Some German tertiary institutions have signed agreements with Australian universities which allow for an exchange of students. Such programmes are based on three basic principles:

- Students from both sides may not complete a degree, i.e. it is out of the question for German students to complete a bachelor or master degree.

- Students pay the fees of their home university, not the fees of the university which they visit on the exchange programme.

- The number of students participating in an exchange programme must be approximately equal over a short time span.

The second basic principle is potentially very favourable for German students, because Germany, in contrast with Australia, does not charge (or hardly charges) tuition fees. But unfortunately there are only a few such programmes and the number of exchange places is very low. German tertiary institutions are finding it increasingly difficult to arrange such agreements.

The problem: the third principle is very difficult to meet! It is extremely difficult to motivate Australian students to take part in exchange programmes. There are at least two reasons for this:

- Most Australians can't understand German, and not enough courses are offered in English.

- Even if courses are available in English, it is difficult to motivate Australian students to participate in exchange programs when according to the German law they can study in Germany without paying any tuition fees! Why pay the fees of their home university for an exchange place, when they can study free in Germany!

The result: only a few exchange places are available and the German institutions are finding it more and more difficult to arrange exchange programmes.

As exchange programmes are concluded and organised via direct agreements between partner institutions, australien-studium.org cannot offer help in this case. Please speak directly with your International Office, if you wish to participate in an exchange programme. If you are disappointed, then contact us at australien-studium.org.