UNE Student Exchange and Overseas FAQs

When can I study overseas?

You must have completed and received final marks for at least one year of full-time study (8 units) before you apply. Exchanges usually work best in the middle of your degree while you still have flexibility in choosing the units you need to graduate. Some Schools may have regulations about when you can go, so please speak to your Course Coordinator for details.

Will I get credit for my overseas study?

You should discuss your interest to undertake exchange with your Course Coordinator to ensure that you are choosing the rights units to study while overseas. Then you will need to complete a Permission to Enrol Elsewhere application to ensure that the units you study will credit back to your UNE degree.

NOTE: It is recommended that you seek general approval for an exchange from your course coordinator early in the process, to learn of any possible restrictions or regulations you may need to abide by and in case an exchange may not be feasible for your program.

What marks do I need to achieve to be eligible?

You must have good academic standing, especially in your most recent trimesters. It is typically expected that you will have achieved mostly credits, or better, and to have not failed any units at all within your academic program.

Can external, post-graduate or international students apply?

Yes, all full degree students are eligible to apply. UNE's exchanges are predominantly for undergraduate students; exchange options for postgraduate students are limited. Please contact UNE International to investigate the possibilities in more detail.

International students can apply for exchange study but eligibility and participation is subject to any Australian Student Visa conditions and the granting of any third country study visas.

What scholarships and loans are available for overseas study?

Subsidies

There may be New Colombo Plan (NCP) grants or other intermittent funding grants available for exchanges to specific destinations.  Please contact studyabroad@une.edu.au for further information.

OS-Help Loans

OS‐HELP is a loan scheme offered by the Australian Government that provides financial assistance to eligible students based in Australia to undertake part of their course of study overseas.

In 2026, eligible students may receive up to $8,442 for studies to non‐Asian countries and up to $10, 130 for studies to Asia. An additional amount of up to $1,345 is available to undertake Asian language study preparation.

Eligible students can apply for a maximum of two loans and no more than one per six-month study period. These loans are to be used for such expenses associated with the overseas study such as airfares, accommodation, and other travelling or settling expenses.

Further details are available at the StudyAssist website.

Can I still receive Austudy?

If you are currently receiving Austudy, this should continue for the duration of your formal exchange studies as long as the overseas study will count towards your UNE degree (this does not include Rent Assistance). Please check with Centrelink in advance for any specific advice on payments. If you are accepted for an exchange, please ask UNE International for a letter of confirmation, which you will need to give to your Centrelink office before you leave Australia.

I am studying the Bachelor of Languages – what do I do?

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and UNE International jointly manage language exchanges with universities in Austria, China, France, Italy, Indonesia, Germany, Japan and Spain. Please contact your language convener or studyabroad@une.edu.au for further information.

I can only speak English - where can I study?

UNE has partnerships with Universities in England, Canada and the USA, as well as some options for certain fields of study (especially business or arts) offered in English in Austria, Germany and Spain. Check the overseas university websites for subject options.

Please note that spaces at some partner universities are limited. In particular, students applying to US universities are advised to research and apply for both a first and second option for their exchange; further details are included on the application form.

How do I pay for my tuition while on exchange?

As an exchange student you must enrol in specific exchange units (24cps) at UNE and pay for your tuition to UNE as you would in any trimester. You do not pay any tuition to the overseas university.

What other costs may be involved?

You will need to pay for your accommodation at the overseas university and often some minor expenses like sports fees, internet/phone connections etc. You are required to pay for travel insurance, travel costs, a student visa for most countries, a passport if you don't have one and textbooks.

How much does accommodation cost overseas?

Prices vary and full details are available on the University websites. Costs are sometimes subsidised by governments, in parts of Europe and Asia.

How do I apply for an exchange?

  1. Contact the UNE International via studyabroad@une.edu.au about your interest in an exchange program. You should do this well in advance of application deadlines, and then select a university that suits you best.
  2. Ensure that you meet the established criteria of both UNE International and your faculty/course coordinator, for an exchange program before proceeding with an application.
  3. Application forms are available through UNE International
  4. Ensure that you will have sufficient funds to cover the expenses you expect to incur during your exchange program (particularly the cost of accommodation).
  5. Select potential overseas units, including several alternatives, with advice from your course coordinator at UNE. You then must formally apply for Permission to Enrol Elsewhere.
  6. OSLS Students need to discuss study options with their Language Convenor.
  7. Complete the exchange application and return it with the documentation listed in the application checklist.

How do I apply for a student visa?

Student visa requirements for Australian citizens to study overseas vary from country to country.  Be sure to check with the relevant embassy for up to date rules and application procedures, as these are subject to change.

Do I need travel and health insurance?

Yes! For UNE approved overseas study, you must have travel and health insurance prior to departure. If you are undertaking a formal exchange program, you may be covered under UNE’s insurance policy (depending on your destination). Otherwise, you must take out your own insurance. Many of our partners, as well as some overseas immigration departments, also require proof of insurance for incoming international students. Contact UNE International at studyabroad@une.edu.au for further details.

What are the deadlines for applications?

  • 31 January for exchanges beginning in Trimester 2 the same year
  • 30 June for exchanges beginning in Trimester 1 the following year

Remember that the northern hemisphere works on a different timetable for an academic year. First semester can begin in September and go through to December or even February and second semester can start in January or February and finish in May or June. There are variations on this in each country e.g., 3 terms rather than 2 semesters, and you should carefully check this. Generally, the northern hemisphere summer break runs from June to the end of August.