How to apply for the international exchange program

Step by step guide

1. Which country? Decide which country you would like to go to.
2. Which institution? Check the Monash exchange partners in that country.
3. Do they have my units? Use the links to check which partner university offers the units you need for your Monash degree. You may be able to get some advice from your faculty exchange advisor.
4. How many units? Make sure you understand what a full time study load is at your chosen university and how many credit points each unit is worth – you must have the equivalent of 18-24 Monash credit points for a full time load.
5. Which units? Write your chosen units on the study plan on the Monash Abroad application form (see below) -- choose about twice as many units as you need in case your faculty will not approve them all.
6. What is the unit about? Print out the detailed unit outlines to submit with your application. Hint: If you cannot find detailed outlines, try doing a Google search.
7. Approval of units? Take your study plan and unit outlines to your faculty exchange adviser who will advise you about how to get it approved in your faculty/ies. Do this 8 weeks before the application due date.
8. Application approval? Complete the rest of the Monash Abroad application form and submit it to the Monash Abroad office by the due date listed below.
9. Do I need a passport?  Yes, you need a passport to travel and if you don't already have one, apply for one straight away https://www.passports.gov.au/web/forms/entrypoint.aspx
10. If you are applying to go to Japan and you want to apply for a scholarship, you also need to read the Guide to Applying for Exchanges in Japan (PDF, 3 pages, 42kb) and to complete an additional Japan Application Form (PDF, 5 pages, 110kb).

You will need to submit

1. Monash Abroad Exchange Application Form (pdf, 8 pages)
2. Study plan signed by your faculty - by both faculties if you are doing a double degree
3. Two academic references using the Monash Abroad reference forms 
4. One 500 word statement of purpose
5. One copy of a recent official bank statement showing full account details, including account holder name, account number and BSB number.
6. One passport size photograph
7. OS-HELP loan application if you are applying for a loan
8. If you are applying for a Japan scholarship, complete the Japan Exchange Scholarship Application Form (PDF, 5 pages, 110kb)

Deadlines

Hints

1. Choosing an exchange university takes time and requires plenty of research.
2. Start your research early -- it takes most students at least 3 months to get their applications ready to submit to Monash Abroad.
3. It can take up to 8 weeks to get your study plan approved by your faculty -- check the normal approval time with your faculty exchange adviser, as you cannot lodge your application with Monash Abroad until your faculty has approved it.
4. Monash Malaysia and Monash South Africa students who want to go on exchange to third countries should complete the exchange application in the same way but lodge it with their student service offices, who will forward it to Monash Abroad.
5. After you have lodged your application with Monash Abroad it will take up to 4 months before you receive an offer from the overseas university.

More information

• Eligibility for the international exchange program
• Financial information for the international exchange program
• Faculty requirements and exchange advisers
• Monash Abroad information sessions
• FAQs about the international exchange program