# How to apply as an exchange student?

**Source**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-exchange
**Parent**: https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application

In order to come to Ghent University as an exchange student there should be a bilateral agreement between your home institution and Ghent University for your field of study. Only in some specific cases you will get admission as an exchange student without this agreement: e.g. when you conduct a part of your master thesis research at Ghent University, a traineeship etc.

## Deadlines

[View academic calendar](https://www.ugent.be/student/en/class-exam-exchange-intern/class-exam/academiccalendar) to check start dates of semesters

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  | **Semester 1 and full academic year** | **Semester 2** |
| Nomination for study exchange | 15 April | 15 October |
| Application for study exchange | 15 May | 15 November |
| Nomination for clinical internship Master of Medicine | 15 March | 15 September |
| Application for clinical internship Master of Medicine | 15 May | 15 November |

Application deadline for Internships, traineeships, research and Blended Intensive Programmes (BIP) is 6 weeks prior to the start.

## Nomination

Students should be nominated by their home university before the deadline mentioned above through this [online nomination form](https://ugent.typeform.com/to/loBL7lnJ "Nomination INcoming Ghent University"). After receiving this nomination, Ghent University will inform the student on the application procedure and more practical information. Nominations submitted by students are not accepted.

> The online nomination form opens February 16th, 2026 for Semester 1 and Year nominations. \
> Nominations for Semester 2 will open late August 2026.

## Application

Before you start your application, check with your home university if they support the Erasmus Without Paper (EWP) network. This decides the application method you should use.

### [Exchange application with Erasmus+  Digital Learning/training Agreement](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-exchange/ewp-lasincomingstudents)

Only when your home university supports EWP

### [Exchange application without EWP](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-exchange/application_nodla.htm)

Only when there is no EWP digital learning/training agreement (e.g. non-European applicants)

## Enrolment

The start of enrolment is 3 August 2026 for the academic year 2026-27.

For study exchanges: students will be enrolled back-office in the month before arrival. No action needed from the student.

For other exchanges (internship, research,..): Send an e-mail to [enrol@ugent.be](mailto:enrol@ugent.be "Enrol") with your passport (ID), date of arrival and ask for enrolment. Your student card will be ready for pick-up at the [Student Centre](https://www.ugent.be/student/en/studentcentre "Student Centre").

## Exchange PhD Students

There is a **[specific application procedure for Exchange PhD Students](https://www.ugent.be/en/research/globalsouth/exchange-phd/exchangephd.htm)**.

Exchange PhD Students are students who visit Ghent University to perform research in the context of their PhD, while being enrolled and defending their PhD at their home institution.

## Questions on exchange application?

We are collecting some of the [FAQs on the exchange application](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/application/application-exchange/faq-ghent-university-exchange-application). You can't find your question or better yet, the answer? Join us through Teams on the [Q&A sessions](https://international-support-team-gent-university.notion.site/Pre-arrival-online-Q-A-sessions-cbbe343b9c4b416d8933c2a31f5ef042 "Q&A applications"). 

## Contact

- For academic matters (learning agreement, course specifications, credits, grades, exams, internship, etc.)\
  [Faculty Officer responsible for Internationalisation](http://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/internationalisation/fci/fci.htm)
- For general info\
  [Team International Support](https://www.ugent.be/en/ghentuniv/mission/internationalisation/iro/irostudentsupport.htm)
- For general information and questions on exchange PhD\
  [PhD exchange students](mailto:phdexternalfunding@ugent.be)

## Related content

- [Registration as an exchange student](https://www.ugent.be/prospect/en/administration/enrolment-or-registration/registration.htm)