International Student Exchange Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Please find below answers to some Frequently Asked Questions to assist your research into exchange options at UniSA.
Researching an Exchange
Who can apply?
Where can I study?
How long can I study overseas?
Do I need to
be able to speak another language?
How many courses do I need to study at the Host University?
Will I still graduate on time if I study on an exchange program?
Applying for Exchange
Can I
submit my application if I don't have a passport?
Do I need to provide a transcript as part of my application?
What documents do I need to submit as part of my application to the Host
University?
I haven't heard if I've been approved by the Host University, what should I do?
While on Exchange
Should I enrol myself into UniSA courses while on exchange?
What if I decide to stay overseas? How does this affect my degree here?
Will I be
able to work overseas while on exchange?
Can I change my courses once I commence studies at the Host University?
Where should I live?
Returning Home
My
exchange grade has not appeared on UniSA Info, why?
Why
have I received a Non Graded Pass for my exchange?
Travel Grants,
Finance and Scholarships
What does it cost?
Are there scholarships
available?
Can I still receive youth allowance?
What is OS-HELP and how do I apply?
Visas and Health Insurance
Health Insurance, can't
I buy this over here? If not, why not?
Who organises my visa and travel arrangements? Do I need to wait on
anything from the University for this?
Researching an Exchange
Who can apply?
Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students are eligible to apply
although some partner universities only accept either undergraduate or
postgraduate students. Students will need to meet the student exchange
selection criteria. International fee-paying students may also apply but
cannot participate in an exchange to their home country. Postgraduate
research students can undertake some of their study overseas and should
contact the
Research Higher Degrees office for more information.
Where can I study?
UniSA has established links with universities worldwide. You may choose from
a range of universities and countries depending on your discipline area and
cultural interests. Review the list of
Exchange Partners for further details.
How long can I study overseas?
You can select to study either 1 or 2 study periods (semesters) as part of
their exchange program. Therefore the time of exchange will be either 6 or
12 months duration. Places at some partner universities are limited due to
high interest therefore you may not always be accepted for the 12 month
option.
Do I need to be
able to speak another language?
UniSA has exchange agreements with partner universities in many English
speaking countries. While some partner universities require fluency in a
language other than English, many partner universities in non English
speaking countries also offer courses in English. Check details of language
requirements on the list of
Exchange Partners.
How
many courses do I need to study at the Host University?
Each Host University calculates course loads and credit differently so you
will need to negotiate with your Program Director to determine how many
courses at the Host University are equivalent to either 13.5 or 18 UniSA
units. Some guidelines are listed on the website under
Credit Equivalencies however the final course load will be at the
discretion of the Program Director. Students must complete the equivalent of
a minimum of 13.5 UniSA units and maximum 18 UniSA units while on exchange.
Will I still graduate on time if I study on an exchange program?
In most cases (depending on your course load while on exchange)
participating in an exchange will not change your graduation date. If you
are on exchange in your final semester, then your graduation may be delayed,
although this should not be a barrier to employment or further study.
Applying for Exchange
Can I
submit my application if I don't have a passport?
If you do not have a passport, you can still forward your application to
UniSA. Once we have approved you for the exchange program, you are expected
to apply for a passport as soon as possible.
Do
I need to provide a transcript as part of my application?
You do not need to order a transcript as your Student Exchange Officer will
organise this for you.
What documents do I need to submit as part of my application to the Host
University?
Once you have been approved for the exchange program, your Student Exchange
Officer will provide you with a copy of the application form for the Host
University. The application should include a full list of all documents you
need to submit. These vary between each university so please follow the
guidelines. You must provide ALL documents requested as part of the
application.
I haven't heard if I've
been approved by the Host University, what should I do?
Please be patient, it can take approx 8 to12 weeks for the Host University
to process your application. Your Student Exchange Officer will contact you
as soon as they receive confirmation of your acceptance so in the meantime
we ask you to be patient and refrain from contacting UniSA for updates.
While on Exchange
Should
I enrol myself into UniSA courses while on exchange?
Please do not enrol yourself in any UniSA courses for the period of your
exchange. Your enrolment will be processed internally. However, if you are
studying any online courses in addition to your exchange semester, you will
need to enrol yourself for any online components.
What if I decide to stay overseas? How does this affect my degree here?
If you wish to continue your exchange program, you must email your Student
Exchange Officer to confirm whether this will be allowed. Your extension
needs to be approved by UniSA International, the Host University and your
Program Director. If it is approved, your extension will be processed by
your Student Exchange Officer. If you do not wish to continue your exchange
program but remain overseas you will need to apply for a Leave of Absence
from your program.
Will I be
able to work overseas while on exchange?
You may be permitted to work while on exchange but this will depend on your
visa conditions. It is important to check with the appropriate embassy or
consulate to confirm if there are any restrictions. It is also important to
consider your study load while on exchange to ensure that you have
appropriate time to study if you are considering working. You may also find
that it is more difficult to find employment than previously expected so you
will need to ensure you budget for your exchange appropriately in case plans
change when you arrive at your destination.
Can I change my courses once I commence studies at the Host University?
You may need to change your courses once you arrive at the Host University
due to a range of reasons including timetable clashes. If this is the case,
you will need to email your Program Director to confirm your new study
selection and course load. Once the Program Director has approved the change
you will need to copy or forward the communication to your Student Exchange
Officer so a record of the change can be noted on your file.
Where should I live?
Accommodation for exchange students varies depending on the country and Host
University. There may be on campus accommodation in residence halls,
homestay options or you may have to rent an apartment off campus. Each
university has some type of housing service that will send information so
that your accommodation can be organised before you leave Australia. Check
the Host University's website and read
Returned Student Reports to get an idea of where previous students have
lived.
Returning Home
My exchange
grade has not appeared on UniSA Info, why?
Before UniSA can process your exchange grade we will need to receive a copy
of your transcript from the Host University and students must complete a
Returned Student Report. Click
here to access the template for the Returned Student Report.
Why have
I received a Non Graded Pass for my exchange?
All exchange students receive a grade of either NGP (Non Graded Pass) or F
(Fail) for their exchange courses. UniSA Info will not show courses and
individual grades received on exchange however the name of the Host
University, individual courses and grades will appear on a student's final
UniSA transcript.
Travel Grants, Finance and Scholarships
What does it cost?
As an exchange student you will continue to pay UniSA tuition fees while on
exchange and no tuition fees are paid to the Host University. You will be
responsible for your own travel, accommodation, health insurance and general
living expenses. Amounts vary according to your chosen destination.
Are there scholarships
available?
Scholarships are offered to students on the Student Exchange program each
semester. A list of current
scholarships can be viewed on the Exchange website.
Can I still receive youth
allowance?
If you currently receive Austudy/Youth Allowance, you may still be eligible
to receive this while overseas. If you are not currently eligible, it is
recommended that you check with Centrelink to determine whether you may be
eligible to receive benefits (as an overseas student) during the period of
your exchange. After you receive your acceptance from your Host University,
UniSA will provide you with a letter (confirming details of your exchange)
for you to take to Centrelink.
What is OS-HELP and how do I
apply?
OS-HELP is Commonwealth funded loan scheme which provides financial
assistance for eligible Commonwealth supported students who are normally
based in Australia to undertake part of their study overseas. The closing
date for applications for a Study Period 2 exchange is 1st November and for
a Study Period 5 exchange the closing date is 1st May. Application requests
are to be made through UniSA
Student Finance and further details can be viewed via the
Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Visas and Health Insurance
Health Insurance , can't
I buy this over here? If not, why not?
Some partner universities require students to purchase their health
insurance plans. Please check the website of your Host University for
further details. If there are no specific requirements, students can select
their own insurance provider.
Who organises my visa and travel arrangements? Do I need to wait on anything
from the University for this?
Visa and travel arrangements are your responsibility. We recommend students
do not make any payments towards airfares until they have received
notification from the Host University that the exchange has been approved.
Students participating in the Student Exchange program must have a valid
passport and student visa for entry into certain countries. To obtain a
student visa from the consulate or embassy, students will need to present a
letter of acceptance from the Host University and a valid Australian (or
other) passport. International fee-paying students may face delays in the
issuing of a visa if there is a third country involved. All students must
allow ample time to obtain any required visas.