Study abroad and exchange programs

Where in the world will your degree take you?

Travelling is an education. Getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing other cultures can expand your horizons and worldview in a way no textbook can.

If you’ve dreamed of travelling or living overseas, Notre Dame offers you a chance to see the world and experience new cultures, people and places without putting your degree on hold.

Some of the options available are:

• Semester abroad
• Short-term programs
• Internships
• Volunteering

Notre Dame has partner institutions in Europe, North and South America, and Asia. A list of our partner institutions can be found further down the page.

Use our interactive map below to explore our partner universities.

Why study overseas?

Studies from all over the world show there are many benefits to studying overseas. For example, you can:

• Pursue your academic interests in a fresh context, and experience exciting new ways to learning.
• Develop an international perspective and global outlook on your degree, adding value to your resume and boosting your employability.
• Enjoy a valuable opportunity to study a new language.
• Explore aspects of your host country's history, society, and culture.
• Develop your communication skills, with the opportunity to interact with diverse individuals and the capacity to adapt and learn quickly.
• Enhance your emotional resilience, helps build confidence and executive functioning skills.
• Make friends for life from around the world.

Don’t just take it from us – hear from some students who have studied overseas.

Exchange programs

• About our exchange programs

  Notre Dame’s Exchange program is your chance to spend a semester overseas at one of our partner institutions, immersing yourself in everyday life and the local culture.

  Where can I go?

  You can apply to study a semester of your degree at a range of destinations across the globe at one of Notre Dame’s partner institutions in Europe, North and South America and Asia.

  How does it work?

  While overseas as an approved semester exchange student, you will:

  • Stay enrolled at Notre Dame
  • Continue to pay your Notre Dame tuition fees; and
  • Receive credit for your overseas study towards your Notre Dame degree, meaning your degree completion date isn’t impacted^

  ^ Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy or Bachelor of Physiotherapy are unable to participate in exchange programs due to program accreditation requirements.

  The exchange program is unfortunately not available for postgraduate students at this stage.

  If you’re a current student, you’ll need to enrol in the COM0369 Notre Dame Outbound Blackboard community site for further information about our partner university, such as disciplines available and academic requirements.

• Exchange Partner Institutions

  You can apply to study a semester of your degree at a range of destinations across the globe at one of our partner institutions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

  Asia

  • Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan
  • LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore
  • Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia
  • Sogang University, Republic of Korea
  • Sophia University, Japan
  • The Catholic University of Korea, Republic of Korea

  Europe

  • Catholic University of Lyon, France
  • Catholic University of Paris, France
  • Catholic University of the West, Angers, France
  • HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, The Netherlands
  • Leeds Trinity University, England
  • Mary Immaculate College, Ireland
  • Maynooth University, Ireland
  • Paderborn University, Germany
  • St Mary’s University Twickenham London, England
  • University of Navarra, Spain
  • University of Lucerne, Switzerland

  North America

  • Boston College, Massachusetts, USA
  • Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C, USA
  • College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University, Minnesota, USA
  • DeSales University, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Kings University College at Western University, Ontario, Canada
  • Saint Louis University, USA
  • St. Edward’s University, Texas, USA
  • University of Notre Dame du Lac, Indiana, USA
  • University of Portland, Oregon, USA

  South America

  • Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

• How do I apply?

  Step 1: Check your availability

  • You may apply from the end of your first semester at Notre Dame (this doesn’t include a foundation year of study).
  • You’ll normally need a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 which equates to a high credit/distinction average.
  • You’ll need to maintain a full-time course load while abroad.
  • You must be taking courses at the host institution, for which Notre Dame has agreed to grant full-time academic credit towards your program.

  Explore our COM0369 Notre Dame Outbound Blackboard community site for the full-time course load equivalencies at partner universities and the requirements specific to each.

  Step 2: Research

  Enrol in the COM0369 Notre Dame Outbound Blackboard community site to research potential host universities for your planned exchange. (You’ll need to be logged in to LMS to find the page).

  Please don’t contact the partner universities directly – if you have any questions, contact the Study Abroad Office.

  Step 3: Discuss your options

  Contact our Study Abroad Office to arrange a time to meet and discuss your options. Also, speak with your program coordinator about your program requirements.

  Step 4: Submit your application

  Submit the items below via email to studyabroad@nd.edu.au to complete your application for the exchange program.

  • Application form (download from Blackboard - COMO369 Notre Dame Outbound)
  • Personal statement
  • 2 Letters of recommendation (minimum 1 academic referee)
  • Copy of passport
  • Unofficial academic transcript

  Application deadlines for exchange:

  • Semester 1: 1 July of the year prior
  • Semester 2: 1 December of the year prior

  All students participating must comply with the University’s Conditions of Participations.

Finances, fees and scholarships

• OS-HELP loans

  If you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place, you may be eligible for OS-HELP. This is a Commonwealth Government loan designed to provide financial assistance associated with your overseas experience which could include airfares, accommodation or other travel costs.

  OS-HELP is available for students heading overseas and whose study outside of Australia will count toward their Notre Dame program requirements.

  Check your eligibility

• Centrelink

  If you’re currently receiving Centrelink payments, you may be able to continue receiving these while on exchange.

• Scholarships and grants

  New Colombo Plan (NCP)

  The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergrads to study and undertake internships in the region.

  If you’re a current Notre Dame student and interested in studying in the Indo-Pacific region, contact the Study Abroad Office to discuss your options. Learn more about the New Colombo Plan and the New Colombo Plan Scholarship.

  Students may be eligible for funding of up to $75,000 over 19 months to live and study in the Indo-Pacific (1 or 2 semesters of study, language training, internships and mentorships).

  New Colombo Plan Scholarship – 2027 round to open soon

  We are seeking expressions of interest from students planning to apply to the prestigious NCP Scholarship Program later in 2026 in order to participate in an exchange, internship and language learning program to one of our approved Indo-Pacific Host locations in 2027.

  Please contact studyabroad@nd.edu.au for more information.

  Gerald Frank Brown Scholarship

  The Gerald Frank Brown Scholarship has been established by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification in cooperation with the universities of WA to financially assist high-achieving European or UK students to study at our Fremantle campus through a formal exchange program (inbound).

  This Scholarship also provides for Western Australian university students to participate in a student exchange program with universities in the UK or Europe (outbound).

  The Gerald Frank Brown Scholarship offers a one-time payment of A$2,000. Funding subject to availability.

  Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program (DACKEP)

  The Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program (DACKEP) is a joint funding initiative of the Cheung Kong Group and the Australian Government Department of Education.

  This program will support UNDA students for short-term study (ie. Summer or Winter Schools) to one of our partner universities in Japan or South Korea, and for students coming to Australia for short-term study to UNDA.

  Funding for study in 2026 is now available. Please contact studyabroad@nd.edu.au for more information.

Other programs

• Short-term, internships or volunteering

  We’ve partnered with CIS Australia to provide you with opportunities to participate in various general and specialised programs across disciplines, in around 25 countries.

• Faculty-led programs and study tours

  Faculty-led study tours are the ideal opportunity to consolidate what you’ve learned in class into real-world experiences and make industry and international networks.

  For further information about possible Faculty-Led programs, please contact your school.

• Global Network Agreement

  The Global Network Agreement is an exciting partnership with our founding partner, the University of Notre Dame (Indiana).

  Students will have the opportunity to study and engage in research at Notre Dame’s main campus in Indiana, USA, or at other intellectual hubs around the globe, such as in London. Learn more about studying at Notre Dame's London campus for a semester with our flyer.

  Students can study at one of the Global Network through the University student exchange program. If you’re a current student, please enrol in the COM0369 Notre Dame Outbound Blackboard community site for further information.

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