Swap the Quad for the globe: Your exchange journey awaits

Take your degree global through UNSW's range of exciting international study options.

Published on the 17 March 2026

Student Exchange Testimonial at National Taiwan University

Studying at university is a time for expanding your horizons, and there's no better way to do that than to study overseas. Thanks to UNSW's Student Exchange and Short Programs, there are opportunities galore to get your travel fix while earning UOC towards your degree.

With over 300 exchange partner institutions around the world, you can stay on track with your studies in a brand new university environment during the day and explore new cultures during your time off.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for exchange, all applicants must:

Have at least a 65+ WAM;
No more than one fail; and
At least 18 UOC left to complete at the start of your exchange.

For Undergraduate students, you must have also:

Completed at least 18 UOC at the time of application.

For Postgraduate students, you must also:

Be enrolled in a minimum 72 UOC program; and
Apply in your first term of study.

Applying for Student Exchange

Ready to take the next step on your exchange journey? Great!

Start with the 'Applying for Exchange' tutorial on Moodle. This is your one-stop shop for all things exchange and will guide you through the entire application process.

Just use your zID to login to Moodle and enter the enrolment key Exchange101 to access the course.

Still need some time to decide? Sign up for the UNSW Learning Abroad Compass. This is your personal guide to exploring exchange opportunities at your own pace.

Apply for Exchange tutorial

UNSW Learning Abroad Compass

Still making up your mind?

Going on exchange is a big decision, so you should take as much time as you need to research and get inspired!

We have a series of Learning Abroad Stories from UNSW students who have been on exchange and have graciously shared their first-hand experiences with us. Discover how past students navigated their exchange program and get a glimpse into what it can offer you.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

About Exchange
Eligibility
Faculty/Courses
Timing and costs

If you have general education courses/electives, you can course match and receive credit from your exchange courses.
Finding and comparing courses is the most research-intensive part of the exchange preparation process. Don't worry, our Apply for Exchange Moodle tutorial has all the resources you need on how to course match. Just head over there to get started on your exchange journey.

Apply for Exchange tutorial
This is dependent on each student's application, but generally, most students are nominated to one of their six preferences as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
You have to list six preferences or you won't be able to submit your application. Please note that duplicates of the same university partner will not be allowed as one of your exchange preferences.
No, UNSW does not provide any visa assistance, this is entirely student-driven.
This is entirely dependent on the student visa requirements of your chosen exchange country. The UNSW exchange office is not authorised to provide any visa advice.

Check your scholarship conditions and discuss with the Scholarships Office if required.

Scholarships Office
Please refer to Partner Placement Guide. This will show how competitive exchange partners are with the WAM guidance information.

Partner Placement Guide
You can only apply for exchange after completing your Diploma and starting your Bachelor's Degree at UNSW.

The earliest you can submit your exchange application is during the first term of your Bachelor's Degree.
Postgraduate students need to be in a minimum 72 UoC program and should ideally be applying in their first term of study, but they may be able to apply later.

Please refer to the eligibility requirements in the Applying for Exchange Moodle for postgraduate students. You can also make an appointment with an advisor at the Nucleus for more information.

Apply for Exchange tutorial

Going on exchange should not extend your degree. You will get credit for courses approved by your faculty before your departure.
The majority of undergraduate degrees can do exchange, except for Education due to accreditation requirements.

You can refer to the exchange eligibility criteria in the Applying for Exchange Moodle tutorial for more information.

Apply for Exchange tutorial
Please speak to a Faculty Advisor at The Nucleus: Student Hub if there are any core courses that you must take at UNSW as part of your program.

The Nucleus: Student Hub
You will need to speak to your faculty and the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) team to confirm if exchange can count towards your PEP program.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we recommend speaking to a Faculty Advisor at the Nucleus Student Hub about when is the best time in your degree program to go on exchange.

The Nucleus: Student Hub
The cost of exchange depends on where you go!

While you're on exchange, you continue to pay your regular UNSW tuition fees.

We suggest having at least AUD$3,500 a month for the length of your exchange to cover the cost of living.
Applications for Term 3 2027 exchange open 1 July 2026, and the deadline will be mid-September.

The terms you will be away depend on the academic calendar of the partner university, and how it overlaps with UNSW dates.
Applications for Term 1 2027 exchange are currently open and close 29 April.
Information about the transition will released once applications open for Semester 1 2028 exchange in 2027. There will still be two application rounds per year.