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This is a new process that we're introducing from Semester 2 2020. If you're currently participating in exchange for Semester 1 2020, you should follow the academic approval process that we've already outlined in our emails to you.
If you’re applying for exchange, you’ll need to follow these steps to apply for academic approval for the units you study overseas.
You can also apply to receive credit towards your Sydney degree for your short-term non-exchange subjects, but it’s not mandatory. If you intend to apply for credit, or you think there’s a chance you may apply for credit at some point in the future, you’ll need to follow this guide when choosing subjects.
This process ensures that you’re studying units that fit into your course requirements and that you can continue to progress successfully through your studies.
If we approve a unit, you will receive a conditional credit approval stating that you will receive credit at the University of Sydney on the condition that you complete that unit successfully. You can only receive credit towards your course for units that we approved you to study.
When choosing overseas units, it is important to understand the requirements and structure of your course (and major/s).
View your overseas study request in Sydney Student (go to 'My requests'). Here you can choose to 'Select units of study'.
When you’re selecting units to apply for approval, you can either select from a list of pre-assessed units or elect an alternative unit and upload a detailed unit of study outline.
These are subjects that have already been assessed for credit by our academics and with a credit outcome already determined. You can use the list to see which units have already been assessed for the institutions that interest you.
If you upload outlines for new subjects, you'll need to provide unit outlines with all the information about that unit, so that we can assess whether these can be given credit first. See our unit outlines page for more detail on what these outlines should include.
Outlines need to be:
If you’re having problems finding complete unit outlines from your host institution:
Most students will study the equivalent of 24 University of Sydney credit points on exchange. The number of host credits and subjects varies between institutions.
For some institutions, there will be a range for credit. If you see a range for your host institution, you need to study the upper limit. For example, if you see 12 – 15 credits, you should study 15 credits. It’s important you get this right – you could receive a Fail grade if you don’t study the required credit points. Don’t confuse this with what your host institution states is a full-time load for its students, as this does not apply to you.
We recommend selecting up to double what you need in case some units aren’t available at your host institution. For example, if you’ll study 15 credits on exchange, you can select 30 credits worth of subjects in Sydney Student.
The table below summarises the credit load and number of subjects for each country:
Country/region | Full-time semester study load (credit points) | Typical number of courses |
---|---|---|
University of Sydney | 24 | |
China | 18 | 5-8 |
South Korea | 18 | 5-8 |
Europe | 30 (ECTS) | 3-8 |
Israel | 15 | 4-5 |
Japan | 14 | 5-7 |
Latin America | 20 | 5-6 |
New Zealand | 60 | 4 |
Scotland | 60 (SCQF) | 3 |
South Africa | 72 | 2-4 |
UK | 60 (CATS) | 3-6 |
US/Canada | 15 | 4-5 |
Every subject you study on exchange will count towards your degree credit points. In most cases, we advise students to do electives while on exchange as these tend to be more flexible and more likely to be approved for study. Some students will study non-electives on exchange. If this applies to you, it will be in your endorsement conditions or your academic approval letter.
If you are approved to study subjects towards your program, major, minor or pre-requisites, the table explains what mobility credit you will receive.
Assessment outcome | How it will be credited |
---|---|
Specified equivalent Sydney unit eg. GOVT3644 - Political Campaigning |
You’ll receive credit as though you studied the unit at Sydney. However, if you’ve already studied the unit at Sydney, you won’t be able to study it on exchange. |
Unspecified unit with code eg. ENGL3XXX – Unspecified English (Snr) |
This can count as an elective or selective towards your program, major or minor if you have space in your course and your handbook has elective or selective units at the same level. |
Unspecified unit without code eg. Commerce – Unspecified (Snr) |
This will count as an elective and can be used towards a Faculty credit point requirement eg. Commerce – Unspecified (Snr) counts as an elective from the Business School. |
Once your units have been assessed, you’ll receive an email asking you to review the outcomes in Sydney Student. You’ll be able to view and download an academic approval letter that lists the units which have been approved and the credit you’ll receive at Sydney if you successfully complete these. Your academic approval letter may include further instructions about your study. You need to follow these instructions.
You’ll also be able to see any units that were not approved, and the reasons why.
You can edit your basket at any time by adding new units you’d like assessed, however you can only delete units you don’t want to study after they’ve been assessed.
As a precaution, we’re currently closed for in-person enquiries.
Find out more about our service
1800 SYD UNI (1800 793 864)
or +61 2 8627 1444
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