MARCH 2026 TERM CALENDAR

Application Dates: January 9 – 16, 2026
Mobility Dates: March 14 – 20, 2026

(Please note that the mobility dates coincide with the holiday. Current conditions will be announced on Friday, January 9, 2026.)

ATHENS outbound student guide

📌 Things you need to know before applying

Please carefully read all the items below before submitting your application.

1️⃣ General rules

It is mandatory to read and understand the General Rules of the ATHENS Program before applying.

⚠️ Important: Name and Surname information must be written exactly as on the ID (complete and using Turkish characters) in all documents and platforms where they are requested. The accuracy of this information is critical for the entire process.

2️⃣ Email address and application process

Applications must be made only with a corporate email address ending with itu.edu.tr.. Applications made with external email addresses are not considered.

The application process is carried out via the email address used during application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to regularly check emails throughout the process.

⚠️ Important: The password created when logging into the ATHENS Network Application System must be kept securely. Password reset is not available. The system is managed by the Program Coordination (Paris).

3️⃣ Obligations after application

Once the application is submitted, cancellation of mobility is not possible except for force majeure (e.g., health problems). Since there is no waiting list system in the program, cancellations result in the violation of another student’s right.

4️⃣ Passport and visa process

An approval letter will be issued to Turkish citizens who are entitled to mobility but do not have a green passport or a valid visa, so that they can obtain a Service (Grey) Passport. The entire process is carried out under the guidance of our Office.

• Students who will obtain a grey passport must write “Service Passport” in the “ID Card or Passport Number” field in the ATHENS Network system.

• Students with a green passport or students with a valid visa and a burgundy passport may write their passport numbers.

• Only foreign students who have a valid visa or passport can apply. Documents must be presented during application.

5️⃣ Grant / scholarship status

The ATHENS Program does not have any budget. Within this scope, no grant or scholarship support is provided.

6️⃣ European Dimension Activities (EDA)

EDA is a mandatory activity within the scope of the ATHENS Program. The fee varies by country but is approximately 40 Euros, and payment is made by the student.

The payment process is carried out by the institution where the student is accepted. Students must participate fully in the program with the awareness that they represent our university and must pay the fee on time.

7️⃣ Course selection

When selecting courses:

• Course catalogs must be carefully reviewed,

• Ensure that the requirements of the selected courses are met,

• Pay attention to preference order.

Additionally, the cost of living in the country where the host university is located should be considered during course selection. Detailed information about institutions can be found on the official websites of the respective universities.

8️⃣  GPA requirement

• Minimum 2.50 for undergraduate students,

• Minimum 3.00 for master’s and doctoral students is required.

Applications that do not meet these requirements and/or external applications are not considered.

9️⃣ Academic recognition

Courses taken within the scope of the ATHENS Program are defined as micro-credits at our University. A micro-credit is not a graded process; it is an ECTS credit earned upon successful completion of the mobility. At the end of the program, students are given a Certificate of Participation.

🔟 Leave process

During the mobility week, the necessary leave letters for students to be considered on leave are sent to the relevant faculties by the ITU ATHENS Coordinator.

The leave period starts 1 day before the mobility and ends 1 day after. Leave requests should not be made outside these dates.

1️⃣1️⃣ Working students

Working students are required to obtain a document from their employer showing that they are on leave during the mobility period at the time of application.

1️⃣2️⃣ Blended Intensive Program (BIP)

Courses coded BIP are conducted through Erasmus Offices at all institutions. Students who will select courses within the scope of BIP are advised to contact the Erasmus Office for information.

1️⃣3️⃣ Student status

Students who are currently exchange students cannot apply to the ATHENS Program. Applicants must have active student status at ITU.

1️⃣4️⃣ Previous participation

The ATHENS Program is intended for students who will participate for the first time. Students who have previously participated in ATHENS mobility cannot apply.

1️⃣5️⃣ Class and level of study

• For undergraduate students, only 4th-year students’ applications are accepted. Students in their final term are prioritized.

• Master’s and doctoral students must have completed at least one semester. Students in the thesis/qualification stage are prioritized.

1️⃣6️⃣ Evaluation criteria

Along with the program coordination’s evaluation criteria (gender balance, institutional and country diversity, etc.):

• Process follow-up,

• Active participation,

• Accurate, complete, and timely submission of application documents are taken into account in the application evaluation.

1️⃣7️⃣ Commitments

Before applying, the Student Commitment and the ITU Commitment must be carefully read and understood.

By signing the relevant documents, students are deemed to have accepted the provisions of the commitment and declare that sanctions may be applied in case of violation.

1️⃣8️⃣ Application procedures

After reading all the information, applications are made via the ATHENS Network website.

For application:

1. Register to the system with an email address ending with itu.edu.tr..

2. Follow the system steps.

3. Fill in and sign the Application Form created specifically for the individual.

4. Approve the Student Commitment.

📎 Document submission

⚠️ Document submission is carried out online. You can upload your documents to the Online Document Submission Platform via this link.

⚠️ Participation in the Microsoft Teams meeting to be held by the ATHENS ITU Coordinator is mandatory for the online document submission to be considered valid. (The meeting link and details will be shared with our students later.)

📌 Documents to be submitted:

📚 About the guide

The text you have is a comprehensive guide that explains step by step all the information you may need during the application process for the ATHENS Program. The information provided here is prepared to answer questions you may encounter at all stages from application to acceptance.