Semester exchange

Two students at Orientation week outside

Explore the world while completing your degree

An exchange program allows you to study at an overseas partner university while staying enrolled at and being supported by Adelaide University. More than an adventure, an exchange program is an exciting step that will help you with your studies, future employment and personal development. 

Available to both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, your tuition fees are waived by the overseas university, and you receive credit for the courses you study there in place of a semester at Adelaide University.  

If you are interested in short-term exchange opportunities, such as summer and winter schools, visit the Short-term programs webpage.

Where can I go? 

Experience it all, from culture and history to nature and food. Adelaide University has a wide range of countries and universities we partner with. 

Explore exchange partner institutions
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What is semester exchange? 

A semester exchange program allows you to study at an Adelaide University exchange partner university for either one or two semesters, while earning credits towards your Adelaide degree. During your time on exchange, you remain enrolled at and pay tuition fees to Adelaide University. If you pass all your approved courses at your host university, you should receive credit towards your Adelaide University degree, however the grades you receive while on exchange won’t count towards your degree. 

Before you apply 

Completing an exchange program is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have as a university student, but there’s a lot to consider, and it can be difficult to know how to get started. 

Use the information below to prepare for your application and ensure you have the best chance of success.

You can check your eligibility by visiting the Global learning program eligibility webpage and make sure you’re on track to meet the general criteria to go on exchange. Requirements are slightly different for undergraduate and postgraduate students.  

A study plan is a schedule outlining all the courses within your Adelaide University degree and when it’s recommended you complete them. 

When on exchange, you’ll need to receive full-time credit (a minimum of 18 AU units and a maximum of 24 AU units) from your overseas courses, so it’s important to consider how an exchange will fit with your remaining studies. Generally, you should be confident you have at least three courses you can study overseas and that you’ll likely be eligible to receive credit for in your Adelaide University degree.

Where can I get a study plan?

You may or may not have yet received your Adelaide University study plan. Please visit the Current students webpage for more information. 

Either way, you don’t need any specific approvals before you start an application – you’ll be guided through credit approval processes via instructions in MyGlobal, and in communications from the Global Learning team.

For now, consider where you are up to in your degree, how many courses you have remaining, and how many electives you may have. 

Now is the time to start looking into possible host universities, and which courses may be available for you to study overseas. 

When applying for exchange you will be asked to list 3-5 potential host universities in order of preference. 

View Adelaide University exchange partners

You will need to undertake some detailed research to make sure your preferred universities are suitable for you. This part of the process can be time-consuming, with a lot of information to read and absorb. Use these tips to help guide your research: 

  • Browse through Adelaide University exchange partners to discover your options. These are a good guide for early research and they also provide the links to overseas university websites, where you can explore in more detail.

  • You’ll need to consider whether the universities you’re interested in will have enough relevant courses in your academic area, along with whether they are offered in the semester(s) you want to go on exchange, to make it a suitable choice for you. If you’re not fluent in the language of the host university, you’ll also need to make sure there are a good range of courses taught in English.

  • You’ll notice that different universities calculate course loads and credit differently. Ultimately, it will be up to your Program Director to determine how many courses at the host university are equivalent to how many courses at Adelaide University. This will happen later in the process. See the general credit equivalency guidelines below, which may help you with your research. 

  • Academic subjects aren’t the only thing to consider. Make sure to think about which universities offer student culture, accommodation options, and student services that suit your lifestyle and needs.

Credit equivalencies

Adelaide University Units
University of Adelaide
UniSAUK CreditsECTS (European Credits)US Credits
241218603015
18913.54522.512

You may already have a specific country or location in mind for your exchange program, but it’s essential to consider that not all universities will offer courses or services to suit you. Therefore, it’s important to remain openminded about your host location. For example, you may not find the subjects you need in France, but you could have a similarly rewarding experience studying in Denmark or Singapore.

It’s worthwhile to think about your budget as you research your destination. Some countries may be more expensive to travel to than others, may have a weak exchange rate, or might attract a higher cost of living – all worth keeping in mind if you’re on a budget. 

Visit the Global learning costs and funding webpage to find out more about the potential costs of an exchange and the financial support available. 

Once you’ve done some initial research, it’s a great idea to attend an information session to meet with the team and discuss your plans. We can offer advice and answer any questions you might have about funding options, application processes, and more. 

Both universities hold regular information sessions for students interested in undertaking an exchange. Keep an eye on your foundation university website, or get in touch to find out about upcoming sessions.

If you’re unable to attend an information session, you can also contact us directly to ask questions or set up a 1:1 appointment, either online or face to face.

Ready to apply? 

Applications for exchange will open twice per year, with each round opening approximately one year in advance of the semester you plan to go on exchange. The process takes place over a number of months and includes both an internal and external application process guided by your home university.

Please note that applications for Semester 1, 2026 have now closed. If you have questions about a current application, please contact the Global Learning team.

Semester exchange deadlines

Applications for exchange in AU Semester 1

Applications open: April (for Semester 1 of the following year) 
Applications close: June (for Semester 1 of the following year)

Applications for exchange in AU Semester 2

Applications open: September (for Semester 2 of the following year) 
Applications close: December (for semester 2 of the following year)

How to apply

Follow the steps outlined below to complete your semester exchange application. If you need any help with your application, please contact us.

During the advertised application period, you will need to log in to MyGlobal and click the 'Apply Now' button to start an application. You should commence your application at least three weeks in advance of the deadline.  

As part of your application, you will need to:

  • Enter your personal details including your program information.
  • Nominate your preferred host universities – please review our partner institutions.
  • Write a personal statement in support of your application (approximately 100 words). We recommend you address the following:
    • Why you want to undertake an exchange semester
    • Why you have chosen these specific universities
    • Any other information you feel is relevant to your application. 
  • Agree to the Application Declaration.  

All applications will be assessed after the application close date and outcomes will be sent to students on, or near, the relevant ‘decision date’ for that semester. If your application is successful, you’ll receive an offer of place in the program which will advise which university you’ve been allocated to and if you’ve been awarded any grants/scholarships.

From the decision date, you have 14 days to commit to your offer for an exchange place. Instructions on how to do this will be provided. You will also be required to attend a compulsory ‘post-offer’ workshop.

The date you will receive your offer is called the ‘decision date’. This is when you will be notified of your offer via email and through your online application in MyGlobal. 

Semester 1 Decision Date: August/September 

Semester 2 Decision Date: January

You'll be notified of your exact decision date via MyGlobal.

If you receive an exchange offer, you will be required to attend a compulsory post-offer workshop. This session will explain what happens next in the exchange process. It is also an opportunity to meet other students also applying for exchange in the same country or region as yourself.

Topics covered in this session include:

  • Applying to the host university

  • How to seek credit approval

  • Responsibilities

  • Passports

  • Budget and finances.

You will be advised of the date and time of your post-offer workshop when you receive your exchange offer.

From the decision date, you have 14 days to commit to your offer for an exchange place. Instructions on how to do this will be provided with your offer.

Committing to an offer for an exchange place is an indicator that you wish to proceed with your application.

Please note that exchange places are not guaranteed until you are accepted by your host university and you have completed all other pre-departure tasks.

We understand that your circumstances can change. If you need to withdraw from the exchange program at any point, please contact the Global Learning team as soon as possible.

After you’ve committed to the program, there are several tasks you will then need to work through, including applying to your host institution (please don’t try and do this until we tell you to, as we need to nominate you first!), formal credit approval, and other important pre-departure tasks. 

More information will be provided in MyGlobal, and we’ll talk you through these in more detail at the post-offer workshop.

checklist

Global learning program eligibility

Understand eligibility criteria and ensure you can meet the requirements.  

View eligibility criteria
Fees

Global learning costs and funding

Worried about costs? Get budgeting advice and learn about the funding options available to you. 

Learn about costs
globe

Exchange partners

Search Adelaide University partner exchange programs by geographic region or other criteria. 

Explore programs and partners

Find information or get help

Feeling lost or don’t know where to start? We’re here to guide you. 

If you need help or would like to discuss your global learning options, please contact your foundation university. You can also book an appointment using the details below.  

University of Adelaide

Study Overseas Team

Contact us
University of South Australia

Global Opportunities Team

Contact us