How to apply
In the first instance, please contact your home institution for details of how to apply to study on exchange at DMU. To apply to study on exchange with us, an active exchange agreement with your home institution must be in place prior to your application.
Your home institution will nominate you to study at DMU, and will send your details to us in the year prior to you starting your exchange at DMU. Once you have been nominated, you will receive instructions regarding the application process via email.
Application deadlines for 2026-27
- Semester 1 (Autumn/Fall) and full academic year exchange: Wednesday 8 April 2026
- Semester 2 (Spring) exchange: Monday 12 October 2026
Application process
Nominated students will be required to submit the following documents to us through an online application form – further information regarding this will be provided to all applicants via email:
- Proof of English language proficiency – See requirements below.
- Transcript of current studies – Please make sure your transcript of records is signed and stamped by your home institution. Postgraduate students must also provide their degree certificate. Transcripts from non-higher education institutions are not required.
- Copy of passport – This must be a clear scan of your photo page. If you have studied in the UK previously, please include all previous visas. If you are currently renewing your passport, please inform us and submit it once it is available.
- Portfolio (if required) – You’ll need to submit a portfolio for the following courses: Animation, Architecture, Contour Fashion, Design Crafts, Fashion and Textiles, Fashion Buying, Fashion Communication and Styling, Fine Art, Footwear Design, Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration with Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography and Video, Product Design, and Music. Portfolios help us understand your skills and ensure you’ll enjoy your chosen course. Focus on quality over quantity. We recommend 15 to 25 carefully selected pieces that are clearly presented and easy to navigate. You may include a brief introduction, and your portfolio should be submitted as a PDF. You can find further information about portfolios here.
- Motivation Letter – Provide a statement explaining why you wish to study on exchange at DMU, your subject area, existing skills and knowledge and any additional information to support your application. This does not need to be longer than two pages.
- Module choices
Please note that the supporting documents must be named as follows: ‘Full name – document name’. e.g., John Doe – Transcript.
English language requirements
All modules at DMU are delivered in English. Students must demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency before enrolling. Applicants must meet the overall score requirement as well as any minimum component scores, where applicable, mapped to IELTS equivalencies of 5.5/ 6.0/ 6.5.
Full Year Students
Students coming on exchange for the full academic year will need to demonstrate proficiency through an approved provider as per UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) standards. View the full list of accepted tests. Please note, these tests need to have been issued within the last two years.
Semester Only Students
Students coming for one semester only may alternatively provide a signed letter from the home institution indicating English language proficiency according to a minimum level of CEFR B2.
We also accept the following as evidence of English Language Proficiency. Unless stated otherwise, UKVI-approved tests must have been taken within the last two years where required for visa purposes.
- Pearson English Language Test (PTE Academic – in person only):
• IELTS 6.5 equivalent: Overall score 61, with no component below 59
• IELTS 6.0 equivalent: Overall score 59, with no component below 59 - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT (including Home Edition):
• IELTS 6.5 equivalent: Overall score 79 (Reading 8, Listening 7, Speaking 16, Writing 18)
• IELTS 6.0 equivalent: Overall score 60 (Reading 8, Listening 7, Speaking 16, Writing 18)
• IELTS 5.5 equivalent: Overall score 46 (Reading 8, Listening 7, Speaking 16, Writing 18) - Duolingo English Test:
• IELTS 6.5 equivalent: Overall score 120 (R100 / L95 / S95 / W95)
• IELTS 6.0 equivalent: Overall score 105 (R100 / L95 / S95 / W95)
• IELTS 5.5 equivalent: Overall score 95 (R100 / L95 / S95 / W95) - Cambridge English Qualifications:
Cambridge English (First Certificate) / Cambridge ESOL Level 1: CEFR B2 equivalency accepted. Cambridge ESOL Levels 1 and 2 with the following score mappings:
• 176 = IELTS 6.5
• 169 = IELTS 6.0
• 162 = IELTS 5.5 - IELTS: Minimum score 6 with at least 5.5 in each component (For Law students, an overall score of 6.5 is required)
- Language Cert International ESOL – B2 Communicator:
• IELTS 6.5 equivalent: 2+language skills score of between 39-50, with no skill below 33;
• IELTS 6.0 equivalent: 2+language skills between 39-50, with no skill below 25
• IELTS 5.5 equivalent: All language skills between 25-50 - Cambridge/EDEXCEL/AQA IGCSE – English as second language:
• Syllabus 0511 for Cambridge only
• Syllabus 0510 including grade 2 at speaking component separately endorsed for Cambridge only – Grade C or above - UKVI approved English language tests taken within the last two years are accepted in line with UKVI requirements.
View the list of those exempt from demonstrating this evidence.
No English language proficiency documents are required from native English speakers.
Your exchange application journey
Begin by applying through your home university’s exchange programme. They will guide you through their process and timeline.
If your application is successful, your home university will officially nominate you to study on exchange at DMU.
Once nominated, you’ll receive details on how to complete DMU’s online application form. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure you upload all required documents.
DMU will check your application and supporting documents. Your application will be sent for faculty and academic
approval. This process will take a few weeks.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive an official acceptance letter from DMU with information about your exchange.
This may include arranging your accommodation, planning your travel, applying for a visa (if required), and attending any pre-departure sessions organised by your home university.
On arrival at DMU, you’ll be invited to take part in welcome and orientation activities to help you settle in and meet fellow students.