How to apply for International Exchanges

Step 1 - Choose your exchange institution

Select your exchange institution.
Arrange to see your Exchange or Subject Coordinator in your faculty to confirm that enough suitable modules are available at your chosen university.

Step 2 - Complete your Oxford Brookes exchange application

The first round of applications (exchanges taking place in the academic year 2024/25) closed on 18 February 2024. Please contact our Global Mobility and Engagement Team to discuss future application opening dates.

What steps should I take when applications open?

Check you have a GPA of 2.5 (55%-59%) or above on your Student Records and Results page (find more information about your GPA).
Complete an online application form.
Provide your supporting documents:
- Download the Faculty Approval form and ask your exchange or subject coordinator/s to sign it.
- Upload the signed Faculty Approval form.
- Upload a short personal statement explaining what motivated you to apply for an exchange abroad.
- Download and complete The Research Sheet.

Step 3 - Complete your host university application

Either your Host University or Global Mobility & Engagement Team will email you with your host university’s application information and the deadline for completion.

Planning your programme of study abroad

The Exchange or Subject Coordinator will need to approve the modules you plan to take during your exchange. They must sign the learning agreement and approve the level and content of your proposed module choices.

The requirements of your course may include compulsory and honours modules.
You will need to enrol for the equivalent of 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) for one semester workload or 60 ECTS for a whole academic year.
Choose at least 2 additional modules as backup per semester (if possible).
Please remember, at the time of application, some host universities may not have a definite list of modules that will run in your chosen semester.
For more information, please see our Modules and Credits page.

Please note

In most cases you will need an up-to-date Oxford Brookes transcript for your host university application. The Oxford Brookes Exchanges Office will liaise with Student Central to obtain this document on your behalf. This will be free of charge and will be emailed to you by the Exchanges team.

Step 4 - Before your exchange

Compulsory Briefings

You must attend a Getting Started Briefing and a Pre-Departure briefing session for nominated students. We will email the dates and other details to you nearer the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read carefully the Outgoing Application FAQs

How long does my personal statement have to be? What do I include?

Your personal statement should be 250/300 words and explain why you want to go on exchange, why you think it will benefit you/your studies/your career plans and why you think you would be a good ambassador for Brookes. If you really want to go to Australia because you’ve always wanted to learn how to surf – tell us! If you have one specific university you have your heart set on, tell us why you really want to go there. The personal statement is only for us to read and does not get shared with the host university.

What happens if I want to apply but don't have the GPA?

In order to be applicable for exchange, you need a GPA of 2.5/4.00 or above (55%-59% for further details click HERE). If on January results day you don’t have the GPA, be sure to contact us as there may be something we can do. Alternatively, we reopen the applications for universities we still have places available at on June results day, so providing you have the GPA by that point, you may still be able to go on exchange semester 2 of the following year.

How do I find out what my GPA is?

GPA stands for Grade Point Average. Students should be able to see their GPA on their Student Records and Results page. By the time of the application deadline you will know your GPA, however we will double check for you and if your GPA is 2.5/4.00 (55%-59%) or above, your application will be considered.

What happens if I did a foundation year?

Although counted in your GPA, we recalculate your GPA, taking this out. Doing a foundation year does not affect your chances of being selected for exchange.

What happens if I don't have a GPA because I have double modules?

Absolutely still apply! We will contact all of your module leaders, to get an interim mark for these double modules. We will then work out a GPA based on these for you, in order to make the GPA ranking as fair as possible.

Do I have to go on exchange in my second year?

Most students tend to go on exchange during their second year, due to course restrictions. If you are in third or fourth year and wish to go on exchange, please contact your subject coordinator before contacting us.

How do I find out who my Subject Coordinator is?

Search for your course to find out your Exchange or Subject Coordinator.

What happens if I want to go to two different universities?

Please submit two separate applications, one for your first semester and one for your second semester. If you want to go to the same university for the full year, you do not have to do two separate applications.

How do I find modules at the partner university?

Modules do not have to be submitted to us yet, but a simple search on the internet for the university name followed by ‘course catalogue’ normally brings up modules. Alternatively, once nominated, we will provide you with that information in our shared folder on Google Drive. It is important to remember that some universities do not release their course catalogue for the following year until around April/May time, therefore base any module selections off of the previous academic year, as the classes should not differ too much.

What happens if I don't get my first choice university?

Whilst we try our best to ensure everyone can be nominated to their first choice university, this is not always possible. It is important to remember when filling out the application form, the universities are in priority order. If you only have one preference and do not want to go on exchange unless you go to that one specific university, please only enter one choice. By submitting a form with three university choices in preference of order, you are confirming that you are happy to attend any of those universities.

Do I get nominated to all my universities?

We do not nominate you to all universities. We will nominate you to one of your preferences we have spaces available at, taking into account your order of preference. This makes it easier for assigning all students to universities and makes the process quicker and fairer.

When will I hear back regarding my application?

We aim to get back to everyone by the end of February regarding applications. If you have not heard from us, please don’t panic! We have a lot of students to place and have to liaise with partner universities to confirm nominations, but we try to get you nominated as quickly as possible.

What happens if I decide I no longer wish to go on exchange?

Please reach out to studyabroad@brookes.ac.uk and notify the Global Mobility and Engagement Team if you need to withdraw.