Year in Asia
Year in Asia is the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific’s flagship program for overseas study. It is your opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the language and culture of your chosen country for up to 12 months.
The Year in Asia program is open to students enrolled in one of seven degrees from across ANU: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Asian Studies, Bachelor of Development Studies, Bachelor of International Relations, Bachelor of International Security Studies, Bachelor of Languages and Bachelor of Science.
The Year in Asia program adds a year onto your base degree. This year will be spent at one of the University's partner institutions in the region. While at your host institution, you will take at least 50 per cent of your courses in your host country's language and a combination of other language or disciplinary courses to help meet your own Year in Asia goals. You might choose to take courses that complement your degrees, help you better understand your new home, reach your desired career path, that wouldn't be available to you at ANU or any combination of these. Upon graduation the time you have spent and your expertise in the region will be recognised with a Year in Asia major.
How do I apply?
Your Year in Asia can be taken in China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea. You can add the Year in Asia onto your eligible base degree as a single degree or within the Flexible Double Degree structure. Direct admission to Year in Asia is not available - existing students must be selected and accept a place in the Year in Asia program before they are transferred into the Year in Asia version of their degree. For example; if you are a Bachelor of International Security Studies student undertaking Year in Asia you will be transferred into the Bachelor of International Security Studies (Year in Asia).
Information on the requirements for Year in Asia can be found by searching Programs and Courses.
Step 1 – Assess Your Eligibility
To be eligible for Year in Asia you must be in one of the seven eligible base degrees listed below:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Asian Studies
- Bachelor of Development Studies
- Bachelor of International Relations
- Bachelor of International Security Studies
- Bachelor of Languages
- Bachelor of Science
You must also:
- Have completed 48 units of study (8 courses);
- Have a minimum GPA of 5.0 or above;
- Have completed a minimum of 12 units from completion of non-language courses listed on the Bachelor of Asian Studies;
- Have completed 24 units (4 courses) of language courses in your chosen language OR;
- Have an intermediate language proficiency (as defined below) in your chosen language.
Intermediate language ability is defined as the successful completion of the following ANU courses for Year in Asia:
- Chinese – CHIN2017 Modern Chinese 4
- Indonesian - INDN2003 Indonesian 4
- Japanese - JPNS3001 Japanese 5
- Korean - KORE2522 Korean 4
You can only undertake Year in Asia in a destination that speaks the language you are learning.
We recommended that you have at least 6 units of study remaining in your degree after completing Year in Asia but this is not a requirement.
Please note that admission to the Year in Asia program is on a competitive basis. Where places are limited, students will be selected on academic merit.
Step 2 – Do Your Research
Find out everything you need to know about Year in Asia. What would you like to get out of your experience? Where would you like to go? Which partner universities will you include in your preferences and do they offer the types of courses that will help you meet your goals?
Got questions? Come into speak to the CAP Student Centre, we’re here to help!
You can book an appointment to see a member of the global learning team at the CAP Student Centre here. Can’t get an appointment? Drop by our office! Where possible we want to answer any questions you have.
Step 3 – Assess Your Readiness
Are you ready to spend a year living and studying overseas? Year in Asia will challenge you in unexpected ways. It is really important that you talk to staff and other students about the program to find out more about the demands of living and studying overseas.
Step 4 – Apply Online
Students apply for the Year in Asia program via the ANU Global Programs System.
You will need to decide on your top three host institution preferences and tell us why you want to go to those institutions. Available partner institutions are listed on the Global Programs System. You will also need to tell us about your academic interests and what you want out of your Year in Asia Please note that you cannot apply to the partner institution until you have been selected for Year in Asia.
Applications for Semester 1 open February and close May the year prior to study
Applications for Semester 2 open August and close November the year prior to study
Step 5 – ANU Outcome
You will be notified of the outcome of your application following the release of results of the semester when your application was submitted, which is typically in mid July for Semester 1 or early December for Semester 2. Once you are endorsed by ANU you will be sent an information pack to provide information to ANU for approval to travel and insurance coverage.
Step 6 – Apply To Your Partner Institution
Endorsed students will need to fill out a number of forms, including a formal application to the partner institution, which may include a visa and a health check application. Application deadlines for partner institutions vary from country to country and institution to institution. You will be provided with support and guidance from the Global Programs team or the CAP Student Centre.
Step 7 – Start Your Journey
Once you have been formally offered a place at the partner institution we will be in touch with you about what you should do next.
Exchange
The Exchange program is a highly flexible opportunity designed for students to undertake a range of studies at an ANU exchange partner for up to six months and count it towards the completion of ANU majors, minors or free electives. Students can nominate to undertake disciplinary studies in English, as well as language studies or disciplinary studies in the target language.
Outline
The Exchange Program for Asia Pacific Students is a variable unit course, so it can accommodate a breakdown of disciplinary or language studies to count towards Asia Pacific Studies majors, minors or free electives, or it can accommodate partial credit if students are nominating to split their semester exchange program across two degrees. So for example, if you are in a Flexible double degree, you may wish to go on exchange for credit entirely within your Bachelor of Asian Studies degree, or a combination of part Asian Studies and part the other degree, or wholly within the other degree.
Students can apply to undertake Asia Pacific Studies Exchange at any ANU exchange partner around the world, including the Asia Pacific region. A list of ANU exchange partners can be found here.
Students who are enrolled in a CAP degree who go to an Asian partner will be enrolled in the ASIA5920 Semester in Asia course code. CAP students who go to a non-Asian partner will be enrolled in the ASIA5925 Global Semester course code.
As part of the application process, students will be asked to outline how the proposed study at the ANU exchange partner will count towards the majors, minors and/or electives in their ANU degree(s) in a study plan. This plan is approved by the CAP student office and makes up part of your application for exchange.
Duration
6 months (one semester)
12 months (two semesters): dependent on availability of overseas places and room within your degree
Credit
24 units per semester (maximum)
Complying Degrees
- Bachelor of Asian Studies
- Bachelor of International Security Studies
- Bachelor of Languages
- Bachelor of International Business
- Bachelor of Pacific Studies
- Flexible Doubles
Step 1 – Gather information
Global Programs run regular information sessions for students. It is important for students to attend these sessions to find out information that is crucial for applying to the exchange program. These sessions will be advertised closer to the dates.
Further information
You can find out more about Asia Pacific Studies Exchange by booking an appointment or emailing your question to: cap.student@anu.edu.au
You can also attend an Overseas Study Opportunities for Asia Pacific Studies Students information session, which will be held in early April and early September each year (details will be advertised closer to the date).
It is also a good idea to visit Global Programs and then register on the application site. These sites give details on the application process, eligibility requirements and partner institutions. Scholarship and grant information is given on these pages.
Step 2 – Assess your eligibility
To be eligible for Asia Pacific Studies Exchange you must have:
- Already completed at least eight courses (48 units) of study towards your ANU degree by the time you go on exchange
- An ANU GPA of 5.0 or above
- Room in your degree to count the 24 units of study you undertake at the partner institution
Advice on whether you can fit Asia Pacific Studies Exchange into your degree is available from cap.student@anu.edu.au
Admission to Asia Pacific Studies Exchange is based on a competitive application process run entirely through Global Programs. Where places are limited, students will be selected on academic merit and responses to selection criteria.
Step 3 – Assess your readiness
It is really important that you talk to previous participants and staff to find out about the demands of living and studying overseas and whether you are ready for this experience.
You will also need to research the ANU exchange partners carefully and decide on your top three preferences (you will need to address this in your application). It is important to consider the following when looking for an exchange partner:
- Availability of subjects that interest you: Some overseas institutions only have a limited range of subjects, or are more technical in nature. Best to research institutions thoroughly.
- Language requirements: A good deal of our partner institutions teach classes in English. However, some overseas institutions only teach in their home language, and require special permission to apply there. More information about this can be found on the Global programs site.
- Regional interest: CAP students now have the opportunity to apply for any institution, rather than just Asia. It is important to consider though how the subjects you will be studying overseas will be relevant to your degree here at the ANU.
Please note that you cannot apply to the partner institution until you have been selected, or ‘endorsed’ by ANU.
Step 4 – Apply online
You will need to apply for Asia Pacific Studies Exchange through the Terradotta Studio Abroad site. You need to register and create a profile.
No applications will be accepted after the deadline, under any circumstances.
Step 5 – Enrol in the Asia Pacific Studies Exchange course
Once you have been formally offered a place at the ANU exchange partner and you accept it, you will be enrolled in the appropriate CAP exchange course.