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
- Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts
- John Cabot University
- Keele University
- Lodz University of Technology
- Mainz University
- Nagoya University of Foreign Studies
- Oslo Metropolitan University
- Sapporo University
- Taipei National University of the Arts
- Techniche Universitat 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, and the semesters you will study at Ball State.
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 can begin the application process. The deadline to apply is June 15 for Fall / Academic Year and Nov. 15 for Spring. Please be sure to submit your study plan by the application deadline as well. If you do not have the link to the study plan form, please email our Inbound Exchange Coordinator.
Please note that the application fee is waived for Exchange Students, but you will need your code provided by the Study Abroad Office. If you do not have your code, you should take a look at the nominations process before continuing with the application.
In the "Application Fee" section of your application, please select "I have received prior approval" from the dropdown menu and type the code in the text box provided. While you fill out the online application, you will be able to upload scanned copies of your transcripts.
When you are ready to apply click on the button that corresponds to the level of coursework you will complete at Ball State University and choose the “Exchange Student” tab.
International Admissions
Some important items you’ll need to submit with your application:
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.