Ball State is proud to partner with a number of institutions to offer inbound and outbound exchanges. We welcome students to work with the outbound exchange coordinator at their home institution to begin the conversation about studying with us as an exchange student. Students can also review our Exchange Student Fact Sheet to learn more about exchanges.
We currently partner with the following institutions:
- Aberystwyth University
- Akita International University
- De Montfort University
- Ewha Womans University
- Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts
- Galala University
- John Cabot University
- Keele University
- Konkuk University
- Kwangwoon University
- Lodz University of Technology
- Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
- Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- Sapporo University
- Taipei National University of the Arts
- Technische Universität Dortmund
- Tokyo Gakugei University
- Université de Lorraine
- Université de Savoie Mont Blanc
- University of Wollongong
- University of York
- Worcester University
If you are interested in studying at Ball State and your institution is not listed as a partner, you can take a look at the international admissions process here.
If you currently study with one of our exchange partners, you can follow the process below.
Exchange Process
The first step to joining us as an exchange student is to ask the outbound exchange coordinator at your school to nominate you via email to our Inbound Exchange Coordinator. The nomination should include:
- Your name
- Major/academic program
- The semesters you will study at Ball State
- Confirmation that you have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a US 4.0 scale
- Confirmation that you have met the required minimum English test scores
Nominations can be taken on a rolling basis; however, we would ideally receive them by May 15 for Fall / Academic Year and October 15 for Spring. After your nomination is received and approved by the Study Abroad Office, you will be given a code to use on your application. This code will waive the application fee.
You will also be sent an online form to submit your study plan. Please work with your home advisor and outbound exchange coordinator to create your study plan. We will use this to register you for your classes once you are admitted to the institution. Your study plan will be due by the deadline of your application (see phase 2).
After your nomination has been accepted, you will receive a nomination decision letter with instructions on your next steps.
One of those steps will be to provide the following documents to the inbound Inbound Exchange Coordinator:
- Official Transcripts and an English translation of those transcripts if applicable.
- Proof of English ability (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores).
We ask that students wait to complete the online application until May 1st at the earliest for fall semester and academic year exchanges. For spring semester exchanges, please wait until October 1st to begin the application.
To ensure smooth processing, applications for fall semester and academic year exchanges must be completed by May 20th. For spring semester exchanges, please complete the application by October 20th.The application is complete when the online application has been submitted and the BSU inbound exchange coordinator has received the previously mentioned documents.
Note: You will need to confirm your admission to Ball State in the Cardinal Landing Portal by June 15th for fall semester and academic year exchanges or by November 20th for spring semester exchanges!
Concurrent with your application, please submit your study plan information. The catalog of courses and current schedule is available here.
Please work with your academic advisor and/or study abroad coordinator at your home institution to make your study plan. We ask that you select five courses as your first preference, plus five additional courses that can serve as backups/second preference(s). Please submit your study plan here.
Your Ball State academic advisor will register you for courses and will communicate with you about your course registration.
After you receive notice of your admission, you will need to submit further documentation so that Ball State can create your visa-enabling documents (I-20 or DS-2019). In your admissions email, you should receive a link to your admissions letter. Upon opening the link, you should find a link to Global BSU Next Steps. This is where you can submit the following required documents:
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A scan of your main passport photo page
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Financial documents: You can reach out to our International Admissions Office for clarification on the amount of money you will need to demonstrate to receive your visa-enabling documents.
When you have submitted all required documentation, you will receive an email confirming our receipt and notice that we are reviewing your file.
Once we have completed processing your documents, you will receive your visa-enabling documents (I-20 or DS-2019).
After you have received your visa-enabling documents (I-20 or DS-2019), you will need to complete the following tasks:
- Apply for your visa.
- Find housing. You can work with the inbound exchange coordinator to procure on-campus housing. You will be responsible for securing housing off campus should you not want to live in a university apartment or residence hall.
- Select a meal plan. If you are living in a residence hall, you will be required to have a university meal plan. However, if you live in a university apartment or secure an apartment off campus, you will likely have a kitchen and may not need or want a meal plan, though there are still options available for students who live off campus.
- Look for information from International Admissions regarding orientation.
- Secure a flight that will allow you to attend orientation.
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Ball State University offers airport shuttles to and from the Indianapolis International Airport. These shuttles run at the beginning of each semester and during holiday and semester breaks. You must reserve a spot 48 hours in advance.
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Miller Ride is another convenient and affordable option for airport shuttle, though not affiliated with Ball State University. You will need to book your ride in advance. Select Indianapolis (Aiport), IN as your departing location and Muncie (Ball State University), IN as your destination.
If living on campus, be sure to communicate with Housing and Residence Life to make sure you will be able to check-in to your apartment or residence hall upon arrival. They have limited days and hours for checking in.
If you are living off campus, be sure to check with your apartment office regarding your arrival date.