To be eligible to participate in the UQ Abroad program, you will need to meet a number of requirements by the end of the semester in which you apply.  Visit Check your Eligibility for further information.

It is ideal to plan for exchange early, and wherever possible, we recommend that you consider exchange options when you commence your program. It is good to discuss your options with an academic advisor from your faculty as this will allow you to plan your UQ course selection with exchange in mind. If you haven’t been able to plan that far in advance, you should begin planning your exchange at least three months before the application deadline

To submit an application, please complete the following steps:

1. Check your eligibillity
2. Choose a host university
3. Budget for your exchange
4. Contact an academic advisor from your faculty to discuss your study plan
5. Create a study plan
6. Complete an application form
7. Submit your study plan and application form by the appropriate deadline

Your UQ program should not be extended if you study courses that have been pre-approved by your faculty and receive a pass according to your host university's grading system. Please note however that if you study overseas in your final semester, it is likely that your graduation will be delayed by a semester.

Choosing a host university is a personal decision, that will depend on what you study, and what you wish to get out of the experience.

You may find the following resources helpful as you research your host institution and country:

• UQ Abroad Student Exchange Advisers at the UQ Abroad Resource room
• Academic advisers or staff from your faculty
• Host university websites
• Past and present exchange students testimonials

Additionally, you may like to consider the following points when deciding where to go:

• Country: What part of the world are you interested in?
• Language: Do you want to be in an English-speaking country or a non-English speaking country? Many of our European and Asian partners teach in English. Please look at the availability of courses taught in English at our partner institutions.
• Community: Do you want to be in a big city, or a small town? Or do you want to experience a typical university town?
• Length of stay: Do you want to study for one or two semesters?
• Costs: What is the cost of living? Does it fit your budget?
• Lifestyle: Do you want to live on-campus? What sporting or cultural facilities do you want?
• Academic benefits: What are your academic goals for exchange? Does the university have a strong academic or research reputation? Are there restrictions at this university? Talk to your academic adviser regarding the best place to study your field of specialisation.
• Co-curricular opportunities: What activities can you take advantage of in different parts of the world? For example, do you want to do an engineering internship in Germany? Or volunteer in Mexico? Attend summer school in Korea?

Not necessarily. Many exchange partners in non-English speaking countries offer courses taught in both English and the native language of that country. Please visit the host university webpage to find out if they offer courses in English.

If you would like to study at a university which does not teach in English, you will need to demonstrate that you are proficient in the language of instruction before your application can be approved.

Your study plan should include:

• the titles of the courses you wish to take at your host institution (including the course code if available).
• the credit value of the courses (in credits/ECTS/hours).
• the name of the UQ course which the host university course is equivalent to. Also specify whether it is an elective (introductory or advanced) or a course which will go towards your major(s). If the course you are getting approval for is going towards a major you must provide a copy of the course profile/outline from the host university website.

Bachelor of Arts students should use this study plan.

While the number of courses you need to take will vary from university to university, you will need to study courses equivalent to a standard full-time load at UQ (8 units a semester). To find the equivalent, visit the UQ Abroad page for your host university.

While costs will differ depending on where you go, your plans and your spending habits, on average we recommend that students have between AUD$10,000-$12,000 per semester of exchange. Visit your host university webpage for the estimated cost of living in your host country.

There are a number of scholarships, grants and loans available to assist students, and all students who submit their exchange application by the deadline will be considered for competitive grants of $1000 and scholarships of $5000 based on cumulative GPA.

If you are eligible to receive Centrelink payments, you may be able to continue receiving those payments while on exchange. Please contact Centrelink directly for more details concerning your payments. If you require a letter from UQ Abroad to give to Centrelink, please complete the Request a Centrelink Letter form.
 

While you are on exchange, you will continue to pay tuition fees to the University of Queensland (or place these on HECS/FEE HELP). You will not need to pay tuition fees to the host university. Please note that some host universities have compulsory student activity, transport fees, or insurance that you must purchase, so be sure to include these in your budget.
 

No. As the demand for student exchange continues to increase we are unable to hold places for students who wish to defer their exchange. If you change your mind and you no longer wish to go on exchange in the semester which you applied for, you must re-apply with a completely new application (including photo, personal statement, etc.) by the next deadline.

If you do not get into your first preference university we will try to place you in your second or third preference. If you are not nominated for a place in your first preference university, you will need to complete a new study plan and submit it to your faculty once you have been offered a place at a new host university.
 

Please note that if you are accepted by UQ Abroad, UQ Abroad will nominate you as an exchange student to the partner university, however the final decision regarding whether you will be accepted rests with the host institution.

If your application to the host university is unsuccessful, UQ Abroad will endeavour to find you another host institution to attend, however if you are unable to be placed in a different university, we would encourage you to reapply in the next application round.

Exchanges can only be for a maximum of two semesters at any one exchange partner. If you originally planned to stay for one semester, but want to stay for an additional semester, it may be possible to extend your exchange. However, if places are limited at your host university, you will not be permitted to extend. If you are interested in staying for an extra semester, you must first contact your UQ Abroad adviser. 
 

Student visa requirements will depend on where you are going for your exchange, the length of your stay in your host country and your citizenship. You will not be able to apply for your student visa until you have received official acceptance into your host university.

While your host university will provide you with information about student visas when they send your acceptance letter, you can begin preparing the required documentation while waiting for your acceptance letter to arrive. You can contact the relevant consulate or embassy in Australia for further information.  A list of country consulates and embassies is available at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.