CDU has opportunities for international students to participate in extraordinary exchange experiences. We have global ties to more than 50 partner universities across Asia, Europe and North America; your student exchange experience just needs you to begin.
The CDU Student Exchange Program allows you to continue your study for one or two semesters at a time. As an exchange student, you don’t pay CDU tuition fees, you pay tuition fees to your home university.
The CDU Student Exchange Program makes it possible for you to continue gaining credit towards your studies while in Australia without losing any time finishing your degree.
To participate in an exchange experience with CDU, you need to be studying at a partner university that has an exchange agreement in place with CDU. Contact your home university for further information about studying at CDU in the Student Exchange Program.
If your university doesn’t have an exchange agreement in place with CDU, opportunities also exist to enrol as a study abroad student. Simply arrange enrolment through our CDU Study Abroad Program to start your CDU study experience!
Have a question? Send an email to the Global Engagement Team via the link, or cduglobalengagement@cdu.edu.au
How to apply
To apply for the CDU Student Exchange Program, you need to be nominated by your home university. Check if your home university is a CDU partner to find out if you can come to CDU as an exchange student. For further information please contact your home university to begin the nomination process!
Once you have been nominated by your home university, CDU’s Global Engagement Team will contact you with information on how to complete your application.
As part of your exchange program, you can study a wide range of CDU subjects across Engineering, IT, Environment, Health and Human Science, Business, Law, Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society.
Once your application is processed, you will receive a formal Letter of Offer. Please read and agree to the terms and conditions by signing the Letter of Offer and returning it to the CDU Global Engagement Team. We will also need proof of payment of your Overseas Student Health Insurance.
Upon receipt of this information, CDU Global will issue you a Confirmation of Enrolment, which you can use to apply for your student visa.
Key dates
| 2024 Study Period | Applications close |
| Semester 1 – February – June 2024 | 29 December 2023 |
| Semester 2 – July – October 2024 | 3 May 2024 |
View further important CDU dates, including the Academic Calendar and Semester dates.
Have a question? Get in contact with the Global Engagement Team via the link or email cduglobalengagement@cdu.edu.au
If your university is not a CDU partner, find out how you can study with us as part of a Study Abroad Program!
Study unit selection
To be eligible for a CDU Exchange Program, you will need four (4) study units for a semester, or eight (8) units for the year. You will need to ensure that your selected study units will be approved by your home university for credit transfer.
A full-time load at CDU is 40 credit points per semester. Generally, 40 credit points are equivalent to enrolling in four (4) study units.
Study units available:
Please have a look at our unit catalogue to review the range of units available.
Please note that the 2024 unit will be published on the 1 August 2023.
Equivalency of 40 CDU credit points:
| Location | Credit points |
| USA | Approximately 12-15 Credits |
| Europe | Approximately 30 ECTS |
| Canada | Approximately 15 Credits |
| Japan | Approximately 15 Credits |
| UK | Approximately 60 Credits or 30 ECTS |
*Other regions do not have universal credit point systems. Refer to each host university's website for determining full-time loading at that university.
Exchange Students pay fees to their home university.
Fees and living costs
Additional expenses
Exchange students will need to pay for:
- Return flights
- Compulsory overseas student health insurance
- Australian student visa
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- External agency fees (optional) - depending on your agency
| Expenses | Cost* |
| Overseas student health insurance (6 months) | A$1,656 |
| Student visa (base application fee) | A$650 |
| Expenses for Darwin | |
| Student accommodation (on-campus per week) | A$185 |
| Groceries and eating out | A$100 to A$300 per week |
| Gas and electricity | $20 to $140 per week |
| Phone and internet | $15 to $30 per week |
| Public transport | $7 per week |
| Car (after purchase) | $150 to $260 per week |
| Entertainment | $80 to $150 per week |
| Accommodation | Read more |
* The cost of living will vary according to your lifestyle.
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