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Study Aboard and exchange

At Monash Science we encourage our students to take advantage of a wide range of opportunities for studying overseas during their degree.

Advantages of studying science abroad

  • Gain credit towards your degree
  • Travel and study combined - often with financial assistance
  • Monash provides financial support to students who qualify to study in another country and helps them in choosing a program, organising approved credit transfers, obtaining visas and even buying airline tickets
  • Study at a university with specific strengths in an area of science
  • Explore a country and its culture, make new friends and develop personal skills
  • Make contacts and create potential international networks for future research opportunities
  • English units are taught in some non-English speaking countries, with options to improve or learn a language
  • Overseas study can enhance your resume
  • Many different types of study abroad programs including exchange arrangements with universities in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas

Profile

A sample of universities where our science students have studied

University Ulm

Founded in 1967 with about 6,500 students, the University Ulm in Germany is a specialised technical university focusing on natural sciences, medicine, mathematics, computer science and electrical engineering. Ulm is a picturesque walled city with a cathedral with the world’s tallest spire. Old and new Ulm, divided by the River Danube has a combined population of 170,000.

Kim Mosse“My exchange to University Ulm Germany, was arguably the most educational and personally enriching experience of my life to date”, says Kim Mosse who is about to commence her honours year in biotechnology at Gippsland Campus.

 “Studying in a foreign language exponentially enhanced the educational aspect – my German skills are now sufficient for discussions on all topics from plastic funnels and conical flasks, to German economics and politics.
Microbiology and Molecular Biology formed the basis of my studies in Ulm, and the lecture, seminar and laboratory program that I undertook exposed me to many interesting topics, as well as introducing me to fantastic (and patient!) people.
As well as the obvious educational benefits, the experience of living in a foreign country with people from all over the world is something that cannot be adequately described. Friendships, cultures and travel are just some of the fantastic ‘extras’ that hugely enriched my exchange experience, and has led to the broadening of my outlook on life. If there are any people thinking of participating in an exchange program to any country, my best advice is simple – do it!”

 

Simon Fraser University – Vancouver, Canada

Simon Fraser is one of Canada’s major universities and the main Burnaby campus is in the foothills of the mountains in an area of about 200 hectares.

The Faculty of Science offers programs in biological sciences, chemistry, earth sciences mathematics, molecular biology and biochemistry, physics and statistics.

Vancouver is known for its spectacular setting and is hosting the winter Olympics at nearby Whistler in 2010.

“The friends I've made and the subjects I studied, have enriched both my study back at Monash and my life in so many ways.” says Lianora Taralrud- Bay, who has recently studied at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada

My exchange was a fantastic personal and educational experience.

During the year I was able to travel within British Columbia, across Canada, and parts of the USA staying with friends made whilst studying, making my travels more relevant and richer in experience. I've gained a greater understanding of aspects of educational methods and systems by a real comparison of Canadian and Australian University styles and as a result more greatly appreciate some aspects of Monash that I previously took for granted such as practicals and fieldtrips.

Challenges in adjusting to study at Simon Fraser included less contact hours with more study out of class, subjects focussing on fewer concepts with greater detail compared to the more integrated ‘big picture’ science in subjects at Monash, and only one of my science classes had a lab/prac component which is something I value highly. It was so interesting and valuable to see science from another viewpoint and through new approaches.

The friends I've made and the subjects I studied have enriched both my study back at Monash and my life in so many ways. I returned refreshed and excited about the rest of my degree and my career, more involved in university life and sport, and with friends from all over the world. I wouldn't hesitate to go again and strongly suggest Monash students complement their Monash degrees with some study and travel abroad, living in residence so they get involved in heaps of uni life and meet many awesome people!

University of Oklahoma - USA

Founded in 1890 the university has 22,000 students on the 900-acre main campus in Norman with a population of 90,000. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History contains significant and extensive archaeological, paleontological, and natural history collections.

Departments include Chemistry and Biochemistry, Zoology, Botany and Microbiology, and Physics and Astronomy. The History of Science department is complemented by a large library resource.

University of Liverpool – UK

Liverpool received its Royal Charter in 1903 and is one of the UK’s leading research universities. It has over 23,000 students and has been associated with seven Nobel Laureates in the sciences and biomedical sciences.

Its science centres include the Centre for Nanoscale Science, the renowned Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies and Centre for Statistics and Operational Research. Liverpool is known for its vibrant lifestyle and as the birthplace of The Beatles.

“Studying overseas through Monash Abroad was one of the best decisions I have made”, says Keira Melican who graduated recently with a Bachelor of Science at Monash.

“I studied a Bachelor of Science at Monash with a double major in microbiology and molecular cell biology At the University of Liverpool I followed their Natural Science programme, which focused on microbiology and biochemistry.

At Uppsala University I studied their 3rd year microbiology course and completed a 10 week research project on antibiotic resistance in EPEC.

The research project was a fantastic opportunity to look at the workings of a research lab in Sweden. The different methods of teaching, I believe, have made my education more rounded.

Studying overseas through Monash Abroad was one of the best decisions I have made. Experiencing life at other universities has opened up so many new opportunities for me both personally and professionally. My travel has let me see my study from a more global perspective and has made me thankful that I chose an international discipline such as science. For anyone thinking about studying abroad - do it, you won't regret a thing!"

Uppsala University – Sweden

Founded in 1477, Uppsala University is the oldest university in Scandinavia. In the 18th century the university became famous through its achievements in the natural sciences. Many of its programs are offered in English.

There are more than 30,000 students, with 3,000 at the postgraduate level. Uppsala, with a population of 190, 000, is a typical university town with many historic sites including a castle and large cathedral.

Requirements

  • You need a minimum of a credit (greater than 60%) average in your Monash results
  • You need to have completed two semesters of your science degree
  • You are able to go on exchange for either one or two semesters. You can study in two different universities, countries or continents in each semester or even go in different years
  • Units are chosen with help from your course advisor and accredited to your course on completion
  • You should commence thinking about going on exchange after you have completed nine months of study. Placements for exchange applications usually take six months to arrange

Monash Abroad Office

  • Assists Monash students interested in studying overseas for part of their Monash degree
  • Supports overseas students who come to Monash for one or two semesters

More information