The Study Abroad and Student Exchange programs are available to eligible Australian domestic students who wish to study at an overseas partner university for one trimester.
What is Study Abroad?
Study Abroad students pay tuition fees directly to the host university and defer for one trimester at Torrens University Australia.
Upon their return to Torrens, study abroad students receive Advance Standing for the units studied overseas.
Torrens can use Fee-Help (if eligible) to pay for host university fees and the amount will be charged back to the student’s overall debt.
What is Student Exchange?
Students remain enrolled at Torrens University Australia during the trimester they spend studying overseas. Depending on the arrangement, exchange might require students to pay fees either at Torrens or at the exchange university.
The Student Exchange program is not available at all partner universities. In this case, you will need to apply for a Study Abroad program.
There may be a limit on how many students may participate in a Student Exchange at a host university at one time. If this limit has already been reached you will need to apply for a Study Abroad program.
study.abroad@torrens.edu.au
Due to the COVID-19 cases around the world, Torrens University Australia has suspended all outgoing student international mobility for the near future.
All programs will be reviewed prior to delivery in relation to travel advisories and student health and safety, and may not proceed if the University is not confident of both.
We recommend that students do not book travel until the programs are confirmed and we will endeavour to do this as far as possible in advance.
Useful information
How do I know if I’m eligible?
To be eligible for Study Abroad or Student Exchange, you must adhere to the following criteria:
- Have a minimum credit average in your results
- Study Abroad and Exchange is available only for Bachelors students
- Studying a Design, Business or Hospitality degree
- Have an Australian passport or visa approval to travel and study offshore
Things to consider
- The number of exchange places at the host institution can often be limited
- Not all courses offer exchange or study abroad within the course
- You must study a full-time load of on-campus subjects at your host institution
It is important for you to be aware of the application deadline as late applications are strictly not accepted. It will often take a couple of months to prepare the application documents so the earlier you can prepare, the better.
Please note: applications will only be assessed after the deadline has closed.
Application Deadlines
To study overseas in Trimester 1 (Feb - May)
Applications close 11:59pm on 15 July of the year before you are planning to go on exchange
To study overseas in Trimester 2 (June - Aug)
Applications close 11:59pm on 15 November of the year before you are planning to go on exchange
To study overseas in Trimester 3 (Sep - Dec)
Applications close 11:59pm on 15 February of the year you are planning to go on exchange
Once applications close, you will be assessed for eligibility. The Study Abroad team will notify you of the outcome of your application two to four weeks after the deadline.
What if I want to study at a non-partner university
If you intend to study at a university that is not one of our exchange partners, you may be able to go as a fee-paying Study Abroad student. Outgoing study abroad is not supported by Torrens University and is entirely independent. As such, you will have to arrange everything by yourself and take a leave of absence from Torrens University. If you are thinking of doing this, please contact us here.
Application Process
Step 1 – Check your eligibility
At the time of application, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a Bachelor's degree at Torrens University Australia in the trimester of application.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, or as otherwise approved by the University.
- Have successfully completed at least 60 credit points of study towards a degree, excluding credit transferred from an external institution.
Step 2 - Find a partner university
Look at the list of participating institutions in the Student Hub - Study abroad to find a partner that offers courses where you are eligible to receive credits on your study plan.
Step 3 - Get a study plan approved
It is compulsory to have a study plan approved in order to participate in the TUA exchange program.
Step 4 - Prepare application documents
- Approved study plan
- A one-page statement of purpose
- Copy of passport
Note:
Allow three to six months of planning prior to your mobility date. This includes:
- Subject mapping
- Approval from your Program Director
- Receiving and accepting your Letter of Offer from the host university
- Applying for your visa
- Preparing for your departure.
We recommend you study elective subjects abroad. It is easier to gain course credit for elective subjects than core subjects.
If you have already competed your elective subjects your Program Director will need to map one for one subjects for you.
In both instances, contact the study abroad team who can assist you in your subject selections via email.
There is no guarantee that subjects selected will be available during the semester intake at any one given time at any of our partner institutions.
Partners and scholarships
CISAustralia
NCP Scholarship
Partner universities
Pre - departure
Studying overseas allows you to expand your horizons, learn from a different culture, gain experience and make life-long friendships. While this is a life-changing experience it can also be a little daunting to begin with and Torrens wants to make sure you are prepared, ready and excited before you embark on your new adventure.
Checklist
Here are a few things to help you organize your overseas study experience
- Passport with up to 12 months’ validity
- Create a savings bank account to support yourself financially while overseas
- Subject mapping approved by your Program Director: what you will study at the host university and which Torrens subjects you will gain credit for
- Ensure to check student visa requirements through the Consulate of the host country in Australia before applying for your visa and adhere to the visa requirements
- Organize accommodation, flights and health insurance
- Save (and print) all important documents on your laptop, email and mobile. These documents include a copy of your passport, Letter of Offer from host university, flight itinerary, health insurance and payment proof of accommodation
- Use google maps to make yourself familiar with the location of the host university, your accommodation and the city center
- Pack mobile and laptop chargers, charger adaptors, summer and winter clothing and essential medication such as Panadol
- Download Skype to your mobile and apply $5 credit in case you need to make a 1800 or 1300 call to Australia in an emergency
- Download WhatsApp messenger app on your mobile to call and text friends and family back home
- Make yourself familiar with local telecommunication providers to purchase a local sim card
- Organize a taxi, train ticket or pick up from the airport upon arrival to your destination
- Practice greetings and basic phrases in the language of the country you are travelling to
- Check the currency and exchange rate of the country you are travelling to and purchase some local currency
- Ensure to bring two cash cards or visa debit cards attached to two separate accounts
Student Testimonials
Live the dream, study overseas
GERMANY, BERLIN
University of Applied Sciences Europe
Ruben East, Bachelor of Communication Design
Mobility Date: March to July 2018
"Countries outside of Australia are so different from anything here! You learn so much just by leaving the country and you learn so much more by living there! The opportunity is to learn things you cannot learn from google".
THAILAND, BANGKOK
Stamford International University
Madison Browne, Bachelor of Business (Event Management)
Mobility Date: March to July 2018
"The best part about my experience has been the people I have met. Not only the local Thai people but also the other exchange students. I have met people from all over Europe and Asia and it has been so amazing! I now can say I have friends all over the world".
MALAYSIA, NILAI
INTI University
Stella Gan, Bachelor of Commerce
Mobility Date: May to August 2017
"I wanted to add another level to my university experience. I wanted to gain a new perspective of the world and step out of my comfort zone and to be more independent, bold and mature. I believe overall, it's been a huge opportunity for personal growth and development".
Sarah Bagala:
Explore the cultural, culinary and design richness that India has to offer.
Hear from Sarah who studied part of her Bachelor of Communication Design course abroad at our partner university, Pearl Academy in Mumbai, India.
Chloe Vanderwal:
Experience studying at one of Asia’s most multicultural and international campuses, Stamford International University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hear from Chloe, Bachelor of Business (Event Management) student who had the chance to organise a major ticketed student event on campus as part of her assessment!
Maddie Browne:
Challenge yourself personally, professionally and academically through a study abroad experience in Bangkok, Thailand.
Hear from Maddie who realised her potential having spent four months abroad learning about a new culture and making long-lasting friendships
Grants
Government grants
