Eligibility criteria

To take part in a semester-based Exchange, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria both before and after applying through the Global Experiences Team.

General Criteria Part 1

Full acceptance for an Exchange cannot be given until all components of Eligibility Criteria Parts 1 & 2 have been achieved.

Work your way through the Exchange Eligibility Checklist to make sure you have met all eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria: Part 1

Part 1 eligibility criteria will be assessed after the application deadline and the release of grades. At the time of assessing eligibility:

All students must:

have been enrolled and achieved a minimum GPA of 4.5 in a UQ degree program in the semester of application
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5
have completed a minimum number of units in your current program, of which 6 units must have been completed at UQ:
- Undergraduate = 12 units
- Postgraduate = 6 units
meet requirements set by host university (GPA, units completed, etc)
Note: academic performance in prior programs, whether at UQ or another university, may impact your eligibility or suitability for certain host universities
agree to UQ's Internships and Global Experiences Terms and Conditions

Note: academic performance in prior programs, whether at UQ or another university, may impact your eligibility or suitability for certain host universities.

General Criteria Part 2

Part 2 eligibility criteria will be assessed progressively in the months that follow the application deadline.

All students must:

receive approval for a study plan from the UQ School and Faculty
have at least #8 units* remaining in the UQ program to complete on exchange
have completed 16 units in current UQ program before commencing exchange (Undergraduates only)
maintain minimum of 4.5 cumulative GPA in the semester prior to exchange
maintain minimum requirements set by host university (GPA, units completed, etc)
have received a Host University acceptance letter
have completed the Travel Details (ISOS) form in Student Hub

*Students going in their final semester may be allowed to go with only #6 UQ units remaining. Please consider the  risks and impact of taking an exchange in your final semester.

Faculty Specific Criteria

All UQ programs have rules about the maximum amount of credit you can transfer in from another institution. This transfer limit includes transfer credit from a global experience (exchange and short-term). Your faculty will confirm if you have exceeded the maximum amount of transfer credit allowable when they assess your study plan. If you have any concerns, please contact your faculty.

BEL Faculty students need to consider the BEL Faculty Academic Considerations and meet the criteria listed.

HASS Faculty students need to consider the HASS Faculty Academic Considerations and meet the criteria listed.

HMBS Faculty students need to consider the HMBS Faculty Academic Considerations and meet the criteria listed.

International Students

International students cannot go on exchange to the country/region of passport, if you hold a temporary residency visa for Australia

Program exclusions

Due to curriculum restrictions, some UQ programs are not suitable for a semester-long exchange.

If you are enrolled in one of the programs listed below, you are not eligible to go on an exchange but may be eligible to participate in a short-term global experience.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Dental Science
Bachelor of Education*: BEd(Prim) and BEd(Prim)(Hons)
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Physical Education (Honours)
Bachelor of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences (unless not taking a major)
Bachelor of Music**
Bachelor of Nutrition Sciences/Master of Dietetics Studies
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Pharmacy
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
One-year Honours program
Diploma of Arts

* BEd(Sec) dual degree program students, please consult with the School of Education to see if a semester of exchange can fit into your program.

** BMusic students, please consult with the School of Music to see if a semester of exchange can fit into your program.

Postgraduate and HDR

Graduate Certificate (all)
Graduate Diploma (all)
Graduate Certificate in Finance and Investment Management
Master of Audiology Studies
Master of Biostatistics
Master of Business Analytics
Master of Dietetics Studies
Master of Finance and Investment Management
Master of Leadership in Service Innovation
Master of Social Work Studies
Master of Engineering (32 unit)
Master of Engineering Science (16 unit)
Master of Chemical Engineering (Professional)
Master of Civil Engineering (Professional)
Master of Electrical Engineering (Professional)
Master of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering (Professional)
Master of Mechanical Engineering (Professional)
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine (Ochsner)
Master of Medicine
Master of Software Engineering (Professional)
Master of Urban Water Engineering (Professional)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Psychology
Master of Teaching

All students in a master's program should consult their faculty to understand the suitability of undertaking an exchange and to undertake appropriate academic planning.

Language requirements

If you plan to study in a foreign language during your exchange, you need to complete an Assessment of Language Proficiency form (download PDF) and submit it with your application.

To successfully complete studies in a language other than English, your language level must be assessed at a minimum of B2. In addition, we recommend that you take an intensive language course for two to four weeks before you begin your studies.

If you currently study the foreign language at UQ, you will need to take the form to your lecturer to complete.
If you do not study the language at UQ, you may be required to take a standardised test in that language from an independent body (Alliance Francaise etc) to determine your proficiency.
To improve your foreign language proficiency before your exchange, consider taking a course at the Institute of Modern Languages - UQ.

Exchange deadlines

The Semester-based Exchange application process begins one year before the exchange starts. For example, if you plan to start your exchange in UQ’s Semester 1, 2027, you must apply in UQ’s Semester 1, 2026.

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 1 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 April
Register interest by: 21 May
Applications close: 31 May

Application for Exchange in UQ Semester 2 (for the following year):
Applications open: 24 September
Register interest by: 21 October
Applications close: 31 October

Global Experiences
Frequently Asked QuestionsSearch UQ FAQs for commonly asked questions. Use search words including 'global experiences', 'exchange', 'short-term' or 'internships'.