Exchange registration guide

Information sessions give you a comprehensive understanding of exchange programs and the registration process. We strongly recommend attending a session if you are considering an exchange.  

Sign-up early in the semester to give yourself plenty of time to research your options. You will be able to sign-up for our information sessions when semester starts.

It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for student exchange before you register. If you do not your registration will not be successful.

Use the host partner list to research the options for your study level and discipline.

Each host partner has a limited number of exchange places available. To give an indication of how competitive a host institution is and how many exchange places are available, each host institution is graded:

Host institution

You need to nominate up to four host institutions, in order of preference. Make sure you are happy with all of your preferences, if we are unable to nominate you to your first preference you may be nominated to your second, third, or fourth preference.

Things to consider when researching host institutions and destinations:

• The host institution’s grading; at least one of your host preferences should be graded ‘Green’
• Course offering;  sufficient courses in your study area, in the semester(s) that you will be on exchange, that are available to exchange students
• Courses are in English or in a language of instruction for which you are eligible. Some partners that teach in a foreign language may require proof of competency in that language
• Does the host institution offer additional services that you require; for example, disability support
• The climate, culture, geographical situation, language(s) spoken and political situation
• The estimated cost of living in the host country for the duration of your exchange
• Accommodation options and/or services that suit your lifestyle and needs
• Will you meet your academic, personal and professional goals during your exchange if you attend this institution; for example, complete an internship and/or learn a new language

If your preferred host institution is not an RMIT host partner, you may still be able to study with them as a study abroad (full-fee paying) student - please speak to a GEO advisor. 

Courses

In order to determine how far you’ve progressed in your RMIT program structure and what courses you have remaining, consult your school’s Program Coordinator (Business Central for College of Business students) about how an exchange program can fit into your RMIT program structure. 

It is possible to take courses at a host institution to meet the requirements of core courses, program electives or general electives.  

When considering courses, make sure that: 

• They are available to exchange students
• They are offered in the semester(s) that you will be on exchange
• They are offered in English or in a language of instruction for which you are eligible
•  You meet any prerequisites associated with the course

When searching for compatible courses at your preferred host institutions, please keep in mind that using RMIT general electives will increase your study options and increase the chances of your study plan being approved.

RMIT’s online application portal is called ‘Mobi’. Once you have completed the steps above, you can create an account in Mobi (just follow the prompts and use your student log-in).

Once logged-in, select ‘Semester/Year Exchange’ and click ‘Apply now’. (If you do not see the ‘Apply now’ button you have probably missed the registration window.)

Follow the prompts to complete your registration. Remember that incomplete registrations cannot be processed - so check carefully that you have filled out all of the required fields and ask GEO for advice if you are unsure about anything.

Please note: If you are an Architecture or an Associate Degree in Fashion and Textile Merchandising student, please see the information at the bottom of this page for extra steps you must complete.

Important note for postgraduate students: you must upload an academic letter of reference from your program manager/leader with your online registration.

• Semester 1 Exchange: registration opens 2 March and closes 15 May
  
• Semester 2 Exchange: registration opens 20 July and closes 30 September

Once registration is closed, the Global Experience Office will assess your registration.

If your registration is successful, you will receive your host institution allocation via the online application portal Mobi on or before 15 May (Semester 1 Exchange) or 30 September (Semester 2 Exchange).

An allocation is not an acceptance by the host institution. Acceptance by the host institution is dependent on you submitting your approved study plan (Step 5), and successfully applying to the host institution (Step 6).

Once you have received your allocation, you will be invited to a Get Set Session. At the briefing session we will give you all of the information you need to finalise your allocation.

Don’t forget to accept (or withdraw) your allocation in Mobi before you begin Step 5.

Following your application to your nominated host institution, your host institution will send notification of the outcome of your application, either to GEO or directly to you. If the latter, please notify RMIT Global Experience of the outcome of your application.

Once you have received your official acceptance from the host institution, you can start to make travel arrangements such as flights and visas.

Pre-departure Session are facilitated by RMIT staff, Global Experience Peer Advisors and Global Experience Ambassadors.

The session is a great way to prepare for your global experience – it combines advice and first-hand experience from returned students, with tips and strategies from experts on your health for coping with the initial culture shock or unexpected situations.

There is an opportunity to address specific questions to the returned student panel at the end of the session.

Architecture students need to apply 2 weeks before the Global Semester application deadline to Leanne Zilka with a folio of academic work, RMIT transcript, and a draft study plan for each host institution preference (including RMIT and equivalent host institution courses).

Bachelor students are able to gain credit for studio 3,4,5 or 6, and electives while on exchange.

Masters students are able to gain credit for studio 7 or 8, and electives only.

No other subjects are able to be granted credit for exchange.

Please be aware of emails about architecture-specific semester exchange information, which are sent throughout the year.