Semester abroad
Experience studying abroad for one or two semesters at a La Trobe partner university. Explore the world, make new friends, and get credit towards your degree.
How does a semester abroad work?
La Trobe has exchange agreements with universities around the world, allowing students to swap places for one or two semesters. While on exchange, you'll stay enrolled full-time at La Trobe, pay your usual tuition fees, and earn credit towards your degree—without paying extra tuition fees for going on exchange.
Students completing an approved semester exchange program receive a financial grant, complimentary La Trobe travel insurance, and may be eligible for other funding.
Get started by attending an information session (or watching a recorded one) to learn more.
Application timelines
Plan ahead for your semester exchange application. See key dates and steps below for applying for semester exchange in 2026:
Semester 1 2026
February – June 2025: Attend a La Trobe Abroad information session and start preparing your application.
Early May - 16 June 2025: Submit your application
Semester 2 2026
February – October 2025: Attend a La Trobe Abroad information session and start preparing your application.
Early October - 16 November 2025: Submit your application
How to apply
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Check your eligibility
To be eligible to participate you need to meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in La Trobe degree
- Have completed at least 120 credit points (undergraduate students) or 60 credits points (postgraduate students) at La Trobe prior to departure
- Have a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60. Contact the La Trobe Abroad team if you fall below this.
- A full-time study load of 45-60 La Trobe credit points is required while on semester exchange to meet La Trobe and host university requirements.
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Attend a La Trobe Abroad information session or watch a recorded session
Learn more about semester exchange including how to apply, deadlines, eligibility, available funding and more. If you're considering studying abroad, start by attending an information session (or watch a recorded session) to understand how it all works.
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Understand your study plan
Before planning your semester exchange, it’s important to review your study plan. This will help you see if you can fit an exchange into your course and guide you in selecting a partner university.
What's in your study plan?
Your study plan shows you a visual representation of your course structure. Your course structure will influence how much flexibility you have when choosing a partner university abroad. More electives mean more options.
Key points to consider
Depending on your degree, you may need to complete:
- All core subjects (matching La Trobe subjects to overseas subjects)
- All electives
- A combination of core and elective subjects
We recommend using electives if possible.
You can book an appointment with Ask La Trobe/Student Advising to discuss how to plan subjects for overseas study.
NOTE: The Ask La Trobe/Student Advising team cannot assist you with finding partner universities that offer your course. Contact Learning Abroad for assistance.
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Research and choose your host university
Once you understand your Study Plan and the subjects you have available for a semester exchange, you can begin researching where you want to study.
Check partner university subjects: Ensure that the partner university offers suitable subjects during the semester you plan to go on exchange.
Select your preferences: In your application, you'll be required to select three partner universities in order of preference. Make sure to research your second and third choices to ensure they are viable backup options.
Semester exchange colour categories
When choosing your three partner universities, consider their colour category:
- Red: Very popular, limited places.
- Orange: Popular, more places than Red.
- Green: Most places available.
If you choose a red or orange university as your first preference, your second and third choices must be Orange or Green.
If you need help or guidance, reach out to the La Trobe Learning Abroad team.
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Prepare your Semester Exchange Subject Planner
As part of your application, you are required to prepare your Semester Exchange Subject Planner for your first preference host university.
This requires you to research your first preference university, looking for the subjects you need to take while on exchange by carefully reviewing the partner university subject outlines.
If you are not sure what subjects you should be looking to take on exchange, go back to Step 3 above and consider meeting with an Ask La Trobe Advisor for study plan advice. You need to ensure that your chosen partner university offers the subjects you need.
You only need to submit a subject plan for your first preference university. However, ensure that you check that your second and third preference universities offer the subjects you require in case you are allocated to one of these universities.
Download the Semester Exchange Subject Planner [PDF 509.3 KB]
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Submit your application to La Trobe Abroad
Submit your application, making sure you upload your prepared semester exchange subject plan and your unofficial La Trobe transcript. You can access your unofficial transcript through Student OnLine.
Degree-based restrictions for Semester Abroad
Not all degrees are eligible for a semester exchange. Check below to see if your course has restrictions.
The following academic programs do not allow for a semester exchange:
- Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Oral Health, Paramedicine (speak to your course coordinator for alternative study abroad programs including international placements).
- Students enrolled in a La Trobe course taught outside Australia.
- Students studying through Open Universities Australia.
The following academic programs may not allow for a semester exchange. Please check with your course coordinator if you're studying:
- Psychology
- Education
What happens next
If you have been accepted into the La Trobe semester exchange program, you will be emailed an offer letter indicating the partner university we will be nominating you to.
Please check your offer letter thoroughly prior to accepting your place in the program.
You will then proceed with completing the Semester Exchange Subject Planner. You will send your prepared Subject Planner to your Course Coordinator to review.
Once you have the equivalent of 90 - 120 La Trobe credits pre-approved to study at your nominated partner university, you will submit the Global Experience Credit Approval (GECA) application and upload your completed Subject Planner.
Once you receive confirmation of your approved subjects, upload a copy of the credit approval letter in the La Trobe Abroad application system.
Once you have accepted your place and submitted you credit approval letter, we will nominate you to the partner university. You'll then receive instructions on how to complete their application.
It can take a few months for the partner university to assess your application and provide you with an outcome.
Once the application has been accepted by your host university, they will send you a formal offer to study on exchange at their university.
You can then use this to apply for your visa and start booking flights and accommodation.
NOTE: Do not financially commit to travel arrangements until you receive your formal offer from the host university.
Before you depart, you are required to attend a pre-departure session to prepare for your exchange.
This session covers travel insurance, enrolment, Centrelink implications, overseas responsibilities, and necessary pre-departure administration.
It's also a chance to meet other exchange students, hear from recently returned students, and ask questions.
Study abroad with ISEP
La Trobe’s International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) membership gives you access to 300+ universities worldwide, with pre-paid housing, meals, and dedicated support.
Contact us
We’re here to help. If you have questions, contact the La Trobe Abroad team.