International student exchange and Study Abroad

As an international student, there are a few things you need to know about coming to UWA on Student Exchange or Study Abroad (SESA). Learn more about our entry requirements, fees and units, and hear from past inbound students about their experiences.

Why attend UWA as an Exchange or Study Abroad student?

Studying abroad is a unique opportunity to travel, experience new cultures, and gain a fresh perspective that’ll help you stand out in your career. With our Student Exchange and Study Abroad (SESA) program, you can explore Australia without taking time out from your degree.

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Student Exchange
If your university or college has a formal Student Exchange agreement with UWA, you can apply to study with us as an exchange student. This means you don’t pay tuition fees at UWA, but continue to pay the tuition fees of your home university or college.
Study Abroad
If your university or college doesn’t have a formal student exchange agreement with UWA, or if all available exchange places have been filled, you can still study with us as a Study Abroad student. You’re also eligible to apply as a Study Abroad student if you’ve completed high school but haven’t yet enrolled at a university. To study on this basis, tuition fees are payable and are based on a standard enrolment.

Hear from past students

Hear from the international students who’ve joined UWA SESA program and see how the experience changed their lives.

Anyssa Queen

At O-week I met the outstanding group of people in charge of my faculty and I remember the volunteer that took me to each talk was so nice and curious about my country and became one friend I saw through the campus during the semester. The great variety of student associations on campus helped me making friends and thanks to Perth International I had the opportunity to attend awesome events and meet amazing people from all over the world that shared the exchange experience like me.

My semester at UWA has been my happiest time in which I felt welcomed at an amazing community and found a big family far away from home at St. George’s College. I wanted to stay longer at UWA because of all the amazing people I met there and the academic excellence that it proved to be. Teachers care for their students and always provide a variety of skills in which knowledge is developed in the students. There is always something great happening on campus and by far exceeded my expectations.

Coming from a very different culture as an exchange student to UWA, I felt very nervous and had a lot of expectations of how the courses I was going to take would be. Since my arrival, the staff was so kind and welcoming to me and helped me choose my units.

Sergio Cardiel

Daanish Kachalia

Doing an Exchange term at the University of Western Australia has allowed me to grow so much as an individual. It has helped me push boundaries that I didn't know were possible. I now have a friend in 6 of the 7 continents around the world. Furthermore, it has helped with my academic and professional development, like giving me a chance to be an English Tutor or host a LinkedIn Learning Session.

I would highly recommend anyone thinking to do an exchange at UWA to go forward with it. Travelling was a blast, especially exploring Karijini and the beauties of Western Australia. It is a unique university experience and a very welcoming environment. There are many events that the University hosts for exchange students and you are guaranteed to have a great time, all while experiencing the Australian culture.

Ella Shilliday

The decision to do my study year abroad at UWA was honestly the best decision I have ever made. The UWA campus is beautiful and Perth is a great, laid-back city with some of the best beaches in the world. I made some of my closest friends during my time here and had some amazing travel opportunities – getting to explore New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. I was also able to visit parts of WA and the east coast – it felt like every day was a new adventure.

My advice for anyone considering exchange would be to 100% go for it – you will not regret it. Say yes to all the opportunities you can and don’t be afraid to try new things, even if the thought of it makes you scared or nervous. My year abroad was by far the best year of my undergraduate degree. For anyone coming to UWA, staying in college (Unihall) was the best way to make lifelong friends – who I still talk to now and met up with many times after I went back to Scotland.

I loved my year abroad so much that I decided to come back to UWA to study a PhD. I’ve been here for a year and it is just as amazing as I remember!

Flavia Nascimento

My time at UWA was amazing, I could have contact with people from all over the world and learn about their culture. The university is incredible, the campus is beautiful that sometimes I spent time just appreciating the view. The international team from UWA is really kind and helpful and they had lots of activities that allowed us to be in contact with other students. Perth is such a great city, the beaches and the nature are breath-taking.

UWA gave me really good memories, friends that I will keep forever and such a good experience. Hopefully I will be back soon!

Hailey Wachter

Studying abroad at UWA helped to grow not only as a student, but as a person. Each week was full of new adventures and the experiences I had while being there were the best I've ever had. I was able to meet people from all over the world and explore all of WA with them!

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Important informationWhat you need to know to attend UWA as an Exchange or Study Abroad student

Important deadlines

Semester 1: Nominations close 30th September and applications close 15 October.
Semester 2:Nominations close 30 March and applications close 15 April.

Eligibility and requirements

Students must meet one of the English Language Competencies requirements to be eligible for Student Exchange or Study Abroad in addition to academic requirements.

English language requirements

View the complete list of tests by which UWA's English language competency requirement may be satisfied for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Students who do not meet the standard ELC requirements may be approved admission to UWA on the basis of the Alternative English Language Competency requirements.

Students gaining admission via this pathway are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if approved they must enrol in the following unit in their first semester of enrolment:

Professional and Academic Communication PACM1100

Minimum scores for this conditional offer are:

IELTS 6.0 (no band score below 5.5)
Internet-based TOEFL 68 (13 in Listening and Reading, 17 in Speaking and Writing)
Internet-based TOEFL 4 (3 in Speaking, Listening and Writing, 3.5 in Reading)
Duolingo 115, no sub score below 100

UWA Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) English Language Pathways:

EAP Pathway: Overall score of 60% (no band below 60%)
UWA CELT Pathway: Bridging Course Module 1, overall score 70% (no band below 65%)/ Module 2, overall score 60% (no band below 60%)

Learn more about International and overseas qualifications

High school student eligibility

At the time of the application, you should have completed a high school qualification in accordance with the admission requirements for entry into the relevant bachelor’s degree program at UWA (for example, Bachelor of Arts).

Undergraduate student eligbility

To study at UWA as an Exchange or Study Abroad student you should normally:

have completed one semester of tertiary study at a recognised institution
have a nomination from your home university to participate in the UWA Student Exchange and Study Abroad program, if you are applying through a UWA partner university
be in good academic standing at your home university

Postgraduate student eligibility

Admission to postgraduate courses normally requires the completion of an undergraduate degree.

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Unit and enrolment information

UWA’s academic year commences in February and is divided into two semesters.

Semester 1 runs from late February to mid-June
Semester 2 runs from mid-July until mid-November

For current dates, please view our academic calendar.

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Academic load

You will need to enrol in a full academic load of 18-24* points per semester. Most units** are worth six points, so this typically means enrolling in three to four units per semester. While most units run for a single semester, some may be full-year units. Check with your home university to confirm the credit requirements for your program. You can use UWA’s online Handbook to browse units.
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*Enrolling in additional credit in excess of 24 points per semester will result in additional fees. Students will also need to meet the relevant academic prerequisites in both level and content.
**‘Unit’ at UWA refers to an individual class or subject area, e.g. ENVT2250 Ecology, while ‘course’ means a degree program, e.g. Bachelor of Science.

Enrolment and units

Subjects of study at UWA are referred to as units. You'll require each relevant student office's (there may be more than one) approval for each unit you wish to take. The schools (faculties) will ensure you meet the prerequisites for each unit prior to your enrolment.

Refer to the UWA Handbook and Terminology Glossary

Before selecting your units, we recommend that you read the unit description in the UWA Handbook and ensure that you meet any specific prerequisites for the units that interest you.

'Course' at UWA refers to a degree program, e.g. Bachelor of Science.
'Unit' at UWA refers to an individual class, e.g. ENVT2250 Ecology.
Undergraduate units: Level 1, 2 or 3 (e.g. BIOL1130)
Postgraduate units: Level 4 or 5 (e.g. MGMT5511)
Class format: Lectures, tutorials, labs, practicums
Language of instruction: English

Students will be asked and assessed for their unit selection prior to arrival. Enrolment can be finalised pre-departure and the last day for unit changes is Friday of Week 1 of classes.

Excluded units

There are several units that are closed to SESA students.

All units in the Medical and Dentistry Schools, Postgraduate units in the School of Psychological Sciences and units with Z in code (e.g. CITZ5101). Postgraduate units in the School of Law and undergraduate units in the School of Psychological Sciences are strictly limited to students meeting unit pre-requisites.

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Fees and charges

It’s important to have considered the fees and expenses you will incur when you study at UWA. Please ensure you have reviewed the tuition fees and any ancillary fees prior to applying.

Student Exchange fees

If your university or college has a formal student exchange agreement with UWA, you can apply to study with us as an exchange student. This means you don’t pay tuition fees at UWA but will continue to pay the tuition fees of your home university or college.

Study Abroad fees

Study Abroad students, or their sponsors, must pay tuition fees to UWA. These are paid either through your home institution or directly to UWA. Further information on fees can be found below. There are several options to apply as a Study Abroad student.

Tuition fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Please indicate when accepting your offer whether you will be enrolling in three or four units. A standard full-time enrolment load at UWA is 24 points per semester.

Extra points will lead to extra fees being charged on a pro rata basis. Students studying across two academic years (for example, Semester 2, 2027 and Semester 1, 2028) may be charged different fees for each semester.

The fees below relate to 2027 enrolments.

Tuition fees for 18 points:

AUD$10,838 per semester
AUD$21,675 per year

Tuition fees for 24 points:

AUD$14,450 per semester
AUD$28,900 per year

A Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) is payable in addition to the above fees. If entering Australia on a student visa, you will also require Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as a condition of your visa. UWA can arrange this for you, or you may purchase your own OSHC through an Australian Government approved provider. Residents from Sweden, Norway and Belgium are exempt from requiring to purchase OSHC.
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^Fees information accurate as at September 2026 and is subject to change

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How to apply

Check your eligibility

To be eligible to study at UWA, you will need to check that you meet the entry requirements listed above.

View eligibility and requirements

Select your units

Before selecting your units, we recommend that you read the unit description in the UWA Handbook and ensure that you meet any specific prerequisites for the units that interest you.

Prepare your supporting documents and finances

Supporting documents

Make sure you have the following documentation ready before you start your application for UWA.

a colour copy of your passport
your original academic transcript (or a certified copy)
evidence of English language competency (if applicable)

Where documents are not in English, a certified English translation must be enclosed with your application. For further information get in touch with UWA's Global Learning Office.

Finances

It's important to have considered the feeds and expenses you will incur when you study at UWA. Please ensure you have reviewed the tuition and ancillary fees prior to applying.

Apply for Student Exchange or Study Abroad

Applying directly to UWA

If you do not need approval from your home university, you can apply online via UWA Apply.

Applying through a UWA representative overseas

If you are applying via an approved UWA representative, your agent must first nominate you to the Global Learning Office. Once this nomination has been received, you will receive an email from the UWA Global Learning Office inviting you to apply.

Applying through your home university

Study Abroad

To study as a Study Abroad student, your home university can nominate you, or you can apply independently.

Student Exchange

If your university has an exchange agreement with UWA, to study as an Exchange student, they must nominate you for the Exchange program. Once your nomination has been received, you will receive an email from the UWA Global Learning Office inviting you to apply.

Deadlines	Nomination	Application
Semester 1 (February-June)	30 September	15 October
Semester 2 (July-November)	30 March	15 April

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Frequently asked questions

How many units can I take?

Student Exchange and Study Abroad students can enrol in a full academic load of 18 or 24 points per semester. Most units are worth six points, so this generally works out to three or four units per semester.

Typically, most units are offered for a semester, but some must be taken for a full year.

How do I select my units?

You can use the online Handbook to browse through the units offered at UWA. All units consist of four letters detailing the discipline of the unit (such as ECON for Economics, PSYC for Psychology) and four numbers.

Units with numbers beginning from 1 to 3 are generally undergraduate units. A code beginning with 1 represents first-year level studies, 2 represents second-year level studies and so on.
Units with a number beginning with 4 are generally honours level units and may require a minimum of three years’ study prior to enrolling. Please note honours level units are not always available to Exchange and Study Abroad students.
Some units coded 3xxx and 4xxx are common to both postgraduate and undergraduate programs.
Units with numbers beginning with 5 and above are postgraduate level and may require a minimum of three years’ tertiary study in a relevant field prior to enrolling.
Units in Medicine, Dentistry and postgraduate Psychology are not available to Student Exchange and Study Abroad students.

What do the different teaching periods mean?

Typically, most units are offered for a semester, but some must be taken for a full year. The majority of units are offered in either Semester 1 (February to June) or Semester 2 (July to November). Some units are offered in a non-standard teaching period. These units may be available to you if the dates fall within the semester period.

How and when do I enrol

You’ll have the opportunity to enrol in your units online before the semester starts. The Global Learning Office will contact you once you are eligible to complete your online enrolment.

What are classes like?

At UWA the emphasis is on independent learning. There will be less direction from lecturers, greater expectations of individual study outside classes, fewer assessments and heavier weighting on assessments.

You will attend weekly lectures, which may be large (sometimes more than 100 students). These will be complemented by weekly tutorials, which are smaller classes where you are expected to participate in discussion and debate. They may be compulsory and are often assessed.

How will I be assessed?

Final grades are based on a combination of oral and written assignments and tests, project work, participation in tutorials and final examinations. Multiple choice is not a common method of assessment.

At the completion of your study at UWA an academic record will be sent to your home university/agent. UWA will not translate grades.

Performance is graded according to the following scale:

HD (Higher Distinction): 80-100%

D (Distinction): 70-79%

CR (Credit Pass): 60-69%

P (Pass): 50-59%

N+ (Fail): 45-49%

N (Fail): 0-44%

UP (Ungraded Pass): n/a

P* (Pass Conditional): n/a

UF (Ungraded Fail): n/a

All examinations are conducted in English (except for language units) and the use of dictionaries is not permitted, nor will additional time be granted if English is not your first language.

What are the application deadlines?

For enrolment in Semester 1 (February – June), the application deadline is 30 October of the year prior.

For enrolment in Semester 2 (July – November), the application deadline is 15 April of the same year.

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International student exchange and Study Abroad

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Why attend UWA as an Exchange or Study Abroad student?