Semester exchange

Two students at Orientation week outside

Explore the world while completing your degree

An exchange program allows you to study at an overseas partner university while staying enrolled at and being supported by Adelaide University. More than an adventure, an exchange program is an exciting step that will help you with your studies, future employment and personal development.

Available to both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, your tuition fees are waived by the overseas university, and you receive credit for the courses you study there in place of a semester at Adelaide University. 

If you are interested in short-term exchange opportunities, such as summer and winter schools, visit the Short-term programs webpage.

Where can I go?

Experience it all, from culture and history to nature and food. Adelaide University has a wide range of universities we partner with in countries all across the world.

Explore exchange partner institutions

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What is semester exchange?

A semester exchange program allows you to study at an Adelaide University exchange partner university for either one or two semesters, while earning credits towards your Adelaide degree. During your time on exchange, you remain enrolled at and pay tuition fees to Adelaide University. If you pass all your approved courses at your host university, you should receive credit towards your Adelaide University degree, however the grades you receive while on exchange won’t count towards your degree or GPA.

Before you apply

Completing an exchange program is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a university student, but there’s a lot to consider, and it can be difficult to know how to get started.

Use the information below to prepare for your application and ensure you have the best chance of success.

You can check your eligibility by visiting the Global learning program eligibility webpage and make sure you’re on track to meet the general criteria to go on exchange. Requirements are slightly different for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Some host universities may have unique or higher entry requirements than the minimum set by Global Learning. Be sure to check the ‘information sheet’ and ‘Academics’ tab on the host university program brochure.

A study plan is a schedule outlining all the courses within your Adelaide University degree and when it’s recommended you complete them.

When on exchange, you’ll need to receive full-time credit (a minimum of 18 AU units and a maximum of 24 AU units) from your overseas courses, so it’s important to consider how an exchange will fit with your remaining studies. Generally, you should be confident you have at least three courses you can study overseas and that you’ll likely be eligible to receive credit for in your Adelaide University degree.

Where can I get a study plan?

You may or may not have a personalised Adelaide University study plan. Please visit the Current students webpage for more information about what a study plan is and when you can request one.

Either way, you don’t need any specific course approvals before you start an application – you’ll be guided through credit approval processes via instructions in MyGlobal, and in communications from the Global Learning team.

For now, consider where you are up to in your degree, how many courses you have remaining, and how many electives you may have. 

You may already have a specific country or location in mind for your exchange program, but it’s essential to consider that not all universities will offer courses or services to suit you. Therefore, it’s important to remain openminded about your host location. For example, you may not find the subjects you need in France, but you could have a similarly rewarding experience studying in Denmark or Singapore.

It’s worthwhile to think about your budget as you research your destination. Some countries may be more expensive to travel to than others, may have a weak exchange rate, or might attract a higher cost of living – all worth keeping in mind if you’re on a budget. 

Visit the Global learning costs and funding webpage to find out more about the potential costs of an exchange and the financial support available. 

Now is the time to start looking into possible host universities, and which courses may be available for you to study overseas. 

When applying for exchange you will be asked to list 4 potential host universities in order of preference.

View Adelaide University exchange partners

You will need to undertake some detailed research to make sure your preferred universities are suitable for you. This part of the process can be time-consuming, with a lot of information to read and absorb. Use these tips to help guide your research: 

Browse through Adelaide University exchange partners to discover your options. These are a good guide for early research and they also provide the links to overseas university websites, where you can explore in more detail.
New host institutions may be added periodically to the Adelaide University exchange partner list. We recommend checking the list again before applications close and updating your preferences if needed.
You’ll need to consider whether the universities you’re interested in will have enough relevant courses in your academic area, along with whether they are offered in the semester(s) you want to go on exchange, to make it a suitable choice for you. If you’re not fluent in the language of the host university, you’ll also need to make sure there are a good range of courses taught in English.
To help gauge how many exchange places may be available at each host university, Global Learning provides place availability indicators on the host university’s program brochure. These indicators are: High competition for places, Moderate availability for places, High availability of places, and No places available. The availability indictor can change each round.
Some host universities have higher entry requirements than the Global Learning semester exchange eligibility. Check the GPA and units completed requirements for your preferred host universities in the information sheet on the host university’s program brochure. Students who do not meet these higher requirements will not be considered for that preference.
You’ll notice that different universities calculate course loads and credit differently. Ultimately, it will be up to your Program Director to determine how many courses at the host university are equivalent to how many courses at Adelaide University. This will happen later in the process. See the general credit equivalency guidelines below, which may help you with your research. 
Academic subjects aren’t the only thing to consider. Make sure to think about which universities offer student culture, accommodation options, and student services that suit your lifestyle and needs.

Credit equivalencies

Adelaide University Units	UK Credits	ECTS (European Credits)	US Credits
24	60	30	15
18	45	22.5	12

Once you’ve done some initial research, it’s a great idea to attend an information session to meet with the team and discuss your plans. We can offer advice and answer any questions you might have about funding options, application processes, and more. 

If you’re unable to attend an information session you can watch a recording of the latest online Global Learning Programs information sesssion.

If you have any questions after watching recording, please contact us by phone or email. We are also available for one-on-one appointments, either online or in person, should you wish to discuss your options further.

Ready to apply?

Applications for outbound exchange will open twice per year, with each round opening approximately one year in advance of the semester you plan to go on exchange. The process takes place over a number of months and includes both an internal and external application process guided by your home university.

Semester exchange deadlines

Applications for exchange in AU Semester 1

Applications open: April (for Semester 1 of the following year)
Applications close: June (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Applications for exchange in AU Semester 2

Applications open: September (for Semester 2 of the following year)
Applications close: November (for semester 2 of the following year)

How to apply

Follow the steps outlined below to complete your semester exchange application. If you need any help with your application, please contact us.

During the advertised application period, you will need to view the Outbound Exchange Program Brochure, read the instructions carefully, and then click Apply Now to start your application. You should commence your application at least three weeks in advance of the deadline.

As part of your application, you will need to:

Nominate your preferred host universities – please review our partner institutions before making your selections.
- For each preference, confirm which degree(s) you intend to seek credit towards.
- List four courses you would like to take at each host university to show that you have researched the courses available.
- Do not list the same university more than once.
Write a personal statement in support of your application (approximately 100 words). We recommend you address the following:
- Why you want to undertake an exchange semester
- Why you have chosen these specific universities
- Any other information you feel is relevant to your application. 
Advise which courses in your AU study plan you plan to obtain credit for while overseas. Use your study plan to guide you.
Agree to the Global Learning Program Student Terms and Conditions.

Your academic results that are published at the end of the semester of application to Global Learning will be taken into consideration, See the Academic Calendar to check when your results will be published. Resit results may not be taken into consideration due to application outcome timelines.

All applications will be assessed after the application close date. Outcomes will be sent to students on, or near, the relevant ‘decision date’ for that semester.

If your application is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer of place that confirms:

The host university you’ve been allocated to, and
Any grants or scholarships you’ve been awarded.

Global Learning will place students based on academic merit in addition to other components of their application, host university requirements and University data.

Where possible, we aim to prioritise students who have not yet had the opportunity to undertake a semester exchange. You will have 14 days from the decision date to commit to your offer for an exchange place. Instructions on how to do this will be provided.

You will also be required to attend a compulsory ‘post-offer’ workshop.

The date you will receive your offer is called the ‘decision date’. This is when you will be notified of your offer via email and through your online application in MyGlobal.

Semester 1 Decision Date: July/August

Semester 2 Decision Date: January

You'll be notified of your exact decision date via MyGlobal.

If you receive an exchange offer, you will be required to attend a compulsory post-offer workshop. This session will explain what happens next in the exchange process. It is also an opportunity to meet other students also applying for exchange in the same country or region as yourself.

Topics covered in this session include:

Applying to the host university

How to seek credit approval

Responsibilities

Passports

Budget and finances.

You will be advised of the date and time of your post-offer workshop when you receive your exchange offer.

From the decision date, you have 14 days to commit to your offer for an exchange place. Instructions on how to do this will be provided with your offer.

Committing to an offer for an exchange place is an indicator that you wish to proceed with your application.

Please note that exchange places are not guaranteed until you are accepted by your host university and you have completed all other pre-departure tasks.

We understand that your circumstances can change. If you need to withdraw from the exchange program at any point, please contact the Global Learning team as soon as possible.

After you’ve committed to the program, there are several tasks you will then need to work through, including applying to your host institution (please don’t try and do this until we tell you to, as we need to nominate you first!), formal credit approval, and other important pre-departure tasks.

More information will be provided in MyGlobal, and we’ll talk you through these in more detail at the post-offer workshop.

Exchange FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions students have before they apply for exchange:

The exchange indicators provide an indication of the availability and level of competition for places at each partner university. Please consider these indicators carefully when selecting your preferences.

High competition for places
Indicates that the university typically receives significantly more applications than the number of exchange places available.

Moderate or High availability of places
Indicates that there are generally more exchange places available relative to the number of applications received. Selecting one of these universities as a preference may increase your chances of receiving an exchange allocation.

No places this round
Indicates that the host university is not accepting applications in the current exchange round. Universities with this indicator cannot be selected as a preference.

To give you the best possible chance of receiving an exchange allocation, your fourth preference will be restricted to universities with a Moderate or High availability of places indicator.

Click the buttons below to view all host universities with:

High availability

Moderate availability

High competition

No places

Costs you will need to consider:

Your home course fees (at Adelaide University). Course fees at your host university are waived by agreement, however you must still pay course fees as you normally would at home (through HECS or direct payment). In addition, you will still be liable for the Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) each semester you are away, which can also be paid through HECS or directly to the University.
Airfares and travel costs – flights to and from your exchange destination, and side-trips or excursions you may undertake whist on exchange.
Accommodation – this varies widely depending on your destination. Most host universities will provide an accommodation guide.
Food and meals.
General living expenses – entertainment, public transport, personal items, etc.
Passports and visa costs.
Some host universities will require students to pay the equivalent of a SSAF direct to them. This will be in addition to your Adelaide University SSAF. There are some cases where this fee is greater than the SSAF at Adelaide University.

When preparing a budget for your exchange, you should consider both the length of time you plan to spend overseas and the cost of living at your destination. Our host university program brochures provide information about living costs and other university-specific expenses provided by the host universities. You can also access online resources, such as destination guides and visitor information websites, to gain a better understanding of the costs associated with living and studying at your destination.

As an exchange student, your travel insurance is covered under the Adelaide University Travel Insurance policy. However, if you study overseas for a period that exceeds the maximum duration covered by the policy, or if you undertake activities that fall outside the coverage, you may be required to pay an additional premium before departure to ensure you are fully insured. This is an expense that you should include in your budget.

In some cases, students may also be required to purchase specific health insurance as directed by their host university.

No. Back-to-back exchanges are not permitted. If you would like to undertake a second exchange program, you must first return to Adelaide and complete a minimum of one semester of study.

You will then need to submit a new application. Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in a semester exchange program.

Once applications have closed, Global Learning reviews all completed applications and confirms that applicants meet the advised application eligibility requirements for their prefered host universities. We also consider any extenuating circumstances or other relevant factors that may impact an application.

If there is a particular reason you believe you should be considered for a specific host university, please include this information in the ‘About Me’ section of your application.

Where demand for a university exceeds the number of places available, applications are ranked to determine the allocation of places. While academic merit (GPA) is a key consideration, but other factors may also be taken into account, including:

Host university requirements
Academic suitability
Language proficiency
Extenuating circumstances

Other relevant selection criteria. Where possible, we also aim to prioritise students who have not previously had the opportunity to undertake a semester exchange.

While every effort is made to accommodate student preferences, placement at a preferred host university is not guaranteed. You should therefore ensure that all nominated exchange preferences are suitable options and be prepared to accept an offer from any of your listed host universities.

If you are considering changing degrees, we strongly recommend completing the transfer process before applying for the Outbound Exchange Program. A change of degree may affect the number of units you have remaining to complete, which can impact your eligibility for exchange.

To be eligible for the Outbound Exchange Program, you must be enrolled in the degree you intend to continue while on exchange. Your application will be assessed against the eligibility requirements for your active degree at the time your application is reviewed.

If you are planning a degree transfer and are unsure how if may affect your exchange eligibility, we encourage you to contact Global Learning for advice before submitting your application.

Yes, it may be possible to extend your exchange while overseas. However, the approval process is not guaranteed and will depend on several factors, including:

Whether you have sufficient room in your degree study plan to receive full-time credit for an additional semester (minimum 18 units)
The availability of exchange places at your host university
Approval from your host university to extend your stay
Your continued eligibility for the Outbound Exchange Program

If you are considering a full-year exchange, we strongly recommend applying for a full-year place in your initial Outbound Exchange Program application. This allows Global Learning to confirm your eligibility and ensure you have adequate space within your degree to undertake a longer exchange. If your plans change later, it is generally much easier to shorten a full-year exchange to one semester than it is to extend a one-semester exchange after departure.

Before requesting an extension, you should also carefully consider the financial and practical implications of an extended stay, including:

Living expenses
Travel and health insurance coverage
Accommodation arrangements
Visa requirements and validity
Flights and other travel costs

Any additional expenses associated with living overseas for a longer period. If you are interested in extending your exchange while abroad, please contact Global Learning as early as possible to discuss your options and the approval process.