FAQs
(still under construction - more to come!)
Before You Apply
What should I do first?
How do I know if I am eligible for an exchange?
I'm an international student. Can I go on exchange?
I have already received credit towards my degree from previous studies at another university (in Australia or overseas). Can I still go on exchange?
Where can I go?
What does it cost?
What does ‘no places available' mean?
I'm doing a double degree. Do I have to study both on exchange?
I haven't completed 24 units. Can I still apply?
I will have completed 24 units by the end of 2011. Why can't I go on exchange in Semester 1, 2012?
My average is below 65%/I don't know how the average is calculated. Can I still apply?
How do I apply?
How can I apply for a scholarship?
How do I know if my preferred host university offers courses in my area?
Why do I need to provide more than one preference?
Will applying earlier give me a better chance of receiving a place?
I hold citizenship/have previously lived in the country in which I wish to study. Is this OK?
I really want to study at a particular overseas university, but they don't have a partnership with the University of Adelaide. Can I still study there?
Can I participate in two separate exchanges in two consecutive semesters (back-to-back)?
After You've Applied
When will I know if my application is successful?
Can I receive an offer to more than one university in case one doesn't accept me?
I've received an offer from Global Learning. Am I now accepted to the host university?
I've accepted my offer from Global Learning. What's next?
How do I choose my courses/complete my Faculty Approval?
I can't find clear enough information about courses. Should I contact the host university?
How do I apply to my host university?
How will I know that I have been accepted by my host university?
How do I apply for a visa?
How do I enrol in courses at my host university?
How do I remain enrolled at the University of Adelaide if I am not studying here?
How do I apply for OS-HELP?
How do I make sure my Centrelink payments continue while I am on exchange?
I need a letter that states I have permission to go on exchange/will be receiving OS-HELP funds/will remain enrolled at the University of Adelaide. How do I get that?
I am going overseas early in order to travel before my exchange starts. Can I obtain my documents early so that I can get my visa arranged early?
How do I know if the University's travel insurance policy is enough cover for me?
What health cover do I need to study overseas?
Before You Apply
What should I do first?
If you haven't already, you should attend one of our information sessions.
You then need to think about the following:
1. Where do I want to go? Visit our partners page.
2. Can I get credit for my studies there? Visit our credit transfer page.
3. Am I eligible to go? Check eligibility.
If you are ready to apply after checking these three items, you can apply.
If you're still not sure, you can contact us.
How do I know if I am eligible for an exchange?
You can view eligibility here.
I'm an international student. Can I go on exchange?
Yes, you can. You are subject to the same eligibility as local students, with the exception that you cannot go on exchange to your home country, and you will not be eligible for OS-HELP loans or scholarships.
I have already received credit towards my degree from previous studies at another university (in Australia or overseas). Can I still go on exchange?
Some faculties only allow students to obtain a certain amount of credit towards their degree from other institutions. If you have received credit from another institution, you should first check with your faculty adviser whether or not you can go on exchange. Please visit our contact people page to find your adviser's contact details.
Where can I go?
Visit our partners page. Take note of any restrictions.
What does it cost?
Costs vary depending on where you go. Please visit our costs and financial assistance page, and check the website of the host university in which you're interested for further guidance.
What does it mean if there are 'no places available' at my chosen host university?
This means that we are out of balance with this university - we have sent more students to them than they have sent to us, and no more students can go there until the balance is corrected. See how the program works. No places will be available at least for the next semester's intake and possibly beyond.
I'm doing a double degree. Do I have to study both on exchange?
No. Some universities may not even allow you to study both. On our application form we ask you to specify which degree(s) you wish to study on exchange.
I haven't completed 24 units. Can I still apply?
You can, as long as you have at least one semester's grades visible on your transcript. You may be able to receive a conditional offer based on your current grades, but your offer will not be made firm until you have completed 24 units.
I will have completed 24 units by the end of 2011. Why can't I go on exchange in Semester 1, 2012?
In most cases, semester results are available well after applications to host universities for the following semester have closed. Applications cannot be submitted without at least 24 units' worth of results presented, so students usually cannot go on exchange until the second semester after they have completed 24 units.
My average is below 65%/I don't know how the average is calculated. Can I still apply?
In most cases, you will not receive any kind of offer unless your average is 65% or higher. If there are extenuating circumstances relating to poor grades, please feel free to apply and elaborate on these circumstances.
Your average is calculated based on all grades you have received in your current program(s), including all semesters of study. You cannot opt to have your average calculated on particular semesters. Please note that if you have failed and subsequently passed the same course in your current program, we do not count the fail grade in our calculation. However we do count withdraw fails and fails that were not repeated.
If you had commenced and have subsequently discontinued a program, it will not be included in the calculation unless courses completed in that program will be credit towards your current program.
How do I apply?
Visit our how to apply page.
How can I apply for a scholarship?
There is no need to apply. If you are eligible to receive a scholarship, you will automatically be considered.
How do I know if my preferred host university offers courses in my area?
You would find this information on the host university's website. Visit our credit transfer page for some tips.
Why do I need to provide more than one preference?
Students should be aware that due to high demand and competition, their first preference will not always be available to them (though we always try to give students a place at their first preference). Providing three preferences gives you the best possible chance of receiving an offer to a university where you would be happy to study. Preferences should be given in particular order. It is important, therefore, that you look carefully at your 2nd and 3rd choice institutions - make sure that you would be happy to spend time at these universities.
Will applying earlier give me a better chance of receiving a place?
In the past, applying earlier has been an advantage for some students. We have decided that places should be decided primarily by academic merit, so deadlines have been implemented - allowing all applications to be compared at the same time. Offers will not be made ahead of deadlines.
Applying after a deadline does not preclude you from receiving an exchange place if they are still available.
I hold citizenship/have previously lived in the country in which I wish to study. Is this OK?
Most partners stipulate that exchange students cannot have a ‘significant connection' with the host university's country. Some are quite specific and will not allow exchange students who hold citizenship of the host country, who were born in the host country, or for whom the host country has been their domicile. Other partners are more flexible. If you have any connection to your preferred host country, you should indicate this clearly in your application so we can address any issues as early as possible.
I really want to study at a particular overseas university, but they don't have a partnership with the University of Adelaide. Can I still study there?
Not on an exchange agreement - however, you may be able to study there as a study abroad student. The main difference between exchange and study abroad is fees - you will pay tuition fees to your host university as a study abroad student, and you will not enrol at the University of Adelaide for the duration of your study abroad (you will not accrue HECS/tuition fees). You will need to find out the cost of studying abroad at the host university - this should be on their website.
The Global Learning office does not arrange your application to the host university in the case of study abroad, but you should still talk to us about your situation as we can assist with OS-HELP (HECS-eligible students only) and keep your faculty approval on file.
You can still receive credit for your studies as a study abroad student, if arranged with your faculty adviser. See credit transfer.
You may still be eligible for OS-HELP as a study abroad student, but you most likely will not be eligible to receive Centrelink as you will not be enrolled at the University of Adelaide.
Can I participate in two separate exchanges in two consecutive semesters (back-to-back)?
No. Students need to return to Adelaide for at least one semester before being eligible to depart on another exchange. This is partly due to the inevitable issues this situation creates regarding visas and documentation, but also because we encourage students to truly immerse themselves in and appreciate their exchange experience. We will not nominate students for two back-to-back exchanges.
After You've Applied
When will I know if my application is successful?
You will be contacted by the Global Learning office after applications have closed. See deadlines for closing dates. If your application was successful, you will receive an offer letter via email. If your application requires further information, the Global Learning office will contact you via email.
Can I receive an offer to more than one university in case one doesn't accept me?
You may not hold two offers to two universities. The Global Learning office would not usually provide an offer to a student if it was anticipated that the student wouldn't be acceptable to the host university. In the rare case that a student isn't accepted, they may need to wait until the next semester to apply again.
I've received an offer from Global Learning. Am I now accepted to the host university?
No. You still need to apply to, and be accepted by, the host university. The Global Learning office will assist you with this. You need you accept your offer before you can apply to the host university.
I've accepted my offer from Global Learning. What's next?
Students generally start looking more seriously at their course choices in preparation for their application to the host university. The Global Learning office will advise you when you need to start your host application.
How do I choose my courses/complete my Faculty Approval?
See our credit transfer page.
I can't find clear enough information about courses. Should I contact the host university?
No. Students should not contact the host university unless the university has contacted them first. Contact the Global Learning office if you need assistance.
How do I apply to my host university?
You may need to apply online or with a manual form. Each university is different. The Global Learning office will advise you accordingly. Your application must be completed in accordance with the exchange agreement (for example, paper applications need to be submitted via the Global Learning office and not directly to the host university).
How will I know that I have been accepted by my host university?
Some host universities will contact students directly to inform them that they have been accepted. If your acceptance is sent directly to you, please advise the Global Learning office. Other universities will send acceptances to the Global Learning office. We will advise you as soon as it is received so that you can come and collect it.
How do I apply for a visa?
The Global Learning office is not legally permitted to provide advice relating to visas. Your acceptance package from your host university should include information about visas. If you require further information, you are encouraged to contact the relevant embassy or consulate. Please do not ask the Global Learning office to assist with your visa application. We recommend that you go to the Smart Traveller website for links to your appropriate Consulate or Embassy.
How do I enrol in courses at my host university?
Each university manages enrolment differently. Some expect you to enrol online before departure from Australia, and some will enrol you when you arrive. Your acceptance package should specify any enrolment details.
How do I remain enrolled at the University of Adelaide if I am not studying here?
All exchange students need to enrol in ‘dummy' courses while on exchange. See Step 5 - credit transfer.
How do I apply for OS-HELP?
See our OS-HELP page.
How do I make sure my Centrelink payments continue while I am on exchange?
You can request a letter. See our forms page. Letters will not be written without correct exchange enrolment in Access Adelaide and a completed faculty approval form.
I need a letter that states I have permission to go on exchange/will be receiving OS-HELP funds/will remain enrolled at the University of Adelaide. How do I get that?
Our letter request form can be found on the forms page. Letters will not be written without correct exchange enrolment in Access Adelaide and a completed faculty approval form.
I am going overseas early in order to travel before my exchange starts. Can I obtain my documents early so that I can get my visa arranged early?
No. You should not make firm travel plans before you have received your acceptance and your visa. The Global Learning office will not request expedited documents from host universities in order to accommodate your personal travel. Most universities will expect to arrive in their country a few days before orientation and will send out the visa documents with this time frame in mind.
How do I know if the University's travel insurance policy is enough cover for me?
You should read the insurance booklet, and if you have any further questions contact Thomas Pontt, the University's insurance officer.
What health cover do I need to study overseas?
Host universities have varying levels of insurance requirements. Your acceptance package should outline whether a particular insurance policy is required. Please read this documentation carefully as some universities may require specific inoculations.
