The Student Exchange Program is the cornerstone of Macquarie's Outbound mobility programs. Participating in the Exchange Program is the chance of a lifetime – a unique opportunity to study somewhere truly amazing for one or two semesters.
We have more than 250 partners in 54 countries. Please see the Partner directory.
Don't isolate your options to English speaking countries – students can go to Mexico, Europe and Asia and study subjects in English.
To find out what universities best match your Macquarie degree, please click here.
Most Macquarie University students are eligible to apply – this includes international students, undergraduates and postgraduates. You must be currently enrolled at Macquarie as a full degree seeking student.
The minimum academic requirement is a GPA of 2.0 and students must have completed at least 18cp at Macquarie University by the time of participation on the exchange program.
For the complete policy regarding student eligibility, please see the Student Exchange Program Policy.
You should read about your degree requirements before you apply.
See the http://handbook.mq.edu.au/
"One thing must be mentioned about the USA, the Australian accent is a very powerful tool."
Filip Kidon
Undergraduates
For most undergraduates the best time to go on exchange is during second year. You are also eligible to go on exchange for one semester in your third year, but must ensure you satisfy Macquarie University 300 level degree requirements in order to graduate.
Postgraduates
You can also go on exchange during your postgraduate studies. Some European universities offer courses taught in English at a postgraduate level. You should talk to your course-coordinator about overseas study programs and your postgraduate degree.
Students should be aware that the Northern Hemisphere operates on a different timetable. The academic year there extends from August/September through to May/June, with the summer break from June to September.
One or two semester(s)? That is the question!
This student says it all; once you're there we know it will be hard to lure you back. Hence the rule that if you're allowed to study on exchange, it's for a minimum of one semester and for a maximum of a year. We are happy for you to go for a year, but it is your responsibility to make sure you fulfil your degree requirements here at Macquarie (See University Handbook).
Depending on funding, travel grant amounts may vary from year to year. Check the current Travel Grant Funding Scheme before you apply. Macquarie's Travel Grant funding is the most generous in the country – don't miss this great opportunity to go somewhere amazing and be funded to do it.
Short term programs
If one or two semesters seems too long for you to leave Australia or does not fit with your degree, why not try a short term program?
There are many programs available in various subject areas – please see the Short Term Programs section.
What do I have to pay?
Fees
Whilst on exchange you will be enrolled as a full time Macquarie student and will be required to pay your HECS (upfront or deferred) and your Students Activities Fee to Macquarie. If you are an international student you will be required to pay your international fees to Macquarie University. You are not required to pay tuition fees at the Host University.
You will be billed according to the unit you are taking overseas. For example, if you are taking a unit overseas that is equivalent to a 4cp 200 level BBA course here at Macquarie, you will be charged for a 4cp 200 level BBA course.
Some overseas universities may also require students to pay a compulsory fee for access to the gymnasium and sporting facilities.
Living expenses
You should budget approximately $1400 per month for living costs while on exchange. Consult a Currency converter.
Costs you are required to pay:
Can I get any financial assistance?
Exchange Grants
Macquarie has by far the most generous International Travel Grant Scheme in the country. The Vice-Chancellor has allocated more than 10 times the amount that most other universities set aside for travel grants.
As soon as you are accepted to go on exchange, you are guaranteed a travel grant. These grants are between $2000 and $4000 – please see the Travel Grant Funding Scheme for the award amounts available to Macquarie students.
There are also additional grants to study at particular universities or in certain countries. See a Macquarie Abroad staff member for current grants.
Macquarie also regularly applies for Australian government funding to supplement costs for students studying in the Asia-Pacific region. Information about these grants (called UMAP grants) is available from the Study Abroad and Exchange Office in the SAM Building. In the past, students going to some countries, such as Mexico and Japan, have received up to $7000 for a semester overseas!
Travel Grants for Non-Exchange Program students
If you are a student interested in applying for a Travel Grant from Macquarie University, but are not participating in the exchange program, please go to the Travel Grants section.
Youth allowance
If you are currently receiving Youth Allowance, you will continue to be eligible whilst on exchange. Macquarie Abroad will write you a letter which states that you will be a full-time enrolled student whilst on exchange. These letters are automatically issued upon acceptance into the program, and can be taken to a Centrelink office to continue payment.
This depends on the country in which you choose to study.
General rule
In many countries you are eligible to work 20 hours per week, although this may be restricted to employment within the university. Check with the relevant consulate or embassy to find out the most up-to-date information.
Exceptions
In the United States you are eligible to work the 20 hours a week on campus. In Canada it depends on the Province, and in the United Kingdom and Norway you are eligible to work 20 hours per week anywhere you find a job. In Sweden you are not eligible to work unless you obtain a work permit which is a labour intensive process, and you cannot apply until you arrive.
Macquarie Abroad is not able to give you advice on working privileges in your proposed host country. It is necessary to seek the advice of the relevant consulate for any questions relating to work overseas.
We cannot guarantee accommodation, but all exchange universities have staff available to assist students in securing housing.
On campus accommodation
In most cases, accommodation is organised as part of your exchange. Students generally choose to live in residential colleges on their host university campuses (very common in North America). We recommend that you choose on campus accommodation if it is available - it is the best way to meet local students and to become involved in university life.
Off campus accommodation
You may prefer to live off campus. If you should choose to do this, it may be more difficult to meet people and make friends.
Some Universities (for example, some universities in France) do not have on-campus housing, but do have accommodation services familiar with local customs and options to assist students in finding suitable housing.
The best part of participating in the exchange program is that you will receive credit towards your Macquarie University degree. To ensure that you receive credit for the subjects you wish to study while overseas, you must develop a Study Plan for your host university and have these subjects approved by Macquarie Academics.
For every subject that you study overseas and have had approved, you will receive either a ‘Satisfactory’ or a ‘Fail’. Once we receive the original academic transcript from the Host University we will enter the result on your Macquarie award. Your GPA will remain unchanged for the duration of your exchange unless you have failed units. All units being credited back to your Macquarie degree MUST have an approval from the respective Macquarie University Exemptions officer. Any units that have not been given approval for a Macquarie equivalent, cannot be transferred back to your degree.
A comment will be added to your transcript to indicate your participation in the exchange program, which can be supplemented with your transcript from the host institution. If you are seeking entry to the Honours program or a Masters course and require exchange units to be taken into consideration, you will need to speak with the Macquarie Abroad Office upon your return. We will write a letter to submit with your application to these programs. Exchange should enhance, not limit, your opportunities.
The Study Plan:
The subjects you wish to take overseas must be approved after you have been accepted to the Student Exchange Program. You will receive a Study Plan Form with which you can get your subjects approved.
The form looks like this:
| Equivalent Macquarie Subject | Host University subject | Credit point value @ Host Institution | Level of Credit at MQ deemed by academic | Academic Approval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON350 – Money and Finance | COMM397 – Business Finance | 4 | 3 credits | Prof. Rillem |
| Unspecified Law 300 level | LAW 350 – Intellectual Property | 4 | 3 credits | Prof. Noname |
You can find subjects offered by Host Universities by checking their website through the Partner University page or by looking in the Exchange resource library at the Macquarie Abroad Office.
Each Host University subject you wish to take must be approved. An academic in each department will determine the amount and level of credit you will receive at Macquarie University for the subjects you plan to study overseas.
To make an appointment with an academic, please see the exemptions officers' list. Be prepared for your meeting and make sure you take along all the relevant course descriptions that you are seeking credit for, so that their equivalency and credit point values can be assessed.
If you cannot find a Macquarie equivalent:
Half the benefit of going on exchange is being able to take interesting classes that are not offered at Macquarie. If any subject at the Host University does not have an exact Macquarie University equivalent, you should seek "Unspecified" or "Elective" credit. This is credit towards your general degree requirements but Unspecified or Elective units cannot be used as pre-requisites for subjects you may need to do upon your return.
Macquarie Academic Senate's rule on exchange
“Senate approved a change in policy affecting students who undertake exchange programs at overseas universities. Students will be required to take at least 50% of all of the required components of the program at Macquarie University.
This softens the previous policy, which required a minimum of 50% study at Macquarie for all components except coherent studies, where the old requirement was 100% at Macquarie.”
Please check the Macquarie University Handbook for specific degree requirements or seek the advice from your Division's Exemptions Officer. See the http://handbook.mq.edu.au/
Studying a Macquarie University subject on an external basis:
If there is a subject Macquarie University requires you to take as part of your degree and you want to go on exchange, you may be able to take it while overseas on an external basis. Make sure you include this when you send us your enrolment details (specific information about the enrolment process is in the section for Students Currently on Exchange).
Most students will need to get a student visa in order to enter their host country. Obtaining a visa is your responsibility, as is abiding by its conditions.
Your official acceptance into the Exchange Program by your host university will be in the form of visa documentation – this may simply be a letter of acceptance, or it may be a more sophisticated form of documentation (particularly in the case of the USA). You will be required to take this official documentation to the appropriate Consulate and to apply for your student visa.
You will apply for your visa after your official acceptance into the Macquarie University Student Exchange Program.
If you hold multiple passports, such as an Australian passport and a British passport, we encourage you to obtain a student visa and travel using your Australian passport.
YES! Travel insurance is not just mandatory, it is common sense.
Purchasing Health and Travel insurance before you leave is a mandatory requirement of exchange. This insurance needs to cover you from your first day of travelling until the day you return home. You must purchase insurance through a provider nominated by Macquarie University – check out Macquarie Abroad's travel insurance policy.
USA and Canada – whilst many institutions in these countries require you to purchase an insurance policy through them, the policies they offer will not cover you for all the crucial things you need to be covered for – such as repatriation, travel and public liability. For that reason, Macquarie requires you to also purchase an approved policy. More information about this is in the Travel Insurance Policy.
How do I make the travel arrangements?
You are required to make your own travel arrangements. Most students will choose to undertake broader travel either before their exchange commences or at the end of it. There are many travel agents and we recommend you shop around for the best price. Good places to start are STA (the one on campus is located in the SAM building, next to the Macquarie Abroad Office) and Flight Centre (there is one in the Macquarie Shopping Centre).
When do I buy the Airfare?
We usually advise that you not to purchase airfare until the Macquarie Abroad Office has notified you of your official acceptance to the Host University. Should you choose to buy the airfare before this time due to limited flights or prior arrangements, you assume all risk of loss of funds.
However, STA Travel (Macquarie University campus ONLY) has made a special arrangement for students participating in the Exchange Program. You can make a booking with them as soon as you are accepted into the Program, and if you need to withdraw from the program for a valid reason, you will receive your deposit back in full (this is usually $150).
If you are going on exchange there is no need to apply for a travel grant, as they are automatically granted to students going abroad.
Information about Macquarie's Travel Grant program, including eligibility, funding guidelines, what grants can be used for and current funding allocations is available here.
Yes! There are many Short Term Program possibilities for students on tight budgets and timelines. Many of these are during the July holidays in the Northern Hemisphere. Travel Grants are also available for these programs.
Exchange - the best thing you'll do at uni!