Commerce Abroad
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I find out more about exchange?
- Can I go on exchange in my first year?
- Can I go on exchange for two semesters?
- Where should I go?
- How do I select subjects to take on exchange?
- Can I take subjects on exchange to count towards my major / pre-requisites / accreditation / honours requirements on exchange?
- Can I take my compulsory BCom subjects on exchange?
- Can I study subjects towards my “breadth” or optional non-Commerce component on exchange?
- How many subjects should I take on exchange?
- Am I still enrolled at the University of Melbourne while on exchange?
- Is it possible to study at an institution that is not a University of Melbourne exchange partner?
- Is it true that the exchange application process is very time-consuming and difficult?
- Where can I find out more about other global mobility opportunities?
- I am a student in the Melbourne Graduate School of Management. Who should I contact for information about global mobility opportunities?
Where can I find out more about exchange?
- Your first step is to view the Melbourne Global Mobility (MGM) website which provides plenty of information about the application process and links to other useful websites.
- The MGM unit is located on Level 1 of the Old Geology building and has a resource area with hardcopy materials from all partner institutions.
- The MGM unit can also provide you with contact details of past and present exchange students who will be able to give you advice and answer questions about the specific host institution/s to which you are considering applying.
- You can collect a Global Mobility brochure either from the MGM office or from the Commerce Student Centre which includes an application form.
- Melbourne Global Mobility and the Faculty of Economics and Commerce run information sessions throughout the year which you can register to attend.
- The Faculty of Economics and Commerce’s Global Mobility Coordinator is available at various times during the year for individual appointments to answer any questions you may still have after completing preliminary research through the methods listed above. These appointments and booking instructions are advertised in the Commerce e-Newsletter for Students as they become available.
Can I go on exchange in my first year?
No. The first opportunity students have to go on exchange is in the second semester of their second year. For example, a student who commenced their degree in Semester 1, 2009 will need to wait to apply for the Semester 2, 2010 exchange program in November/December 2009.
Please refer to the Melbourne Global Mobility website for information on deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Can I go on exchange for two semesters?
Definitely – in fact we highly recommend it! Whether you can actually go for two semesters depends on your degree requirements, the institution you are applying to (some institutions only allow one semester of exchange) and if you can afford to live overseas for a year. As a general rule it is better to apply for a 2 semester exchange as it is easier to withdraw from your second semester of exchange than it is to extend your exchange once you are there. Due to the compulsory requirements of the BCom, it is only possible for single degree students to undertake a two semester exchange commencing the second semester of second year and ending first semester of third year. Combined degree students who course plan carefully may have more freedom to do a two semester exchange towards both components at other stages of their degree.
Where should I go?
This is a very personal choice but you must also be realistic. Some things to consider when choosing your exchange institution preferences are:
- Cost – the cost of living in the cities and regions of our range of partner institutions varies greatly. You could also look at which institutions have additional funding available, and factor this into your decision-making process.
- Subjects – it is imperative that you choose a host institution that offers subjects that you need/want to study.
- Grades – the demand for places at some of our partner institutions is very high, and you will need to think carefully if your grades will be high enough. We can never give concrete advice about the grades you would need for particular institutions, as it depends on how many places are available each semester, and how many students apply to each institution.
- Language – If you can speak a foreign language at a high level you could look at exchange institutions which will allow you to study your Commerce subjects in the native tongue. Alternatively, many of our partner institutions (particularly in Europe) offer a wide range of subjects taught and assessed in English. This gives a unique opportunity for you to study in English but also to learn a new language just by living in your host community.
Useful Tip: Try not to make a decision based on perceived ‘prestige’ – ALL of our exchange partners are renowned institutions. Just because you haven’t heard of them, doesn’t mean that they are not equally fantastic! This is particularly true of our Commerce-specific exchange partners in Europe, like Luigi Bocconi University in Milan, University College Dublin, Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration and Erasmus University Rotterdam which are at the top of the field in business studies.
How do I select subjects to take on exchange?
Before submitting your application you are responsible for researching the subject offerings at your chosen first preference institution, and list the subjects you may need/want to take on your study plan. It is always better to include more subjects on your study plan than you need so that you have more options to choose from when you reach your host institution. For Commerce subject approvals, please attach the subject descriptions to your study plan and submit the study plan to the Commerce Student Centre.
Can I take subjects on exchange to count towards my major / pre-requisites / accreditation / honours requirements on exchange?
- You can take subjects on exchange to credit towards your major, pre-requisites and honours requirements as long as the Departmental Academic Adviser approves the subject/s at your host institution as equivalent to the relevant University of Melbourne subject/s.
- Due to the Australian content in most accounting subjects, it is strongly recommended that students take their accounting subjects at Melbourne and undertake other Commerce and non-Commerce/breadth subjects on exchange. Although the Accounting Departmental Academic Adviser will make every effort to assess the host institution’s accounting subjects before deciding whether to approve a subject as equivalent to the relevant University of Melbourne subject we can not fully guarantee that the accreditation bodies will accept studies taken overseas as equivalent to their requirements.
Can I take my compulsory BCom subjects on exchange?
No. You must be sure to study Introductory Macroeconomics, Introductory Microeconomics, Quantitative Methods 1, Organisational Behaviour and the required level 2 quantitative subject at the University of Melbourne. You should also make sure to complete 50 points level 3 Commerce at the University of Melbourne, either before or after your exchange.
Can I study subjects towards my “breadth” or optional non-Commerce component on exchange?
You will need to ensure that you have sufficient space in your degree to incorporate the number and type of breadth or non-Commerce subjects you intend to take on exchange. Please note that students can take the equivalent of up to 25 points University of Melbourne breadth/non-Commerce on exchange assuming that it fits in with the BCom rules.
Non-Commerce or breadth subjects must be approved by the Departmental Academic Adviser/s in the relevant faculty and discipline area.
* Please note that you can not study beginners-level language on exchange under any circumstances.
How many subjects should I take on exchange?
Firstly, you need to decide how many ‘points’ you want to take on exchange. For a one semester exchange you are expected to study the equivalent of a full-time load which is 37.5 points, but most students will take a full study load of 50 points. Obviously, if you only take 37.5 points equivalent at your host institution, you would only be eligible to receive 37.5 points credit upon return. Students undertaking two semesters of exchange can study a minimum of 87.5 points and a maximum of 100 points. After you have selected you first preference institution, access the credit load equivalents table to see how many total credits you need to take at the host institution to be equivalent to the number of Melbourne points you hope to obtain from your exchange. Then, locate the subject handbook online for your chosen host institution where you will find how many credits/units each subject is worth. On your study plan, list enough subjects to add up to the equivalent number of University of Melbourne points you need, plus some back-up subjects in case you have timetable clashes, etc. You may need to study more subjects on exchange than you would at Melbourne in order to reach the required points equivalent. Don’t panic! This is due to the difference in course structures, content, assessment and contact hours at institutions around the world.
Am I still enrolled at the University of Melbourne while on exchange?
Yes. Before you depart, your University of Melbourne enrolment will be manually updated by the Faculty’s Global Mobility Coordinator to show that you are “on exchange”. It is your responsibility to make sure that you correctly re-enrol and select your pre- and post- exchange subjects. You are also expected to access your University of Melbourne email account regularly to ensure that you receive and act timely upon any advice sent to you while you are away.
Is it possible to study at an institution that is not a University of Melbourne exchange partner?
Please see the information provided above in the “Other Opportunities” section for information about Study Abroad.
Is it true that the exchange application process is very time-consuming and difficult?
It can be time consuming, but if you have a good understanding of your degree requirements and have thoroughly researched the Melbourne Global Mobility website and read through the information provided on this page, it is easier than you think! Returned exchange students all agree that the extra effort is well worth it!
Where can I find out more about other global mobility opportunities?
This website will be updated as new mobility activities and information become available. Announcements will also be made in the Commerce e-Newsletter for Students, on the LCD screens in the Commerce Student Centre and advertised on the Student Portal.
I am a student in the Melbourne Graduate School of Management. Who should I contact for information about global mobility opportunities?
Please view the Melbourne GSM Global Opportunities website, and for further information feel free to contact Student Experience Officer: Ms Aida Viziru.