Learn about the entry requirements and structure of study when you come to Victoria University on a student exchange.

Find out about our teaching methods and assessments, and how a VU unit of study will convert when you return to your home university.

Entry requirements for student exchange

To be eligible for entry into the Study Abroad or Student Exchange program, you must provide:

  • proof of enrolment in a university degree
  • evidence of a 65% average in studies or a 2.5 grade point average on a scale of 4 or equivalent.

You will also need to provide evidence that you meet the University's English-language requirements.

Victoria University English language requirements
English language test Undergraduate Requirement Postgraduate Requirement
IELTS (Academic Module) Minimum overall score 6.0 (no band less than 6.0) Minimum overall score 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet (no section score less than) 67 (Listening 12, Speaking 18, Reading 15, Writing 21) 79 (Listening 19, Speaking 19, Reading 18, Writing 22)

C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)): Overall score (no band less than)

169 (no band less than 169)

176 (no band less than 169)

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Minimum overall score of 50 (no section less than 50) Minimum overall score of 58 (no section less than 50)
DAAD English proficiency test B N/A

We may accept other evidence of English language proficiency and will examine it on a case-by-case basis.

Study in Melbourne on a VU student exchange.

Major areas of study

Study Abroad and Exchange students can choose from a wide range of subjects from different study areas while completing their semester(s) at Victoria University.

Study areas include:

  • arts
  • business
  • education
  • engineering & science
  • health & biomedicine
  • law & justice
  • sport & exercise science.

Please note that units in nursing, osteopathy and paramedics are not available to exchange and study abroad students. Some other specialised units may not be available to exchange students and you will be notified in this case.

Search for a unit.

The new VU City Tower against a blue sky.

Study at our City Campus in central Melbourne.

Learning at VU

Teaching methods

Victoria University is an acknowledged leader in industry-based learning. This means as well as spending time in the classroom and lecture theatre, you will be out getting real experience in workplaces.

We regularly meet with industry and community leaders to review our courses and confirm they are relevant and up to date.

VU is ranked in the world’s top 2% (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024).

As a student, you can be confident what you are learning will help secure your future.

Study models

VU’s units are taught using two delivery methods - traditional model and Block Model.

When choosing your units, pay attention to how they are delivered:

  • undergraduate (bachelors) programs: all block model
  • postgraduate (masters) programs: block model or traditional model.

You will need to choose either block model or traditional model units, you cannot undertake units from both models.

VU Block Model

In 2018, Victoria University became the first and only university in Australia to introduce a new block model of teaching. The VU Block Model was then rolled out to all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Under the model, you study sequential four-week units rather than juggling multiple subjects at the same time. The model features smaller classes – meaning more opportunity to make friends and increased one-on-one time with lecturers.

The block model of teaching has already been proven internationally in progressive educational institutions in places such as Sweden, Canada and the United States.

Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have started rolling out the Block Model for our postgraduate courses.

Traditional model

This is the standard model of delivery that most universities worldwide use. You study multiple subjects at the same time, and study each of them for an entire semester. At VU, this is usually studying three or four units.

Study & assessment

Study load

Study Abroad and Exchange students are required to take a full-time load of three or four VU units per semester. Most units have a weighting of 12 credit points.

When studying a full-time load, you should expect to have around 15-20 contact hours (times when you must attend the University) per week plus study time.

Class structure

Block model

Each unit has around three 2-3 hour, face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Teaching sessions are scheduled over three days. Units with labs and professional experience (pracs) have additional teaching hours and where relevant, will be scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions.

Traditional model

You will have a mix of lectures and tutorials. Some units also include practical classes and fieldwork.

Lectures are held in modern lecture theatres with large groups of students. Lectures generally go for 1-3 hours and may involve note-taking, demonstrations, AV presentations, etc.

Tutorials supplement lectures and give you a chance to discuss topics in detail in a smaller group environment.

Assessment

Assessment often differs from one unit to another and can take a variety of forms. These include:

  • written work and tests undertaken in class or online
  • group presentations
  • participation in class or laboratory sessions
  • final examinations
  • fieldwork or practical experience.

Please note that VU's grading system may vary from the system your home institution uses.

Find out more about what VU results mean.

Credit equivalencies for a semester of full time study at Victoria University:

  • USA: 12-15 credits
  • Canada: 15 credits
  • Europe: 30 ECTS
  • UK: 60 credits or 30 ECTS
  • Japan: 15 credits.

Benefit from VU's practical teaching methods.