Study Exchange and Study Abroad – what’s the difference?
In “Study Exchange” students remain enrolled at their home university and continue to pay fees there. Usually their host university has an agreement with the international institution and the student does not have to pay any fees to them for their course of study. In “Study Abroad” students usually take “leave of absence” from their host institution and enrol with the host institution abroad. They do not pay fees to their host institution but they DO pay fees to the international institution. Depending on the University, the students may have to organise their study abroad experience by themselves.
Is there any government assistance?
The Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) offers the “OS-Help Loan Scheme” which can provide a loan to assist eligible undergraduate students to study overseas. The maximum amount for 2010 is $5523.00 http://www.goingtouni.gov.au/Main/Quickfind/StudyOverseas/OSHELP.htm.
Are there any scholarships?
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) also offers a number of scholarships to help Australian citizens or holders of humanitarian visas study overseas. http://www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au/other_scholarships/ . This website also lists those scholarships offered by European Governments to help Australian students study in Europe.
Postgraduate Scholarship Database for Australia
The Joint Academic Scholarship Online Network (JASON) is a postgraduate scholarship search engine. Scholarships in the database apply to Australian students wishing to study at home or abroad, and to international students wishing to study in Australia. http://www.jason.edu.au/. Individual European Countries also offer scholarships. http://www.study-in-europe.org.au.
Will my credits be recognised if I study overseas?
If you are part of a Student Exchange program then your credits will be recognised through the agreement your institution has with the overseas institution. In order to qualify for OS-Help your institution must ensure that your credits will be recognised.
What if I don't speak any foreign languages?
Many European Universities offer courses in English. Click on the country in the dropdown box at right to learn more.
Will my European degree be recognised in Australia?
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) advises on how Australian and overseas qualifications compare to help overseas qualified people study and work in Australia. DEEWR does this through AEI-NOOSR (Australian Education International’s National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition). http://aei.gov.au/AEI/QualificationsRecognition/AboutUs/ContactUs/Default.htm . However some countries have special arrangements with Australia to recognise qualifications, e.g. France. http://www.ambafrance-au.org.
What is the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)?
The AQF is a system to ensure national recognition and consistency as well as common understanding across Australia of what defines each qualification. http://www.aqf.edu.au/.
What is the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)?
The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) is a common European reference framework which enables European countries to link their qualifications systems to one another. The EQF will relate different countries’ national qualifications systems and frameworks together around a common European reference. In practice, it will function as a translation device making qualifications more readable. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/publ/pdf/eqf/broch_en.pdf.
If you cannot find the information you require on this website, please visit www.study-in-europe.org
