Study abroad

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.
• meet Macquarie University English language requirements of IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).

Visa and study requirements

Australian student visa rules require you to enrol (and remain enrolled) in a full-time study load. This is three or four units (30 to 40 credit points) per semester.

Study abroad students must also meet the following requirements:

• have a weighted average mark (WAM) of 60 (equivalent to a cumulative grade point average -GPA- of 2.5 out of 4.0). If you are a Law student, the requirement is a WAM of 65.
• meet Macquarie University English language requirements.

As a study abroad student, you'll pay an up-front fee, which includes tuition and administration costs. This fee doesn't include other costs like accommodation, books or gym membership.

For a full list of academic dates, please see the University calendar of dates.

As a Study Abroad student, you will have the opportunity to build your own study program from a wide range of units offered at Macquarie University. Please refer to the handbook and unit guide for information on available units.

When choosing a unit to study 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 75% 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 receive approval from your home institution for the units you choose. Make sure to reach out to your academic advisor.
• You must have met the academic prerequisites of each unit. Check each unit's prerequisites in the handbook.
• Ensure the chosen unit is offered in the intended session (semester) of study (Session 1 or Session 2). Check unit offerings in the handbook.
• You must select units appropriate for your level of study:
  • Undergraduate unit levels: 1000 level (1st year), 2000 level (2nd year), 3000 level (3rd year), 4000 level (4th year)
  • Postgraduate unit levels: 8000 level, 9000 level.
• You must not study a restricted unit. This also includes all units taught at the Macquarie City campus.

While studying abroad at Macquarie University, you will also have the opportunity to participate in the Global Leadership Certificate. This extra-curricular program at no additional cost will help you broaden your knowledge from an Australian perspective!

There are two ways you can apply:

• directly to Macquarie University – view the steps you need to take
• through a partner representative in your own country.

Make sure to go through the following material for information on our Study Abroad program and life at Macquarie:

• 2025 Study Abroad Fact Sheet
• Study Abroad and Exchange International Student Guide
• Pre-Departure and Arrival Welcome Pack S1 2025
• 2025 Restricted Unit List

To come to Australia as a Study Abroad student, you will need to apply for and obtain a Subclass 500 Student 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.

Visa applicants should refer to the Document Checklist Tool to find out which documents need to be attached to their visa application and acceptable English language tests to satisfy the visa requirements.