Study Abroad and Student Exchange
Why ECU?
Study Abroad at ECU

How it Works
You can study for one or two semesters in the Study Abroad program. If you are currently studying at an institution overseas and plan to return to it after your time abroad, make sure you chat to them about your plans at ECU. They can let you know if your studies will count as credit towards your degree.
At ECU, individual subjects are called 'units'. We have 100s to choose from! As part of your program, you can nominate to study 3-4 units in one semester or 6-8 units in two semesters. This includes undergraduate or postgraduate studies. You can study units from different schools to get a taste of different subject areas and disciplines.
There are four simple ways to search for units:
- Review the Study Abroad Guide below. It has over 300 great units to choose from
- Search an ECU course that matches your interest (e.g. Bachelor of Laws)
- Head to the ECU Handbook and search by keyword to find a unit
- Chat to an ECU Authorised Agent or to ECU Staff at international.office@ecu.edu.au
Help with choosing units
We want to help you create an unforgettable study experience in Australia, so chat to us today about the best selection of units to match your study goal.
Tip
The ECU Handbook is a great place to review units. You can read an outline and see if it has a prerequisite. A prerequisite is a rule that you must meet before you can enrol in that unit. This might be prior learning at university level or completion of a specific ECU unit.
Download a guide
If you prefer paper over pixels, please download our Study Abroad guide.
Course Entry
To be eligible for Study Abroad you will need to meet English and Academic entry requirements.
English Requirements (undergraduate and postgraduate)
You will need an Academic IELTS overall minimum band score of 6.0, with no individual band less than 6.0.
For equivalent tests, please review the English Competency page.
Note: You may satisfy English if you have completed 0.375 equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) of your university degree in English and are from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden or Switzerland.
Please contact us directly for details.
The Study Abroad program can also be packaged with English through one of our pathway providers. This page lists our English language providers.
Academic Undergraduate Entry (Band 3)
Admission may be satisfied through the completion of secondary schooling in your home country. To check eligibility, visit our Secondary School Results page and select your country.
If you have an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification, or have successfully completed 0.25 equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL) at a Bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent) you may also satisfy undergraduate entry requirements.
Postgraduate Entry
Admission may be satisfied through the completion of a Bachelor (undergraduate) degree or higher.
Further information on academic admission can be found on the Course Entry page.
Important: List all the units you plan to study because we will assess your unit eligibility and course eligibility at the same time.
Tip
Wondering if your Study Abroad semester might count as credit towards a degree at ECU? It is certainly possible. Check out our Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning page for more details. You can also start looking at degrees and entry requirements in Course Entry.
How to apply
You can apply online via the application portal. Simply create an account and select 'Apply for other program' located in the bottom right-hand corner. You will need to have your course code, the unit codes and application documents. For equivalent tests, please review the English Competency page.
Note: You can scan your application documents to your computer or USB in advance, so they are easy to access. This can include academic transcripts, completion certificates, passport, etc.
Here are the course codes for Study Abroad:
- X01 Study Abroad Undergraduate One Semester
- X17 Study Abroad Undergraduate Two Semesters
- X02 Study Abroad Postgraduate One Semester
- X18 Study Abroad Postgraduate Two Semesters
Once you have chosen your course, you will be asked to list the unit codes you plan to study in your one or two semesters at ECU. Please include the code and the name. For example, ACC1100 Accounting I.
Save time with a chat
A great way to save time on the application assessment is to chat to ECU staff or an Education Agent about your units before you apply. They can review things like prerequisites, availability, etc. That way, you’ll know you have chosen a good set of units and there will be fewer delays.
Tip
Make sure you review the Important Dates page so you can submit your application on time.
Study Abroad Fees
The cost of Study Abroad at ECU depends on the number of credit points and semesters you study, along with the fee group. In 2022:
Fee Group A
This includes 100s of units from disciplines in Arts, Business, Computing, Design, Economics, Education, Humanities, Law, Mathematics, Science (non lab-based) and Social Science.
- 45 credit points (3 units): $5,175 AUD
- 60 credit points (4 units): $6,900 AUD
Fee Group B
This includes a special selection of units in the disciplines of Engineering, Nursing, Paramedicine and Science (lab-based).
- 45 credit points (3 units): $7,725 AUD
- 60 credit points (4 units): $10,300 AUD
Tip
Tip: make sure you always check your tuition fees by using our Fees Calculator.
Student Exchange
Our exchange program is open to students from one of our many partner institutions around the world. As an exchange student, your ECU tuition fees will be waived and you will continue to pay tuition fees to your home institution. It is an exciting opportunity to earn credit towards your degree, while experiencing a new culture and lifestyle.

Nominations
Your home university will nominate you to ECU to apply for the exchange program. Speak to your home university Student Exchange team about this.
Nomination Deadlines
- For study in Semester 1 (February to June) – October 31
- For study in Semester 2 (July to November) – April 30

Partner Universities
Do you want to do exchange with ECU? Find out whether your university is an ECU partner.
Tip
If ECU does not have a partnership with your home university, you can still have an international study experience via the Study Abroad program. Check out the information on this page and consider how the program might work for you.
ECU Experience

Our campuses offer much more than excellent lecture theatres, libraries and cool study spaces. You'll also find a whole range of services to support you through uni, including student accommodation, a medical centre, cafes, gyms and more.
Get in touch
We love to hear from our Study Abroad future students. Feel free to contact us today at international.office@ecu.edu.au. We can arrange a time to chat in person, on the phone or online.
You can also speak to an ECU Authorised Representative (Agent). They can help you with your application and your student visa requirements.