FAQs about intercampus exchanges

General

Will my Monash degree take longer if I go on intercampus exchange?

No, provided you complete and pass all units at your overseas Monash campus. All intercampus exchange students have course credit approved by their faculty before they leave Australia . Upon completion of a semester (or two) at an overseas Monash campus the units you have done will appear on your Monash transcript with grades in the normal way.

How do I get credit for units that I want to do overseas on intercampus exchange?

You must consult your faculty exchange adviser as part of the application process. You should take the Monash Abroad application form containing your overseas study plan, plus descriptions of the units you would like to study at the host university, to your Advisor for approval. Your adviser will arrange for these overseas units to be approved for credit towards your Monash degree and sign your Monash Abroad application.

Do I have to enrol at Monash while I am overseas on intercampus exchange?

Yes, before going abroad, you must make sure that you are enrolled by your faculty exchange adviser at your home campus in the units you plan to study at the overseas campus. You have to comply with the normal Monash University enrolment and census dates.  You must complete your enrolment before you leave Australia and your travel grant will not be paid until your enrolment is complete.

What grades will I get for units I do overseas on intercampus exchange?

You will get normal Monash grades for the units you do at an overseas Monash campus and these will appear on your Monash transcript in the normal way.

Can I go on intercampus exchange in my last semester at Monash?

This will be decided by your Faculty and you should consult your faculty course adviser before starting the Monash Abroad application process. It is usually easier to organise your intercampus exchange if you have only elective units left to complete as part of your degree.

For how long am I able to go on intercampus exchange?

You are able to go on intercampus exchange for either one or two semesters.  If you want to remain overseas for longer you must transfer to your host campus to complete your degree.  You will need to apply for admission as a normal international student and the fees you have paid during your period as an intercampus exchange student may be adjusted.

Can I extend my intercampus exchange?

It may be possible to extend provided you have not been on intercampus exchange for more than one semester and the Monash Abroad Office and your Faculty gives approval.

Can I study part-time while on intercampus exchange?

No. Monash policy and visa rules in Australia, Malaysia and South Africa require you to study full time. A full-time load is a minimum of 18 credit points per semester.

 I am a Medicine, Nursing or Pharmacy student. Can I go on intercampus exchange?

At present students enrolled in Bachelor of Medicine in Malaysia and Australia can do intercampus exchanges between Malaysia and Australia.  Nursing and pharmacy students can only do clinical placements overseas.

I am a full degree, fee-paying international student.  Can I go on intercampus exchange?

Yes. You will continue to pay your Monash fees as per your usual arrangement at your home campus. You can then go on intercampus exchange and not incur any further tuition fees.  International students enrolled at Australian campuses must enrol in 24 credit points at the overseas host campus in order to complete their courses in the time specified by their Australian student visas.

I am an AusAid student in Australia.  Can I go on intercampus exchange?

No, the AusAid scholarships are only provided to students whilst they study in Australia .

Can postgraduate students go on intercampus exchange?

Postgraduate coursework students can participate in all Monash Abroad programs, including intercampus exchange, on the same conditions as undergraduate students. Postgraduate research students should seek assistance from the Monash Graduate Research School.

Can distance education students go on intercampus exchange?

Yes, but you must satisfy the eligibility criteria. For the exchange and intercampus exchange programs you must study a full time load of on-campus units at the overseas university.

I recently failed a subject.  Can I still go on intercampus exchange?

Yes, provided your faculty agrees and you still retain a minimum credit average across your current Monash University degree, including any units you failed.

Application process

When can I apply to go on intercampus exchange?

You will need to have completed at least 48 credit points of your Monash degree by the time you commence your intercampus exchange - more for Law students going to any exchange partner and Engineering students going anywhere other than Monash Malaysia. See the Entry Requirements  page for details. Unless you are a student in the Faculty of Business & Economics you can apply before you have completed all 48 credit points but you will not receive a confirmed offer, or be able to apply for a visa, until you have received the results for all 8 units.  Bus/Eco students cannot apply until after you have completed all 48 credit points.  Double degree students should check eligibility criteria with Monash Abroad.

When should I begin the process?

You should commence thinking about going on intercampus exchange as early as possible in your course because you have to apply about 6 months ahead.  It takes most students 2-3 months to work out which campus they want to go to, work out their study plan and get it approved by their faculty so leave plenty of time before the Monash Abroad application deadline.

Who has to fill out my academic references and what do they have to say?

The academic references are to be completed by a Monash University academic staff member who has taught or supervised you at one point in your degree program. You could approach a tutor, lecturer or senior lecturer.

The academic reference should be a brief statement commenting on the student's academic progress and personal manner and give consideration to how the student would cope studying and living in a changed study environment.

Finance

When will I receive my travel grant?

If you are eligible for a Monash University travel grant it will usually be paid into your Australian bank account as all grants are paid by Monash Abroad in Australia.

If you are a Monash Australia student going to Malaysia or South Africa your grant will be paid into your bank account 4-6 weeks before you commence your intercampus exchange.

If you are a Monash Malaysia or South Africa student going to Australia your grant will be paid soon after your arrival in Australia once you have opened an Australian bank account.  Monash Abroad will help you arrange this during the orientation.

If you are a Monash Malaysia student going to South Africa or vice versa special arrangements will be made by Monash Abroad.

Why do I have to supply a bank statement?

We need a copy of your Australian bank statement so that we can pay your grant directly into your bank account. We are not interested in trying to ascertain how much money you may or may not have. We simply need a hardcopy of one of your statements so that processing mistakes are not made when paying out your grant.

Can I work part-time while I am abroad?

This depends on the visa rules for the country you are going to.  Students in Australia and South Africa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during holidays.  For advice on working in Malaysia please contact Monash Malaysia.

Do I need to show proof of financial solvency to go on intercampus exchange?

No. 

Preparing for your trip

Will I need to get a special visa?

Yes.  Students going to Australia, Malaysia or South Africa need to obtain a student visa.  The procedures are different for each country and Monash Abroad will provide advice on how to apply.  Obtaining a visa can take up to 8 weeks so you need to apply well in advance of your planned travel.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance?

Yes.  It is a condition of your participation in the intercampus exchange program that you be covered by comprehensive travel insurance and you will be required to provide a copy of your insurance certificate to Monash Abroad. Students coming to Australia are also required by the Australian visa rules are also required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover which will be arranged for you by Monash Abroad but Monash requires that you also purchase comprehensive travel insurance.

Do I need a health check before I go on exchange?

It is advised that you consult your general practitioner, or one of the university's health services, well before finalising any travel arrangements to check whether you need any vaccinations, or supplies of medications and to ensure that you have a healthy time abroad.

Does Monash Abroad organise my travel arrangements?

No, students are responsible for organising all of their individual travel requirements.

While you are overseas

Is housing available to exchange students?

On campus housing is available at all Monash campuses and students going to Monash South Africa on intercampus exchange are required to live on campus.  You must apply for on campus accommodation when you apply for the intercampus exchange program and details are on the application form.  Advice about how to obtain off-campus accommodation is also available at all campuses.

Children are not permitted in the on-campus accommodation at Monash Malaysia or Monash South Africa and only limited family accommodation is available at Monash Australia campuses.

Will there be some one to pick me up at the airport?

Yes. You will be collected from the airport and taken to your accommodation.