Academic information for study abroad & exchange students

Learn about the entry requirements and our award-winning Our VU Block Model ®.

Find out about our teaching methods and assessments, and how a VU unit of study will convert when you return to your home university.

VU Block Model

Feel confident and engaged in your studies with our unique VU Block Model®.

Study one subject at a time, learn in interactive, workshop-style classes, and be supported to reach your full potential.

Victoria University (VU) is the first university in Australia – and the largest in the world – to deliver courses through this innovative teaching model, inspired by similar successful models across North America and Europe.

This mode of study is also available for our postgraduate courses, which are delivered in a mixture of four-week and eight-week blocks, depending on the course.

Our VU Block Model explained
With the VU Block Model®, you study one subject at a time, in four-week blocks (or eight-week blocks for some postgraduate courses). That means you can focus your efforts, master your skills, and receive real-time feedback before moving on to the next subject.
Find out more

Entry requirements for student exchange

To be eligible for entry into the Study Abroad or Student Exchange program, you must provide:

  • proof of enrolment in a university degree
  • evidence of a 65% average in studies or a 2.5 grade point average on a scale of 4 or equivalent.

You will also need to provide evidence that you meet the University's English-language requirements.

English language testUndergraduate RequirementPostgraduate Requirement
IELTS (Academic Module)Minimum overall score 6.0 (no band less than 6.0)Minimum overall score 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet (no section score less than)67 (Listening 12, Speaking 18, Reading 15, Writing 21)79 (Listening 19, Speaking 19, Reading 18, Writing 22)
C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)): Overall score (no band less than)169 (no band less than 169)176 (no band less than 169)
Pearson Test of English (PTE)Minimum overall score of 50 (no section less than 50)Minimum overall score of 58 (no section less than 50)
DAAD English proficiency testBN/A

We may accept other evidence of English language proficiency and will examine it on a case-by-case basis.

Major areas of study

Study Abroad and Exchange students can choose from a wide range of subjects from different study areas while completing their semester(s) at Victoria University.

Study areas include:

  • arts
  • business
  • education
  • engineering & science
  • health & biomedicine
  • law & justice
  • sport & exercise science.

Please note that units from the following courses are not available to exchange and study abroad students

  • Dermal Sciences - course code HBDS 
  • Masters in Psychology - course codes AMAL, AMPE and HMPP
  • Nursing - course codes HBNB and HBMA
  • Osteopathy - course codes HCOP and HBSO
  • Paramedicine - course code HBPD

Some other specialised units may not be available to exchange students and you will be notified in this case.

Search for a unit.

Credit equivalencies

Study Abroad and Exchange students are required to take a full-time load of three or four VU units per semester. Most units have a weighting of 12 credit points.

When studying a full-time load, you should expect to have around 15-20 contact hours (times when you must attend the University) per week plus study time.

Credit equivalencies for a semester (four units) of full time study at Victoria University are:

  • USA: 12-15 credits
  • Canada: 15 credits
  • Europe: 30 ECTS
  • UK: 60 credits
  • Japan: 15 credits.