Studying Overseas

Who can study overseas?
Where can I study?
How long can I go for?
How is credit decided?
What finance is available?
Information about overseas institutions
How to apply
Before you go overseas....

Any Sydney University student can apply to the International Office to be accepted onto the exchange program to study overseas and have that study counted towards a Sydney University degree. The conditions are:

• Students have attained at least a credit average in their studies
• Students are enrolled as a full-time student at Sydney. This means that you have to convince department/s to accept the study you will do overseas as equivalent to units here. Often you will be enrolled in 'Exchange' or 'In-country' study units.
• Students are prepared to go to one of our exchange partners. Exchange partners are listed at the International Office

Exchange or In-country study units

These are the unit names and numbers for French Exchange and In country Study units:

• French exchange units:
  FRNC 1801
  FRNC 1802
  FRNC 2803
  FRNC 2804
  FRNC 2805
  FRNC 2806
  FRNC 2807
  FRNC 2808
• French Incountry Study unit:
  FRNC 3801

For more information about these units, and guidance about which units to enrol in, contact the French department international coordinator.

Also, if you are a BA languages student, visit BA Languages.

Exchange institutions particularly relevant to students studying French are:

• France
  Université de La Rochelle
  Ecole des Sciences Politiques in Paris
  Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan
  IAE Aix-en-Provence
  Université Jean Moulin- Lyon III
  Université Lumière Lyon 2
  Université Stendhal Genoble
• Switzerland
  Université de Lausanne
• Canada
  University of Ottawa

Information about these institutions can be obtained from the International Office, from the Department, or from the foreign university web sites.

Students will normally follow substantially the same courses as native students, therefore the level of French required is advanced. Sometimes the foreign university offers extra language tuition before their year starts, in September, or during the semester (L'Ecole des Sciences Politiques and the Université de La Rochelle do so).

Students can go for one semester or one year. Remember that in most countries the academic year starts in October, and the first semester runs until the end of January. It is often preferable (but not essential) for students to start their overseas studies in October in order to take advantage of introductory courses etc.

This is done on a case-by-case basis: it depends on the number of hours a week of study, the assessment tasks and the level of the course.

Students need to complete the relevent form available from the International Office and include the details of the courses they will be enrolled in at Sydney, and which courses they will follow overseas. The form must be signed by the International Coordinator and returned to the International Office with the initial application to go overseas.

In country language scholarship

Over the last few years the Faculty of Arts has financed language scholarships of $3000 each to help students within the School of Languages and Cultures study overseas.

Application forms and selection critera are widely advertised in the French Department. Exact selection criteria are available with the application form, but preference is generally given to students undertaking Honours.

There is no guarantee that these scholarships will be offered every year.

Other scholarships

• Each year the French Embassy offers Baudin Travel Grants worth $2000 each. The grants must be used to travel to France for University study. More information and application forms are available from the French Embassy
• Scholarships of $2000 are available through the International Office
• A few foreign universities, such as the University of Geneva, have their own scholarship scheme

Details of these schemes are available from the International Office along with a very useful booklet listing all institutions with which Sydney University has exchange agreements as well as closing dates for applications etc.

Please note that scholarships do not cover the full costs of studying abroad, which can total $10,000 a semester depending on the country chosen.

BA (Languages) students

BA (Languages students have specific financial arrangements and must complete the three forms available at BA (Languages) before they go.

The International Office has information about all exchange institutions and hold written accounts of students who have studied overseas, which can be consulted.

The French Department also has information, particularly about Sciences-Po and the University of La Rochelle. Students can also access the relevant university websites.

For more information application details, contact the International Office.

Please note that students need to apply a long time in advance and places are competitive. Students on in-country language scholarships are given priority.

Students must leave full details of their plan of study, dates of absence etc with the Department. It is essential to keep in touch while overseas, preferably through e-mail.

Students who fail to keep us informed of their studies risk being given a fail result at the end of semester.