Study Overseas on an International Exchange

An international exchange lets you undertake approved study overseas, with the credit points achieved counting towards your degree in the Faculty of Arts. It’s a great way to enrich your degree, improve your career prospects, and - best of all - see the world.
The Faculty of Arts encourages all its students to participate in the University’s exchange program. You can complete a semester or a year at a university in another country and receive credit points for the units you complete. The University has exchange agreements with over 150 universities in 28 different countries, and taking up the exchange won’t increase the time needed to complete your degree. There are also generous scholarships available to help you with expenses.

The exchange program is competitive so if you are interested, you need to plan ahead.
For more information, see the Study Abroad and Exchange Office Website.

How an Exchange Works

As an exchange student you remain enrolled full-time within the Faculty of Arts while you’re away, so you continue to pay HECS or full tuition fees to the University of Sydney.

Meanwhile, your host university sends a student to the University of Sydney to take your place, though not necessarily in the same faculty. This student remains enrolled full-time at your host university and continues to pay the relevant fees there.

The exchange program offers many benefits, and the fees arrangement means you could save on course fees of up to $20,000 at some prestigious international universities.


The exchange program is competitive so if you are interested in undertaking an exchange period during your degree, you need to plan ahead.
For more information, see the Study Abroad and Exchange Office Website.

Where can I study?

The Faculty of Arts has over 70 exchange partnerships with universities throughout the world. Some of these exchange agreements are subject-area specific, such as Archaeology at Gotland University in Sweden or Philosophy at Erasmus Universiteit in The Netherlands.

The International Office administers most of the exchange agreements and exchange processes. Click here to search the list of participating universities to find one that suits you.

How long does the exchange last?

You can choose to complete either one or two semesters of your degree overseas, though some universities set a defined period. Many students choose only one semester, but as it can take some time to settle into study and to make good friendships, you may wish to consider a two-semester exchange from the outset. You will be responsible for costs such as airline tickets, accommodation, living expenses, health insurance etc., so you will need to start planning early.

Do I need to know another language?

Instruction is given entirely in English in many of the host countries, particularly USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore. Most universities in Asia and mainland Europe give instruction in languages other than English. As you will be studying with local students, you need to demonstrate you are proficient enough in the relevant language to understand lectures, read texts, complete assignments and deliver oral presentations before you can be accepted for study at a university where instruction is not in English.

Due to the number of applications received and limited places available, exchange applicants majoring in a foreign language in the Faculty of Arts applying to attend a university that gives instruction in their language of study will be given preference.
For further information, see the University’s Student Exchange website
www.usyd.edu.au/current_students/student_exchange/index.shtml