Steps to going on exchange
Step 1: Contact the Office of Global Student Mobility
Contact the Office of Global Student Mobility to chat to a member of our team to learn about the UOW Exchange Program.
Our contact details:
- Phone: +61 2 4221 5400
- Email: study-overseas@uow.edu.au
- In person: Ask UOW, Building 17, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue, Wollongong 2522, NSW Australia.
Step 2: Check application criteria and deadlines
Applicants must ensure they meet the program criteria before applying.
Applications must be submitted by the appropriate deadline each session.
Step 3: Research and plan
You will need to initiate your own research into finding the host university and that suits your needs.
A good place to start is by researching our partner institutions or reading about past student experiences on our Student Experience Moodle Site.
When you complete your online exchange application (Step 5), you will need to nominate three host university preferences. Find out how to best select your preferences to suit your interests and your degree.
Step 4: Planning your program of study
An important aspect of planning your exchange is planning a study program and choosing your study overseas subjects. Your host university should have subjects that are relevant to your studies and are likely to be approved for credit by your faculty.
When researching potential destinations, ensure that the subjects you wish to study are available to exchange students at your preferred institutions. Some partner universities may have restrictions on course availability, minimum GPA requirements, a minimum number of completed semesters (usually 2), or specific eligibility criteria for certain study areas.
It is also important to check whether your preferred subjects are taught in English or, if they are delivered in another language, whether you meet the required language proficiency level for enrollment. Not all courses available at a partner university will necessarily be offered in English.
Carefully review all academic, language, and exchange eligibility requirements before finalising your destination preferences to ensure that your study plan is achievable and aligns with your degree requirements.
If you're unsure of any of these requirements for your host university preferences, please do not hesitate to reach out to OGSM via the method listed on our website.
If you are unsure if your preferences are suitable for credit approval, we suggest meeting with your faculty to discuss your study plan and overseas subjects. You can find available subjects and subject descriptions on your host university website.
Step 5: Complete your application
Complete the Online Exchange Application
As part of your online exchange application, you will be asked for the following:
- Three partner university preferences (from the correct regional group)
- A 500 word statement outlining your reasons for participating in the UOW Exchange Program
- Information regarding how you plan to finance your exchange
- A Study Plan Proposal that outlines a list of proposed subjects for each of your three preferences
- The names of two referees - these must be UOW academic staff members who have taught you in the last year
Once your application has been submitted, your Study Plan Proposal will be sent to your faculty for approval. This is NOT a final list of subjects approved for credit transfer. Once you have been accepted into the Exchange Program and nominated to one of your preferences (Step 7), you will submit a finalised list of subjects that will be approved for credit transfer by your faculty.
Step 6: Attend an exchange information session
Shortly after the exchange application deadline, our team will send students an email inviting them to a compulsory online information session.
Step 7: Acceptance into the UOW Exchange Program
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their exchange application as soon as possible after the information sessions have been conducted.
Successful applicants will receive an offer letter confirming the host university to which they will be nominated to and will be enrolled in the UOW Exchange Moodle site. The Moodle site contains important pre-departure information and activities that must be completed before attending the compulsory pre-departure session.
Step 8: Compulsory pre-departure event
A compulsory pre-departure session will be held shortly after your acceptance into the UOW Exchange Program. All students going on exchange to your host region will be present. This session covers academic issues, money matters, health and safety, travel tips, and much more! You will prepare for this session by completing several modules through Moodle.
Step 9: Finalising your subjects
Now that you have been nominated to one of your host university preferences, you must finalise your overseas study program.
Visit the 'Planning your study overseas subjects' page for detailed instructions on how to prepare your subjects for credit approval.
Step 10: Acceptance to your host university
The Office of Global Student Mobility team will assist you to make a formal application to your nominated host university. Although very few students are rejected, the host university does reserve the right to accept or reject nominees for exchange. If successful, you will receive an official letter of acceptance from the host university and additional information to help you prepare for your studies there.
Then you're ready to go on exchange!
Before you know it, you’ll be on a plane travelling to a new country ready to start your new adventure. Study, make new friends, see the sights and make the most of this opportunity of a lifetime!