EDITORIAL

By Grace Lee

Going on semester exchange from a law student’s POV 

Picture yourself…

…strolling the sun-kissed beaches of Tuscany with a melting gelato in hand, or exploring the vibrant night markets of Taiwan and using your newly learned Mandarin at local hawker stalls. Going on exchange has always been at the top of my bucket list, and so to make the process easier for myself, I attended various information sessions and scoured countless websites for research. This article summarises much of the information I’ve learned thus far, and I hope this is helpful and productive for anyone looking to apply for exchange.

Monash Abroad administers all foreign study programs for students:

  • The Semester Exchange; 

  • Independent Study Abroad; 

  • The Global Intercampus Program; and

  • Short-term programs such as Global Summer and Winter Programs. 

For simplicity’s sake, I will only touch on the Semester Exchange (for law students specifically!). 

Tip#1. Important details to keep in mind

  • Eligible LLB (Hons) double degree students are recommended to go on Law exchange no earlier than Semester 2 of Year 2. Eligible LLB (Hons) double degree students are recommended to go on Law exchange in Semester 2 of Year 3 or Semester 1 of Year 4.

  • You can only submit 3 preferences (as in, 3 separate universities) for one application.

  • If you intend to take law units overseas, you can ONLY take law units for the period of your exchange.

  • For Law, you can only take general law electives on exchange. 

  • You will pay your usual fees to Monash and pay no tuition fees at the host institution.

Tip #2. What will you need to submit for Exchange Applications?

You must request a Course Advice Request online, so that the Monash Law department can assess how your exchange units can fit into your course progression. Consult their factsheet for further information on what to include in your request.

  • As a part of your application, you will need to submit an 

    • Application for Overseas Study (AOS) form

    • A completed Study Plan consisting of detailed unit outlines based on the units you propose to undertake at your chosen host university.

  • Exchange applications run every semester for the next academic year (eg. if you apply during Sem 2, 2024, this application is for you going on exchange in Sem 2, 2025). 

  • There is a hard deadline for applications to Monash Abroad - they will open in the first week of semester and will close at 4.00 pm usually on the Tuesday in the last week of classes that semester. Applications for a semester exchange commencing in semester two, 2025 close at 4pm AEDT on Tuesday, 15 October 2025.

Tip #3. What grades do I need to be eligible for Exchange?

The general eligibility requirements to go on exchange is as follows:

  • Minimum WAM: 60% (at the end of the semester in which you apply)

  • Minimum credit points completed at time of application and commencement (you will need to have or be completing the last of the 48cp law units at time of application)

  • Meet course progression requirements, including approved study plan

  • Meet additional partner requirements (e.g. WAM)

  • Study full time while abroad (18-24 credits)

Tip #4. Where can I source funding for my Exchange?

Financing for exchange can be difficult, however don’t let costs deter you entirely from gaining this amazing experience! You can find funding for your exchange through these options:

  • Monash University Funding Grants and travel scholarships 

    • Ranging between $1,250 - $5,000

  • Australian Government Funding Grants 

    • Ranging between $3,000 - $7,000 Scholarships up to $60,000

  • Australian Government Loans OS-HELP loans 

    • Up to $8,817

    • Supplementary $1,172 for Asian language prep (CSP students only)

  • External Funding Scholarships

    • Ranging between $2,000 - $20,000 

  • Continued Centrelink Payments

Interested in applying for Exchange?

Here are your next steps after reading this article:

 

  1. Do some more general research about exchange

  2. Submit a Course Advice Request to the Law Faculty (there’s no reason to delay!) as per this factsheet

  3. Research the universities you want to study at, keeping in mind:

    1. Compatibility of the units they offer and the units you need to take

    2. Financial viability (accommodation, flight fare, daily spending)

    3. WAM or other academic requirements

  4. Investigate ALL your funding possibilities and apply for everything that you can, especially scholarships!

  5. Go to a Study Abroad Information Session hosted by Monash Abroad (you can find these session times here.

  6. Put all this research and anything else related to exchange into a single document so you don’t lose anything. Some ideas for this document (based off my own):

    1. A massive table containing all the universities I am interested in, along with their accommodation fees, possible units I can take, WAM requirements, other bits and bobs

    2. All the general information I’ve amassed from information sessions and Monash websites

    3. All my research into scholarships and funding sources 

    4. A small inspiring paragraph (plus photo of your dream destination) that will keep you motivated to undertake all this research and applications!!

I hope you all get into your dream exchange uni and that your application process goes smoothly! In the end, going on exchange isn’t just about ticking off destinations on your bucket list—it's about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing new cultures, and creating memories that will stay with you forever. Whether you're navigating a new language or discovering hidden gems in a foreign city, the experience will push your boundaries in ways you never imagined. So dive in, do your research, and start packing your bags—the adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you!