A student should be nominated to study at SDU by a partner university. A representative of a partner university should send the following documents:

• Scanned copy of student’s passport
• Color photo (passport size)
• Scanned copy of the official transcript (original copy should be brought in person)
• Dorm request form, where required
• Language proficiency evidence (i.e.: letter from university, or certification equivalent to IELTS 6.0)

By the end of April, complete the application for an exchange visit in the Fall semester, and by the end of October for an exchange visit in the Spring semester.

Before arrival:
Obtain an Admission Letter from the International Relations Office at SDU. Also, provide the following documents if a visa is required:

• Passport scanned copy
• Evidence of home address
• City where visa will be applied for

Student Exchange Programs involves an agreement between two universities to exchange students. The advantage is that you do not have to pay tuition fees at the foreign university since you already pay tuition fees in SDU. There are several exceptions, however. Foreign exchange programs provide students with an opportunity to study in a different country and environment experiencing the history and culture of another country.

Exchange programs broaden the academic and social experience of students and promote cooperation between SDU and other institutions. The presence on campus of exchange students from partner institutions diversifies the student population and encourages local students to consider the benefits of an international educational experience. 

Students who want to participate in an outbound academic exchange program should meet the following requirements:

• 2-3 year student;
• High GPA;
• 18 years of age at least:
• Speak fluent English;
• No criminal records.

How to apply

• Apply to your faculty
• English test;
• Apply to IR office;
• Submit required documents to IR office;
• Letter of acceptance from host university;
• Visa approval;
• Study abroad at the host university.

For Incoming Staff

SDU looks forward to receiving requests from faculty from other institutions, who are interested in researching and teaching at SDU.
SDU offers different research, training, and international cultural experience opportunities to its incoming faculty.
To apply, interested candidates should provide the following:

1. Send CV
2. Topic of their research
3. Research proposal
4. Accompanying letter

Faculty exchange is approved on a case-by-case basis in specific faculties. The Dean of the related faculty or the Head of the department approves all applications.
Before arrival, faculty members can follow the guide with recommendations on accommodation, transfer, places to visit while in Kazakhstan, visas, and other topics.

For Outgoing Staff

SDU  offers its faculty and Staff members a range of opportunities to study, carry out research and experience international academic life at partner universities worldwide.
A faculty or staff member’s participation in international or exchange programs administered by SDU is a subject of approval by the Dean or the Head of the department concerned.
Erasmus+ is a new EU program for Education, Training, Youth, and Sport launched in 2014 and extending until 2020. Erasmus+ provides opportunities for the teaching and administrative staff of higher education institutions, with financial support from European Union. Training opportunities are also available for teaching and non-teaching staff employed in SDU.
Interested individuals must have agreed on the program of activities to be undertaken at a host university at the stage of application and the Mobility Agreement should be signed by 3 parties (participant, host and home universities) prior to the start of the mobility period. Teaching mobility includes 8 hours of teaching during a week.
Mevlana Exchange Program through its scholarship scheme supports faculty members from SDU and its Turkish partner HEIs to implement mutual academic mobility for 1-6 weeks.

For faculty, Mevlana Scholarship covers travel expenses and gives the grant on a daily basis, depending on the professorial rank of the participant, to do research and teach from 1 week to 3 months. Detailed information about the program is here.  All questions about applications please address to the Deputy Director Aizhamal Akhayeva at International Relations Office.