FAQ - International Space University

ISU is an institution which recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary studies for the successful exploration and development of space. It is dedicated to international affiliations, collaboration, and open, scholarly pursuits related to outer space exploration and development.

ISU is a place where students and faculty from all backgrounds are welcomed; where diversity of culture, philosophy, lifestyle, training and opinion are honored and nurtured.

2/ Are the ISU programs accredited?

Although the ISU programs are not accredited, the International Space University is recognized by the French Ministry of Education. The official accreditation documents are available upon request.

3/Where do the programs take place?

The SSP changes location every year and takes place in a different country.

The MSc programs take place at ISU central Campus, in Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France.

Admissions Process

1/ Can I apply if I have a non-technical background?

Yes! ISU offers an international and interdisciplinary education. Our students come from all over the world with both technical and non-technical backgrounds. 17% of our graduates last year entered ISU with non-technical undergraduate degrees.

2/ Is there any age restriction to attend the ISU programs?

We do not have any age restriction since we consider it is essential to share different experiences to create an interaction within a group of students.

3/ How can I apply?

Applying to ISU is an online process available at: www.isunet.edu. You have to click on “Apply online”. Once you have entered the information requested in the form, you will receive an e-mail to confirm that you opened an application. Once you have validated the confirmation, you will then be able to log on your application to fill it in.

4/ Can you describe the admissions process?

Once your online application is complete – it should reach 100% of completion to let you submitting it – you have to send the following documents:

- your transcripts from University

- 2 letters of evaluations

- a proof of proficiency in English, if English is not your mother tongue

As soon as we have received your documents, your application will be sent under evaluation to the Admissions Committee. We will then inform you on the outcome of the Admissions Committee’s decision as soon as we can.

5/ When will I be given answer for admissions?

Once your application is sent to the Admissions Committee for evaluation, it may take several weeks before you receive an answer.

6/ Is the TOEFL certificate compulsory?

The TOEFL certificate can eventually be replaced by a letter from a professor or employer who can assess your level in English. A significant experience in an English-speaking country can also count as your proof of proficiency in English, but ISU reserves the right of accepting or refusing such proofs of proficiency.

7/ Do my transcripts have to be translated into English?

If your transcripts are not in English, we invite you to have them translated. Nevertheless, transcripts in French are acceptable. It is also helpful to have the sending school include a brief description of any abbreviations used of the grading system in effect.

8/ Is there any problem if the documents are sent after the deadline?

The deadline only concerns the submission of the online application. Your documents can be sent later. Nevertheless, be aware that the earlier your send your documents, the better your chances will be to obtain a partial scholarship, if needed - if you are accepted to the program and depending on scholarship availabilities-.

9/ Where should I send my documents?

If you are not a Japanese applicant for SSP, your documents have to be sent to ISU directly at the following address:

ISU

Admissions Office

1 Rue Jean-Dominique Cassini

67400 ILLKIRCH-GRAFFENSTADEN

France

If you are a Japanese applicant for the SSP, please contact your liaison office:

ISU Liaison in Japan

Akihiko Seta

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

http://www.isunet.jp

10/ Can I ask my evaluators to send the letters to you directly?

Of course, you can ask your evaluators to send directly your letters in sealed envelopes, to us or to the appropriate liaison office. If this is more convenient to them, your evaluators can also send us your letters through e-mail to admissions in PDF format.

11/Can my evaluators use their own headed paper instead of the ISU evaluation form?

Yes, this is of course possible.

12/ Is it possible to send my documents in electronic format?

You can send us your transcripts and proficiency in English to the following e-mail address: admissions . Please, note that we reserve the right to accept or refuse electronic documents.

The letters of evaluations have to be sent by your evaluators directly.

MSc applicants will be required to bring their official transcripts on the registration day.

13/ Is the professional experience form mandatory?

This form is not mandatory but can be sent in addition to the letters of evaluation.

14/ Is there an application fee?

Our application process is a free of charge process.

15/ Can I defer my application?

If you have completed your online application you can defer it. It will be available for 3 years – including the year you first applied - ; you’ll then have to send us a new resume and the missing documents if any. You will also have to modify the Financial Information part of the application if needed. If you wish to update your online application, then send an e-mail to the admissions office in order to invalidate your application.

16/My application has been rejected, can I defer it?

In case your application has been rejected by the Admissions Committee, you will be able to reapply again 2 years after your rejection. In that case, an entire new application and documents will be requested.

17/ I have changed my mind and wish to attend a different ISU program than the one for which I originally applied. Is it possible to do so?

If you realize that you finally prefer attending the Space Studies Program or a MSc program different from the one originally chosen, this is possible. You will then have to send us an e-mail at admissions and we will provide any further instructions that may be necessary.

If you finally want to apply to the SHS-SP, then you will have to fill in a new online application for this program here.

18/ I attended the SSP, can I do the MSc and what documents should I send?

Students who have successfully completed the SSP can defer their application for the MSc programs, on the condition their application is accepted by the Admissions Committee for the MSc and that they graduate within seven years completion.

You will then have to send us a new resume and start the MSc programs from Module 2.

19/ Is it possible to work at ISU during the MSc programs?

Unfortunately, ISU is not able to provide any part-time jobs to the students. Furthermore, this is a very intensive program requiring complete availability.

20/ Do you offer any assistance to find an internship during the MSc program?

From the start of the MSc program students are required to consider and define their interests in discussion with their Academic Advisor. Students are responsible for establishing their own internship opportunities but ISU will provide guidance and support where appropriate and students must coordinate their internship activities with ISU. This co-ordination helps to ensure that the student’s internship will meet the academic and administrative requirements of the program and that wherever possible the student has the benefit of ISU’s network of contacts and past experience. It is also essential to ensure appropriate compliance with requirements of those organizations with which ISU has an established operating procedure for internship applications.

21/ If I am interested in the Executive MBA, where should I apply?

Applying to the Executive MBA is a different process. You have to fill out a registration form available in the menu “Executive MBA”.

22/ I am interested in the SHS-SP, where should I apply?

Applying to the SHS-SP is a different process from applying to the MSc programs or SSP. The online application for the SHS-SP is available here.

Online application

1/ What should I do once my online application is complete?

You have to send us the documents as mentioned in the Admissions Process part under question 4.

2/ I am not able to reach the 100% completion on the online application, what should I do?

Make sure you have filled all the fields that appear in light blue. Be careful, in the part “My information” there are 3 headers to be completed, as well as in the part “Essay, resume and biography”. If you cannot submit your application, please, contact the Admissions Office for assistance.

3/ Is it possible to modify my online application once it is submitted?

Once your application has been submitted, you are only able to modify the Financial Information part as well as your personal contact information. For any other modification, please, contact the Admissions Office in order that we invalidate your application.

4/ I have lost my password to connect on my account, how can I retrieve it?

Send an e-mail to the Admissions Office. We are not able to retrieve the password you have initially chosen but we can create a new one.

5/ Could you please tell me what the Facts Sheet represents?

You have to make sure to send the Facts Sheet only if you send your application in paper. The paper application is only reserved to candidates who do not have any Internet access.

Funding & Scholarship

1/ What should I do to apply for scholarship?

You apply for a scholarship directly in the online application, under the part “Financial information”. If you wish to apply for a partial scholarship, please, mention in the box the amount – in Euros – you will be able to contribute yourself, towards the tuition fees.

2/ Is it possible to choose the source of Funding?

If you are accepted to the program, there is an ISU Funding Committee that is responsible for allocating such scholarship funds as may be available.

3/ Is it possible to obtain a full scholarship or a tuition fee waiver?

Unfortunately, ISU is not able to provide any full scholarships or tuition fee waiver to the candidates. Nevertheless, you may receive a full scholarship through the following external partners:

For the MSc programs:

- SES scholarship - for more information, refer to the “other sources of support”

- Inmarsat scholarship - for more information, refer to the “other sources of support”

For the SSP:

- CFISU – reserved to Canadian students – for more information visit the CFISU website: www.cfisu.ca

- NSC – reserved to Norwegian candidates

- SES - for more information, refer to the “other sources of support” part of the website

4/ Am I able to get scholarship for the tuition fees as well as the living expenses?

ISU is only able to provide scholarships partially covering the tuition fees – if you are accepted to the program and depending on scholarship availabilities-.

Living expenses remain at the student’s charge.

5/ Is it possible to have a list of sponsoring organizations?

You will be able to find out further sources of funding at our website under the part “Funding & Scholarships”.

6/ Can I defer my scholarship?

Your scholarship request will be reviewed by the Funding Committee independently each year. Although you can defer your admission, the amount of any scholarship offered will not automatically be equaled in a later year – except for candidates who paid their deposit to secure the scholarship-.

7/ What is the amount of the living expenses for the MSc programs and SSP?

The tuition fees for the SSP cover accommodation and meals for the 9 weeks of the program. You are responsible for your travel and personal expenses.

For candidates applying to the MSc programs, we usually recommend an approximate amount of 800 € per month to cover the living expenses.

You will receive assistance from the Student Affairs office as soon as you have paid your deposit to secure your place in to the MSc programs.

If you need any further information, please, feel free to contact the Admissions Office

8/ What is your cancellation policy?

A cancellation fee of 50% of deposit paid will not be refunded but could be deferred to a next program within a maximum of three years, when the cancellation occurs more than 10 working days prior to the start of the program or with a justified valid reason, as listed below.

A cancellation fee of 100% of deposit paid will not be refunded nor deferred for a next program when the cancellation occurs less than 10 working days prior to the start of the program unless there is a justified valid reason, as listed below, in which case the above policy will apply.

Valid reasons accepted by ISU are as follows, upon presentation of an official document:

- Medical issue

- Family death

- Visa issues

- Job issues

Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions