apply using one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS KUEPE 60 and they can apply using their expired TOEFL/IELTS scorecards.

Where can the students see the universities suitable for their department?

Students will be able to see updated partner destinations in the announcements. Furthermore, from the OIP website (https://oip.ku.edu.tr) > Exchange Programs > Institutional Partners List, students can see the list of our Erasmus+ Worldwide partner universities by using the filters on the page.

Each of our partner universities has up-to-date information on the OIP website. On the partner pages, you will be able to see where the partner university is located; which faculties and departments are under our agreement; websites, most recent fact sheets, the minimum GPA and minimum language scores that the student must have in order to be eligible to apply for an exchange program offered by OIP.

This exchange program is established with the European Union countries and the student must plan the courses amounting to 30 ECTS (15 KU) credits.

Students can do their research on the universities they want to study according to all the information provided on our website and complete their applications for the exchange programs.

Students can see the courses that they can take during their exchange semester on the websites of the partner institutions. In addition to this, students can also consult their departmental Erasmus+ coordinators for course equivalency and transfer procedures.

If the students meet the eligibility criteria and get selected, they receive a fixed monthly grant for the duration of their exchange, regardless of their exchange destination. They will also be eligible to receive a travel grant based on the distance of the partner institution.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round.

Erasmus+ & Erasmus+ Worldwide Internship Mobility:

The dates for the applications are announced through our Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods.

How to Apply?

Students can apply online through the KUAPP system (https://kuapp.ku.edu.tr)

For Erasmus+ Internship Mobility, students must find their internship placement themselves and apply for the program if they are accepted for an internship in Europe, at an institution suitable for their department. For Erasmus+ Worldwide Internship Mobility, students must find an internship position in one of the countries outside of Europe, as announced by OIP.

The internship must last for a minimum of two months.

The minimum GPA to apply for Erasmus+ and Erasmus+ Worldwide Internship Exchange is 2.20 for undergraduates; 2.50 for postgraduate students. Students can apply using one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS KUEPE 60 and they can apply using their expired TOEFL/IELTS scorecards.

Our Erasmus+ and Erasmus+ Worldwide internship students will be able to receive the grant based on the budget given to our University by the Turkish National Agency.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round.

UNIC Virtual Mobility

UNIC – The European University of Post-Industrial Cities is a unique alliance of ten universities in post-industrial cities that all face similar challenges and opportunities in terms of mobility, inclusion, and diversity. The UNIC alliance is established within the scope of the European Universities Initiative framework of the European Commission. UNIC Universities are:

  • Erasmus University Rotterdam (Rotterdam, Netherlands)
  • Koç University (İstanbul, Türkiye)
  • Ruhr University of Bochum (Bochum, Germany)
  • University College Cork (Cork, Irland)
  • University of Deusto (Bilbao, Span)
  • University of Liège (Liege, Belgium)
  • University of Oulu (Oulu, Finland)
  • University of Zagreb (Zagreb, Croatia)
  • Malmö University (Malmö, Sweden)
  • University of Łódź (Łódź, Poland)

Since 2021 UNIC has been opening a multidisciplinary course catalog for all UNIC students for Virtual Mobility which is a new opportunity for students who like to experience international exchange at home.

Virtual Mobility means Koç University students and partner institution students attending the courses in their own institutions without physically leaving it, while also attending and completing courses of the host institution in a virtual environment.

Applications are opened twice in a year for Virtual Mobility (August and January).  The dates for the applications are announced through Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods

The list of the courses that are open to Virtual Mobility are shared with application announcement.

How to apply?

Students can apply online through a form shared by UNIC Mobility Hub. The minimum GPA to apply for Virtual exchange is 2.20 for undergraduates; 2.50 for postgraduate students.

Students can apply using one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS KUEPE 60 and they can apply using their expired TOEFL/IELTS scorecards. As a certificate of English language proficiency, Master’s and Doctoral program students can submit one of the following: GRE Verbal Reasoning minimum score of 135 or GMAT Verbal Session score minimum of 15.

Due to the nature of the virtual exchange, which basically means following courses from one’s home country, there is no grant provided for virtual exchange.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round. 

Summer Exchange Programs:

The dates for the applications are announced through our Application & Selection Calendar. Specific application dates for each application round are announced via e-mail and KU Daily close to the application periods.

How to Apply?

Students can apply online through the KUAPP system (https://kuapp.ku.edu.tr)

The minimum GPA to apply for Summer Exchange is 2.20 for undergraduates; 2.50 for postgraduate students. The students must have one of the minimum language scores of Koç TOEFL 550/TOEFL IBT 80 or 6.5 IELTS in order to apply for the program.

Documents required for online application are specified on the website.

Where can the students see the universities suitable for their department?

Students will be able to see updated partner destinations in the announcements. Furthermore, from the OIP website (https://oip.ku.edu.tr), Exchange Programs > Outgoing > Students > Summer Exchange, students can see the list of our Summer Exchange partner universities. Each of our partner universities has up-to-date information on the OIP website. On the partner pages, students will be able to see where the partner university is located; which faculties and departments are under our agreement; websites, most recent fact sheets, the minimum GPA and minimum language scores that the student must have in order to be eligible to apply for an exchange program offered by OIP.

The students can do their research on the universities they want to study at according to all the information provided on our website and complete their applications for the Summer Exchange program.

Results are announced both online and via e-mail after each application round.

Research Mobility Program:

Koç University students can also participate in the research mobility program offered by partner institutions during their education. While some partner institutions receive applications during certain periods, some institutions accept applications through open applications throughout the academic year. You can see our research mobility partners on our website > Exchange Programs > Outgoing > Students > Research Mobility.

3. How much are Erasmus + & Erasmus + Worldwide Student Learning Mobility grants?

Erasmus + Study Grant Amounts:

Countries In accordance with Daily Expenses Host Countries Monthly Study Mobility Grant (€)
1st and 2nd Group Program Countries Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Cyprus, Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Greece 600
3rd Group Program Countries Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Macedonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia 450

Erasmus+ Worldwide Grant Amounts:

Students who will participate in Erasmus+ Worldwide program at one of our partner institutions are eligible to receive a monthly grant of 700€. In addition to this grant, they are eligible to receive a travel grant. The amount of the travel grant is determined by calculating the distance between Istanbul and the destination country.

  Distance Travel 

Grants

10-99 km 20 €
100-499 km 180 €
500-1999 km 275 €
2000- 2999 km 360 €
3000-3999 km 530 €
4000- 7999 km 820 €
8000 km an above 1.500 €

4. What are the international projects and education programs? How can I apply?

Koç University students can earn credits by joining OIP’s short-term (3 to 5 weeks) summer programs that international students also attend on the KU campus. Students can also join week-long certificate programs without credits. OIP also organizes short programs abroad for KU students. More information on these programs is available here:

https://oip.ku.edu.tr/global-programs-and-projects/special-summer-and-winter-programs/

KU students can also participate in summer-term overseas education programs and volunteering projects organized by OIP. Detailed information about these programs can be found by clicking these two links:

https://oip.ku.edu.tr/global-programs-and-projects/special-summer-and-winter-programs/summer-study-abroad/

https://oip.ku.edu.tr/global-programs-and-projects/international-fellowship-programs/

 

Global Learning and Leadership for Sustainability Certificate Program

Global Learning and Leadership for Sustainability (GLLS) is a co-curricular program for Koç University undergraduate students to complement their academic studies with a hands-on approach. The comprehensive program aims to enable students to acquire global competence and to develop personal and professional skills to thrive in a 21st century world. The program includes workshops, talks, retreats, service-learning programs, international learning expedition opportunities, projects and internships. GLLS is coordinated by the Office of International Programs with the academic consultancy of the College of Administrative Sciences and Economics, providing learning experiences that contribute to the development of students.

KU Global Aid

KU Global Aid is a voluntary community seeking sustainable solutions to the problems in Turkey and around the world. After identifying the current problems, it creates projects and activities to build a more sustainable world with awareness. KU Global Aid receives support from Koç University’s Office of International Programs. Its members are mostly undergraduate students of our university. KU Global Aid members come from different majors and academic levels. Members of the group are determined by a selection process in the fall semester, which includes written and oral evaluation sections. For detailed information, please visit: https://globalaid.ku.edu.tr

Youth Empowerment Program

Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is a mentoring program initiated by the Office of International Programs to inform and guide students who have a project idea to apply for the KA152 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange fund, on how to write and budget a project, how to find partners and submit applications. Launched in 2021, this program supports every student with project ideas that suit the KA152 project calls. Please follow the link for detailed information about KA152 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange projects and Youth Empowerment Program: https://oip.ku.edu.tr/yep/

For the video recording of the info session on YEP, please visit:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3rx2PxGiBQ

5. How can I come together with international students?

Office of International Programs (OIP) enables KU students to experience a cultural exchange and get together with international students by offering several opportunities with its programs and activities.

Exchange Programs Mentorship: Koc University students can be a part of the exchange journey of incoming exchange students by being a mentor to them. Another role of mentor students is to support Koç University students who want to participate or will participate in exchange programs.  Students who volunteer should apply and complete the selection process successfully to be a mentor for a semester. Thanks to the program, KU students get a chance to improve themselves in intercultural communication and leadership skills in a multicultural environment.

Koç Guides: The Koç Guides Program is a cross-cultural program coordinated by the International Community Services Office and volunteer Koç University students. It offers participants a variety of social and cultural activities throughout the academic year. Both international and local community members find either on or off-campus activities/events each week to join under the guidance of a local student. The International Community Services Office is a subdivision of the Office of International Programs (OIP).

Turkish Practice Hour: This is a weekly conversation club led by Turkish-speaking KU volunteers (student, staff, and faculty members) for Koç University members and their families who want to practice conversational Turkish in an informal setting. There are two online sessions each week; one for beginners and one for advanced. Those Koç University members can easily participate in the club by subscribing to the mailing list. Participants are expected to have basic Turkish knowledge to attend the sessions. The TPH does not claim to teach Turkish. It is a practice club. In the 2022-2023 academic year, this event is planned to be held in person as “Turkish Coffee Hour.”

Buddy Program: The International Student Buddy Program is a semester-long volunteering opportunity for KU students to assist new degree-seeking international students during their adaptation process to life at KU & Istanbul.

With students’ support in the voluntary Buddy Program, they will have the chance to learn about other cultures, make new friends, improve their interpersonal skills, and receive a certificate at the end of the program. The outstanding volunteers at the end of the semester receive awards from the ICO based on the ICO’s special pointing system.

International Student Club (ISC): Koç students can take part in cultural activities for Turkish and International students throughout the semester/academic year by being a member of ISC. ISC aims to raise awareness on the topics such as intercultural communication and diversity.

Activities/Events Organized by OIP: During the year, OIP organizes events that bring together international exchange students and Koç University students who have just returned to KU or who are about to leave KU for an exchange semester. The purpose of these activities is to enable students to learn more about the institution/city/country they will go to and to establish bonds with students from these institutions/cities/countries.

Turkish Hospitality Experience Program: This program brings exchange students together with Koç University students’ and staffs’ families to give exchange students a unique experience of Turkish culture and hospitality while helping them integrate into life in Turkey. There is a wide range of opportunities from visiting a Turkish family for a family meal, dinner, spending weekends, etc. Interested students can consult with their Incoming Exchange Students advisor upon their admission.

6. What is the International Community Services Office (ICO), and what services does it provide to international students?

The International Community Services Office (ICO) is a subdivision of the Office of International Programs (OIP) serving the KU International Community since 2014 on a variety of community-related topics. One of the leading services of ICO is immigration advising and residence permit application support. The office provides pre- and after-arrival support, develops resources to facilitate KU international community’s lives in Istanbul/ campus, creates intercultural sensitivity & cross-cultural programs, organizes multicultural events, and works towards enhancing the integration/ transition process of the KU international community.

Below, you can find a list of ICO’s communication channels to stay tuned and learn more about the office and its news & announcements:

Website: ico.ku.edu.tr/

Instagram: icokocuniv

Monthly Newsletter: ico.ku.edu.tr/about-us/monthly-newsletter

7. How can I find more information about the Office of International Programs?

More information on the programs and services offered by the Office of International Programs can be found here: http://oip.ku.edu.tr

OIP also publishes an online newsletter and it can be found here https://oip.ku.edu.tr/about/newsletter/.

We advise students to follow OIP’s social media accounts to follow recent news, participant feedback, and useful information.

Facebook: /kocunivoip
Twitter: /kocunivoip
Instagram: /kocunivoip
Youtube: /kocunivoip