Choose to study with us for one or two semesters and you'll be fully immersed in the Australian way of life. With study options that include a community engagement placement, you'll gain new friends, new skills and new experiences.

We’re ready for you to make your move

Our semester long programs attract students from all over the world to learn and engage at our six Australian campuses.

Whether you’re on exchange from your home university or just looking for an amazing overseas learning experience, you’ll have access to the same courses and units.

Study Abroad or Exchange?

While our core academic program is similar for study abroad and exchange students, you should first understand which program you will be undertaking abroad:

Exchange: Open to students who are enrolled and nominated by an official exchange partner of ACU. Exchange students pay tuition fees only to their home university (ACU tuition fees do not apply).

Study Abroad: Open to students who are enrolled and nominated by an official Study abroad partner of ACU, as well as applicants who apply direct to ACU from a recognised university or college. Students are subject to ACU study abroad tuition fees per semester.

Academic Program

The Study Abroad and Exchange program at ACU is flexible, allowing you to enrol in units from different areas of study, enhancing your academic experience even more. Whether they are core classes or electives, you can select what’s right for you. All Study Abroad and Exchange students must be enrolled as a fulltime student for the length of their program.

Location: Sydney, Brisbane, Ballarat, Melbourne, Canberra
Duration: 1 or 2 semesters
When: February and July intakes
Study Load: 30 or 40 credit points per semester.

Virtual Study Abroad and Exchange

We understand that international travel interruptions or home country commitments can prevent you from undertaking a study program in Australia. However, that does not limit your ability to undertake an Australian study experience. ACU offers the opportunity to enrol in a virtual academic program of 10 to 40 credit points from your current country of residence. Enrolling in online studies at ACU is a valuable way to complement, rather than replace, your ongoing studies at home.

Our online units are delivered using a range of online learning systems and you can maintain access to ACU study support services for the duration of your program. You can view a list of virtual units on our semester program units page.

Choose your subjects

When you study with us, you can select classes from any of our four faculties in areas including education, arts, health sciences, law, business, theology and philosophy.

View our study abroad and exchange subjects

Community Engagement Program

Learn how to make a meaningful impact on the community and put your new skills into practice by combining your learning abroad study with community volunteering. You’ll enrol in one of our academic units that facilitates your participation in a community engagement opportunity. And you’ll go beyond the Australian tourist sights to develop a deeper understanding of our society, gain real-world experience, and consider ethical perspectives in your decision making.

Location: Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
When: February and July intake
Unit value: 10 credit points. This unit will be included in the full-time study load during the semester
Credit: The academic unit will appear on your official academic transcript. Some units may only display an overall result of Pass Ungraded (PS) or Fail Ungraded (NU).

Download a copy of our Study Abroad + Community Engagement flyer

Apply to study with us

If you’ve successfully completed at least one year of university in your home country and meet our English proficiency requirements , you can apply to study abroad with us. Our set of simple instructions will help you understand the application process.

Learn how to apply to study abroad

Semester program dates 

Semester 1, 2023

International Orientation: from February 20
Classes Start: February 27
Exam Period: June 5-25
End of Semester: June 25

Semester 2, 2023

International Orientation: from July 24
Classes Start: July 31
Exam Period: November 6-26
End of Semester: November 26

Semester 1, 2024

International Orientation: from February 19
Classes Start: February 26
Exam Period: June 3-23
End of Semester: June 23

Semester program fees 

As a study abroad student, you’ll pay your program fees directly to us rather than your home university. The semester program fees cover your study costs with us. They do not include the cost of textbooks, accommodation, transport or other program costs. The study abroad tuition fee for undergraduate and postgraduate students depends on your credit point (CP) enrolment load.

2023 fees

Enrolment Load

Fee per Semester

Enrolment Load (30 cp)

Fee per Semester AU$7,665

Enrolment Load (40 cp)

Fee per Semester AU$10,220

2024 fees

Enrolment Load

Fee per Semester

Enrolment Load (30 cp)

Fee per Semester AU$7,971

Enrolment Load (40 cp)

Fee per Semester AU$10,628

Exchange students are not required to pay tuition fees to ACU. Any tuition fees are paid to your home university. If you are unsure, please check with our team or your home university to see if fees are payable directly to us, or part of your current tuition.

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Find an ACU agent

University agents help students like you apply to study in Australia. Meet with one of our education agents in your country.

Find an agent

Partnership institutions

Unsure if your university partners with us? We’ve compiled a list of all institutions and universities we exchange with.

Search our partners

Living in Australia

Feel at home before you land in Australia, we have guidance on arriving, finding accommodation, living costs and more.

Relocation advice

July School

If you’re looking for a shorter overseas learning experience, you can apply for our July School and spend your vacation in either Sydney or Brisbane.

Explore July School

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