Can I Study at a University other than my own?
What is Cross-Institutional Enrolment?
If there’s a language you’d like to study which is offered at another university other than your own, you may be able to enrol in it—if you meet the requirements of both universities (the ‘incoming’ university and the ‘outgoing’ university). You can take the course on-campus (if you are able to get to the campus), or by distance, if the course if offered online. This page will give you the tools to investigate whether cross-institutional enrolment will be right for you.
How to find out what your university’s policies are on Cross-Institutional Enrolment
To find out whether cross-institutional study is possible in your specific circumstances, start by contacting your course convenor (if you are already enrolled at an institution). You can also look up your own university’s policies on cross-institutional study. We have compiled links to help you do this: choose a university from the list on the right and you will be redirected externally to a section of that university’s website in which policy and procedures for cross-institutional enrolment are outlined.
Things you will need to find out
There are a number of issues to consider when you are thinking about cross-institutional study, and these are all handled differently by different universities. This makes it difficult for us to provide answers to questions you might have: instead, we have compiled some questions you might want to have in mind when you are thinking about cross-institutional enrolment.
Information about the technical aspects of enrolling
Consider these questions: * Does my home institution allow me to enrol in a subject offered by another university, and more specifically, this particular subject at this particular university?
If I can credit this subject towards my degree, how do I get credit for the subject: does it count towards a minor or major? Or is it just a free elective?
How much does it cost to do this subject? Are there hidden costs, such as student cards, academic transcripts and student amenity fees?
What is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Is the subject I want to do actually on offer in the semester in which I’d like to take it?
Who can help me enrol? Who do I talk to at my home institution, and who do I talk to at the host institution?
Information about the level of the subject offered
Consider these questions:
- Is there a placement test to enter the course? If so, when, where and how is it held?
Information about the mode of delivery
Consider these questions:
How is the course offered? Online? Blended? Face-to-Face only?
If it is offered online, what does this consist of? What technology requirements are there?
What is offered?
Reading and writing (e.g. online reading materials and activities)
Non-interactive listening, reading and writing (e.g. weekly recorded lectures and online materials and activities)
Non-interactive listening and speaking, reading and writing (e.g. weekly recorded lectures, activities of recording speech and posting it online, and online materials and activities)
Interactive listening and speaking, reading and writing (e.g. weekly Skype conversation sessions, and online materials and activities)
Information about timetabling
Consider these questions:
How do I find out the course outline for the subject?
How do I find out the timetable for the subject?
Information about where to go for help, once enrolled
Consider these questions:
Who do I contact if I am having problems with my work?
Who do I contact if I need special consideration for assessment because of illness etc?
Where do I find out about the important dates for withdrawing from the subject if I have to drop it?
How do I access the library and borrow materials from the host institution? Do I need to get a student card from the host university? If so, can this be done long-distance? How much does it cost?
Information about assessments and examinations
Consider these questions:
Are there any examinations?
Where do I find the examination timetable?
What happens if I don’t pass the exam?
How do they supervise long-distance examinations?
Do I need a student card to sit exams?
Information about obtaining credit
Consider these questions:
How does the subject get credited to my degree?
Do I have to pay for an official transcript in order to get the subject credited to my degree?
How do I ensure that the subject is credited to the right major or minor if it is eligible for that?
Do I get a numerical grade or a pass/fail grade only?
If I get a pass/fail grade, will that affect my Weighted Average Mark (WAM) / Grade Point Average (GPA)?
