Preparing to go on exchange or study abroad

Get ready for your time at the University of Melbourne – from planning your arrival and accommodation to settling in, attending Welcome Day and making the most of campus life.

Once you’ve accepted your offer, it’s time to start preparing for your move to Melbourne. Planning ahead will help ensure a smooth arrival and start to your studies.

To study in Australia, you’ll need a valid student visa and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

  • OSHC is a student visa requirement and must cover the full length of your stay
  • You can choose the University’s preferred provider or arrange your own
  • Once you’ve received your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), you can apply for your visa.

It’s your responsibility to ensure you meet all visa conditions.

There are a range of accommodation options available, including University Accommodation, residential colleges and private rentals.

  • University Accommodation offers a supported, student-focused environment
  • Residential colleges provide a community experience with meals and academic support
  • Private rentals and share houses offer more independence and flexibility.

Accommodation can fill quickly, so we recommend researching and applying early.

Residential colleges

If you're interested in staying at a residential college, apply separately through the residential colleges application process. Applications may open as early as April for the following year.

Places are limited and competitive. You should apply as early as possible – even before receiving your University offer.

As well as accommodation, make sure you understand the cost of living in Melbourne and budget for:

  • Bills for utilities, phone, internet
  • Food'
  • Transport
  • Study materials
  • Personal expenses
  • Other travel and sightseeing

Learn more about living costs.

Arrival in Melbourne

You must be in Melbourne in time to attend Welcome Day. The date of Welcome Day will be included in your offer letter.

If you can't make it to Welcome Day, you need to seek prior approval to arrive late. Contact our office by submitting an enquiry and advising of your situation and requesting permission to arrive late.

Late arrival is not always approved, and if you cannot arrive before semester starts, you may be asked to defer your study to the following semester. If your late arrival is approved, you will need to make arrangements to meet with an education abroad advisor upon arrival.

Departure from Melbourne

You must plan to be in Melbourne until you complete all required in-person assessment items.

Flex semester: Students participating in the Melbourne Flex Semester (PDF) can depart Melbourne before the regular exam period. Students taking subjects outside the Flex Semester should plan to be in Melbourne until they complete all required assessment items.

Extenuating circumstances: If you're offered a supplementary exam due to extenuating circumstances such as medical illness, University policy requires students to attend the examination in Melbourne. The University does not make exceptions for students to sit invigilated exams at home.

The University’s Key dates page lists all semester dates, teaching periods and examination periods.

Start year intake 2027 (Semester 1/February–June)

  • Exchange and study abroad Welcome Day: Friday 19th February (compulsory)
  • University Orientation: Monday 22 February to Friday 26 February

Before you travel, make sure you:

  • Book your flights and plan your arrival date
  • Arrange temporary accommodation if needed
  • Pack for Melbourne’s changing weather (four seasons in one day!)
  • Understand what’s provided in your accommodation.

If you’ll be under 18 years of age when you arrive in Melbourne, you’ll also need approved accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before you arrive.

When you arrive

Once you arrive in Melbourne, there are some important steps that will help you settle in and get ready for study.

Access your student account

Log in and familiarise yourself with your student account before classes begin. In your account, you can:

  • Manage your enrolment and timetable
  • Check emails and important updates
  • View results and exam information
  • Pay fees.

Get support if you need it

If you have questions or need help settling in, support is always available. Stop 1 is the University of Melbourne's central student services hub, and is

your main point of contact for:

  • Enrolment and subject selection
  • Fees and payments
  • Accommodation advice
  • General support

You can access support in person, online or by phone.

Attend our compulsory Welcome Day

Welcome Day is a compulsory event for all study abroad and exchange students (not for international students undertaking a full degree).

  • It's held on the Friday before Orientation Week each semester
  • It provides essential information about your studies and life in Melbourne
  • It's an opportunity to meet other students and support staff before classes start.

You’ll receive all the event details, including time and location, before arrival.

Important information about Welcome Day
  • You must arrive in Melbourne before Welcome Day
  • Late arrivals have to be approved and are only granted in exceptional circumstances
  • If you can’t arrive before semester starts, you may need to defer your program.

Before classes start

If you need support at any stage – before you arrive or during your program – our Global Learning team is here to help.

Find support

Orientation and the first few weeks are your opportunity to settle in, explore campus and prepare for your studies.

Attend orientation events

In addition to Welcome Day, there are a range of orientation activities to help you get started, including:

  • Faculty and course briefings
  • Campus tours
  • Social events and networking opportunities.

Activities during orientation week are not compulsory to attend but are highly recommended and will help you feel confident and connected before classes begin.

Explore campus life

Make the most of your time at the University of Melbourne by getting involved in campus life.

  • Join a student club or society to meet like-minded people and enjoy events and activities organised through the club. The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) lists all the latest news, events, festivals and clubs.
  • Attend campus events, markets and activities; there are plenty of things on all year
  • Use our range of sporting facilities, including a gym, running track, group fitness classes, squash courts, a swimming pool and more.

There are hundreds of ways to get involved – it’s a great way to meet people and enrich your experience.

Explore Melbourne and surrounds

Explore Melbourne and regional Victoria, and get off campus. There’s so much to see and do both in Melbourne and around Victoria, with plenty of day trips you can take to country towns, breathtaking coastlines and lush forests with Australian wildlife.

See Visit Victoria

Frequently asked questions

You should arrive before Welcome Day, which takes place the Friday before Orientation Week. This ensures you don’t miss important information and can settle in before classes begin.

Yes. Welcome Day is a mandatory event for all study abroad and exchange students and includes important information about your studies, support services and student life.

As soon as you've submitted your study abroad/exchange application. Some options, such as residential colleges and University accommodation, can fill quickly and have application deadlines before your program starts.

You must request approval in advance and provide a valid reason. Late arrivals are only approved in exceptional circumstances and may affect your enrolment.

You’ll have access to a range of support services, including Stop 1 for enrolment, fees and general advice, as well as orientation activities to help you settle in and meet other students.