Free Mover
Free Mover is an international student mobility model that allows students to study temporarily at a higher education institution abroad by applying individually, without being tied to a specific exchange or grant program.
Free Mover is not a scholarship-funded or institutionally guaranteed exchange program.
A student's acceptance from a higher education institution abroad does not automatically mean that the courses will be recognized, that tuition fees will be waived, or that financial support will be provided by our University.
Before applications are submitted, the suitability of the courses, the possibility of academic recognition, and the student's enrollment status at our University must be evaluated by the relevant academic unit.
What is Free Mover?
In the Free Mover mobility program, the student individually fulfills the application and admission requirements of the higher education institution abroad without being placed in an exchange program quota.
Individual learning mobility outside of institutional exchange quotas.
Free Mover students apply directly to a higher education institution abroad without being nominated under an Erasmus+, Mevlana, Farabi or similar institutional exchange program.
The host institution determines the application requirements, the number of students to be accepted, foreign language proficiency, academic calendar, tuition fees, and required documents according to its own regulations.
For the courses a student takes during their mobility period to be recognized in their own academic program, it is important that the course content and credit values are evaluated by the relevant academic unit before the mobility period begins.
Difference from Corporate Change Programs
The key differences between Free Mover mobility and corporate exchange programs are shown below.
Free Mover
- The student applies to the host institution individually.
- Inter-institutional exchange quotas are not mandatory.
- Tuition fees or application fees may be charged.
- There is no automatic grant or scholarship support.
- Admission and academic recognition are assessed separately.
Exchange Programmes
- Applications are accepted through an announcement published by the University.
- Inter-institutional agreements and quotas are taken as the basis.
- The nomination process is handled by the University.
- Financial support may be provided according to the program rules.
- Academic documents are prepared within the institutional process.
Free Mover Application Process
Application and acceptance procedures may vary depending on the host institution's regulations, but the process generally consists of the following stages.
Institutional Research
Free Mover researches higher education institutions that accept students and suitable academic programs.
Course Review
The content, credits, and language of instruction of the courses planned to be taken at the host institution are reviewed.
Academic Preliminary Assessment
The suitability of the courses for the student's schedule and their recognition potential are evaluated with the relevant academic unit.
Individual Application
The student submits their documents directly through the application system designated by the host institution.
Acceptance Letter
If the application is deemed suitable by the host institution, an acceptance or invitation letter will be issued.
Corporate Permissions
The student's registration, permission, course matching, and other academic procedures are completed within their own academic unit.
Visa and Preparation
Visa, insurance, accommodation, travel, and other preparations for studying abroad are handled by the student.
Mobility
The student studies according to the academic calendar and course schedule determined by the institution to which they have been accepted.
Documents That May Be Requested
The list of required documents may vary depending on the host institution, country, and academic program. The official application announcement of the relevant institution should be followed.
Application form
Host institution's online or printed student application form.
Transcript
A document showing the student's current academic status and the courses they are enrolled in.
Student Certificate
A current document proving the student's enrollment at our university.
Language Proficiency Certificate
A foreign language exam or certificate of proficiency accepted by the host institution.
Statement of Intent and Resume
A statement of purpose explaining the application objective and an up-to-date CV.
Course and Recognition Certificates
Course contents, credit information, and academic pre-approval documents.
Financial Responsibilities
In Free Mover mobility programs, expenses that may arise are generally covered by the student.
Tuition and Application Fees
The host institution may charge application, registration, or tuition fees. Fee waivers are not applied automatically.
Accommodation and Living Expenses
Accommodation, meals, local transportation, and other daily living expenses are the responsibility of the student.
Travel Expenses
Transportation, baggage, transfers, and other travel-related expenses are covered by the student.
Insurance and Healthcare Expenses
Travel, health, accident, and liability insurance are arranged by the student according to the conditions of the relevant country and institution.
Visa and Residence Permit Procedures
Visa, residence permit, biometric, translation and document authentication fees are the responsibility of the student.
Scholarships and External Funding
Students may apply for external scholarships or funding sources independently; a university grant is not guaranteed.
Academic recognition must be secured in advance.
In order for courses taken abroad to be credited to the program at our university, the course content, credit values, academic level, and learning outcomes must be evaluated by the relevant department and academic board prior to the mobility period.
If there is no prior academic eligibility decision, courses may not be recognized after the mobility period or may only be considered as electives.
Key Considerations
Acceptance letter is required.
In order for the mobility to take place, a valid acceptance letter issued by the host institution is required.
Lessons should be evaluated beforehand.
Course selection and academic recognition procedures should be planned with the academic unit before the mobility period begins.
Financial responsibility rests with the student.
The student must have sufficient financial means to cover tuition and living expenses.
Visa and insurance responsibility
It is the student's responsibility to complete visa, residence permit, insurance, and travel procedures on time.
Please evaluate the academic and administrative processes before applying.
Students planning to apply for Free Mover are advised to contact their academic department for course matching and recognition procedures, and the International Relations Office for general information about the mobility process.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. The conditions of the host higher education institution take precedence in application and admission processes; however, decisions made by the authorized academic and administrative units of our University take precedence in registration, leave, and academic recognition processes.