Plan your Exchange Experience

Bachelor of Communication Dual Degree Exchange Fact Sheet

What do I need to do?         

1. Start planning early!!

You need to start preparing for exchange at least 12 months prior:

• Visit the UQ Abroad website for information on eligibility, the application process, links to seminars and to read about others’ experiences.
• Attend an information session conducted by UQ Abroad.
• Refer to the BCommun Dual Degree Exchange planner* that demonstrates how an exchange semester can be incorporated into the BCommun component of your program. As this is a structured program you must undertake exchange in Year 3 Semester 1.
• Remember to save 6 to 8 units of non-compulsory courses towards your major for your exchange semester.
• If you need help with planning your program, contact the Faculty of  HaSS.

*to open as an editable form, please right click on the link and save as PDF or open in Internet Explorer/ Microsoft Edge

2. Consider Course Constraints

• Students in the BCommun must go on exchange in Year 3, Semester 1, and for the duration of one semester only, as the program is structured with core compulsory courses that are offered in specific semesters and must be studied at UQ.
• No student will be permitted to undertake courses towards Part A of the course list, as these courses have been specifically designed for the program and must be undertaken at UQ.
• It is strongly recommended that you save the non-compulsory courses towards your major and undertake these while on exchange to give yourself the most choice and flexibility when choosing universities and should your pre-approved courses at your host university not be available on arrival.
• For this reason you should not undertake any core compulsory courses towards your major as these courses are very difficult to match overseas and other courses often cannot be substituted for those that are pre-approved.
• Sufficiently detailed course profiles must be provided to demonstrate that the content covered within the course is sufficiently equivalent to content studied in the course at UQ. Course profiles should include information about the extended syllabus, aims and objectives, contact hours, texts and references and assessment.

3. Decide on a Host University

• It is recommended that students attend one of the following host universities, however, other universities will be considered. You should refer to the List of Host Institutions provided on the UQ Abroad website, take heed of additional advice specific to host and choose those that offer courses in your desired elective areas.
• Only universities that offer the study areas you require, whose semesters align with UQ and who can provide detailed course profiles will be considered.

4. Applying for Exchange

Please refer to the UQ Abroad website for application details and deadlines. Documentation to be submitted must include the following:

• Completed UQ Abroad exchange Study Plan form.
• Relevant course profiles detailing the extended syllabus, aims and objectives, contact hours, texts and references and assessment for each of the courses listed on the study plan so that they can be assessed.
• The completed BCommun Dual Degree exchange study planner*.

*to open as an editable form, please right click on the link and save as PDF or open in Internet Explorer/ Microsoft Edge

Remember while an exchange semester is a great opportunity, you should be prepared for experiences outside your comfort zone. You may have setbacks such as approved courses not being available when you arrive, so a flexible attitude is important, and while UQ Abroad and the Faculty will try to assist, be ready to take responsibility for resolving challenges that arise as well as taking advantage of the exciting experiences in front of you.

Important Things to Consider

An exchange semester may add time to complete your program

• You should understand that undertaking a semester on exchange may add up to one year onto your program subject to the prerequisite requirements of your UQ courses and the sequence of study required. Requests for program or major variations will not be approved due the completion of exchange and the scheduling of courses. It is up to you to ensure you plan your program requirements around your exchange semester.
• If you are a student who is on a scholarship, requires Centrelink funding, or any other funding where continuous full time enrolment is required we ask that you carefully consider taking an exchange semester and be aware that subject to circumstances that may arise, when you return you may not be able to enrol full-time due to the prerequisite requirements of your courses.

International students only

As complications during an exchange semester may add time onto the completion of your program, due to stringent visa requirements international students should think very carefully before undertaking an exchange semester and if you choose to do so, plan your program and select host institutions very carefully.

Applying for credit for previous studies

If you are eligible, think carefully before applying for credit for previous studies towards the major of your degree. Courses towards your major are your only option for exchange, so it is recommended that you keep 6 to 8 units of courses towards your major if you are wanting to go on a semester long exchange.

Short Term Global Experiences

If you are unable to undertake a semester long exchange, an alternative is to participate in a short-term global experience (e.g. 4-6 weeks over winter or summer semester). Some global experiences may be for credit such as towards unspecified electives. More information is available from the Student Employability Centre website – Global Experiences.

For a print friendly version of the Exchange Fact Sheet, please click here*.

*to open as an editable form, please right click on the link and save as PDF or open in Internet Explorer/ Microsoft Edge