ISEP (International Student Exchange Program)

Participation Conditions

• The ISEP programme is intended for full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree students at Masaryk University.
• Applicants must be enrolled at MU in their 2nd to 4th year of study at the application deadline (i.e. the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of a bachelor’s programme; the 1st year of a master’s programme; or the 2nd to 4th year of a long-cycle master’s programme). Participation is also possible beyond the standard length of study.
• The standard duration of a study stay is one semester. A study stay in the United States may be followed by a work placement of the same length (Academic Training), which allows students to legally work in the USA in their field of study. More information can be found here.
• Students may participate in the programme only once during all their studies at MU.
• Students are required to earn at least 20 ECTS credits per semester at the host institution, or the equivalent in the credit system of the foreign university.
• After completing the stay, MU students are required to apply for recognition of courses/credits obtained abroad. More information can be found here.
• For students of law, medicine, and pharmaceutical studies at MU, careful consideration of participation in the programme for mobility to the USA (and other countries) is recommended due to differences in educational systems in these fields. Consultation with the academic coordinator at the home faculty is strongly advised. (With the consent of the home faculty, participation is possible.)
• If a student applies for study abroad during the master’s level (NMgr or the 4th and 5th year of a long-cycle master’s programme), we recommend careful selection of host institutions (checking course availability, number, and content in course catalogues) and consultation with the academic coordinator at the home department/faculty before submitting the online application.
• Within the ISEP programme, MU supports study only at universities outside Europe (however studying in the UK is allowed). (Mobility within Europe is possible through the Erasmus+ programme.)

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Financial Conditions

The host institution provides:

• tuition waiver at the host institution
• full-time study credited towards studies at Masaryk University (see information on recognition of results from study abroad)
• accommodation and meals covered by the host institution, or a scholarship to cover these costs (provided by the host university)

Masaryk University provides: 

• the maximum possible scholarship provided by CZS is CZK 20,000 per one month, provided that the student is physically present at the host university abroad. CZS makes efforts each year to secure funds for the provision of this scholarship; however, the award of the scholarship is not guaranteed and is not an entitlement. CZS reserves the right to reduce the scholarship amount or not to award it at all. If the stay is carried out in the spring semester, CZS is generally able to disburse the scholarship in February; therefore, the student must be financially prepared for this possible delay
• the scholarship is granted on the basis of an electronic application submitted in IS MU and after proper approval of the study agreement (Learning Agreement – LA) by all parties in IS OIS
• the scholarship is NOT provided for online study at the host university

Additional costs for outgoing students:

• financial contribution towards accommodation and meals for an incoming international student who will study at Masaryk University, payable for each semester of the outgoing student’s stay at the host university
• the contribution is paid immediately after payment of the administrative fee to ISEP and after payment of the ISEP placement fee, which the student confirms in the ISEP portal (by signing the Contract of Participation). The student will be invited to pay the contribution by the CZS coordinator via email. The amount is transferred to MU’s bank account on the basis of a donation agreement prepared by CZS
  • in the 2025/2026 academic year, the amount is CZK 55,000 per semester
  • in the 2026/2027 academic year, the amount is CZK 56,000 per semester
• administrative fees paid to ISEP for placement administration: 
  • non-refundable application fee: USD 100
  • placement fee: USD 450 (paid only after the student accepts placement at the host university)
• mandatory ISEP health insurance: approximately USD 100 per month (current rate); must cover the entire duration of study in full months
• travel costs
• study materials
• visa fees, including the SEVIS fee (USA)
• personal expenses: typically USD 200–450 per month
• other costs (vary depending on fees associated with staying in a specific country, language test fees, etc.)

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Application

Application process

The application process for the ISEP programme consists of two steps:

• 1. Submission of the CZS online application
  • The electronic application for the CZS selection procedure is available here. First, register using your UČO (if you do not yet have login credentials), and then complete the online application form. The application is typically available approximately two months before the current call.
• 2. Submission of the ISEP online application, which the student submits only after successfully passing the CZS selection procedure. Further information on completing the ISEP application will be provided by the CZS coordinator. Please do not create an ISEP application on your own without approval from the CZS coordinator.
  • Important notice: Nominated students will be required, for the application in the ISEP portal, to document their language proficiency according to the requirements of the host institutions (available for each institution on the ISEP website). The vast majority of institutions accept TOEFL or IELTS tests. Meeting the language requirements for the CZS selection procedure is not sufficient for the ISEP application. Please note: certificates issued by the University of Cambridge (i.e. FCE, CAE, and CPE) are generally not accepted. Carefully check the language requirements of the institutions you select. We recommend registering for a TOEFL or IELTS test before the end of the CZS selection procedure, so that you receive the results in time and can include them in your ISEP application. The test results must be available by 1 March for studies starting in the autumn semester, or by 15 September for studies starting in the spring semester. 
    

CZS Online Application

A student’s electronic application will be accepted into the selection procedure only if it is submitted by the specified deadline and contains all required attachments.

In the application, the student selects the universities at which they wish to study abroad. The minimum number is three, while the maximum is up to ten universities. 

The list of host universities available for selection can be found on the ISEP website (sekce Find a Program > Start a search > Select university (Masaryk University) > Select semester, year, language).

The number of selected universities is not a decisive criterion; however, applicants should take into account that selecting a higher number of universities increases the chance of successful placement (which is carried out by ISEP). For example, if you select only universities in highly competitive countries such as Australia and New Zealand, ISEP may not be able to place you at any of them and may offer you an alternative placement at its discretion.

Within the ISEP programme, Masaryk University supports study only at universities outside Europe; however, mobility to the United Kingdom is permitted. (Mobility within Europe is possible through the Erasmus+ programme.)

MU supports study only under the ISEP Exchange programme, not ISEP Direct.

Required documents

After completing all sections of the electronic application, you must upload the following documents to the online system. These documents form part of the CZS online application to the ISEP programme:

• Academic motivation letter in English and, if applicable, in another language in which you will study abroad (the number of letters corresponds to the number of institutions listed in the first three positions of the application, with a maximum of three institutions). In each letter, explain why the selected institution is suitable for the fulfilment of your academic plans (maximum one A4 page per institution). Be specific and clearly state your academic reasons for choosing each particular university. Motivation letters are a key part of the application; generic or copied information does not guarantee an invitation to the interview. 
• Proof of foreign language proficiency. If you intend to study in English, you must provide proof of English language proficiency for the CZS selection procedure.
  
  • Accepted documents include language certificates such as TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, or FCE (all at B2 level), or study of English as a degree programme at Masaryk University (Faculty of Education and Faculty of Arts).
  • Students enrolled in an English-taught programme at Masaryk University are not required to submit any English language tests or other documents for the purposes of the CZS selection procedure.
  • All other students must demonstrate their language proficiency by taking an English language test organised by the Centre for International Cooperation (CZS).
    • Registration for the English test can be submitted via an online form. 
    • Students who have taken this test in the past and wish to retake it must request approval from the CZS coordinator.
    • The test level corresponds to B2 according to the European classification. The test assesses listening comprehension, lexical and grammatical knowledge, and reading comprehension. The total duration of the test is 60 minutes. The date(s) of the English test can be found at the link above.
  • Important notice: Nominated students will be required, for their application in the ISEP portal, to provide proof of language proficiency in accordance with the requirements of the host institutions (available for each institution on the ISEP website). The vast majority of institutions accept TOEFL or IELTS tests. Meeting the language requirements for the CZS selection procedure is not sufficient for the ISEP application. Please note: certificates issued by the University of Cambridge (i.e. FCE, CAE, and CPE) are generally not accepted. Carefully check the language requirements of the institutions you select. We recommend registering for a TOEFL or IELTS test before the end of the CZS selection procedure, so that you receive the results in time and can include them in your ISEP application. The test results must be available by 1 March for studies starting in the autumn semester, or by 15 September for studies starting in the spring semester. Information on language proficiency requirements recognised by the ISEP programme can be found on the ISEP website.
• Preliminary study plan, completed and signed (by the student and the departmental coordinator). The plan includes courses at the host university in which the student is interested. This list is not yet binding with regard to the actual course enrolment. The form is available in the online application (ISOIS system). Students must plan at least 20 ECTS per semester. The number of study plans corresponds to the number of institutions listed in the first three positions of the application, i.e. a maximum of three institutions.
  
• Transcript of records from IS MU in English for all studies completed at Masaryk University, or other relevant higher-education studies declared in the application. MU transcripts can be generated by students in IS MU (Transcripts application).

After the application deadline, selected students may be invited to the second round of the selection procedure. This consists of a possible in-person interview in English (or in another language, depending on the language of instruction), during which the coordinators will discuss in detail the students’ academic motivation, study plans at the selected institutions, and other programme details. Interviews, if held, take place after the Christmas holiday period, and each interview typically lasts 10–15 minutes.

Only after the second round of the selection procedure has been completed will the final confirmation of successful candidates take place. All students will be informed of the results by email.

The following criteria are assessed in the electronic application:

• academic motivation letter
• proof of language proficiency
• preliminary study plan
• academic performance (percentile ranking of studies at MU)
• electronic application

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Before Departure

• You will be informed of the next steps by email by the programme coordinator once you have been selected in the CZS selection procedure.
• The next step is to complete the application in the portal of the ISEP organization. Based on this application, ISEP will place you at one of the universities you selected. All information related to this step will be communicated to you by the CZS coordinator. This coordinator will also handle the administrative procedures on the part of Masaryk University before your departure, will disburse your scholarship, and will remain your contact person at MU throughout the entire stay. Please inform us of any changes to your stay. Remember that even while abroad, you remain a student of MU.
• From the time of nomination, you will also be in contact with the ISEP coordinator (with whom you will deal with your ISEP application, placement, visa documents, insurance, etc.) and, after placement, with the coordinator at the host institution (with whom you will address course selection, the Learning Agreement, etc.).
• Students are required to conclude a study agreement (Learning Agreement). It must be completed ONLINE in IS OIS (see the Guide to completing the Learning Agreement online in the Documents section).
• The Learning Agreement must be consulted with the authorised person at the MU department/faculty of the study programme through which the student is going abroad. The authorised person proposes the method of recognition of studies and, by their electronic signature, confirms that the courses completed abroad will be recognised upon the student’s return.
• The Learning Agreement is then electronically signed by the CZS coordinator and subsequently automatically sent for approval to the host institution.
• MU accepts only electronic Learning Agreements completed in ISOIS.
• Students must earn at least 20 ECTS credits per semester while abroad.
• Students must register the study stay in IS MU (Personal Administration section – Personal Data) and upload the signed Learning Agreement (at least signed by the authorised MU representative) to IS MU.
• In cooperation with CZS and the host university coordinator, students must arrange visas, flights, accommodation, and other requirements themselves.
• When purchasing airline tickets, we recommend taking out cancellation insurance.
• Students may apply for a scholarship to support study abroad. To do so, they must submit an electronic Application for the Award of a Scholarship Abroad in IS MU (the link is sent by the CZS coordinator by email). The scholarship is most often paid before the start of the stay. The application must be submitted with accurate expected start and end dates of study (not of the stay), no earlier than one month before the planned start.
• The scholarship is paid in a single instalment to the Czech-currency bank account listed in IS MU, provided it falls within one calendar year. In the case of an additional payment in a new calendar year, a second instalment is sent automatically, without the need to submit a new application. 

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While Abroad

• Students are entitled to make changes to the Learning Agreement; however, such changes must be made no later than 4 weeks after the start of the semester at the host institution.
• All changes to the Learning Agreement must be electronically approved by both the sending and the receiving institution.
• Students complete changes to the Learning Agreement online in ISOIS, in accordance with the Guide to completing the Learning Agreement and its changes (available in the Documents section).
• Before the end of the study stay abroad, students must have the Confirmation of Studies document (confirmation of the actual duration of the study stay) signed (available for download directly in the application in ISOIS) and must also ensure the issuance of a transcript of records, or any other documents required for the recognition of completed credits/courses.

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After Return

• The student must upload the Confirmation of Studies (confirmation of the actual duration of the study stay) to the ISOIS application within 10 days after the end of the study stay.
• The student must upload the Transcript of Records (showing courses completed abroad and credits earned, minimum 20 ECTS) to the ISOIS application. It is recommended to check in advance how the document will be issued, as it is often provided only after students return, preferably within 5 weeks after the end of the study stay.
• The student must prepare a final report of the study stay, ideally within 30 days after the end of the stay. The report is completed online in the ISOIS database (select Final Reports in the Overview of Open Programmes section).
• After completing the study abroad, the student must submit a request for recognition of courses/credits earned abroad. The recognition of courses/credits is fully within the competence of the individual faculties/departments/institutes and authorised MU person. More information can be found here.

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Work Placement – Academic Training

Students may follow their study stay in the USA with a work placement of the same duration (Academic Training). The internship usually takes place after the study stay and must be related to the student’s field of study.

• For one-semester ISEP students, it is possible to extend the US visa (and thus the period during which they can undertake the work placement) by up to 4 months.
• For students who go on a full-year ISEP study stay, it is possible to extend the US visa (and the work placement period) by up to 9 months.
• Students must provide proof of financial support if the work placement is unpaid.
• Additionally, students must obtain work authorization for ISEP once they receive a job offer from an employer.
• The Academic Training internship may be supported by a scholarship from CZS MU, up to the same amount as the study stay scholarship. CZS makes efforts each year to secure funds for this scholarship; however, the award is not guaranteed and is not an entitlement. CZS reserves the right to reduce the scholarship amount or not award it at all. To be eligible, the work placement must be approved by the home department, registered in IS, and approved in the Traineeship Agreement.

Further information on the requirements for obtaining a work placement can be found on the ISEP website and from the coordinators. For MU students, only the second option applies – Academic Training Internship (during or directly after your studies).

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FAQ

I noticed on the ISEP website that it is possible to complete an application there as well. Where should I apply – in ISOIS or on the ISEP website?

You submit your application first to Masaryk University via the ISOIS application portal. Only after you are selected by MU will you submit an application to ISEP. Please do not create an application in the ISEP portal without being invited to do so; you will be informed of all steps by us well in advance.

Can I use an old transcript of records?

The transcript must be as up to date as possible. You must submit the transcript from the programme of study under which you are applying for the stay.

What if I am only in the first semester of a follow-up master’ degree programme?

In that case, please also upload the Diploma Supplement from your bachelor’s studies.

I took an English test for an Erasmus+ stay, can it be recognised?

No. The English test taken for Erasmus+ stays cannot be recognised for the ISEP programme. You must register for and take the CZS English test. Likewise, this test cannot be recognised for Erasmus+ applications.

Can I take the CZS English test more than once?

You may take the test only once per cycle/semester.

I already took the CZS English test in the past. Can my results be recognised?

Students who took the test in the previous selection round may have those results counted towards the current application. Results from older tests cannot be recognised, and the test must be taken again.

I hold an FCE/CAE/CPE certificate. Is this sufficient to meet the language requirements?

Yes, for admission to the MU selection procedure. For MU, it is important to verify that the student’s English level is sufficient to successfully complete studies abroad. However, this is usually not sufficient for the application in the ISEP portal or for placement at host universities. Carefully check the language requirements of the host institutions on the ISEP website. The vast majority of institutions accept only TOEFL or IELTS. We recommend registering for a TOEFL or IELTS test before the end of the CZS selection procedure, so that you can include the results in your ISEP application and do not miss the deadline. The ISEP portal application must be complete by 15 February for studies starting in the autumn semester, or by 1 September for studies starting in the spring semester.

What should I include in my motivation letter?

In motivation letters, we are primarily looking for information about what attracted you to the specific host institution and why you want to study there. The focus should be mainly on academic goals. Do not use a copy-and-paste approach. If we see three motivation letters with identical text, differing only in the name of the university, they will not be evaluated positively. The overall formatting and quality of the text also matter.

Whom should I address the motivation letters to, and who will read them?

Address the motivation letters in general terms. They are used for the internal selection procedure at MU (CZS), but may also be used for your ISEP application to the host institution if you are successfully nominated.

How should I choose courses and where should I deal with ECTS conversion?

Please consult your departmental coordinator regarding course selection and recognition, including ECTS credit conversion. If necessary, the coordinator may also consult the preliminary study plan with CZS MU.

Is the list of courses in the preliminary study plan final/binding?

No. The list is not final. If you are admitted to the programme, it is possible to change the list, always in consultation with the departmental coordinator.

When do I need to request an academic reference?

Students who successfully pass the CZS selection procedure and are nominated for the ISEP programme will be required to ask a faculty member to provide an academic reference. In the ISEP application (in the ISEP portal), the student must enter the teacher’s email address. The teacher will then receive a request to write and upload a letter of recommendation. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the teacher completes this step.

Can you advise me on how to search for suitable host universities?

Certainly. As a first step, exclude universities that are not available through ISEP. First, Masaryk University does not send students to European universities via ISEP; for Europe, the Erasmus+ programme is used. Second, there are two types of ISEP programmes: Direct and Exchange. MU students may apply only for ISEP Exchange. Pay close attention to the programmes offered on university websites, many institutions offer both types.

Use the ISEP Study Abroad website, where you can set various search filters (a video tutorial is available there).

When selecting universities, check the “Chances of Placement” on each university’s profile. If a university is marked as “most competitive” or “very limited/limited”, be prepared that you are unlikely to be placed there, and rank another preferred university with better Chances of Placement higher on your list. An overview of Chances of Placement is available on the ISEP website.

I am (or will be during the stay) a master’s student. Does this affect my choice of universities?

Not all universities accept graduate (master’s) students. This must be verified on the individual university profiles on the ISEP website. Carefully review each university and its course offerings in your field to ensure there is a sufficient selection. Then consult your choice with the guarantor of your programme or the designated academic coordinator at your department/faculty (authorised person).

Also make sure that the course offerings include face-to-face courses, not only online ones (online-only courses can cause visa issues). This problem may arise especially at the master’s level.

Can I apply as a doctoral (PhD) student?

Theoretically, yes. It depends on whether the university accepts doctoral students for mobility. In the list of universities, you can use additional filters and select Academic Level: PhD.

What are my chances of being selected for an ISEP stay?

If you complete the ISOIS application correctly and in detail and submit all required documents on time, your chances are relatively high. Many students cannot be included in the selection procedure due to deficiencies in their applications. If you make sure your application is complete and your academic motivation is clearly demonstrated in the motivation letters, it then comes down mainly to competition among applicants. The number of applicants varies each year, so it is not possible to determine a fixed success rate. If you are unsure about anything related to your application, do not hesitate to contact the pre-nomination coordinator.

How soon after the application deadline will I know the results?

After the application deadline, selected students will be invited to the second round of the selection procedure. This involves a personal interview, during which you and the coordinator will clarify whether you correctly understand the programme conditions. Interviews take place after the Christmas period, usually by mid-January. Only after the second round has been completed will the final selection of successful candidates be made. All students will be informed of the results by email.

Will I know immediately after being successfully selected by CZS which university I will attend?

Placement at a specific university is carried out by ISEP, not by CZS.

How does ISEP place students at individual universities?

The key factor in placement is whether you meet the admission requirements of all institutions listed in your preferences (pay particular attention to language proficiency requirements). You should also consider the “Chances of Placement” for each institution and include in your list some universities with “fair” and “good” chances, not only highly competitive ones. Placement then depends primarily on available capacity. You can usually expect notification of your specific placement from ISEP approximately one to two weeks after the application deadline.

If CZS does not place me directly, can I still revise my choice of universities to improve my chances of placement?

Yes. The selection of universities listed in the CZS application can still be modified in the ISEP application. Until the ISEP application is officially confirmed, the selection is not final. If you want to be sure about your placement options, contact your ISEP coordinator.

What are the chances of being placed at universities in Australia or New Zealand?

The Australia–New Zealand region is highly competitive, and there is only a small chance that ISEP will be able to place you at an institution in this region. Capacities are limited, while global demand far exceeds availability. Take your time and look for institutions in other countries that suit both your academic field and personal interests.

Is it possible that ISEP will not be able to place me at any of my selected universities? What happens then?

Yes, this can happen, for various reasons. If ISEP is unable to place you at any of your selected universities, it will offer you an alternative placement based on your field and level of study. If you do not find the alternative acceptable, you are not obliged to accept the nomination. No further alternatives will be offered by ISEP. For this reason, we recommend preventing such situations by including at least one or two institutions with “fair” or “good” Chances of Placement in your list.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact the ISEP coordinators. They will be happy to help.

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