This page is for students currently enrolled at the University of Sydney, looking to study a unit at another institution within Australia.

Academic approval

In order to receive credit for cross-institutional study, you need to apply for approval to the University of Sydney before undertaking the unit at your destination institution.

Receiving credit

If you meet the eligibility criteria and successfully complete the unit, you will be granted credit for that unit of study towards your degree at the University of Sydney. Credit will only be awarded if the cross-institutional study is approved before you start.

If you need advice before submitting your application, you can get academic advice.

To meet your destination institution's application deadline, make sure you allow enough time for your faculty or school to process your cross-institutional study request and tell you the outcome. This can take up to eight weeks.

You may be eligible if you meet the following conditions.

• There's a unit of study relevant to your course that is not taught at the University of Sydney but is available at another institution, and it's necessary for the completion or progression of your degree.
• You are unable, for good reason, to complete a corresponding unit of study at the University of Sydney
• You are an elite athlete or artist who cannot complete the unit of study at the University because of training or performance commitments
• Your course resolutions do not exclude cross-institutional study. Many faculties, schools and courses may have additional rules, which you can find in the faculty and course resolutions in your handbook.

As cross-institutional study is a form of credit, it will be counted towards any relevant credit limit. For more information, refer to the Coursework Policy (Part 11, and 12 (67)).

International students

In certain instances, international students may be able to undertake cross-institutional study at another Australian institution. You will first need to check:

• that the destination institution accepts international cross-institutional students
• what fees are involved
• that your visa can accommodate this enrolment.

Check with the student compliance team by sending an email to student.compliance@sydney.edu.au to learn about how cross-institutional study will affect your eCoE.

Faculty or school requirements

Some faculties/schools have additional requirements. Refer to your faculty handbook, course resolutions, and faculty or school resolutions for specific rules and criteria.

You need to submit the following documents in addition to any other documents specified by your faculty or school.

• Unit of study outlines that include:
  • contact hours
  • a summary of lecture content
  • practical content
  • textbooks
  • mode of assessment.
• If you're applying on the grounds of exceptional circumstances, supply a letter outlining these circumstances (including any relevant documentation that may support these circumstances).

Information for the destination institution

You may be required to submit the following documents to your proposed destination institution. You should check with them to make sure you have submitted everything they need:

• a completed Home Institution Commonwealth Support Status Declaration that shows your status as a Commonwealth supported or fee-paying student
• a Cross Institutional Study Form supplied by the destination institution which may need to be signed and stamped by the University of Sydney
• an official academic transcript from the University of Sydney
• a certified copy of your passport or birth certificate to show your residency/citizenship status.

You will need to pay your student contribution amount or full fee to the destination institution.

Apply by completing the online form. You will need to include an explanation of why you would like to take the unit, as well as the required supporting documents.

You need to apply separately for admission to cross-institutional study at your destination institution.

As part of your application, the destination institution may ask you to provide your approval from the University of Sydney – refer to step 5 for more information.

It’s your responsibility to ensure you apply prior to any deadlines set by your destination institution, as well as supply any documentation they may require.

If your application is approved, we will provide you with an approval letter outlining what study you have been approved for and what credit you will receive, as well as any conditions.

You should retain a copy of the letter for your records. Your approval will only be valid for the approved semester and year.

Applying for credit

After completing the unit(s) of study at your destination institution and receiving your official notification of results, you need to apply for credit through Sydney Student. This is so the unit(s) can be credited towards your University of Sydney course.

To apply, follow the detailed steps on applying for cross-institutional study credit. You will need to upload a copy of your official academic transcript from your destination institution, as well as the academic approval letter we provided for you to undertake cross-institutional study.