Researching your host university

Once you have a few destinations in mind you should do some research. This involves finding out:

• what units are available at the host universities you are interested in
• if the units are suitable for your Deakin degree
• in what semester the units are taught at the host universities
• if the units are semester or year-long
• whether you meet the pre-requisites specified by the host universities for studying that unit.

You conduct this research to match the units you are taking overseas with units you would have taken at Deakin in the particular semester(s) you are overseas. It is therefore important that you know what kind of units you need to take to fulfil your course requirements. Please refer to the Deakin University Handbook for course structures. If you are having difficulties at this point you may wish to make an appointment with your faculty enrolment officer to discuss your course and how you can fit an Exchange or Study Abroad experience into your degree.

You may have to study a core unit while you are overseas. In that case you need to find a unit at your prospective host university that closely resembles the Deakin unit you are required to take.

Recommended Destination Guides:

• Faculty of Arts and Education (181 KB)
• Faculty of Business and Law (136 KB)
• Faculty of Health (137 KB)
• Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment (264 KB)

What if I need help deciding where to go?

If you really do not know where to go or where to start looking, check the recommended destination guide of your Faculty (follow the appropriate link below), which will help you focus your search on universities that have programs in your area of study. Please remember, however, that this is a guide only, and you should contact the Education Abroad office with any queries you may have about specific destinations.

Why do I need to supply two study plans?

All students applying for a semester or year-long Exchange program need to submit two study plans for two different universities.

Some universities are more popular than others and the Education Abroad office may receive more applications than there are places available. Submitting two study plans will increase your chance of being accepted into the Exchange program.

Students will be selected according to academic merit if there are more applications for a host university than there are places.

How do I research my host university?

There are many resources available to assist you with your research.

Your first stop should always be your prospective host university's website. Please remember that what Deakin calls 'units' is called 'courses' at most overseas universities. Similarly, what we call 'courses' are generally called 'programs' overseas. You therefore need to find a 'course catalogue', a 'course calendar' or similar on your prospective host university's website that you can search for appropriate units.

The Education Abroad office has handbooks for some host universities which can help you in your search.

Returned students reports, which are kept in the Education Abroad office, are also a good place to find out what subjects Deakin students studied at your proposed host university in past years.

What if I can't find enough information?

If you are unable to find the level of information you require, the Education Abroad office can assist you by liaising directly with the host university. However, you must conduct the initial research.

Please don't contact your host university directly. Always let the Education Abroad office make all contact on your behalf until you have been officially accepted by your host university.

How do I get my overseas study plan approved by my faculty?

Once you have the information you require, you will need to make an appointment with your faculty enrolment officer to have your chosen subjects approved. Bring along as much information as you can about your proposed subjects. Your research is the basis for your Faculty Enrolment Officer's decision on your proposed subjects.

Getting your study plan approved may take several visits to your Faculty Enrolment Officer. The more prepared you are, the quicker it will be.