Academic benefits
- You can take courses related to your degree which are not available at UWA (for example, The University of Otago offers courses in International and Native Title Law).
- You'll study at universities which are leaders in their areas of research.
Employment benefits
- Your achievement in a different academic and cultural environment will show to employers that you are flexible, that you are adventurous and are a self-starter.
- You'll be able to gain invaluable experience for future employment through vacation internships in your area of study offered by some universities.
Personal benefits
- You'll be able to travel within the host country and further afield with local students or other international students.
- You'll meet people from around the globe and develop new friendships.
- You'll gain independence and confidence.
The Student Exchange Program offers current UWA students the opportunity to study overseas at renowned universities for one or two semesters and gain credit towards your UWA degree.
The program is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, including international students. Students remain enrolled at UWA and continue to pay their tuition fees at UWA, but pay no tuition fees at the host university. With careful planning, you should be able to make normal progress towards the completion of your UWA degree in the recommended number of years.
Before you apply, think carefully about why you want to study overseas.
This is an important decision and must be considered carefully and planned well in advance. We encourage students to start planning at least nine months ahead.
This will give you time to think about why you want to go, where you want to go and what you hope to achieve. There is also considerable preparation required for credit transfer.
When you have decided that you do want to go overseas to study, we suggest the following process:
- Attend an exchange seminar, lunchtime information session (held during semester) or call in to the Study Abroad Office in Hackett Hall.
- Some things to consider include:
- Cost of accommodation/ travel.
- Country/location (big city or a small town).
- Climate.
- Size of the university.
- Availability of units compatible with your UWA degree.
- How long do you want to go for? (we recommend a full year, but keep in mind your UWA degree requirements)
- What time of the year do you want to go? Most universities in the northern hemisphere start their academic year in August/September (Fall semester) and start second semester in January (Winter/Spring semester).
