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Academic Matters - Exchanges in your course

Most Sydney courses allow you to incorporate a period of exchange. However, there are some courses for which it is not possible, or at least not easy to arrange. This depends on the requirements of individual faculties at the University of Sydney.

If your course has strict requirements but you still want to go on exchange, think about how to arrange your elective units. For example, if your course involves core Psychology units that cannot be substituted, you may be able to do these at the University of Sydney and leave the electives to the next semester when you go on exchange, as electives are much easier to substitute.

The following gives an overview of academic requirements and their impact on a wide range of disciplines at the University of Sydney.

By topic

By Faculty

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Undergraduate or Postgraduate?

Undergraduate applicants usually have considerable choice of exchange options, although some restrictions apply for certain disciplines. In all cases, if you are an Honours student you should contact your faculty/discipline coordinator to ensure an exchange does not impede your progression towards Honours. If you wsih to take Honours on exchange, contact your faculty to obtain permission to study overseas, as most faculties (eg: Science) do not permit Honours to be completed overseas.

Postgraduate applicants will face more restrictions, both for research and coursework. Postgraduate research students must have written support from:

  • their University of Sydney supervisor/s and postgraduate adviser in the Faculty Office, plus
  • an academic at the host university who agrees to be their supervisor during their exchange period.

Postgraduate coursework students may also have to meet additional requirements. For example, to be eligible for postgraduate exchanges in Canada and the USA, students must normally have completed four years of undergraduate study by the time of application. A standard 3 year Bachelor degree is insufficient.

Postgraduate students will only be accepted at many universities in North America at the commencement of the northern hemisphere academic year, which typically starts in September (equivalent to second semester at the University of Sydney). Applications in January (i.e. ‘mid-year’ in the northern hemisphere academic year) at these institutions are not encouraged.

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Availability of suitable units/subjects

The availability of suitable (or ‘creditable’) units or subjects at partner universities is a crucial factor in choosing your exchange destination. In other words, you must make sure that your chosen university offers units that can be translated back to the requirements of your University of Sydney course. Upon return from exchange, your faculty will use your official overseas transcript and any other required documentation to credit your overseas results towards your University of Sydney course.

The suitability of overseas units can be checked by looking at partner university catalogues in the Exchange Resource Library at the International Office, or by exploring online handbooks on partner university websites. A good approach is to find out which units you would be studying at Sydney, review the University of Sydney unit outlines, then look for overseas units at the same level and covering similar topics. In this way you can create a shortlist of suitable overseas universities for your desired areas of study. This information will later form part of the Academic Approvals required for your exchange application.

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Combined courses

Students enrolled in combined courses are generally able to take overseas units to meet the requirements of both Sydney courses while on exchange. Combined Law is an exception, as the Faculty of Law will not permit law exchanges unless a student is in the final year of their undergraduate law course. It is important that all combined law students studying non-law subjects on exchange consult the Law faculty regarding the impact of exchange on their degree progress in the law portion of their degree. This should be done before submitting an application.

Not all partner universities, however, are familiar with the concept of combined courses, as they are not common in overseas education systems. These universities will admit you via one faculty or academic area only and your access to units outside this main faculty may be limited or not possible. If you choose to study at one of these universities, you should ensure that you have consulted with your Sydney course coordinators at both faculties about how to make up the units you do not complete overseas, on your return to the University of Sydney.

Combined course students may be permitted to undertake two exchanges at different stages of their course (eg: one semester in 3rd year and another semester in 5th year). For some combined courses eg: Arts/Social Work, students may find that exchange may not be possible for part of their course (eg: Social Work), even though international exchange will be possible for the other part (eg: Arts).

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Closed Disciplines

Due to strict degree requirements, Dentistry, Medicine (Graduate Medical Program), Nursing and Veterinary Science (Bachelor of Veterinary Science) do not typically participate in semester or year long exchange programs. Short term overseas study programs or clinical placements may be available. You should consult your course coordinator about available opportunities.

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Exchange in your final semester

Approval to go on exchange in the final semester of your degree depends on the program you are enrolled in. Read the notes below for your faculty to find out if you can go on exchange in your final semester or if you need to plan an earlier exchange. Bear in mind that if you go on exchange in your final semester this can delay your graduation and entry into Honours or Postgraduate programs.

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Agriculture and Environment

Faculty of Agriculture and Environment students can access exchange places through University-wide exchange agreements. Past students have tended to go to the USA or Canada, with some popular choices being:

  • Canada - McGill University, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • Canada - University of Alberta, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and Faculty of Arts and Science (Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural Studies)
  • Canada - University of British Columbia, Faculty of Land and Food Systems
  • Canada - University of Guelph, Ontario Agricultural College and College of Management and Economics
  • Canada - University of Manitoba, Faculty of Arts (AgEc only)
  • United Kingdom - University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment
  • United Kingdom - University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences, Sutton campus
  • USA - Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • USA - Purdue University, College of Agriculture
  • USA - University of California, Berkeley (College of Natural Resources) AND University of California, Davis (wide range of Ag majors)
  • USA - University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • USA - University of North Carolina, campuses at NCA&T= North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University; NCSU= North Carolina State University; WCU= Western Carolina University
  • USA - University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
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Architecture, Design and Planning

The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning currently offers faculty-specific exchange agreements with the following exchange institutions. Priority is given to postgraduate (PG) Master of Architecture students due to limited places. Undergraduate (UG) Bachelor of Architecture students may apply where undergraduate courses are offered.

  • Denmark - Aarhus School of Architecture (UG/PG - UG in Danish)
  • France - Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Strasbourg, (French proficiency required) (UG/PG)
  • Germany - Technical University Berlin (UG/PG - UG in German)
  • Ireland - University College Dublin (PG only)
  • Sweden - Lund University (PG only)
  • The Netherlands - Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, (PG only)
  • United Kingdom - University of Newcastle (PG only)

Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning students are also welcome to apply for places at University-wide exchange destinations, however, suitable options are limited primarily to those listed below due to restrictions at many partner universities.

Bachelor of Design in Architecture and Master of Architecture students may undertake exchanges of no more than one semester in duration. Bachelor of Design Computing students may undertake exchanges of no more than two semesters in duration. Bachelor of Design in Architecture and Bachelor of Design Computing students may undertake exchange in second semester second year or first semester of the third year of their degree. Exchange in the Master of Architecture may be undertaken in all semesters, except the final semester. Faculty exchange policies are available in the Faculty Handbook. Students in other postgraduate coursework programs may undertake a semester exchange provided that they complete no more than 50 percent of their core requirements whilst on exchange.

For students in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture and Master of Architecture, it is usually easier to obtain studio space at the start of the overseas academic year which, in the northern hemisphere, typically commences in September. Competition for places is high and students should be willing to be flexible with their destination preferences. Portfolios will be required upon request and additional partner-specific conditions or exclusions may apply.

Due to competition for places, successful applicants from the Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning are normally distributed across all available destinations, as most host universities are only able to take one or two applicants in this discipline.

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Arts and Social Sciences

Undergraduate Arts students generally have considerable choice in exchange destinations, although there are restricted enrolments in some academic areas at partner universities. Most students apply for University-wide exchange places, but there are a few discipline-specific exchange agreements, such as Gotland University in Sweden for archaeology and several others for language study eg: Université Stendhal Grenoble 3, in France.

Students undertaking a compulsory exchange in the Bachelor of Arts (Languages), usually during the third year of candidature, should note that their destinations must be consistent with their language major and be at an appropriate university where the language major is the medium of instruction.

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Business School

New rules for students of the University of Sydney Business School mean that students must undertake elective units only on exchange. Students are advised to keep a minimum of a semesters worth of elective study (24 credit points) if you wish to participate in the program.

Undergraduate

International exchange is available to undergraduates across a range of Business courses. There are a variety of discipline-specific partnerships throughout Asia, Europe and North America, and you are advised to prioritise between 2 to 3 of these destinations in your application. These direct partnerships increase accessibility to business and commerce units which are otherwise often restricted by University-wide partners.

Business students are also eligible to apply for places at University-wide exchange institutions. Business and Commerce courses, however, are not open at all destinations due to restricted enrolments and exclusions, eg: due to local enrolments there is extreme competition for Business and Commerce courses in Europe, Canada and the USA. Where restricted enrolments exist, you should be flexible with your units to increase your chances of placement overseas.

You should be aware that at most partner universities, units in Economics and Economic History are usually offered in liberal arts faculties. Business and Commerce courses are normally offered in faculties of business administration or management. An Exchange Adviser will be able to give you more information about which destinations are available for particular course.

Due to competition for places, successful undergraduate Business applicants are normally distributed across all available University-wide and discipline-specific destinations, as most host universities are only able to take one or two applicants in this discipline.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate business and commerce students have extremely limited options both at discipline-specific and University-wide institutions. Most relevant fields of study, particularly in Canada and the USA, are taught only through a Master of Business Administration (MBA). You will normally be able to take graduate commerce units only if these are taught outside the structure of MBA programs. Due to the extreme restrictions for postgraduate business and commerce, you should prepare to be flexible to increase your chances of placement overseas. Please consult an Exchange Adviser for more information.

You should be aware that at most partner universities, units in Economics and Economic History are usually offered in liberal arts faculties. Business and Commerce courses are normally offered in faculties of business administration or management. An Exchange Adviser will be able to give you more information about which destinations are available for particular course.

Due to competition for places, successful postgraduate Business applicants are normally distributed across all available University-wide and discipline-specific destinations, as most host universities are only able to take one or two applicants in this discipline.

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Education and Social Work

Education and Social Work offers several discipline-specific exchange agreements, particularly for education students. Education and Social Work students are also eligible to apply for places at University-wide exchange institutions.

Exchange for social work students is very difficult for most students unless they are enrolled in a combined course eg: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social Work. Interested students are encouraged to speak to their course coordinator about the possibility of going on exchange before proceeding too far with an application.

Exchange is not always straightforward for education students. A successful application for exchange will require significant consultation with your course or year adviser to ensure that necessary progression requirements can be met. You should prepare to be flexible with your exchange preferences.

Education students may be able to undertake teaching placements while on exchange if approval is gained from both the University of Sydney and the host university. In some cases approval will not be granted due to the different professional requirements between Australia and other countries.

In addition to exchange opportunities, special arrangements for teaching placements/internships may be available through programs arranged through Education and Social Work’s Division of International and External Relations.

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Engineering and Information Technologies

There are a variety of discipline-specific exchange agreements, particularly within the School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. Engineering students are also eligible to apply for places at University-wide exchange institutions.

Access to units/subjects in some areas of engineering may be restricted at overseas universities due to extreme competition and restricted enrolments. This specifically applies to telecommunications, software, computer and information engineering.

Please consult your course or year coordinator for specific academic guidance before pursuing an exchange application. They will be able to advise if there is a particular stage of your course most suitable for an exchange.

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Health Sciences

There is one discipline-specific partnership for Exercise and Sports Science with Oregon State University, USA, and another discipline-specific partnership for Physiotherapy with Maastricht University, Faculty of Health Sciences (Movement Science), The Netherlands. Health sciences students are also eligible to apply for University-wide exchange places.

Exchange for health sciences students is not straightforward due to the strict requirements of most allied health courses.

A successful application for exchange will require significant consultation with a course or year adviser to ensure that necessary progression requirements can be met. When considering exchanges to North America, you should be aware that most health-related courses are only taught in professional degrees at the postgraduate level and will be closed to undergraduate students. However, there may be some possibilities for undergraduate students in Canada, as well as, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia (where some programs are instructed in English).

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Law

There are a wide variety of Law-specific exchange partnerships throughout Asia, Europe and North America. These are fully administered by the Law School and interested applicants should contact the Faculty for more information.

Law students are also eligible to apply for University-wide exchange places open to Law students. However, students who have already been offered a faculty-specific exchange place will not be considered for a University-wide exchange destination. Law students must compete with other Law and non-Law students for available places. An Exchange Adviser will be able to provide you with more information about which destinations are open to law students.

Law students are not permitted to go on exchange unless they are in the last year of their undergraduate law degree. Law students cannot satisfy any of the compulsory requirements of the LLB or JD while on exchange, including the Jurisprudence and International/Comparative and Transnational requirements. Law students are only permitted to be on exchange for one semester and can only undertake units of study that count towards their electives.

Due to competition for places, successful Law applicants seeking a University-wide exchange placement are normally distributed across all available destinations, as most host universities are only able to take one or two applicants in this discipline.

Medicine

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Science may be permitted to participate in the International Exchange Program in the first or second semester of their third year. Students intending to apply for Honours following their third year should discuss their subject choices for exchange with the relevant department.

Due to strict course requirements, Bachelor of Medical Science students will not be permitted to undertake exchange in the second year of their degree. The Bachelor of Medical Science requires students to take specific core units in the second year and therefore exchange is not appropriate.

There is one discipline-specific exchange agreement with Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, for Biomedical Science students. As the nature of these courses is quite specific, Medical Science students considering an exchange at Karolinska Institutet should discuss this with their course coordinator early in their course.

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Music - Sydney Conservatorium of Music

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music has several discipline-specific exchange agreements. These are only open to students within the Conservatorium. Due to academic restrictions at the partner universities, music students are only able to apply to the programs in the United Kingdom once per year (in October).

Music students are also eligible to apply for University-wide exchange places. Additional fees for private tuition or instruction may be required at some host universities, though all other tuition fees are normally waived at the host university. Audition recordings are normally required by the host university.

Due to competition for places, successful Music applicants are normally distributed across all available University-wide and discipline-specific destinations, as most host universities are only able to take one or two applicants in this discipline.

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Pharmacy

There is one discipline-specific partnership with København Universitet, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, in Denmark. Pharmacy students are also eligible to apply for University-wide exchange places.

Exchange for pharmacy students is not straightforward due to the strict requirements of the pharmacy course. A successful application for exchange will require significant consultation with a course or year adviser to ensure that necessary progression requirements can be met. You should prepare to be flexible in your exchange preferences.

When considering exchange to Canada and the USA, you should be aware that most health-related courses are only taught as professional degrees at the postgraduate level and will be closed to undergraduate students. However, there may be some possibilities for undergraduate students in Canada, as well as, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia (where some programs are instructed in English).

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Science

Undergraduate science students generally have considerable choice in exchange programs, although there are restricted enrolments in some academic areas at partner universities. Most students apply for University-wide exchange places, but there is one discipline-specific exchange arrangement with Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, for Biomedical Science students (see section under Medicine).

Computer science is difficult to access at universities in Canada and the USA due to extreme competition from local enrolments. This has resulted in restrictive quotas for entry into these courses. Where quotas exist, you should prepare to be flexible to increase your chances of placement overseas. Undergraduate students may also be able to participate in research opportunities at some partner universities.

Psychology majors should review department information about exchange options before submitting an exchange application.

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Veterinary Science

Due to strict degree requirements, the Faculty of Veterinary Science does not typically participate in semester based exchange programs. However, it may be possible for students in the Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Science to participate in the program, after careful consultation with their course coordinator. Short-term practical placements may be arranged through the faculty at a partner school overseas.

Visual Arts - Sydney College of the Arts

Sydney College of the Arts has a number of discipline-specific exchange partnerships. SCA students are also eligible to apply for places at University-wide exchange institutions, though gaining entry to many overseas destinations is challenging due to limited studio space. You should prepare to be flexible with your University-wide exchange preferences. Where exchange is available, portfolios will normally be required.

SCA recommends students participate in the International Exchange Program during the later stages of their undergraduate course (excluding Honours) or early part of their postgraduate program and only in March semester for no more than one semester. All applicants must be first reviewed by the SCA Exchange Committee in May, including students who choose to submit an application for a University-wide exchange place through the International Office. Students should consult with SCA for more specific advice on academic requirements for exchange.

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