UWS Students studying internationally

Your Opportunity to Exchange Your Life and Study Part of Your UWS Degree Overseas!

Go in the draw to win a new iPad (16GB Wi-Fi 3G White) by registering your interest to attend the Exchange Fair.
 
You have the unique opportunity to spend a semester or two overseas at one of our exchange partner universities and receive credits towards your UWS degree.
Come to the UWS Exchange Fair 2012 and find out how you can make this happen!

What’s Happening on the Day

• Discover your undergraduate and postgraduate study options at over 300 universities in over 40 countries
• Discuss what scholarships and loans are available to help you study overseas
• Speak to representatives from many of our exchange partner universities from all over the world –Europe, Latin America, Asia, Canada and the US
• Talk to exchange students from overseas who are studying at UWS from our worldwide network of over 300 partner universities returned and departing UWS exchange students to get more information about the universities and countries you are interested in
• Receive advice from embassies and consulates
• You can apply for exchange for one or two semesters, or a short course in English and/or a range of other languages
• Discover how you can fit an exchange opportunity into your study plan
• Enjoy a free BBQ lunch for students who make an enquiry at the Exchange Fair and collect a voucher (available while stocks last).

Audience: All Welcome
Cost: Free
RSVP: No registration is required but you can go in the draw to win a new iPad (16GB Wi-Fi 3G White) by registering your interest to attend the Exchange Fair.
More Info: exchange@uws.edu.au

Study Overseas with UWS!

UWS provides students studying at the University the opportunity to study overseas while enrolled in a degree with the UWS International Exchange Program.

UWS International Exchange Program

Follow these simple steps to find out more and apply!

Step 1
Register online to attend an UWS International Exchange Program Information Session during Autumn session 2012

Step 2
Attend an exchange information session during Autumn session 2012
Please note: all Exchange Information Sessions during March have been cancelled. If you were planning to attend one of these sessions, please register for a session during April. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Step 3
Conduct further independent research about exchange destination possibilities

Step 4
Register to attend an Adviser Consultation Session (strongly encouraged) to fine tune your destination preferences

Step 5
Attend an Adviser Consultation Session

Step 6
Submit exchange application by deadline

Step 7
The Selection Process

Step 8
Notification of outcome of Exchange application

Step 1
Register online (opens in a new window) to attend an UWS International Exchange Program information session during Autumn session 2012.

Be sure to also check your eligibility below.

Eligibility for Exchange
For the UWS Study Abroad and Exchange Office the following eligibility criteria apply at the time of assessment:

Please note the conditions below apply to all students.
Please refer to further specific information below regarding Undergraduate, Postgraduate and UWS College Students.

• You must have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or above over your whole academic record to date. Please note students whose GPA falls between a 3.5 and a 4 will be called in for an interview post application submissions and required to complete additional documentation that will be explained at the information session.
• International students are encouraged to apply!
• Students studying part-time are encouraged to apply, however you must be on track to be completing a minimum of 40 credits overall at the time of application. Whilst on exchange you must be enrolled in at least 30 UWS credit points for one semester of exchange.
• Students can undertake an exchange during their final session of study at UWS, however approval must first be checked with your Course Adviser.
• Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree can undertake up to 1 year (80 credit points) on exchange during their UWS degree. This can be taken consecutively or undertaken in different sessions.
• Session based exchanges are not currently possible if you study medicine, please contact your Course Adviser for other study abroad opportunities.

Undergraduate students

• The earliest session in which you can apply is in your first session of study at UWS. You must be on track to be completing a minimum of 40 credits in that session. Please note students who have transferred from another university are welcome to apply for exchange during their first session at UWS.

Postgraduate students

• Students enrolled in a 1 year degree only must apply during their first session/quarter of study at UWS (as UWS may be able to accommodate you on exchange during your second session of your degree). Students taking units on a quarter based system through the School of Business are encouraged to apply during their first/second quarter (as UWS may be able to accommodate you on exchange during your third and fourth quarter of your degree).
• Students enrolled in a 1.5 year degree or more are also strongly encouraged to apply during their first session of study at UWS. Students taking units on a quarter system through the School of Business are encouraged to apply during their first/second quarter (as UWS may be able to accommodate you on exchange during your third and fourth quarter or at a later point in time of your degree).
  

UWSCollege Students

• The earliest session in which you can apply is in your first session of study at University of Western Sydney (i.e. once you have completed your full academic first year at the College). You must be on track to be completing a minimum of 40 credits in the session in which you apply at the University of Western Sydney.

Short Courses

• students interested in short courses (usually held during UWS Summer break or Winter break) are encouraged to check closely the relevant application deadline and express their interest at the Exchange Information Session (opens in a new window) as often the deadlines are outside the normal UWS advertised exchange deadline.

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Step 2
Attend an Exchange Information Session (opens in a new window)during Autumn session 2012.

Information sessions are available on all UWS campuses. Register for an Exchange Information Session(opens in a new window) today.

Please Note: All Exchange Information Sessions during March have been cancelled. If you were planning to attend one of these sessions, please register for a session during April. Apologies for any inconvenience.

The exchange information session topics will include

• Eligibility
• Exchange Destinations - Regions and Partner Universities
• Basics of applying
• Scholarships and OS-Help Australian government loan
• Receive an application Kit
• Credit transfer information
• Accommodation
  

Once you have attended an Exchange Information Session (opens in a new window), you should undertake further research into available programs in order to refine your preferred destinations. A best practice approach of how to do this will be provided at the exchange information session.

Exchange Application Kit
At the Exchange Information Session (opens in a new window) you will receive an exchange application kit and receive instructions about how to complete the below forms.

The Exchange Application Kit comprises the following:

• Main International Exchange Application Form
• Academic Study Plans (3 - one per preferenced destination)
• Academic Referee's Report (1 only)
  

The International Exchange Program Main Application form covers the basics of your application - personal details, exchange destination preferences, enrolment details etc. You are expected to identify and rank in order of preference, three exchange institutions.
You can complete the Main International Exchange Application Form and the Academic Study Plans in your own time, although you may find it extremely advantageous to discuss your academic study plans with your Course Adviser, particularly if you need to meet Key Program/Core requirements for your major or are progressing towards Honours. The Academic Referee Report, however, will need to be completed in consultation with a current UWS lecturer or tutor. As this can take some time to organise, you should not leave this to the last minute.

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Step 3
Conduct further independent research about exchange destination possibilities.

Partner universities

Step 4
Register to attend an Adviser Consultation Session (opens in a new window) (strongly encouraged) to fine tune your destination preferences.

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Step 5
Attend an Adviser Consultation Session (opens in a new window)[PDF 75Kb]

After attending an Exchange Information Session and conducting your research on your Host Universities (3 preference destinations for exchange), you may wish to speak further to one of our Advisers. If you wish to see an adviser please register online for an Adviser Consultation Session (opens in a new window).

These sessions will be held with a small group of students who are also interested in applying for exchange and may even be to the same destination country or exchange university as yourself. These meetings may help you to find out more about your preferred region of the world or country and provide you with the opportunity to discuss your specific options. Advisers can best assist you if you already have an idea of what you wish to do and whether you meet the basic criteria.

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Step 6
Submit Exchange application by deadline

Exchange application deadlines
You must plan early for an exchange as you need to apply one year in advance for Undergraduate exchanges. Postgraduate applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during their first session/quarter of study.

Application forms will be available at the Exchange Information Sessions.

Deadline for full session /full academic year exchanges

10 June 2012
For overseas exchange commencing in Autumn session (March semester) 2013.

10 November 2012
For overseas exchange commencing in Spring session (July semester) 2013.

Please note: International Exchange applications received after the above dates will be considered, however priority for exchange placement and allocation of scholarship funding will be considered after all other applicants.

Deadline for Short Courses Application
Short Courses - Please note students interested in short courses (usually held during UWS Summer break or Winter break) are encouraged to express their interest at the Exchange Information session as often the deadlines are outside the normal UWS advertised exchange deadline.

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Step 7
The Selection Process

Assessment by University of Western Sydney
There are two stages of assessment – first, by the University of Western Sydney and the second by the host university. The University of Western Sydney assessment takes place approximately 6-8 weeks from submission. Your application will be assessed by an Exchange Adviser against the main eligibility criteria as listed in the application and against criteria specified by your preferred host university. Your first preference destination will then be assessed in comparison with other applicants, based on academic results and personal suitability. Your Academic reference will also be considered. If your first preference is not successful you will be assessed for your alternative preferences.

If your application is successful you will receive an official nomination letter to a host university from the UWS Study Abroad and Exchange office via email. You will then be required to complete several more documents to finalise your nomination. This includes an Academic Approval Form for a Nominated Exchange Applicant, which is essential for confirming that you will receive credit for overseas courses at the end of your exchange.

If unsuccessful, you will be notified in writing (via email) and invited to apply for the International Exchange Program again in a later session, if appropriate.

Assessment by the host university
After nomination to a host university, you will also have to complete the overseas application procedures. This will be done in consultation with the Exchange Adviser who will inform you when the paperwork or online application becomes available and when this application is due for submission.

Preparing the application can be a lengthy process, depending on the detail required by the host university. Once your application is completed, your Exchange Adviser will forward it to the host university on your behalf.

Host universities have the final authority to accept or reject exchange applicants. Assessment time frames vary and it can take anywhere from one month to three months, once the application has been forwarded, before a response is received from the host university. You will be notified immediately of any outcome, and you are encouraged to be patient and not contact the host university during this period.

Please note that if one of your preferences was at a multi-campus university (California State University or University of North Carolina University), your final campus placement will be determined by the host university, considering your preferred campus preferences, where possible.

In rare cases, please remember that even if you are nominated by the University of Western Sydney you may be rejected by the host university. In these instances, your Exchange Adviser will help you find an alternate host university, depending on vacancies and overseas deadlines. In rare cases, it may be possible that your exchange cannot proceed despite investigating other options.

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Step 8
Notification of outcome of Exchange application

Successful applicants are normally sent a letter of acceptance along with an acceptance kit which may include information about courses, accommodation, visa and immigration requirements and health insurance. Accepted students must read this material carefully and complete any documentation, as requested. In particular, you should promptly respond to course selection matters to ensure you are able to gain entrance to your approved courses. In the USA and Canada, courses often have enrolment quotas and can fill up several months prior to the start of each semester. 

Closer to your departure, you will be invited to attend a compulsory Pre-departure session which will provide you with the last-minute information you will need to have a successful exchange experience. Sessions are normally held in June for those going overseas during Spring session and November/December for those going overseas in Autumn session the following year. 

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