Exchange programs
Choose to study at one of over 50 partner universities for one or two semesters with our exchange program.
You'll gain credit towards your Victoria University (VU) degree, experience another culture and gain a truly global perspective.
As an outbound exchange student you remain enrolled at Victoria University while studying abroad and continue to pay your usual fees.
Exchange partners
Eligibility
Domestic and international students can join an exchange program, subject to course requirements.
To be eligible, you must undertake the equivalent of 3 or 4 units (36– 48 credit points) and have:
- achieved a credit average (minimum of 60%)
- completed 1 year of undergraduate study (8 units) or 1 semester of postgraduate study (4 units) by the time you depart.
Suggested destinations
The Exchange Suggested Destination Guide is a good place to start your research if you are not sure which partner university will offer units to match towards your VU degree. It provides a list of VU partner universities in each study area.
This document should only be used as a guide. It is not comprehensive lists of universities and offerings. Once you have reviewed VU’s partner universities and selected a preferred host, review their unit offerings and book a meeting with your college CUA to complete your study plan.
Apply for semester exchange
Step 1: Check your course structure
Find out which units you can study overseas by looking at the course structure.
Step 2: Find your host university
Visit your proposed host university’s website and search for the units you wish to study.
When picking units, you should:
- check which semester the units are offered in: Fall/Autumn is VU’s Semester 2, and Spring is VU’s Semester 1
- understand the differences in terminology: What we call 'units' other universities may call 'modules', 'courses', or 'subjects'.
- know the credit points of the units at the university: Most VU units are worth 12 credit points, which is equivalent to 3 US credits, 7.5 ECTS or 15 UK credits.
Step 3: Prepare your study plan
Gather the unit descriptions/syllabus from the host university and complete your overseas study plan.
If you cannot find the syllabus information, please email us at and we will get in touch with the partner university on your behalf. Please do not contact them directly.
Step 4: Meet with your course & unit advisor
Your course and unit advisor will review your overseas study plan to help make sure you will receive credit for your overseas study.
Please come prepared with your unit descriptions/syllabus so this can be sent to the Course Chair for final approval.
College approval can take 3–5 weeks, so you should meet with your course and unit advisor well in advance of your planned study.
Step 5: Submit your application
Once your study plan is approved by your course and unit advisor, submit both forms to by the relevant deadline:
- Semester 1, 2027: Applications due by 31 August 2026.
- Semester 2, 2027: Applications due by 1 March 2027.
After applications have closed, we will assess all applications and will contact you in due course.
If your application is successful, you will receive instructions on how to complete an application for your host university. These vary depending on the destination.
Independent study abroad
In cases where semester exchange is not an option, you may choose to study abroad independently.
Independent study abroad allows you to study one or two semesters at an overseas institution that does not have an exchange agreement with VU.
The differences between exchange and study abroad are:
- Tuition fees for your study abroad semester are paid directly to the host institution.
- You can choose to study at a non-partner institution that accepts study abroad students (as long as your CUA agrees that the units you choose are acceptable).
