Exchange Corner

For IBBA students · AY 2026–27

✈️ Exchange Corner

Thinking about studying abroad for a semester? This page puts all four exchange programs side by side: when to apply, who can apply, what to prepare, and what happens after you come back. Read this first. Most answers are here.

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Key Dates 4 Programs Compare Yearly Calendar Step by Step Documents Credit Transfer News FAQ Contacts

Key Dates

IBBA deadlines are earlier than the university's. Always follow the IBBA date. Confirmed = announced. Expected = based on last year; the exact date will be in News.

UST Info Session

Nov 18, 2026 (Wed)

12:20 PM · registration required

Confirmed

UST Round 1 – IBBA deadline

Nov 27, 2026, 5:00 PM

For Summer 2027, Fall 2027, Spring 2028

Confirmed

University-Level results

Early Dec 2026

For Fall 2027 / Spring 2028 applicants

Expected

CTM Exchange Scholarship

Nov–Dec 2026

Only if a host school has accepted you

Expected

Mainland China & HK (for Fall 2027)

Dec 2026 – early Feb 2027

Last year's IBBA deadline: Feb 9

Expected

University-Level 2nd round (for Spring 2028)

Feb 2027

Self-funded, no scholarship. Last year's deadline: Feb 26

Expected

CTM College-Level (for Fall 2027)

March 2027

Last year's IBBA deadline: Mar 13

Expected

The 4 Exchange Programs

NTHU has four different exchange programs. They have different organizers, deadlines and requirements. You can apply to more than one, but if you are accepted by more than one, you can only go on one.

① University-Level Overseas Exchange

Run by: Office of Global Affairs (OGA)

The biggest program: NTHU sister schools worldwide (Europe, Americas, Asia, Oceania). Does not include Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau.

Best for: most students; the widest choice of schools; scholarships available.

② CTM College-Level Exchange

Run by: CTM Office of International Affairs (OIA)

Business-school partners of our college, e.g. KU Leuven (Belgium), Solvay (Belgium), Frankfurt School (Germany), ZSEM (Croatia), Mendel University (Czech Republic), CUHK (Hong Kong).

Best for: business courses that are easier to credit back to IBBA.

③ UST Exchange

Run by: University System of Taiwan (NTHU, NYCU, NCU, NCCU)

A small list of partners shared by four universities, e.g. University of Bern, CUHK (New Asia College), CityU Hong Kong, NTU Singapore. Also has summer options.

Best for: students who also want a summer program, or these specific schools.

④ Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau

Run by: Office of Global Affairs (OGA)

One-semester exchange at partner universities in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

⚠️ Some partners do not accept international students. Check each school's rules first.

🌏 For international students: CTM College-Level partner schools in your own home country are not open to you. Many other partner schools have similar rules. Check before you choose.

Compare at a Glance

Requirements below are from the latest calls. Rules can change every year. The official call always wins. On a phone, swipe the table sideways.

	① University-Level	② CTM College-Level	③ UST	④ China / HK / Macau
When to apply	Main round: Sep – early Oct (for next Fall & Spring) 2nd round: Feb (for Spring of the next year)	March (for Fall) Late Aug – Sep (for Spring)	Round 1: Oct – Nov Round 2: May – Jul	Dec – early Feb (for Fall) Jul – early Aug (for Spring)
Who can apply	Year 2 or above (2nd round: Year 3 or above)	Year 2 or above (check each call)	Year 2 or above	All enrolled students
GPA	3.20, or top 50% of class (previous 2 semesters)	3.20, or top 50% of class	3.0 (B) in the previous year	3.20, or top 30% of class
English test	TOEFL iBT 79 / IELTS 6.0 (Academic)	TOEFL iBT 79 / IELTS 6.0 (Academic)	Depends on school: TOEFL 71–90 / IELTS 6–7	Hong Kong schools only
Number of choices	Up to 10 (2nd round: up to 6)	Listed on the application form	Up to 2	Ranked after college ranking
Money	Scholarship possible: NT$15,000–30,000/month, max 5 months (needs GPA 3.40 or top 20%)	CTM Outgoing Exchange Scholarship (apply after acceptance)	No subsidy at the moment	Scholarship after you finish, no separate application (depends on budget)
More info	OGA page	CTM OIA page	UST page	OGA page

💰 Tuition, all programs: you keep paying NTHU tuition as usual, and the host school's tuition is waived (a few exceptions are noted in the partner list). You pay your own flights, housing, living costs, insurance, visa, and any host school admin fees.

🗣️ Language tests: TOEIC, GEPT, Duolingo and GRE are not accepted. The test must be within 2 years. "MyBest Scores" and mixing sections from different tests are not accepted. You must also meet the host school's requirement if it is higher.

Yearly Calendar: What's Open When?

Exchange applications happen about one year before you go. Use this to plan ahead. Exact dates are posted in News each time.

University-Level CTM College-Level UST China / HK / Macau

September

Main round opens (for next Fall & Spring). Info session

Spring call (deadline mid–late Sep)

Rank your preferences (Spring call)

October

Main round deadline (early Oct)

Round 1 announced

November

Info session & IBBA deadline (late Nov)

CTM Exchange Scholarship call

December

Results (early Dec), then sign agreement forms

Fall call opens

January – February

Fall call deadline (early Feb)

2nd round for next Spring (deadline late Feb)

Round 1 results (end of Feb)

March

Fall call (deadline mid-March)

2nd round: rank preferences

Rank your preferences (Fall call)

April – May

2nd round results (end of April)

Round 2 announced (May)

✈️ Apply for visas for Fall

July – August

Spring call (deadline early–mid Aug)

Round 2 deadline (around Aug 1)

Spring call opens (late Aug)

✈️ Fall exchange students leave

🗓️ Example: you want to go abroad in Fall of Year 3. Apply in Sep–Oct of Year 2 (University-Level), Nov of Year 2 (UST), Feb of Year 2 (China/HK) or March of Year 2 (CTM). So start getting your English test and transcript ready in the summer before Year 2.

Step by Step: From Idea to Credit Transfer

BEFORE YOU APPLYChoose your program and schools
Look at the partner list for each program. For every school, check: does it accept undergraduates and international students? Its language requirement? Its semester dates? Does it have business courses in English?

Tip: check the host school's academic calendar. Schools in Japan, Germany and others end later than NTHU. This can delay your graduation if you go in your last semester.
BEFORE YOU APPLYCheck which courses can be credited back
Use our credit transfer lookup to see past cases. This helps you write your study plan and avoid a delay.
BEFORE YOU APPLYGet your English test score in time
The score must be ready before the deadline. No late scores are accepted. If you only have the online score report, you can usually submit that first.
APPLYPrepare documents and fill in the online form
See the document checklist. University-Level and China/HK need an online application too. Print it and put it with your paper documents.
APPLYSubmit everything to the IBBA office by the IBBA deadline
Hand in paper copies at TSMC Building Room 414 and email the files to ibba@my.nthu.edu.tw if the call asks for it. Do not send directly to OGA. The office only collects documents; we can't accept late, incomplete or "I'll add it later" applications.
SELECTIONGet your ranking, then choose your schools
After the department and college review, you get your ranking. Then you fill in your final preference list online. If you miss this step, you lose your place.

Schools are given out in rounds: everyone's 1st choice first, then 2nd choice, and so on. The order really matters.
AFTER SELECTIONAccept your place and apply to the host school
Sign the Exchange Agreement and Parental Consent forms. NTHU nominates you, then you apply to the host school. Being nominated is not admission: the host school makes the final decision.
BEFORE YOU LEAVEGet ready to go
- Apply for your student visa for the host country
- Buy travel and health insurance
- Check your Taiwan ARC (residence permit) date and your NTHU registration
- Pay NTHU tuition as usual
- Plan your courses and keep the syllabi
AFTER YOU RETURNReturn report and credit transfer
Submit the Return Report Form, Exchange Experience Report, your official transcript and your boarding pass. Then apply for credit transfer through our online form.

Document Checklist

Most programs ask for the same core documents. Start collecting them early. Use the forms from the current call. Old forms are not accepted.

Application form (typed, not handwritten). An English version is fine for IBBA students.
Official transcript with your class ranking (all previous semesters). Get it from the transcript machines or the Division of Registration. The CTM program needs an English transcript with cumulative GPA and rank.
Study plan, one for each school you list (about 300 words each). English is fine.
English test score copy (TOEFL iBT / IELTS Academic, within 2 years)
Passport copy (international students use this instead of a Taiwan ID) and NTHU student ID copy, both sides
Recommendation letter from your academic advisor or an NTHU teacher who taught you
Printed online application (University-Level). Online Part I form (China/HK)
CV (UST only). Consent form (CTM only). Other supporting materials (optional)

📌 Common mistakes: transcript without class ranking, test score older than 2 years, using last year's form, missing the online form, or forgetting the second step (choosing schools). Any of these can cancel your application.

Credit Transfer (After You Return)

Credits from exchange can count toward your IBBA degree. The department chair makes the final decision. Our principles:

✅ What can be creditedBusiness and management courses (finance, marketing, economics, etc.), Year 3–4 or graduate level, with a syllabus to show the content.

🔢 How manyCore electives: max 2 courses
Advanced electives: max 3 courses
Total: max 5 courses

❌ Usually not creditedRequired courses and introductory courses. GE courses go through the GE Center separately.

📄 On your transcriptYou only need to pass. Credited courses show "TR" with no grade, so they don't change your GPA.

Check past cases & apply →

💡 Check courses before you go, not after. Keep every syllabus and course material. You will need them for the application.

News & Current Calls

All exchange announcements: IBBA News → "Exchange Program" tab.

FAQ

ELIGIBILITY & LANGUAGE

I study in an English-taught program. Do I still need TOEFL or IELTS?

Yes. NTHU's selection always needs a valid TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score, even for IBBA students. Some host schools accept an English-taught program certificate, but that is the host school's rule. You still need the test for NTHU.

NTHU needs IELTS 6.0 but my dream school needs 7.0. Which one counts?

Both. You must meet the higher one to list that school.

My GPA is a little below 3.20. Can I still apply?

Yes, if your class ranking is in the top 50% (top 30% for China/HK). Meeting either GPA or ranking is enough. For UST, the GPA requirement is 3.0.

Can I go to a partner school in my home country?

For the CTM College-Level program, no. Many other partners also have limits for international students. Check the partner list notes for each school.

APPLICATION & DEADLINES

Why is the IBBA deadline earlier than the OGA deadline?

Your application goes Student → IBBA → College → OGA. The office and college need time to review and rank applications before passing them on. Please always follow the IBBA deadline.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Yes, as long as you meet each program's rules and deadlines. If you are selected by more than one, you can only go on one exchange. Tell the office right away which one you choose.

Can my final school choices be different from my study plans?

For University-Level, you can adjust when you fill in the final preference list. But you need a study plan for each school, so it's safer to write plans for every school you might choose.

I was selected. Does that mean I'm accepted?

No. NTHU nominates you, and the host school decides. Follow their application steps and deadlines carefully.

MONEY

Do I pay tuition to NTHU or to the host school?

To NTHU, as usual. The host school waives tuition (a few exceptions are noted in the partner list). You pay flights, housing, living costs, insurance and visa yourself.

How do I get a scholarship?

University-Level: choose "apply for scholarship" in the application; you need GPA 3.40 or top 20%. CTM: apply after a host school accepts you (call around November). China/HK/Macau: given after you finish, no application. UST: no subsidy at the moment.

GRADUATION & CREDITS

Will exchange delay my graduation?

Not if you plan well. Your exchange semester counts as a semester at NTHU, and up to 5 courses can be credited. Delays happen when (1) required courses are missed, or (2) the host school's semester ends late and the transcript doesn't arrive in time. Avoid going in your final semester if you can.

Will my exchange grades change my NTHU GPA?

No. Credited courses show "TR" with no grade.

VISA & LIFE ABROAD

What happens to my Taiwan ARC while I'm away?

You stay an NTHU student, so you keep your student status. But check your ARC expiry date before you leave. If it expires while you're abroad, ask OGA (dos@my.nthu.edu.tw) how to renew it before you go.

Who helps me with the host country visa?

You apply yourself, using the acceptance letter from the host school. The host school's international office can help with their documents.

Still have questions? Email the IBBA office at ibba@my.nthu.edu.tw.

Who to Contact

IBBA OfficeDocument submission, deadlines, credit transfer
ibba@my.nthu.edu.tw
💬 IBBA LINE Official Account
TSMC Building Room 414

OGA – University-LevelPartner schools, quotas, scholarships
Drop-in: Admin Building Room 110
Tue 14:00–16:00 · Wed 14:30–16:30 · Thu 10:00–12:00
Other times: online question form only. OGA does not reply to individual emails.

OGA – China / HK / Macauhc.lee@mx.nthu.edu.tw (Ms. Lee)

CTM OIA – College-Leveloiactm@my.nthu.edu.tw

🕑 Asking OGA about University-Level exchange? Read the OGA page and its popular Q&A first. Then visit during drop-in hours (Admin Building Room 110), or use the online form on the OGA page. Questions sent by personal email will not be answered.