General Queries
What is an exchange semester?
An exchange semester is a period, usually lasting around four to six months, during which a student studies at a different educational institution abroad. Exchanges can be of different types, students can privately apply to different universities to become visiting students, they can also apply for opportunities such as UGRAD, or they can be nominated under a bilateral exchange agreement. However, the OIA deals with the last category, the bilateral exchange agreement.
What is a bilateral exchange agreement?
A bilateral exchange agreement is a formal agreement between two educational institutions, which outlines the terms and conditions for student exchanges. During this program, the tuition fees for the student will only have to be paid to the home institution and not the host institution. All other expenses such as visa, travel costs, accommodation, and personal expenses are borne by students.
Is there any funded exchange program?
Yes, different types of funding apply to a few exchange programs, which are announced along with the call for application. One example of this is the FH Joanneum exchange, which gives students an opportunity to apply for the Ernst-Mach grant which covers travel and living expenses. Similarly, the AMERTA program at Airlangga provides a living stipend to students.
Where can I apply for an exchange?
The full list of our global partners is available on our website here.
What semesters can I apply to for an exchange?
Exchange semesters are usually announced for spring and fall, almost all partners are announced for both semesters. Summer exchange programs are slightly different, as some of them are dedicated international summer programs with a separate fee structure. To learn more about summer exchanges you can visit the OIA office.
Applying for Exchange
How do I apply for an exchange semester and is there a limit on the number of selected students?
The exchange applications are announced in groups, depending on partner deadlines. These announcements are emailed to all students, within which the deadline and application form is given. There is no limit on how many times a student can apply or how many universities they apply for.
The student numbers are dependent on the MoU we have with a partner, in most cases we will be able to select 2 students per semester for a university. In some cases, such as with Seoul National University and the Zagreb School of Economics and Management we only have 1 slot per semester.
Is there any minimum requirement to apply for an exchange semester?
The base requirement to apply for an exchange is that students must be (at least) in their second semester at LUMS when applying, students in their second last semester are also prohibited from applying. Other than that, the OIA does not have any minimum criteria for application. Please note that some universities have included a GPA cutoff in their MoUs.
What does the exchange selection process look like?
There are 2 stages to the selection process, with the first being the application form. If your application is shortlisted you will be invited to an interview with members of the OIA. Rankings are then drawn on the basis of the interview performance and strength of the application.
Does the OIA take into account preferences if I have applied for multiple universities?
Yes, you can indicate your preferences in the interview and this will be considered when making the final allotments.
Can I go on an exchange twice?
As mentioned earlier, there is no limit on applying for an exchange semester, which means students can apply again. However, as the OIA will seek to ensure that students get an equal opportunity to go on exchange, we will take into account the fact that you have been on an exchange before.
Accomodation Travel and Enrollment
What do I do once I have been selected for exchange?
Carefully read the Student Exchange Agreement sent to you by the OIA. If you accept the nomination, sign and return the agreement to us. The OIA will then send your nomination to the university, which might require some additional information from your end. After that, the host institute will get in touch with you directly about the application, enrollment and accommodation.
Will I get on-campus accommodation at the host university?
This varies from university to university; some do have on-campus accommodation and will offer it to exchange students. Others may have on-campus accommodation which may not be available for exchange students, or not have on-campus accommodation at all. In these cases, the International Office of the partner university will guide you about accommodation options, which may include student hostels that the university has partnered with. For more information you can usually find details on the university website.
When and how do I apply for the visa?
The visa process is the responsibility of the student, with the OIA providing any documentation support needed (unless the document is the mandate of another department). You should start your visa as soon as you receive the letter of acceptance from the host university.
How do I get documents for the visa application?
For standard documents like the bonafide letter, official transcript and the English language proficiency letter, you can apply through the RO Service Portal. For a nomination letter, you can get in touch with the OIA. For an academic recommendation, you will have to get in touch with a faculty member that has taught you previously.
In case you need proof of an MoU (applies usually for South Korean visas) you can get in touch with the OIA for a digital copy of the MoU.
How will I enroll in courses for the exchange university?
This information will be provided to you by the host university. But generally, course lists and outlines are available on university websites so you can do your research about the courses that will be open for you.
Credit Transfer, Fees and Semester Status
Will my credits be transferred for the exchange semester?
Courses taken during an exchange semester can be transferred to LUMS. This will depend on 2 conditions. The first condition is that a course must have been evaluated by a faculty member at LUMS and approved as a course that can be transferred. Secondly, once the evaluation is done your transcript from the exchange semester must indicate that you received a grade above or equal to the minimum threshold given in the Student Handbook for transfer courses.
How do I get my courses evaluated at LUMS?
There are a few steps to this.
- First review the course list published by your host university and shortlist the courses that you would like to take.
- Second, obtain detailed course outlines for your shortlisted courses. A summary of the course is not enough, you need to obtain an outline that includes the number of hours of study, a weekly plan or reading list, or a list of topics that the course will cover and a breakdown of the graded components.
- Third, send all outlines and completed course evaluation forms to the OIA.
The OIA will forward your outlines to relevant academic coordinators to get the evaluations started.
Will all my evaluated courses be transferred?
No, it is not necessary that the evaluated credit total is equal to the final transferred credits, due to the grade requirement for transferring courses given in the student handbook.
When will my courses be transferred to LUMS?
Your courses will be transferred once RO receives your official transcript for the exchange semester, this is sent by the host institute either to the students or to the OIA directly. In case you receive from your university, send in to the OIA and we will coordinate with RO to process your credit transfer.
What fee structure will be applicable to me for the exchange?
What fee structure will be applicable to me for the exchange? To start, exchange students (from Fall 2023 onwards) will be charged for a total of 16 credit hours at the start of their semesters. Once their evaluation process is completed, then any adjustment needed to the 16-credit total will be made.
In case of an overcharge, the fees for the next semester will be adjusted accordingly. In case of an undercharge, an additional tuition voucher will be generated in the same semester which the student will have to pay within the deadline given by Finance.
Students on the exchange are charged per credit hour at the LUMS rate. Your applicable charges will be based on your evaluated credit total. This means the total number of credits that have been evaluated as transferable, that you are enrolled in at your university.
Example.
A student at QMUL received the following evaluations for their submitted courses.
| Course Name | Credits at Host | Credits approved by LUMS Faculty | Course Equivalence |
| Intro to Political Science | 3 | 2 | Intro to Political Science |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 | 3 | Principles of Macroeconomic |
| Cultural Anthropology | 4 | 4 | Intro to Cultural Anthropology |
From these the student enrolls in Intro to Pol Sci and Cultural Anthropology. Their evaluated credit total is 2 + 4 = 6. Thus, the tuition fees for the student will amount to 6 credit hours at LUMS for the exchange semester.
Will my merit scholarship or financial aid be applicable in an exchange semester?
Yes, your merit scholarship and financial aid will be carried into your exchange semester, and your tuition will be adjusted accordingly. Same is applicable for NOP scholars.
Will I enroll in courses at LUMS during my exchange semester?
Yes, all students must also enroll at LUMS during the start of their exchange semester in case their visa does not come through. Similarly, students must also ensure that they meet the enrollment deadlines for the semester after their exchange, as the same deadlines will be applicable to them.
What if my visa doesn’t arrive before the semester off deadline?
The semester off deadline given by RO can be extended for exchange students. However, this flexibility is only up to a point. Beyond that, the student will have to make a decision themselves based on their own assessment of the risk involved.
What if my exchange university calendar is different than LUMS?
There is a possibility that your exchange semester ends after the next semester has begun at LUMS. In this case, you must inform OIA beforehand of your academic calendar and your proposed date of return to LUMS. This will allow us to help you with any required petitions for missed assignments and classes.