Erasmus+ Foreign Language Exam and Minimum Score Criteria for the 2027 Call for Proposals and Beyond
The procedures and principles regarding foreign language exams, valid exam types, validity periods of exam results, and minimum foreign language scores to be applied in projects under Erasmus+ Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals – Higher Education Student and Staff Mobility, conducted within the scope of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Office, for the call year 2027 and beyond, are regulated below.
Implementation Period
2027 Call Year and Beyond
Basic Regulation
The internal Erasmus+ exam will not be administered.
General Validity Period
5 years from the exam date
Purpose, Scope and Basis
Legal and Administrative Basis of the Regulation
These procedures and principles regarding foreign language exams to be applied within the scope of Erasmus+ Higher Education Program student and staff mobility programs in the 2027 call year and beyond, the types of exams that will be accepted, the validity periods of the exam results, and the minimum foreign language proficiency levels are as follows:; Sivas Cumhuriyet University Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Board of Directors Decision No. 2026-24 dated 10.07.2026 with the Legal Representative of Sivas Cumhuriyet University European Union Projects Approval dated 20.07.2026 and numbered 738865 Accordingly, it has been decided that the proceedings will be conducted within the framework of the provisions set forth below.
Program implementation responsibility
According to the provisions of the "Handbook for Higher Education Institutions," which is an annex to the beneficiary grant agreements signed between the European Union Education and Youth Programs Center, affiliated with the European Union Presidency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, and our University for the relevant call year, the determination, announcement, and implementation of foreign language requirements to be applied in Erasmus+ student and staff mobility programs are within the authority and responsibility of higher education institutions.
Basic Regulation
Erasmus+ Foreign Language Exam Conducted by the University
The internal Erasmus+ foreign language exam will not be administered starting from the 2027 call for applications.
The Erasmus+ Foreign Language Exam, coordinated by the Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Office and administered by the relevant unit assigned by the Rectorate, will not be implemented in Erasmus+ projects from the 2027 call year onwards, in order to implement austerity measures, ensure the effective, economical and efficient use of public resources, standardize application and evaluation processes, guarantee the national and international validity of exam results, and protect the public interest.
Valid Exams
Accepted Foreign Language Exams
In Erasmus+ student and staff mobility applications, transcripts of results from the exams listed below will be accepted, provided they meet the time and score requirements stipulated in these guidelines.
Exams conducted by ÖSYM (Turkish Higher Education Institutions Examination Center)
- Foreign Language Proficiency Level Determination Exam (YDS)
- Electronic Foreign Language Exam (e-YDS)
- Higher Education Institutions Foreign Language Examination (YÖKDİL)
- Electronic YÖKDİL Exam (e-YÖKDİL)
- Electronic English Proficiency Exam (e-TEP)
International Foreign Language Exams
Result certificates from international foreign language exams that are considered equivalent to YDS, e-YDS, YÖKDİL, e-YÖKDİL, or e-TEP exams, as listed in the ÖSYM “International Foreign Language Exam Equivalencies Document” in effect as of the date of publication of the relevant Erasmus+ announcement, may also be used in applications.
Medical Language Exam
The TıpDİL exam, administered by Ankara University, will only be accepted as a valid foreign language exam for students specializing in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, and only within the scope of their respective specialization.
Student Mobility
Minimum Foreign Language Scores Required for Student Applications
Unless explicitly stated otherwise or in a different manner in the relevant mobility announcement, the following minimum foreign language scores and proficiency levels will apply to student mobility applications.
| Exam Language | Department or Program | Minimum Score | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Students of English Language and Literature, English Teaching, and Translation and Interpreting departments | 85 | B2+ |
| Students of German Language and Literature and French Language and Literature departments | 70 | B1+ | |
| All other department and program students | 60 | B1 | |
| German | German Language and Literature department students | 80 | B2+ |
| All other department and program students | 60 | B1 | |
| French | Students of French Language and Literature and Translation and Interpreting departments | 80 | B2+ |
| All other department and program students | 60 | B1 |
General minimum score required for English exams.
The general minimum score required for exams conducted in English is 60, which will be considered B1 level. Higher minimum scores, as indicated in the table, will apply to students enrolled in departments and programs that provide education in foreign languages.
Staff Mobility
Minimum Foreign Language Scores Required for Personnel Applications
In staff mobility applications, the following minimum scores will be applied, taking into account the existing Erasmus+ inter-institutional agreements, the foreign language proficiency requirements of the host institution's academic and administrative staff, the nature of the activity to be carried out, and our University's internationalization and institutional quality objectives.
| Type of Mobility | Staff Group | Minimum Score | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Teaching Mobility STA |
Academic staff | 75 | B2 |
| Academic staff working in units or departments related to foreign languages, or who have graduated from departments in the field of foreign languages. | 90 | B2+ | |
|
Traineeship Mobility STT |
Academic staff | 60 | B1 |
| Academic staff working in units or departments related to foreign languages, or who have graduated from departments in the field of foreign languages. | 90 | B2+ | |
| Administrative staff | 50 | A2 |
Special Application Provisions
KA131 and KA171 Training Mobility Programs
KA131 – Mobility to be Carried Out in a Higher Education Institution
In Training Mobility carried out within the scope of Erasmus+ KA131 projects, if the institution where the mobility will take place is a higher education institution or a unit, center or enterprise affiliated with a higher education institution, the foreign language scores required for Teaching Mobility will be applied instead of the foreign language scores determined for Training Mobility.
KA171 – Training Mobility
The higher education institution exemption foreseen for KA131 projects will not apply to mobilities carried out under Erasmus+ KA171 projects. In KA171 projects, the minimum foreign language scores determined for Training Mobility will be taken into account, regardless of whether the host institution is a higher education institution or not.
KA131 – Organizations Other Than Higher Education Institutions
If the KA131 Training Mobility program is carried out in a public institution, private sector organization, non-governmental organization, or other eligible institution or organization, the minimum foreign language proficiency scores specified for Training Mobility will apply.
Personnel Applications
Special Provisions Regarding the Validity of Personnel Examination Results
The following specific provisions will apply regarding foreign language exam results to be used in Erasmus+ staff mobility applications.
Exam Results Before April 7, 2013
In staff mobility applications, the date of the first Foreign Language Proficiency Level Determination Exam (YDS) conducted by ÖSYM is used. April 7, 2013 This will be taken as the basis. Result documents from foreign language exams conducted by ÖSYM on or after this date will be accepted, provided they meet the other conditions stipulated in these principles.
Foreign language exam results obtained before April 7, 2013, will not be considered in staff mobility applications, regardless of exam score, achievement level, or proficiency level.
YÖKDİL Exam Results
Regarding YÖKDİL exams only Exams conducted by ÖSYM The relevant result documents will be accepted as valid.
Result documents from YÖKDİL exams administered by other institutions or organizations before the YÖKDİL exam began to be conducted by ÖSYM will not be accepted or considered in personnel mobility applications, regardless of the exam date or score.
Higher foreign language proficiency required by the other institution.
If the host institution, the country where the mobility will take place, the relevant department or program requires a foreign language proficiency score higher than those specified in these guidelines, achieving the minimum score set out herein will not constitute a vested right or guarantee of acceptance by the host institution. Meeting the higher foreign language requirement requested by the host institution or the relevant program is the responsibility of the applicant.
Exceptional Applications
Blended Intensive Programs, Blended and Short-Term Mobilities
In Mixed Intensive Programmes (BIPs), blended mobilities, short-term mobilities, and mobility announcements with special conditions regarding their nature, duration, target group, or implementation conditions, the following exceptional arrangements may be made by evaluating the program's purpose, type of activity, the host institution's requirements, application conditions, quota status, and institutional needs together:
- Lowering the minimum foreign language score,
- Failure to fully or partially implement the foreign language requirement,
- Acceptance of different exams or certificates not listed in these principles,
- Determining different assessment, measurement, or placement methods.
Exceptional practices within this scope are implemented with the approval of the Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Board and the Legal Representative of European Union Projects, provided that they are clearly indicated in the relevant mobility announcement and their scope and justification for implementation are stated in the announcement text.
Proficiency Levels
Determination of CEFR Levels and Equivalence
The foreign language proficiency levels included in this regulation are determined based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
In determining the CEFR equivalents of scores obtained from foreign language exams, the equivalence regulations published by ÖSYM (Turkish Higher Education Council) and in effect on the application date, as well as the official level tables of the authorized institutions or organizations conducting the exam, will be taken as the basis. If there is no official CEFR equivalent table published by the authorized institution for the relevant exam, the evaluation will be carried out based on the conversion and level ranges determined by the Erasmus+ Institutional Coordinator and announced in the relevant announcement text.
Entry into force and implementation
Final Provisions
Announcements to be implemented
These procedures and principles will be applied in student and staff mobility announcements to be published by the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Office in the 2027 call year and thereafter.
Priority of top regulation
If a different provision exists in the announcement text for the relevant call year or in the current rules published by the European Union Education and Youth Programs Centre, that specific and current regulation will apply.
Regulations of the competent authorities
The validity, equivalence, score conversion, and proficiency levels of the exams will be based on the current official regulations published by the competent institutions and organizations.
Official documents and special regulations take priority.
This page has been prepared to announce the decisions taken to the public and to inform those concerned. In case of any discrepancies between the statements on this page and the Erasmus+ Institutional Coordination Board Decision, the Approval of the Legal Representative of European Union Projects, the relevant mobility announcement, or the current regulations published by the Presidency of the European Union Education and Youth Programs Centre, the official document and specific regulations shall prevail.