Student Exchange
At the Melbourne Graduate School of Management we encourage and support our students wishing to study overseas during their course via a formally recognised exchange program. We offer exchange opportunities with leading international business schools around the world.
The University’s exchange programs are managed through the Melbourne Global Mobility Office. Read their webpages for full details of where you can go, how to apply, scholarship opportunities and financial support.
The structure and duration of some programs restrict student exchange options so you must confirm your eligibility for exchange with your relevant Program Manager. Enquiries relating to subject choices, credit transfer and course advice should also be directed to your Program Manager. Please direct any general enquiries about the student exchange process to the Student Experience Team.
Why go on exchange?
Am I eligible?
Where can I go?
How much does it cost and are there any scholarships?
Useful documents
Information sessions
Student testimonials
InterCom: a buddy program for incoming exchange students
Why go on exchange?
The many benefits of going on exchange include:
Academic
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Experience a different academic system
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Study subjects which are not offered at the Melbourne GSM.
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Gain an international perspective on your discipline.
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Learn or develop your proficiency in another language.
Personal
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Greater independence and self-confidence.
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Enhanced cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication skills
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A broader outlook on life.
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Meeting new people, having fun, travelling and exploring new places.
Employability
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The skills which you will acquire and develop will give you a competitive edge professionally.
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Employers look for key transferable skills from university graduates. An overseas study experience brings many benefits to graduates, in terms of their added-value through the skills obtained and the international experience they acquire.
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In a professional discipline such as business the global nature of the activity makes international competencies necessary even for positions in national companies. What’s more an international study experience brings many of the important ‘soft skills’ demanded in jobs which may not have a visible international component.
Importantly, all this can be gained while you earn credit towards your degree. Exchange does not require time out from your course nor any additional tuition fees.
Am I eligible?
Coursework students
Graduate coursework students must have completed at least one semester (and 37.5 points) and have achieved a weighted average of at least 70% (H2B) across the degree for which they are seeking credit while on exchange, by the due date of applications.
Research students
As a research student you should make individual arrangements with your supervisor and Melbourne Global Mobility. To be accepted by Melbourne Global Mobility, research students will have to provide, in place of one of the academic references required by the Melbourne Global Mobility application, a statement of support from their principal supervisor which addresses:
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the student's academic merit;
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the value of the exchange to the research project;
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details of any subjects to be undertaken overseas, if they are for credit and their relevance to the research;
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details of any temporary supervision that has been arranged; and
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if the student can still complete their thesis within the original time frame.
Research students should also apply for 'Leave to Study Away' through the School of Graduate Research.
Where can I go?
The University of Melbourne has approximately 135 exchange partners in over 30 countries around the world. Most students study for one or two semesters (please check with your Program Manager). An exchange is an integral part of your course so you will gain full credit towards your Melbourne GSM course whilst continuing to pay your tuition fees to the University of Melbourne only.
The full list of exchange partner universities is available via the Melbourne Global Mobility website. It is important to note that some exchange agreements are restricted by discipline, course level or language of instruction.
Costs and Financial Support
Students who are accepted into the Melbourne Global Mobility Exchange Program do not have to pay any tuition fees to their host institution. They simply continue to pay tuition fees to the University of Melbourne as usual. Students will, however, be responsible for meeting all other costs associated with their exchange which include airfare, accommodation, visa, health and travel insurance.
There are scholarships available to assist in meeting these costs, through the Faculty, the University and external bodies.
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Melbourne Global Scholarship
A Melbourne Global Scholarship for exchange students provides a one-off payment of $2,500 (awarded on the basis of academic merit and subject to availability). Graduate coursework students are eligible to receive a Melbourne Global Scholarship and will be considered automatically, with the following condition:
graduate coursework students must have completed at least 37.5 points and a semester of study at the University of Melbourne in the degree or diploma for which they are seeking credit on exchange at the time of application.
Full details are available via the Melbourne Global Mobility Office
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Faculty Funding
The Faculty of Economics and Commerce offers scholarships, in addition to Melbourne Global Mobility scholarships, to support undergraduate and graduate students who wish to go overseas on exchange. If you are approved to undertake an exchange towards your degree and enrol in at least 12.5 points of Commerce exchange credit, you may eligible to receive this additional funding.
Students on exchange in Semester Two 2008 will receive $250 for every 12.5 points of approved Commerce subjects studied at the host institution. Exchange grants for Semester 1, 2009 will be announced in November 2008.
Useful documents
The Melbourne GSM has produced some guidelines which can assist you in your search of possible universities and subjects. Please have a look at our Exchange Eligibility document (21kb, Pdf), our Guidelines for finding suitable Universities and subjects (28kb, Pdf) and our Recommended Partner University overview (24kb, Pdf).
Information sessions
Each semester the Melbourne GSM runs a series of information sessions to promote exchange opportunities to students. There are general information sessions and country specific information sessions. Please find the handouts of each information session given in Semester 2 2008 below.
- Exchange opportunities in France, 19 August 2008 (903kb, pdf)
- Exchange opportunities in the United Kingdom, 9 September 2008 (332kb, pdf)
- Exchange opportunities in Denmark, 23 October 2008 (432kb, pdf)
- Exchange opportunities in The Netherlands, 30 October 2008 (917kb, pdf)
- General Global Mobility Information Session: Exchange and Global Business Practicum, given on 14 and 21 October 2008 (136kb, pdf)
Student Testimonials
Don Wijeratne
Boston College, USA
Why did you decide to go on exchange?
I am a strong believer of the notion: ‘Learning goes beyond the classroom’. To me, an education is more than just what is learnt in the classroom, it is something that enables us to examine the cultural and social values that define society. To obtain a well-rounded perspective on a whole host of affairs and view the world through the eyes of others, it is important to travel, meet new people and live like they do so that we understand what makes the world what it is. To better understand others is a powerful tool to possess.
What was the highlight of your exchange experience?
I was fortunate enough to live in a city with a lively heartbeat – Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to my travels I read a lot about Boston’s obsession with the ‘Red Sox’ and one afternoon when a friend offered me a free ticket to watch the Red Sox at Fenway Park, I could not refuse. Fenway Park is the home of the Red Sox and arguably one of the most famous venues in Baseball folklore. To sit in the stands and take in the atmosphere was truly surreal.
To what extend was the exchange experience useful/relevant to your course and career?
My time at the Carroll School of Management provided a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the American Business School Culture and just as importantly, complete the electives of my MAC program at a reputable Business School. I chose a host of subjects that enhanced my Financial Analysis skills to widen my scope for future career opportunities.
This semester of exchange was followed by an internship as an Equity Trader in a New York based Proprietary Trading Firm. Having a passion for Financial Markets, this was a dream job. Living the life of a New Yorker and working in a fast paced environment was very rewarding.
What was the biggest challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I faced was weather related! Boston’s winter is very severe when compared to Melbourne. A few times classes were suspended when a snowstorm passed through, fearing that students’ safety on campus was at risk. However on the many occasions classes still ran when the weather was deemed ‘not severe’, it was rather unpleasant to wade through both snow and rain, in the midst of a negative wind chill factor. Suggestions to prospective exchange students: Waterproof warm clothing!
InterCom: a buddy program for incoming exchange students
The Melbourne Graduate School of Management is aware of the unique transition that Study Abroad and Exchange students experience as a part of their sojourn to the University of Melbourne. In recognition of this, a new buddy program has been created by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce to assist students with their transition. By participating in the InterCom program, you will have the opportunity to be in touch with a current Melbourne Graduate School of Management student via email correspondence. If you are interested in learning more about this program or to register as a mentee, please visit the InterCom webpage of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.