Fitzroy Student Hub: Study Abroad

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 in order to pay for host university fees and the amount will be charged back to the student’s overall debt.

What is Student Exchange?

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.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

To be eligible for Study Abroad or Student Exchange, you must adhere to the following criteria:

·       Completed your first year of study at one of Laureate Australia and New Zealand institutions 

·       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

Factors 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

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: study.abroad@laureate.net.au

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.

Europe:

• Italy Milan: Nuova Accademic di Belle Arti – design students
• Germany Berlin: University of Applied Sciences, Europe – design and business students
• Spain Madrid: Universidad Europea – design and business students

Asia:

• India Mumbai and New Delhi: Pearl Academy – design and business students
• Thailand Bangkok: Stamford International University – design and business students
• Malaysia Nilai: INTI University – design and business students
• China Suzhou: Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School – hospitality students

North America:

• USA California, San Diego: NewSchool of Architecutre and Design – design students

Find out more about the courses available at our partner universities in 2020 and 2021

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Key Dates 2020

Trimester 1

Application deadline: 19 November 2019
TUA Orientation: 11-15 February 2020
Start date: 18 February 2020
End date: 12 May 2020

Trimester 2

Application deadline: 4 February 2020
TUA Orientation: 27 – 31 May 2020
Start date: 3 June 2020
​End date: 25 August 2020

Trimester 3

Application deadline: 1 April 2020
TUA Orientation: 9-13 September 2020
Start date: 16 September 2020
​End date: 8 December 2020

*Application deadline is subject to start date of Torrens trimester and start date of the host university

Application Process

Step 1 – Fill out your Form:

Each host university has a different application form. Make sure you read the form correctly to ensure you meet all the requirements and have all the necessary documentation to lodge your application. 

Step 2 – Passport:

Ensure you have at least 12 months’ validity on your passport before applying to study overseas. You will need to upload a scanned copy of your passport. All personal information is kept private and confidential.

Step 3 – CV or Portfolio

Design students must upload an up to date Curriculum Vitae (CV)  and portfolio of work. Business, Hospitality and Health students are to upload a recent CV.

Step 4 – Scholarships

Torrens University Australia offers Australian domestic students scholarships to study overseas through Australian Government Grants. Please see  2020 grants and scholarships.

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.

Torrens University Australia has partnered with CISaustralia to offer additional study abroad options at universities outside of the Laureate Network.

CISAustralia

Providing semester abroad experiences in the USA, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia for undergraduate students studying Business, Graphic Design and Media, Fashion Design and Architecture, Journalism, Communication, Public Relations and Marketing, and Health Sciences.

Torrens works alongside CISaustralia to create a study abroad plan for individual students and we work with your Program Director to map appropriate subjects for you to gain credit towards your degree at Torrens.

CISAustralia works with a range of world-renowned universities such as The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), University of Roehampton, London, Aix-en-Provence, France, The University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, Canada, Dublin City University, Ireland, University of Economics, Czech Republic and  Universidad Veritas, Costa Rica, to name a few.

Cost

The price of study abroad programs through CISAustralia can range from $3000 to $9000, inclusive of accommodation, depending on the location and host university.

Applying for a CISAustralia program

Step 1:

Contact the Student Mobility Team at study.abroad@laureate.net.au and a Study Abroad officer will assist you in subject mappings, along with your Program Director

Step 2:

Fill out the CISaustralia Study Abroad Online Application

Step 3:

CISAustralia will assess your application and will conduct a phone interview with you. Successful applications receive a dedicated Program Officer to assist you in your study abroad journey.

An initial deposit of $500 applies to most study abroad programs; a deposit of $750 applies to applicants for US programs and a deposit of $2250 applies to multi-country program applicants. The deposit is not an extra fee; it is part of your overall study program fee. Applicants can refer to the Program Essentials document in their Portal for details on how to pay program fees.

Step 4:

When the program deposit is received, you will receive access to a Participant Portal. CISaustralia will send you an official Program Confirmation via email as well as information on what is required prior to departure.

Step 5:

When the Program Confirmation is received via email, you can make your travel arrangements. You will be required to make program payments in accordance with the CISaustralia Fees and Payment Policy and full payment of program fees is due 60 days prior to the program start date.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Education and Training administer programs that provide funding students to different regions in the world.
Torrens University Australia has received Australian Government Grants through the New Colombo Plan, to foster and increase mobility to the Indo-Pacific Region.
This is your opportunity to experience a new culture, make life-long friends and gain industry connections all while receiving credit towards your Torrens degree.

Government funding (grants are limited; varies year to year). 

How do I know if I’m eligible?

For All Government Funding students MUST:

• Be an Australian Citizen

• Be enrolled in a Bachelor Degree for the duration of the mobility program

• Be willing to assist in promoting TUA abroad and the Exchange program

What grants are available?

Study abroad in China

Where: Suzhou Tourism and Finance Institute (STFI)
Funds: $5,000
Length of study: 3 months, 6 months or 12 months
Specialisation: Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Business (International Hotel and Resort Management)
Year 2 Hospitality students can undertake 6 months’ study at Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in Suzhou + additional 6 months’ internship in Suzhou. Business students can undertake a trimester abroad in Suzhou if subjects are approved by faculty.
When: April, August, November 2020 or February 2021

Study abroad in Taiwan

Where: Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation
Funds: $5,000
Length of study: 8 weeks
Specialisation: Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine)
Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) students are required to enrol into CHM301A Internal Medicine 1 and complete the online material and associated assessments for the subject, combined with supplementary material delivered by the TzuChi hospital staff, designed to meet the subject's Learning outcomes and enhance the students' learning.
Students must have successfully completed Pharmacology 1, Pharmacology 2 and CM Formulas. 
Not yet completed the CHM301A Internal Medicine 1 subject.
When: T3 2020 (Exact dates TBC)

Study abroad in Thailand

Where: Stamford International University in Bangkok
Funds: $3,000 to $5,000
Length of study: 2 weeks to 12 weeks
Specialisation: Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Communication Design and Bachelor of Media Design students.
When: July, November 2020 or March 2021

Study abroad in India

Where: Pearl Academy
Funds: $5,000
Length of study: 2 to 4 weeks
Specialisation: Design (Common core SEN301 Social Enterprise; 301A Work Integrated Learning);
When: 2020 (Exact dates TBC)

How do I apply for a grant?

• Email study.abroad@laureate.net.au with your name, course and student ID.

• Academic transcript

• Statement of purpose 

  • Outline which Mobility Project you wish to undertake 
  • Explain why you believe you should be awarded the Grant and what you aim to achieve
  • Explain why you will be a good ambassador for the University and the Australian Government 
  • Outline your future ambitions and goals 
  • Outline what you aim to achieve while you undertake your Mobility Project

The decision of who will receive this funding is at the discretion of the Student Mobility team.
 

Grant requirements

• Successful applicants will be required to provide a written report upon completion of their Study Abroad describing their experience and if their goals were achieved

• be ambassadors of the University during their time overseas

• Participate in activities as a condition of the mobility program, including, but not limited to, activities at the host campus and assisting in the promotion of the University programs

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".