Study abroad and student exchange
Each year, thousands of international students choose to study in Australia because of the excellent reputation of its education system and courses, and for the great lifestyle and travel opportunities.
Study abroad or student exchange?
Whether an international student takes part in a study abroad or exchange program depends on whether or not the student's home university has a formal exchange agreement with the Australian institution.
In an exchange program:
The home institution has a formal exchange agreement with the Australian institution.
The student remains enrolled at their home institution during their time in Australia.
The student continues to pay their normal fees to their home institution (the cost to the Australian institution is part of the exchange agreement between the two institutions).
The student must be nominated and approved for the exchange program by the exchange coordinator at their home institution.
Credit for study in Australia usually counts towards the student's home course as part of the exchange agreement, although it is important to check to make sure.
In a study abroad program:
The home institution does not have a formal exchange agreement with the Australian institution.
The student must typically take leave from their home institution.
The student usually pays fees to the Australian institution upfront.
The student must ask their advisers at their home institution if they can receive credit for their study abroad subjects.
Courses and qualifications
Study abroad and exchange programs usually involve completing one or two semesters of study overseas. Credit from some or all of your results from this study will count toward your course back home. The amount of credit transferred for studies completed in Australia varies depending on the academic system at your home institution. Students are usually allowed to enrol in any subjects offered by their Australian institution. However entry to some subjects may be dependent on the student having fulfilled certain prerequisite subject requirements so it is important to check with academic advisers at both your home and Australian institution. Before you commit to a study abroad or exchange program, you should consider the following questions:
Does my home institution give credit for subjects taken overseas?
Am I able to count subjects taken overseas as part of my study abroad towards my major?
Will subjects taken overseas show on my home transcript with or without a letter grade or a grade point average?
You are strongly advised to speak to your home university's academic adviser and/or exchange coordinator for answers to any questions you may have.
Tuition costs
Students taking part in a student exchange program pay their normal fees to their home institution.
Students taking part in a study abroad program will need to pay fees, usually upfront, to their Australian institution.
Talk to your academic adviser at your home institution and at your Australian institution, as fees will vary.
Entry information
You can generally apply for study abroad programs in Australia either through your home institution or directly through the Australian institution. Students taking part in an exchange program will need to get approval from their home institution before applying. To be eligible for study abroad and student exchange programs student generally need to:
have completed a minimum of two semesters of full-time study at their home institution
satisfy minimum academic requirements set by the Australian institution
have satisfied any necessary subject prerequisites
satisfy English language requirements if from a non-English speaking country.
Students may be required to fulfil a number of other application requirements such as providing academic and character references, a financial statement, and a copy of their academic results. Admission requirements differ between Australian institutions so it is important to check specific details with individual institutions before applying. To obtain a student visa, study abroad and exchange students must be enrolled full time at their Australian institution. The minimum commitment of one semester of study is 12 to 14 weeks.
