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International Exchange Program

What is exchange?

You can study a semester or two at any one of Monash's partner universities located in 30 countries across United Kingdom, Europe, The Americas, Asia and New Zealand. While overseas on exchange, you will:continue to be enrolled at Monash; receive credit for your overseas study towards your Monash degree; continue paying your regular tuition fees to Monash Malaysia (in Malaysian Ringgit).

Where can I go?

The Study Abroad Program Search page lists all our exchange partners, information about the universities, availability and whether they accept students from any or only a particular discipline of study.

Matching up your semesters

Semester dates may vary depending on the university of your choice. For example, while semester one at Monash begins early March, in the USA the spring semester begins in January. However, this would still fit within your Monash semester dates/period. You can check for the partner university's semester dates from the Monash Program Search.

How to apply?

Scroll down to check your eligibility and find out how to apply. You can also attend a Monash Abroad Information Session to learn more about the application process.

How much will it cost?

Contrary to popular belief, studying overseas won't cost you a fortune! You’re often eligible for the Monash Abroad Travel Scholarships, and under the exchange arrangements Monash has with universities all over the world, you will not have to pay additional tuition fees. All you pay is your normal Monash home campus tuition fees.

Still Need More Information?

You may be able to find your answer in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Entry requirements

To be eligible to participate in a semester abroad program you must meet the following criteria presented in the table below. Please note: for Engineering students, the minimum requirements are slightly different - please see below for more information. If you are a transfer student or DHES student, please discuss your eligibility with Monash Abroad.

Check your eligibility

Eligibility criteria for Semester Abroad programs (Semester or Year on Exchange or Study Abroad)	*Undergraduate*	*Postgraduate by coursework* (incl. hons)
Of good academic standing	✔	✔
Minimum WAM at time of application*	60%	n/a
Minimum WAM at the end of the semester in which you apply	60%	60%
Minimum credit points completed at the time of application*	18	n/a
Minimum credit points completed by the end of the semester in which you apply	36	18
Minimum credit points completed at the time of program commencement	36	36
Sought Course Advice from School/Schools	✔	✔
Study plan approved by School/Schools	✔	✔
Satisfy any additional School requirements	✔	✔
Satisfy any host institution / campus requirements	✔	✔
Study equivalent of 18 – 24 credits per semester whilst overseas	✔	✔

Special considerations

To be classed as having ‘good academic standing’, you must:
- Be currently and actively enrolled in a Monash degree;
- Not be subject to academic misconduct or any undischarged academic misconduct;
- Not be subject to ‘Unsatisfactory Academic Progress’; or if you have completed less than 2 semesters at Monash, have not failed 50% or more of your enrolments at Monash (at time of application for the program)
Bachelor of Engineering
- You must have 48 credits in engineering completed at time of application, and
- Allocated a specialisation by the end of semester in which you apply.
- If you are enrolled in the following courses, you cannot currently go overseas on exchange or study abroad, you can however register to do an Intercampus Exchange to Monash Australia:
  - Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
  - Bachelor of Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Science
- Some schools may not permit you to undertake overseas study in the final semester of your course; check with your school or course management office before registering.
- Diploma of Higher Education Studies results would not be taken into account in our assessment on whether the requirement of minimum WAM of 60% has been fulfilled.
- If you are currently on intermission you may be able to register; contact the Monash Abroad office first to check eligibility.
- If you are a Monash part-time and/or off-campus learning student you can participate in the exchange program but must study a full-time load of on-campus units while overseas. Open University students are not eligible.
- You may not undertake any Distance Education or Off-Campus Learning units at Monash while you are on your overseas program.
To determine host university allocation, eligible students will be ranked according to:
- WAM as shown on your statement of results at the end of the semester in which you register
- Previous participation in Monash’s semester abroad program
- Response to the Statement of Purpose
- Other criteria relevant to specific exchange partners. Some may require more units to be completed or a higher minimum average mark, either for all students or just for specific disciplines. Check the program brochure in ‘Academic Restrictions/Special Considerations’ before registering.
If your first preference host university is not available, you will be nominated for your second preference and asked to submit a new study plan. If your second preference is not available, you will be contacted to discuss further options.
Final host university allocation rests with Monash Abroad.
If you intend to exchange to a UK university for more than 6 months (i.e. more than one semester), you may be required to provide a valid English language test result. You should make arrangements to book for an English language test after receiving a nomination from Monash Abroad, as they do not run on a regular basis. The acceptable tests are:
- Cambridge Advanced (CAE)
- Cambridge Proficiency (CPE)
- IELTs (Academic)
- IELTs for UKVI (Academic)
- Trinity for UKVI (B2 SELT ISE II)
- Pearson Academic (PTE)
- TOEFL (iBT)

Key Dates

Exchange Semester	Seek course planning advice from School	Application starts (tentative dates)	PART A Deadline to apply online via Program Search page (see Step 4 below)	School assessment of Study Plan	Monash Abroad assessment of applications	PART B Complete program requirements
Semester 1	Feb - Apr	9 March	19 May (2.00PM Malaysia time)	Early-June to early-July	Early-July to end of September	Oct onwards
Semester 2	Jul - Sept	1 August	21 Oct (1.00PM Malaysia time)	Mid-October to end of December	January to end of March	April onwards

You will need to apply for the program one year in advance. E.g. if you are planning to go on exchange in Semester 1, 2026, you will need to apply in Semester 1, 2025.

Once Monash Abroad has assessed your application, you will be contacted with an outcome and be nominated to your first preference university or a suitable alternative. Please note that nominations are completed on a rolling basis.
Nominations may take until the end of October (Semester 1 programs) or the end of April (Semester 2 programs) to be finalized.

Ready to apply?

Find out more about how to apply and the nomination and selection process.

Monash Abroad run a series of different information sessions to help you learn more about the exchange application process and make sure you can select appropriate options for your application. It is critical that you follow Monash Abroad advice regarding your application, as Monash Abroad assess all semester abroad applications to determine which host university you are allocated to.
These are available on our MUM Go Global Fest page and MUA Information Sessions page.
(allow approx. 1 week)
By using the Program Search webpage, you can find out more about all of the overseas universities that Monash is partnered with for semester exchange programs.
- Select your first preference, second preference and third preference universities.
- Some of our partners also have specific requirements on minimum average grades. Be sure to check this.
To identify partner universities which accept Monash University Malaysia students for exchange, please use filters in the right side bar as follows:
My Home Campus : Monash Malaysia
Program Term : Semester 1 (Feb-June) or Semester 2 (July-Nov) - depending on which semester you are planning for your exchange
Program Type : Monash Partner Programs
Monash Abroad also offers some helpful tips for preparing to go abroad including LGBTQIA+ advice, solo female travellers, and a handy disability checklist to guide your choices.
TIP #1 : CONSIDER YOUR COMPETITION
Some places are more competitive for some universities compared to others. When there are more students than places available for exchange, students will be assessed based on WAM and their Statement of Purpose. You may have higher chances of getting into a university of your choice if it is not so competitive.
To check the competitive levels of the university you have your eye on, follow these steps :
1. View the list of university partners here
2. Click on the university you wish to check
3. Click on the Overview tab. Scroll down and you will see information on "Anticipated Places (per semester)", "Exchange Availability" and "Recommended Minimum WAM"
- "Anticipated Places (per semester)" refers to how many students Monash University can send and receive students to the partner university.
- "Exchange Availability" will show red, yellow or green.
- Red refers to the university receiving many more applications than places. *Can only be used as a FIRST preference
- Yellow refers to an equal number of applications and places. *Recommended for first preference, may be used for second preference
- Green refers to the university having more places available than they are receiving applications. *Recommended for first or second preference, MUST be used for third preference
- "Recommended Minimum WAM" indicates the minimum WAM requirement you should ideally have at the time of application. Please note that meeting the host university’s minimum GPA/WAM requirement DOES NOT guarantee you will receive your first or second preference. If for example, there are 10 applicants applying to a partner university that has only 3 places available, students with the top 3 highest WAM will be given the offer.
TIP #2 : SAVE YOUR ELECTIVES
Saving your electives usually means that you have to rearrange your units in your Monash degree and move all elective units into the semester you want to study abroad.
When rearranging your units, please check the units for prerequisites, corequisites, and if they are being taught in the semester you are reassigning them to.
Advantages of saving electives for your exchange semester include:
1. Electives are much easier to take on exchange because you’re not trying to match core units for the semester that you want to go on exchange. Successful core or compulsory unit matching requires 80% similarity of learning outcomes between the host university's units and the Monash units in your course map.
2. With elective spaces, you can choose from a much greater range of units/modules at a greater range of universities and even enrol for units that are unique to the host university.
3. Ease of switching to other units at the host university in the unlikely event that the original approved units are no longer available or a clash of timetable.
You must have a clear course progression plan (we may call this "course map").
Next, you should contact your School/s to discuss the academic requirements for undertaking a semester abroad program prior to submitting an application.
As part of your application, you MUST complete a course progression plan by using MonPlan OR any other course map tool as advised by your school and upload it to your application.
You may refer to the following school study abroad guide websites for more information on your course planning for exchange:
Your Education Management Office will advise you on the following;
- what changes you need to make to your draft study plan or course progression plan
- what units from your degree you could be used for overseas study
- school-specific requirements you will need to meet in order to be eligible to apply, and
- ensure you still remain on track to graduate
Whilst on exchange, you are required to study a full-time load at your host institution (equivalent to 18 - 24 Monash credits), though your School may need you to take the equivalent of 24 Monash credits. Please note;
- not all units are created equal, so your School may require you to take two (or three) units at the host to make up the equivalent of one Monash unit (6 credits).
- if you are unable to find sufficient relevant units to make up the equivalent full-time load at your host institution, you can request to study a reduced load (the equivalent of 18 units at Monash). Please discuss this option with your Education Management Office before completing your Study Plan.
For further inquiries, you may contact your schools using Ask Mira with the help topic "Course Advice". Please identify yourself as a student applying for the upcoming international exchange program when submitting the Ask Mira ticket.
1. Read your course's information (see below)
2. Go to MonPlan unless otherwise advised by your school to use another tool (e.g. course map).
3. Click on Create a New Course Plan to create a plan.
4. Choose to prefill your enrolment information to save time.
5. Mark your exchange semester as Study Abroad by clicking on the three dots appearing next to the relevant semester period.
6. Ensure that you draw out your entire course duration (including future semesters) in your course map before submitting it.
7. Send it to your School for validation via the MonPlan page, or Ask Mira for other tools used. Once validated by your School, please download a copy of it by clicking on the Print button.
If you have any questions for your school/s, you can send them through Monash Malaysia Connect on the Ask Mira platform. Please select the help topic "Course Advice" on Ask Mira and identify yourself as a student applying for the upcoming international exchange program.
(allow approx. 2-4 weeks)
With your advice from Monash Abroad and faculty/ies in mind, you should decide on three suitable host universities from our Program Search page to list as your preferences for a semester exchange program
The study plan is one of the most important elements of the application process.
You will need to provide detailed information on your proposed units in your Study Plan. The outlines you provide should include;
1. A short description of the unit,
2. assessments required,
3. the credit value of the unit,
4. the number of contact hours per week or per semester,
5. the aims and objectives of the unit,
6. required reading
Information on how to find unit information on the partner institution’s website can be found in the Academic Details tab of the respective university brochure. If the information provided is not sufficient, try a Google search using the unit code or unit title plus the name of the institution. Make sure the unit outline obtained is for the latest year's unit outline.
If you are applying for the International Exchange program, you must be enrolled on the stipulated minimum credit points at the host institution. You will only transfer the credits for the units that have been approved by your School and pay tuition fees to Monash University Malaysia for the Monash equivalent units.
1. View the list of university partners from the Program Search webpage here
2. Click on the university you wish to check
3. Refer to the Academic Details tab for the link to the university's unit catalogue
If you could not find them from the links provided on the Academic Details tab, we recommend searching extensively on the partner institution website or trying to Google the outlines first. If you have done a really thorough search and still cannot find any unit outlines, you may indicate in your study plan form "Monash Abroad assistance requested" in the Link to Unit Outline section, and Monash Abroad will contact the partner institution on your behalf. Kindly note that the Link to Unit Outline section will only appear when you start filling in the study plan form. Please do not contact the host university yourself.
(allow about 1 hour)
- You may register your application by referring to the How to Apply tab on your first preference university brochure. Applications are generally open 6 weeks prior to the deadline.
- The online application form includes:
  - a section to provide your university preferences (up to three options)
  - a section to upload your draft study plan and course progression plans for your first preference
  - a section to upload the unit outlines
  - a section to upload your financial plan
  - a section to upload a copy of your passport information page
  - a section to write a 250-word personal statement
- You must submit your online application prior to the deadlines stated above. Note: incomplete Study Plans may not be assessed by your School.
For Engineering students
1. You will need to get your draft Study Plan endorsed by your Engineering Specialisation Course Coordinator before uploading it to your application for school-wide approval.
2. After your course adviser/coordinator approves your study plan, upload the approved study plan to your application by the given deadline.

What Happens After You Apply?

if you would like to know how your application is assessed after you have submitted, you may watch this video.

Your application will go through two rounds of assessment;

Monash Abroad assessment: meeting the minimum eligibility requirements.
School assessment: confirmation that the proposed units in your study plan and your course progression plan can be approved.

Once both of these steps are confirmed, you will progress to the allocation phase.

When your School has approved your Study Plan (this is most likely after the application deadline although some Schools may do this earlier), you will receive an email advising on the assessment of the units you selected and approval.
Please keep this document safe for your study plan reference for exchange.
It can be competitive to get a nomination to some universities. This means that not all students will be allocated to their first preference university. When assessing applications International Education Coordinator (IEC) take into consideration your grades, your proposed area of study and your personal statement. It is important that you regularly check your Monash student email, especially during semester break periods, for updates from Monash Abroad.
Allocation to your first preference host institution
If you are allocated to your first preference university you will receive an email from your IEC. The email will include instructions on next steps you will need to complete prior to being formally nominated.
Allocation to your second preference or alternative host institution
If you are not allocated to your first preference, your IEC will do their best to consider you for your second preference or third preference. Before they allocate you to your alternative preference, they will contact you to confirm that you still wish to proceed. In some cases, if neither of your preferences are viable, you will be provided with suggested alternative institutions to consider.
Once a suitable alternative university is identified, you will receive a conditional allocation.
Post-Allocation Meetup
Once all students have been allocated to an institution, we will hold a post-allocation meetup. At this session, your IEC will go through some important information you will need as part of the next stage of the process, plus there will be an opportunity to connect with other students going to the same host location/country as you.
Once you have been allocated, your IEC will submit a formal nomination to the partner institution and send you a nomination email with instructions on how to complete your application, which may include purchasing an official Monash academic transcript (must be coloured copies), submitting proof of language ability and letters of reference. Pay attention to application deadlines as they are strict and if you miss the deadline you might lose your spot to the partner university.
You are not fully approved to go on exchange until you receive an acceptance letter from the partner university. This can take up to three months after you submit your partner university application, so patience is important during this stage.
Applying for an Independent Study Abroad (ISA) program?
If you are applying to a non-partner university via Independent Study Abroad (ISA), you will need to apply directly to the university independently after your School approves your study plans. Monash Abroad IECs cannot assist with the application process as we will not have a pre-existing relationship with a non-partner university. You may choose to study extra unit/s at the non-partner university. The grade for the extra unit/s will appear on the transcript issued by the partner institution but you will only transfer the credits for the units that have been approved by your School. You will pay tuition fees directly to the non-partner institution for the number of units you have enrolled with them even though you are only able to transfer credits for less units back to your Monash degree.
Some partner university will send your offer letters to Monash Abroad, but if it is sent directly to you, please inform your IEC via email and attach the offer letter in the email. Once your IEC has received the acceptance letter they will send you an acceptance email.
Closer to the exchange semester commencement, Monash Abroad will be reaching out via email to get you to fill in the International Exchange Enrolment Form, which is the trigger for School to enrol you in your exchange units (you cannot self-enrol in exchange-coded units) at MUM. You must only provide units that are already approved in your study plan assessment outcome email for enrolment. You must also enroll for your exchange units at the partner institutions when you have received the enrolment instructions. Your travel grant will only be disbursed once you have been enrolled into your exchange units by the School.
After you are accepted to your host university you can make travel arrangements and start preparing for your exciting semester or year overseas. You will need to attend the pre-departure briefing where you will get to meet other students going on exchange and learn important information to help you prepare.
- Once you have received an acceptance letter from the host institution, please follow the instructions as advised by your IEC.
- You will then be required to complete additional administrative tasks to complete your application. This may include completing compulsory modules such as Respect.Now.Always and Connecting Across Cultures.
- Following this, you will need to attend a compulsory Pre-Departure information session to help prepare you for studying overseas and to provide you with the opportunity to meet other students who may be studying in the same university or country as you.
We strongly recommend that you check your emails regularly, as this will be our way of communicating with you about your application.

Withdrawing Your Application

You may withdraw your application anytime before the application deadline. However, once you have submitted an application and subsequently wish to withdraw your participation, it is your responsibility to notify Monash Abroad as soon as you make this decision. You can do so by emailing directly to your International Education Coordinator (IEC). When emailing them, kindly identify yourself as an international exchange student from MUM and please provide your student ID, your exchange semester, your school at MUM, and your host institution's name.

Please refer to the withdrawal policy for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently asked questions (FAQS) on the International Exchange, Global Intercampus Program, travel grants, studying in the final semester and many more here.

Important note for international students

This section applies to international students studying at Monash University Malaysia on a Student Pass.

In addition to the entry requirements stated above, International students must maintain an overall minimum 80% attendance at the time of application and continue to meet this attendance requirement throughout the semester prior to departing for your overseas program. Where this attendance requirement is not met, your application will be withdrawn or cancelled.

Once you have been notified of your allocation to the host institution, please check the expiry date of your Student Pass. You must ensure that you have a valid Student Pass for the entire duration of your studies at Monash University Malaysia, including the time spent abroad on an exchange program.

You must maintain an enrolment of 24 credit points while studying overseas. If you are unable to meet this requirement, you must apply for underloading and obtain consent from your respective Schools.