Study Overseas

Exchange programs are generally open to both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students. Some opportunities are limited to specific disciplines or faculty areas. Both domestic and international students are encouraged to apply.

To apply for an exchange, check the eligibility requirements and ensure you are applying within the right round for your desired study period.

• You will need to be able to study full time for the duration of your program. 
• You will also need to make sure you’re not missing core courses in crucial semesters.
• Check your study plan to find out when we recommend that you go on an exchange.
• The faculty will assist in the exchange application process by providing degree checks and credit approval.

Search exchange programs

First steps

If you are thinking about an exchange, we recommend you:

• visit the Sciences Service Hub and talk to a student advisor; and
• attend one of the exchange information sessions held by Study Overseas.

Eligibility

The faculty and Study Overseas set guidelines for determining whether you are eligible to apply for an overseas exchange program. You will be required to meet the requirements of both areas in order to be made an offer.

• Study Overseas eligibility requirements
• Faculty of Sciences eligibility requirements:
  • The Faculty of Sciences determines eligibility for exchange by calculating the amount of appropriate space you have left in your degree.
  • Students must present a minimum of 50% of courses taken towards their program of study from the University of Adelaide.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 50% of their courses at the highest level relevant to their program of study at the University of Adelaide.
  • Students must complete at least 50% of the courses contributing to their major/s (for relevant programs) at the University of Adelaide.
  • Transfer credit limits are considered as the minimum number of units students are required to study at the University of Adelaide. This is in accordance with the Academic Credit Arrangements Policy.

How to apply

Before your exchange, you will be required to obtain the following two separate approvals from the faculty. This is in addition to any Study Overseas requirements.

Step 1: Pre-approval

Student responsibilities

• You will need to select three different universities as part of your application process. Thoroughly research these universities and the courses they offer, to ensure you will receive credit if you are made an offer for exchange

  • Go to the Study Overseas website to find out about the host university. It is your responsibility to understand the eligibility criteria, costs, visas, academic calendar, and workload requirements for the host university.
• Animal science and viticulture and oenology students must consult with their program coordinator prior to applying for an exchange due to the unique structure of these programs.
• Apply for exchange through the GLAS portal, where you can submit your application for pre-approval.

Faculty responsibilities

Once your pre-approval questionnaire has been submitted, a Faculty of Sciences student advisor will assess the application. The outcome will be recorded in GLAS and you will receive an email notification.

Step 2: Course approval

'Course approval' is required once pre-approval has been obtained in Step 1 and your placement has been confirmed by Study Overseas. Courses studied without formal faculty approval may not be eligible to be counted as credit towards your science program.

Student responsibilities

• Choose the courses at your host university. For help, talk to your program/course coordinator or make an appointment with a student advisor.
• Only enrol into your courses at the host university if they have been approved by the Faculty of Sciences in GLAS.
• If your University of Adelaide course has a practical component, you must ensure that the overseas university course also has a practical component.
• Courses selected will need to be identified as either ‘specified credit’ or ‘unspecified credit’. Courses contributing towards a major will normally require ‘specified credit’.
• Locate all the information for each of the courses you wish to enrol into. You will need:
  1. Name of overseas course /subject.
  2. Value of overseas course, in ECTS, credits, units etc. - e.g. 5 ECTS.
  3. Equivalent value of overseas course in University of Adelaide units: (e.g. 2 units)
  4. Whether a course matches to an University of Adelaide core course? If yes, which course(s)? Include the name of course or year level for unspecified credit’.
  5. URL of course descriptions on partner university/host institution website. Include a link to syllabus information and unit value on the host university’s website)
• Request your courses for approval via the faculty approval (study plan) questionnaire on your GLAS application, question 4, using the above template. Ensure you ‘save’ the questionnaire when you are ready for your courses to be assessed. Never ‘submit’ this questionnaire.

Special notes:

• You must complete a minimum of 50% of the courses contributing towards your major at the University of Adelaide.
• The proposed study plan will be approved as a package. Elective courses (unspecified courses for credit) must be approved at the same time as core courses or courses contributing towards a major (specified courses for credit).
• If for any reason you need to change your pre-approved study plan while overseas you must seek Faculty of Sciences approval. Do not enrol into a course overseas and assume that you will be granted credit for it – all courses must be pre-approved.
• Request courses for approval early! Not all courses you choose may be suitable matches.
• While on exchange, you must be enrolled at the University of Adelaide in the relevant exchange course. The faculty office can help you enrol in the correct course.

Faculty responsibilities

• The faculty office will confirm your course matches and credit arrangements via GLAS.
• The faculty office will submit the Faculty Approval (Study Plan) questionnaire once your credit arrangements have been finalised.

After your exchange

• Once you return from exchange, your host university will provide your completed transcript to Study Overseas, who will provide a copy to the faculty office for processing your credit.
• Exchange study does NOT count towards your Grade Point Average (GPA). The grade for each course will be recorded as ‘transfer credit’.
• Transcripts from overseas may take several months to arrive. If you go on exchange in your final semester of study, your graduation may be delayed.

Study tours are short programs which give you credit for one or more of your elective courses. They are usually two to fours weeks in length and take place during university holidays.

You may hear about these opportunities from your program or course coordinator, or via the Study Overseas website. You can apply for these programs via the GLAS portal.

More information: Study Overseas' study tours

• International summer and winter schools
• Third party provider programs
• Internships
• Placements
• Volunteering
• Study abroad
• Other international experiences

Example third-party provider programs

Learn more about short programs