Student Exchange

At first studying overseas on exchange might seem daunting but as returned students will tell you - it's worth it! The entire application process takes about nine months and you should also expect to spend about six weeks researching your options before the application deadline so it is a good idea to start planning a year in advance.  You can start your research by seeing where you can study. Think about your goals and what you hope to get out of your exchange. There are many amazing opportunities available to you!

It is important to plan your finances. As a general rule, you should be able to show that you will have at least AUD$3,500 available to you for every month of the exchange.

You will need to cover your living expenses, including accommodation, travel and food. Living costs vary according to your destination. Visit the international students sections of the partner institution websites to find out more about the cost of living, specific to each city.

Many scholarships and traineeships will continue while you are on exchange. Please contact your sponsoring body about any conditions that may affect your application.
 

Tuition fees

Some destinations may require you to pay additional fees but in general, you do not pay tuition fees to your host university. Instead, you continue to pay tuition to UNSW.

An in-person student exchange program is always a full-time workload, regardless of whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time at UNSW. For each term you are on exchange, you will be enrolled at UNSW. This in turn determines your contribution or tuition band fee rate and the amount you are charged.

General requirements for all students

• You should have at least a credit average to be considered, though some universities require higher grades. Students with less than a credit average should consult our Exchange Advisors.
• You need at least 18 remaining units of credit in your degree at the start of your exchange.
• Your exchange must be to a UNSW partner institution.
• Where language proficiency is required, you need to have studied that language at university level for at least 2 years. You may also be eligible if you've studied the language significantly outside of university or at high school level. Some universities require you to do a language proficiency test.

Undergraduate students

• Are eligible to apply.

Honours students

• May be eligible to apply and you should speak to your faculty about how exchange will impact your program. Students wishing to undertake research overseas should discuss their options with their faculty.

Postgraduate coursework students

• Are eligible to apply if their degree is at least 72 units of credit in duration.

Postgraduate research students

• While you can't apply for student exchange, you can apply for other learning abroad opportunities.

Sponsored students

• Sponsored international students should discuss their Exchange Program with their Sponsor and ensure they are eligible to apply. 

April

• Application deadline for student exchange in Term 1 of the following year.
• UNSW Scholarship applications for travel and exchange close.

September

• Application deadline for student exchange in Term 3 of the following year.

When can I apply?

• Undergraduate students - can apply after completing at least 18 units of credit. This is generally from Term 3 of your first year.
• Honours students - usually go on exchange in the 1st term of the Honours year. Speak to your faculty about how exchange will impact your program.
• Postgraduate coursework students - full-time students with 72 units of credit need to apply in their 1st Term.  Full-time students with 96 units of credit can apply in the following round.  Please consult with the Exchange Office.

How do I apply?

Step 1: to start the application process and to access the application form, you need to first complete the Student Exchange Tutorial.

Step 2: map out your courses for exchange and plan your degree to graduate on time.

Step 3: come to the Exchange Expo on 28 March to ask us any questions.

Step 3: attend an Information Session.

Step 4: join a digital drop-in session to talk to an Exchange Advisor about any specific questions you have.  See the Student Exchange Tutorial for details. 

Step 5: apply by the application deadline.

Virtual exchange is like in-person exchange but without the travel or need to leave home.  It is less costly and offers remote course work learning at a participating partner university where you can interact with students from that university.  

It gives you the flexibility to take less than a full-time load and study from one course up to 24 Units of Credit per half year. You can also apply to multiple universities giving you the opportunity to have more than one international experience.  

You remain enrolled at UNSW according to the number of courses you study and, at the end of your exchange, you bring the credit back to your UNSW degree.

You will be studying within the partner university’s academic session/s and you can compare the Partner’s academic calendar with UNSW term dates. 

You continue to pay UNSW tuition fees for each virtual exchange course, and you will be enrolled in a relevant exchange code. This determines your contribution or tuition band fee rate and the amount you are charged.

General requirements for all students

• You should have at least a credit average to be considered, though some universities require higher grades. Students with less than a credit average should consult our Exchange Advisors.
• You need to have sufficient units of credit in your degree at the start of your exchange to transfer back your virtual exchange courses.
• Your exchange must be to a participating UNSW partner institution.
• Where language proficiency is required, you need to demonstrate you have sufficient language skills.  Some universities require you to do a language proficiency test.

Undergraduate students

• Are eligible to apply.

Honours students

• Are eligible to apply but you should speak to your faculty about how virtual exchange may impact your program. Students wishing to undertake research should discuss their options with their faculty.

Postgraduate coursework students

• Are eligible to apply and should speak to their faculty about how it may impact on your program

Postgraduate research students

• While you can't apply for virtual exchange, you can apply for other global education opportunities.

Sponsored students

• Sponsored international students should discuss their virtual exchange with their Sponsor and ensure they are eligible to apply. 

Key dates

Check out our Learning Abroad News for new opportunities as they become available. To be eligible, you must apply by the deadline and be nominated for a virtual exchange place by the UNSW Study Abroad and Exchange Office.  

Application deadlines

Virtual exchange deadlines are dependent on the partner university meaning there is a shorter lead time to in-person exchange. Applications are assessed according to the partner deadline.​

You can start your research by subscribing to the Learning Abroad News.  Think about your goals and what you hope to get out of your virtual exchange. There are lots of opportunities available!

When can I apply?

• Undergraduate students - can apply after completing at least 18 units of credit.

• Honours students - usually take their online course(s) in the 1st term of the Honours year. Speak to your faculty about how it will impact your program.

• Postgraduate coursework students generally need to apply in their first term.  Please consult with the Exchange Office.

We recommend you talk to your Faculty Office about getting courses approved before you apply, and you will need Faculty approval to receive credit for any virtual exchange courses. You can do this by completing the virtual exchange course approval form and submitting it along with the course outlines from the Host Institution via the Cross Institutional Study webform.  Please refer to our Student Exchange Moodle tutorial for further information.

How do I apply?

Step 1: complete the Virtual Exchange section of the Student Exchange Tutorial.

Step 2: map out your courses for exchange and plan your degree to graduate on time.

Step 3: to find a program, check out our Learning Abroad News for opportunities.  Application information and deadlines are listed here. 

Step 4: apply by the application deadline.