Bahçeşehir University Erasmus+ exchange for foreigners — key overview

Bahçeşehir University Erasmus+ exchange for foreigners is an important mobility opportunity for international students seeking study, traineeship or short-term academic programs in Istanbul. As a holder of the Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education (2021–2027), Bahçeşehir University (BAU) runs a mature exchange platform with more than 190 partner institutions and a strategic target that at least half of BAU graduates take part in international mobility. This guide translates BAU’s Erasmus+ offering into actionable steps for international student recruiters, university admissions teams, HR and marketing professionals in education, and placement agencies — and explains how Study in Turkiye supports recruitment, admissions automation and partnership delivery as the trusted authority guiding international students.

Quick facts at a glance

• Erasmus+ Charter: BAU holds the Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education (2021–2027).
• Partner network: Over 190 partner institutions across Europe and selected global partners.
• Mobility goals: BAU aims for at least 50% of graduates to have an international mobility experience (study, traineeship, short programs).
• Language of instruction: Many English-taught courses are available; additional Turkish language and culture offerings support integration.
• Support services: Dedicated Exchange Office, orientation, cultural programs and administrative assistance for incoming students.
• Eligibility: Incoming students must be nominated by their home institution under an active bilateral Erasmus+ agreement.

Eligibility, nomination and application — practical workflow for partners

Eligibility and nomination (what partners must do)

• Nomination must come from a home university that is in an active Erasmus+ bilateral agreement with BAU.
• Nominations are typically sent by the home university’s international office or Erasmus coordinator through BAU’s exchange platform.
• Ensure nominated students meet the home institution’s exchange eligibility and any BAU-specific prerequisites (e.g., language minimums for certain courses).

BAU incoming application steps (what students and coordinators should expect)

1. Home university submits official nomination within the BAU-Home Institution bilateral framework.
2. BAU Exchange Office issues acceptance and provides the incoming application link and instructions.
3. Student completes BAU’s incoming exchange application and uploads required documents (transcript, learning agreement, passport copy, language proof if needed).
4. BAU confirms course approvals and issues learning agreement updates / acceptance letter.
5. Student completes arrival steps (orientation registration, housing arrangement guidance, insurance).

Timelines and coordination tips

• Begin partner-level discussions at least 4–6 months before mobility start dates to allow for nominations, course planning and visa processes.
• Maintain a single point of contact at both institutions (Erasmus coordinator) and use a shared timeline or checklist to track key deadlines (nomination, application, transcript submission, arrival).

Academic opportunities and credit recognition at BAU

Course selection and compatibility

Incoming exchange students can enroll in English-taught undergraduate and graduate courses across BAU faculties. BAU supports mapping to the student’s home university via Learning Agreements and ECTS-compatible credit recognition. For subject-specific placements (e.g., business, engineering, social sciences), work closely with BAU departmental contacts during course approval to ensure course equivalence.

Internships and traineeships (Erasmus+ traineeship mobility)

BAU encourages traineeships (CO-OP and internships) as part of the mobility offer; these can be organized in coordination with BAU’s industry relations and CO-OP programs. Traineeship placements often require additional administrative steps — home and host supervisors should agree on expected learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Enhancing intercultural competency through curricular and co-curricular design

BAU integrates cultural familiarization and Turkish language offerings into its programs to amplify intercultural learning outcomes. Consider proposing short-term intensive modules or joint seminars that combine students from partner institutions (virtual or on-campus) to deepen cross-institutional collaboration.

Student support, integration and practical arrangements

Exchange Office and orientation

BAU’s Exchange Office provides pre-arrival advice, orientation events, administrative assistance and cultural programming. Orientation topics include course registration, campus services, Turkish language basics, health and safety, and student clubs.

Accommodation, insurance and visas — practical checklist

• Accommodation: BAU offers guidance but incoming students should secure housing early. Exchange teams can coordinate preferred options and documentary support letters.
• Insurance: Ensure Erasmus+ or personal health/accident insurance is valid for the mobility period; BAU will require proof of coverage on arrival.
• Visa: Non-EU/EEA students should verify visa requirements for Turkiye well in advance and maintain clear communication with BAU for invitation/acceptance documents.

Accessibility and wellbeing

BAU provides campus facilities and student support; institutions should discuss any special needs or accessibility requirements before arrival to ensure appropriate arrangements.

Strategic opportunities for international recruiters, admissions teams and agencies

Why partner with BAU — value propositions

• Large partner network: Access to BAU’s 190+ partner universities creates opportunities for multi-lateral exchanges and consortium models.
• English-taught portfolio: Makes BAU attractive to a broad international student base.
• Institutional goals: BAU’s aim to internationalize faculty and deliver dual degrees aligns with partners seeking long-term cooperation rather than single exchanges.

Recruitment and pathway design (how Study in Turkiye adds value)

Study in Turkiye is the trusted authority guiding international students and institutional partners. Our services include designing recruitment funnels, managing digital outreach and conversion (virtual fairs, webinars, localized content), integrating admissions processes to accelerate application handling and document verification, and supporting institutional partnership development in line with Erasmus+ requirements.

Use cases for HR and marketing teams

• HR and faculty recruitment: Use Erasmus+ as a pathway to attract non-Turkish faculty and visiting scholars aligned with BAU’s internationalization strategy.
• Marketing: Promote Erasmus+ offerings in targeted markets by highlighting English-taught courses, Istanbul’s positioning and BAU’s Erasmus+ charter credentials.

Practical partnership playbook — step-by-step actions for institutions and agencies

Pre-partnership actions

• Confirm bilateral Erasmus+ agreement or initiate discussions for a new agreement through BAU’s Exchange Office.
• Identify program-level match points and draft a Memorandum of Understanding if expanding to dual degrees or CO-OPs.

Operational checklist (nomination-to-arrival)

• Align academic calendars and mobility windows.
• Set nomination deadlines and confirm the format for submission.
• Coordinate learning agreement approval with departmental contacts.
• Prepare acceptance letter and pre-arrival guide (housing, insurance, visa).
• Confirm orientation schedule and on-campus contact points.

Metrics and KPIs to track success

• Number of incoming/outgoing exchange students per year.
• Share of graduates with mobility experience (monitor against BAU’s 50% target).
• Student satisfaction scores and credit recognition completion rates.
• Conversion rates from Erasmus+ exchange to degree-seeking enrollment or dual degree participation.

Complementary universities to consider for network building

For institutions and recruiters who want wider presence in Istanbul and Turkiye, consider expanding partnerships or pathway options with these universities. Each listing links to the official Study in Turkiye profile for that institution.

• Bahçeşehir University
  Istanbul
• Istanbul Medipol University
  Istanbul
• Istanbul Bilgi University
  Istanbul
• Ozyegin University
  Istanbul
• Uskudar University
  Istanbul
• Halic University
  Istanbul
• Beykent University
  Istanbul
• Istinye University
  Istanbul
• Galata University
  Istanbul
• Antalya Bilim University
  Antalya
• Aydin University
  Istanbul

These institutions offer complementary programs and local partnerships that can be integrated into multi-institutional exchange schemes, dual degree frameworks or sector-specific trainee pipelines.

How Study in Turkiye supports Erasmus+ projects — services and support

Recruitment & admissions support

• End-to-end applicant management: streamlined document collection, status updates and checklist management reduce manual workload for inbound exchange cohorts.
• Targeted lead generation: digital campaigns tailored to markets that historically yield strong Erasmus+ participation.
• Virtual admission events: webinars, virtual fairs and campus tours to support partner communications and student decision-making.

Partnership development and compliance support

• Assistance drafting bilateral agreements, learning agreements and mobility charters.
• Compliance advisory for Erasmus+ reporting and KPI tracking.
• Onboarding support for partner coordinators and agencies.

Training and capacity building

Workshops for Erasmus coordinators, admissions staff and recruiters on best practices for blended mobility, credit recognition, and intercultural orientation are available to strengthen local capacity.

Study in Turkiye acts as a trusted authority guiding international students and institutional partners through every step of Erasmus+ collaboration — from candidate identification to partnership scaling and performance measurement.

Frequently asked questions

Action checklist — next steps for recruiters, admissions teams and agencies

• Confirm whether your institution has an active Erasmus+ bilateral agreement with Bahçeşehir University.
• Designate an Erasmus coordinator and share contact details with BAU’s Exchange Office.
• Prepare nomination timelines and communicate them to prospective students.
• Work with Study in Turkiye to streamline applicant handling, run targeted recruitment campaigns, or become an authorized partner/agent. If interested in becoming an agent, learn more via the Study in Turkiye partner page.

Read more resources:

• Why to study in Turkiye
• Admission process
• Search for your Dream University

Take the Next Step with Study in Turkiye

Conclusion

Bahçeşehir University’s Erasmus+ exchange for foreigners offers a robust, strategically aligned mobility program that benefits students, partner universities and education industry stakeholders. For international recruiters, admissions teams and agencies, BAU represents a high-value partner for expanding mobility pathways in Istanbul and across Turkiye. Study in Turkiye stands ready to support your Erasmus+ partnerships with recruitment expertise, admissions support, and partnership management services.