Go Global Exchange Program

What is exchange?

How does it work?

Can I study in English?

When can I study?

Where can I study?

Am I eligible?

How can I afford it?

1. Find out if you are eligible for a Semester Exchange Studies

• To participate on the Western Sydney University Go Global Exchange Program, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above* over your whole academic record in your course to date.
  • Whilst on exchange you must be enrolled in a minimum of 30 Western Sydney University credit points each semester.
  • You must be deemed suitable to represent the University overseas by Western Sydney University Go Global and Study Abroad.
• Host university partners have the final authority on the admission of exchange students to their institution.
• International students are very much encouraged to apply. All students should preference host universities in countries in which they do not or have not held citizenship or residency. Exceptions may be made by the Manager, International Mobility.
• Part-time students are encouraged to apply, however you must be on track to be completing a minimum of 30 credits overall at the time of application.
• Final-year students can undertake an exchange during their final session of study at the University, however doing so could affect their eligibility for OS-HELP and delay graduation (due to time-lag in transcript processing for advanced standing of units taken on exchange).
• Nursing and Medicine students are not able to participate in semester-based exchange programs due to the tight academic structures of these degrees. Nursing and Medicine students wishing to incorporate an overseas study experience to their degree may wish to consult their School for any available international study tours or clinical placements.
• Undergraduate students: The earliest session in which undergraduate students can apply is during their first session of study. They must be on track to complete a minimum of 30 credits in that session. Please note students who have transferred from another university are welcome to apply for exchange during their first session at Western Sydney University. Subject to their specific degree flexibility, students enrolled in an undergraduate degree can undertake up to one year (80 credit points) on exchange during their degree. This can be taken consecutively or undertaken in different sessions.
• Postgraduate students:  Due to the tight academic structure of postgraduate degrees, it is not always possible to undertake a full semester session of exchange in a postgraduate degree program. Postgraduate students thinking about exchange should discuss their intentions at the earliest opportunity with their Academic Course Advisor / Director of Academic Program and Western Sydney University Go Global ad Study Abroad. Students would need to be enrolled in at least a 1.5 or 2 year postgraduate degree program in order for a full semester session of exchange to be possible.
• The College: The earliest session in which you can apply is in your first session of undergraduate study at Western Sydney University (ie. once you have completed your pathway program at The College and articulated into your undergraduate degree). You must be on track to be completing a minimum of 30 credits in the session in which you apply at the Western Sydney University.

2. Research your overseas university

When you submit the exchange application you are required to identify the program of your choice and apply online directly through the Go Global Portal.

3. Find out if a semester overseas fits your course structure

• Will I receive academic credit?
• What classes can I study overseas?
  • 1. Complete an Academic Study Plan. This worksheet helps you think about the classes you can take overseas (see further information below). Note, this is not a credit agreement, but an exercise only. If you are accepted into the program, you will be required to complete a credit agreement (Step 5).
  • 2. Talk to your Academic Course Advisor about credit arrangements and how it fits best with your course structure.
• The Academic Study Plan
  • To complete the Academic Study Plan, carefully review the exchange partner university subject outlines and consider how these align with your Western Sydney University degree requirements. You can consult your Academic Course Advisor or Director of Academic Program about appropriate host university unit options for your degree. The number of overseas units listed should be the equivalent of a full-time Western Sydney University study load – which is a minimum of 30 Western credit points and a maximum of 40 Western credit points per session. See the Comparison of Credit Points and Academic Calendars.
  • The Academic Study Plan is informal and suitable to change as you may not necessarily be nominated to your preferred host university. It is important exercise for you to understand if your degree accommodates a semester or year-long exchange program.
  • The Exchange Academic Approval process (which happens after you've been nominated and applied to the exchange partner university, but before you depart for overseas) is required. Keep a copy of the Academic Study Plan Worksheet for future reference, as it will help you when you are completing the formal Exchange Academic Approval later.
• If you have questions about this process or the other steps below, feel free to contact Western Sydney International Office's Go Global team. Email goglobal@westernsydney.edu.au or book for an Advising Session

4. Submit the Semester Exchange application

• BEFORE APPLYING FOR EXCHANGE
  • Have you established your eligibility for exchange studies?
  • Have you identified the program that you would like to attend on exchange?
  • Have you completed the Academic Study Plan for your preferred university?
  • Have you consulted with your Academic Course Advisor (ACA) or Director of Academic Program (DAP) about your Academic Study Plan?
• Application for exchange deadlines:
  • Apply for Exchange during Autumn 2022 (applications open from 25 May 2021 - 31 July 2021)
  • Apply for Exchange during Spring 2022 (applications open from 1 Sep 2021 - 31 Jan 2022)
• Select up to two preferred universities for your semester or year-long exchange program and apply online through their program brochures.

5. After the assessment of your application

• Western Sydney University will assess your application based upon academic merit and suitability after the application deadline. This may take a few weeks to a month or so to complete.
• Nomination assessment periods:
  • Nomination assessment for Exchange during Spring happens in February
  • Nomination assessment for Exchange during Autumn happens in August
• You will be notified of the outcome and, if your application is successful, you will receive an official nomination email for the exchange partner university to which you are being nominated via your Western Sydney University email account. Successful applicants will be required to:
  • 1. Attend nomination briefing session
  • 2. Seek approval Academic Approval with the relevant Academic Course Advisor or Director of Academic Program.
  • 3. Submit an application to the nominated exchange partner university by the exchange partner university's deadline. You will be required to complete several more documents to finalise this process, which may include an Academic Referee Report (opens in a new window). Information about this process will be provided by Western Sydney University at a dedicated Nominations briefing.

6. Wait for an Acceptance Notification

• You will need to wait for an Acceptance Notification from your nominated exchange partner university. It may take up to 12 weeks for students to hear back from an exchange partner university. You are advised not to purchase non-refundable airline tickets until this official acceptance is received. This is a normal turnaround time for partner university acceptance and you should not be alarmed if you have not received an acceptance from the exchange partner university even up to two months prior to the commencement of your exchange semester.

7. Pre-Departure

• 1. Complete the steps on the Before I Go webpage.
• 2. Attend at a compulsory Pre-Departure session. Attendance at this event is strongly encouraged, as it is the last opportunity to discuss questions and issues you have with the Go Global team before you go.