Exchange

Academic requirements

To be eligible for the program you must:

• have a weighted average mark (WAM) of 60. If you are a Law student, the requirement is a WAM of 65.
• be accepted by your home university to participate in the exchange program. We advise that you speak to your home university exchange advisor to confirm your eligibility
• meet Macquarie University English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).

Some academic programs have specific entry requirements higher than the minimum. Refer to English Language Requirements and Academic Entry Requirements for more details.

As an Exchange student, you'll have the opportunity to build your own study program from a wide range of units offered at Macquarie University. Select your units and check prerequisites in our Course Handbook, or choose from our Open Units List. Make sure your unit selections aren’t listed on the Closed Units List.

When designing your study plan you should consider the following:

• As a student visa holder, you are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 3-4 units (30-40 credit points), with two-thirds of the credit points completed in the internal (face-to-face) delivery mode.
  • See more information about our credit points, grading system and unit levels.
• You must have met the academic requisites of each unit. Check each unit's requisites in the Course Handbook.
• Ensure the chosen unit is offered in the intended session (semester) of study (Session 1 or Session 2). Check unit offerings in the Course Handbook.
• You must select units appropriate for your level of study:
  • Undergraduate unit levels: 1000 – 5000 level units
  • Postgraduate unit levels: 6000 – 9000 level units
• You must not study a unit on the Closed Units List.

If you meet the program entry requirements, contact your home institution’s exchange team. Eligible students must be successfully nominated by their home institution in order to participate in the program.

After your home university has successfully nominated you for an exchange program with us, you will be able to apply directly to Macquarie University – view the steps you need to take.

Find information on our Exchange program and life at Macquarie:

• 2026 Exchange Fact Sheet
• Study Abroad and Exchange Student Guide
• Prerequisite Waiver Process Video Tutorial
• Closed Unit List

DACKEP funding

The Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program (DACKEP) is a collaborative initiative between the Australian Government and the Cheung Kong Group, aimed at supporting student exchange opportunities. This program provides financial grants to assist students with the costs of studying abroad.

The program’s purpose is to foster international collaboration and cultural exchange, enriching the educational experiences of participating students. It provides financial assistance to help cover some of the costs associated with your exchange at Macquarie University.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of an eligible Asian country.
• Be accepted into an eligible exchange or study abroad program at Macquarie University.
• Demonstrate strong academic merit.

Eligibility is assessed during the application process, and students must meet all conditions to access this funding opportunity.

Application process

Eligible students will be contacted directly by us with further details and next steps.

To come to Australia as an Exchange student, you will need to apply for and obtain a Subclass 500 Student visa. Students are not permitted to study at Macquarie while on a Working Holiday Visa.

For information on this visa type, eligibility, visa conditions, and how to apply, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website and  Macquarie's Student Visa Conditions page.