Outbound Study Overseas

Apply today to study and travel overseas

If you are a Flinders student interested in applying for the semester exchange program, or a short-term overseas study opportunity, please view the Programs and Partners information to learn more about our current programs.

If you’d like to learn more, the Global Experience team are hosting regular information sessions throughout the semester (register below), or you can contact us at global.experience@flinders.edu.au or +61 8 8432 4321 to discuss program options.

FAQs

Your Global Experience starts here!

Whether you’re looking for a full semester overseas or a shorter program, Flinders offers flexible global opportunities that let you earn credit while exploring the world.

Why wait until you graduate to see the world? Let our program offer you the educational adventure of a lifetime.

What is the Semester Exchange Program?

A semester exchange program allows eligible Flinders University students to study at one of our 50+ international partner universities for one or two semesters. You’ll remain enrolled at Flinders, pay your usual tuition fees, and earn credit towards your degree while immersing yourself in a new academic and cultural environment.

What is a Short-Term Program?

Short-term programs are overseas study experiences that typically run for 2–6 weeks often during semester breaks and allow you receive credit for 1-2 topics at Flinders. Short term programs available include partner programs, summer/winter schools, overseas internships, and faculty-led tours.

Short Term programs are a flexible way to gain international experience and academic credit without committing to a full semester abroad.

What is the New Colombo Plan?

The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is an Australian Government initiative that supports undergraduate students to study, intern, or learn languages in the Indo‑Pacific region. Search "NCP" on our programs and partners page for short term programs and Semester length funding. For more information on the New Colombo Plan Scholarship see here.

Benefits of Studying Overseas

Global experiences are more than just studying overseas—it’s a transformative academic and personal journey. You’ll:

Expand your global perspective by experiencing different cultures and education systems.
Enhance your career prospects with international experience on your resume.
Build lifelong connections with peers and professionals around the world.
Grow personally through independence, adaptability, and confidence.

Whether you choose a semester exchange or a short-term program, you’ll gain valuable future skills!

Your eligibility

Do you meet all the requirements?

Undergraduate

As a full time undergraduate student, an applicant should at the time of application:

have achieved an overall GPA of 5.0 following completion of one semester (18 units) of their current program of study; or
have achieved an overall GPA of 4.0 following completion of (or about to complete) at least one year of their current program of study (36 units);
are enrolled as a full-time student at the time of the proposed exchange.

Postgraduate

As a full time postgraduate student, an applicant should at the time of application:

have achieved an overall GPA of 4.0 following completion of (or about to complete) one semester of a postgraduate program (18 units);
be enrolled as a full-time student at the time of the proposed exchange.

College and degree requirements

Languages
Second semester of second year, or third year. French Language students are encouraged to apply for an overseas short term program, prior to applying for a semester exchange program with French partners.

Letters, Social Work and Speech Pathology
Exchange is not possible in this degree.

Law
Third year onwards.

Undergraduate Education degrees
Students may be permitted to undertake an exchange semester by taking approved topics at an overseas institution in their second year of study. Topics can only be credited in place of the topics identified for their major, minor, elective or specialisation* rather than core EDUC topics. Major, minor, elective and specialisation options differ between undergraduate degrees.

Exchanges can also be taken to undertake third year placements at an overseas institution during second semester of third year. Accreditation requires these placements to be at sites teaching the Australian National Curriculum.

Nutrition
Second semester of second year (strict study plan).

Nursing/Midwifery
No semester exchange available. Please contact Donelle Arthur, Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Nursing for advice and for details of overseas clinical placement options.

Psychology and Behavioural Science
Second year or first semester of third year.

Creative Arts - Dual Award and VET entry
Exchange may be possible in the second semester of the second year or the first semester of 3rd year. Carefully read the eligibility criteria for the OS Help Loan - must be a Commonwealth supported student and completed 36 units of study undertaken in Australia towards the course of study, as a Commonwealth supported student.

Higher Education Diploma
Exchange is not possible within this Diploma. If continuing into Bachelor program, exchange maybe possible.

Medical Science
Exchange may be possible in the third year when option topics are available.

Master of Teaching (all streams)
The exchange is not possible due to accreditation and teachers registration requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Study Overseas FAQ

Who is eligible to study overseas?

For eligibility for the exchange program please view our eligibility page to see if you qualify. For Short Term programs refer to the steps in "Apply for a short term program"

Where can I go?

Flinders University has more than 50 exchange partners available from a wide range of countries. You can search the programs and partners page to view all available exchange universities, plus a range or short term programs including summer schools and faculty led programs.

We recommend searching via country (eg. Japan, UK, Canada etc.) or by your study area (eg. Business, Science, Psychology) to see the options available for you.

What is the difference between a short-term study abroad program and an exchange program?

A short-term program typically has a duration of 2-6 weeks. These programs can provide greater flexibility and variety and are offered throughout the world. They include things like faculty led or non-faculty led study tours, work integrated learning activities; internships and placements and intensive language studies. They are usually offered over the summer/winter period and semester breaks. Most are designed to be credit bearing, meaning you can usually obtain credit approval from your College for a 4.5-unit elective and sometimes up to 9 units. Funding and OS Help loans are usually available to students applying for these programs. Check the individual short-term program and partners page.

How do I apply?

Begin planning your exchange as early as possible to ensure that an exchange will fit in with your degree requirements. It takes most students at least 3 months to research, identify two potential exchange partner universities, identify suitable topics, work out their study plan, request an academic reference and receive College approval. Ensure you allow enough time before the Flinders exchange application deadline.

Semester one 31 July of previous year
Semester two 30 November of previous year

Refer to the required steps at Apply for an Exchange Semester. Or if you wish to apply for a Short Term program follow the steps here to apply.