Outgoing Study Abroad & Exchange
Am I a Study Abroad or an Exchange applicant?
Although both Study Abroad and Exchange programs involve studying away
from the University of Melbourne for one or two semesters, there are important
differences between the programs.
- Exchange students from the University of Melbourne take up a course place at an approved overseas institution and in return a student from that institution may study at the University of Melbourne. As an Exchange student you remain enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Melbourne and continue to pay your fees here in whatever form you have previously paid them. You are also enrolled as a full-time student at the host institution, but you are not required to pay any tuition fees at that institution. Exchange students must travel to a partner institution.
- Study Abroad students enrol at institutions
that do not have an exchange agreement with the University of Melbourne.
As a Study Abroad student you must take a leave of absence from your
degree at the University of Melbourne and enrol directly with, and pay
any applicable tuition fees to, your chosen institution. Study Abroad
students will be required to arrange their own overseas study program,
but are welcome to use this website and the Melbourne Abroad resource
room for advice, and attend the Exchange pre-departure session, where
possible.
The Melbourne Abroad Program
The Melbourne Abroad Unit provides support to students interested in studying overseas for part of their university degree either as an Exchange student or as a Study Abroad student. On either program you can receive credit or fulfil academic requirements for your studies overseas, if your study schedule is approved.
The Melbourne Abroad Program also comprises a number of scholarships which are available to assist with overseas study. Exchange students are considered automatically for Melbourne Abroad scholarships, but Study Abroad students must apply for them using forms supplied by the Undergraduate Scholarships Office.
Procedures for students wishing to undertake an Overseas Exchange Study Program
The Melbourne School of Engineering has a commitment to internationalisation and strongly encourages and supports its students to undertake part of their undergraduate studies overseas as an exchange student. The School has Exchange Agreements with top universities worldwide, including Imperial College, Carnegie Mellon and National University of Singapore amongst many others. You will normally receive credit towards your University of Melbourne degree upon successful completion of your studies overseas. The School can assist you to undertake the exchange by providing assistance.
You can apply for either one or two semesters stay at the overseas university
(some institutions will require that you enrol in a 1 year program).
Studying overseas is a rewarding experience -it gives you a great opportunity to learn a new culture and language, travel and explore a new country, make new friends, study subjects not taught at your own university and experience a new teaching system.
You can broaden your knowledge and understanding of international issues.
You have a competitive advantage to prospective employers.
These are some of the enormous benefits, both academically and socially
you gain going on exchange!
See How do I arrange my exchange?
Frequently asked questions
Which University can I apply to?
The School would prefer that you apply to a University with whom we
have an agreement. – visit the following web-page to research
the Engineering Faculty Partner institutions >
What funding assistance is available?
Visit the following web page to find out more about Exchange funding
assistance from the Melbourne Schoolof Engineering >
Can I go during any year of my course?
Talk to your department about this as each department has their own
needs for example the Department of Computer Science & Software
Engineering would prefer students to go on exchange in the
second year of their course.
Should I go in first or second semester?
You need to discuss this with your department to ensure that your course structure is not affected. It is also important to travel overseas at least 2 weeks before your program starts just in case that you have difficulties in getting approval for subjects by the host institution. In this case, you need to contact the Department here immediately to review your course plan. Please note that in some cases if there are such difficulties, you may have to extend your course by a semester. This may be an issue for international students.
Scholarhips?
The School can assist you to undertake the exchange
by providing scholarship
assistance.
How can I find out more?
Come along to one of our information sessions and
hear all about it.
How do I arrange my exchange?
- Talk to School staff to see whether you are eligible to apply.
- Look on the web for the University that you may wish to go to. You could do some of the preliminary work such as looking at subject contents, prerequisites, subject assessment, contact hours per week, semesters, etc.
- Take all the information and discuss your course plan with your Course Adviser/Exchange Coordinator in the Department. Please note that you will need to do the same with the other School if you are taking combined degree. For contact details, go to:
- Once the Department has approved the Course Plan (which will enable you to obtain credits for the subjects you study overseas) you should fill out the rest of the application. You also need to submit your referee's form (this should be in a sealed envelope)
- Submit your completed application to the School by the due date.
- Students who apply for the exchange study program will be automatically considered for a Melbourne Abroad Scholarship. Go to: for more information.
- Once you received notification from Melbourne Abroad Office that you have been accepted by the host institution, you MUST contact the School Office immediately to get your enrolment record amended to ensure that you are enrolled in the appropriate Exchange Code BEFORE leaving Australia.
- If you commence your studies overseas in semester 2, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are appropriately enrolled in semester 1 in the following year, i.e., You will need to submit your course plan on-line during the normal Subject Selection period. Contact the School staff if you encounter problem submitting your course plan on-line.
- When you return from your exchange program, ensure that appropriate credits have been entered on your enrolment record. If you had to change your course plan, you will need to seek approval from the Department before credits can be entered on your record.
Other useful resources
Melbourne Abroad Exchange Blog
The site is an interactive, online resource for those students
contemplating taking part in the exchange program, and to encourage other students
to consider the benefits of undertaking overseas study during their time at the
University of Melbourne.
www.services.unimelb.edu.au/exchanges/blog
What some returned Engineering students had to say about exchange
"I choose to undertake an exchange to Carnegie Mellon University
because it gives me a chance to do something different, to travel without
being a tourist and meet new people, make friends. From a personal perspective,
I have increased independence, I am more appreciative of our own culture,
form stronger friendship with people and family at home. I had the opportunity
to see how education works in a different country and study at a prestigious
research institution.
If I had the opportunity to do it over again, I would have organised
my course so I could have stayed for a year!"
Joel Beach
Fifth Year Bachelor of Science/Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA
"It was a fantastic way to travel, work overseas and study in a different country; without losing my friends at Melbourne. I made heaps of amazing friends from around the world, gained independence, learnt how to play hockey, found a girlfriend and caught a little thing called the "travel bug".
Different universities have different strengths. I learnt about hydrographic
surveying from world-class professors and discovered issues affecting
geomatics and science in Canada."
Daniel Carter
Fourth Year Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering/Science
University of New Brunswick
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