Your journey starts here!
At UNSW, we aim to enhance the equity, diversity, and inclusive culture by providing opportunities for students to have a learning abroad experience. Regardless of your cultural diversity, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, religion, or level of ability, we have a program for you!
With such an experience, you will help shape and progress a just society by participating in an authentic and culturally immersive learning environment with other students from diverse backgrounds, worldviews, and cultural traditions.
Our programs provide a broad range of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds inherent in diverse communities creating a rich learning environment from which all students can benefit.
Our Commitment
- We are committed to increasing student access and support activities for our learning abroad and exchange programs to nurture students of high potential regardless of their background.
- Our goal is to provide you with information, resources, and student stories to find a learning abroad program that is right for you.
- Our hope is to foster a sense of empowerment and help diverse and underrepresented students access opportunities to become global citizens.
Finding the right program for you
Whether virtual or in person, Learning Abroad offers you the opportunity to gain an international experience as part of your degree and gain important graduate capabilities. Start planning your international experience by searching what opportunities inspire you.
You can select from the following programs:
The best option for you will depend on your own personal preference and interests and whether you are looking for a virtual or in-person experience, a short course, semester exchange, study tour or internship. You could even decide to do more than one!
Why virtual Learning Abroad?
Virtual Learning Abroad is like in-person but without the travel or need to leave home. It is less costly and offers online learning where you can collaborate with students from around the world, build peer to peer relationships and develop your global skill set.
Why in person Learning Abroad?
In-person Learning Abroad enables you to travel overseas as part of your program. You get to travel to the destination, study in a different country and experience a new culture. You should factor travel costs into your planning. Like virtual, it allows you to meet new people, build relationships, gain new perspectives and develop your global skill set.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to help you fund your Learning Abroad program. You can refer to financial assistance or contact the Learning Abroad and Exchange team for more information.
Student Stories
Xavier relocated to Sydney from a regional town several hours away and is the first member of his family to attend university. He had not considered learning abroad as money was tight and the logistics of having to either leave or sub-let his room in his share-house made it feel too complicated.
In second year, however one of his lecturers told his class about a 4-week overseas Faculty-led program with New Colombo Plan funding attached to cover the program fees. The shorter length of the program, being able to travel with a group of students from his class and the NCP grant made it possible for him to participate and hold on to his Sydney accommodation arrangements.
Oliva is a full-time mature-age student with a 7-year-old child. While the idea of learning abroad seemed great, Olivia felt there was no way to manage the time away with all her responsibilities. Affordability was an issue and getting course approval for her very structured degree seemed unlikely.
A friend told her about a virtual, not for credit program which was only 10 days long, free of charge and open to students from all disciplines. She liked that it was 100% online and designed to foster collaboration between participants from all over the world. This provided her with the opportunity to hear different perspectives, work on her cross-cultural communication skills, as well as to network and build relationships with peers overseas.
Sam heard about a virtual Exchange course from a friend. When he looked into it, he found the program at York University fostered dialogue and collaboration between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Canadian First Nations, and other Indigenous students from around the world. He received support from Exchange Advisors and the Nura Gili Student Success Officers to help him arrange course approval as an Indigenous Studies capstone course at UNSW.
Grace was concerned that declaring her neurodiversity on her Exchange application would negatively impact its assessment and potentially limit her options. She was also worried about how to access her prescription while overseas and the costs involved.
Grace arranged a meeting with an Exchange Advisor who reassured her that her information would only be used to enable the team to provide better support throughout the process and would not affect her application’s assessment. She registered with Equitable Learning Services at UNSW who helped her put together an Equitable Learning Plan which, with Grace’s permission, was then used to inform her host university about the adjustments and support she needed.
Ready to apply?
Once you have thought about which programs appeal to you, we recommend you speak to one of our advisors.
You can also view our Exchange or Short Programs Moodle tutorial as they have information on what to think about and how to plan, pre recorded information sessions, course matching resources and how to apply.
We also have a Pre -Departure tutorial and resource to help with your final preparations and time overseas.
UNSW Resources
UNSW has lots of support services to help you on your journey and a dedicated Learning Abroad and Exchange team who can provide you with advice.
You may also wish to discuss your Learning Abroad program with your UNSW support unit.