>> About Exchanges

>> The French Experience

>> The Dutch Experience

>> The American Experience

>> The British Experience

>> The American Experience 2

>> The American Experience 3

>> English student meets her muse

>> The Australian Experience

>> The German Experience

>> The American Experience 4

Exchange/Study Abroad for Rhodes students

Exchange Fair 2009

Rhodes offers a number of exciting student exchange programmes with its partner institutions situated all over the world

Applications for these exchange programmes will be carefully screened by a selection committee and academic excellence is a strong criteria for acceptance.

How does an exchange work?

Rhodes students participating in an exchange programme will attend an overseas institution for either a semester or a full academic year, however most often an exchange programme is only for one semester. Please download the  2010 Exchanges Booklet.

• If you are a Law student, please see which programmes are available to you here.

Rhodes students will have exchange student status at the host institution and may take courses for transfer credit at Rhodes University, but will not be eligible for a degree from the host institution. Rhodes students will continue as candidates for their degrees at Rhodes.

There are no additional costs involved. The candidate must pay normal Rhodes tuition and boarding (for an A Grade residence) as well as travel expenses including air ticket, visa costs, insurance, medical aid, and spending money etc.

Is there financial assistance available?

Please see our  Financial Assistance Policy.

Why go on an international exchange?

This is what two exchange students had to say about their experience:

"It began as just an idea. Mr Barker announced to the third year law class that there was a possibility of an exchange to a university in the United Kingdom. I didn't know where Leicester was or what I wanted to do in 2005 but I liked the idea of studying at a foreign university. I decided to take the chance and apply. It ended as one of the most rewarding and unique experiences of my life. For the past four months I have been studying law at Leicester University and loving every second of it."

- Nicola Palmer, Rhodes LLB student, on exchange at Leicester University, 2005.

"I really really enjoyed this program a lot. I had a friend ask me what I learned while I was here. I answered that I have learned so much. Academically the classes were all inspiring and insightful. Socially I enjoyed the challenge of meeting new people, but the security of similar settings. And culturally, well, WOW! I really love Grahamstown and South Africa now and am very sad to be leaving."

- Brendan Ruddy, Boston College junior, on exchange at Rhodes, 2005.

These two quotes neatly illustrate one of the major reasons why students go on exchanges or want to study abroad. A semester at a foreign university often counts as one of the most rewarding student experiences. Students find that they return reinvigorated, with a fresh enthusiasm, and that it was academically very valuable. The opportunity to live in a different society and to enter an unknown culture not as a tourist but as a participant is an opportunity too unique to let go by. Be bold!

For further stories, please see:

• The French Experience
• The British Experience
• The Dutch Experience
• The American Experience
• The American Experience 2
• The American Experience 3
• English student meets her muse (France)
• The Australian Experience
• The German Experience
• The American Experience 4

Where can I go?

Rhodes Students: 2010 Exchange Programmes.
A listing of exchange and "Study Abroad" programmes for Rhodes University students for 2010.

Applying for an exchange

What do I need to do?

• Look at the list of possible exchanges:  2010 Exchanges
• Go to the various universities' websites and see if they offer courses that are compatible with your Rhodes degree. The website links are here, under Educational Institutions. You are required to discuss your choice of courses with your Heads of Departments here at Rhodes.
• Once you've decided which two universities you want to go to, download an application form and complete it:  2011 Application form.
• Get the relevant Head of Departments to complete the relevant sections in the application form.
• Get two academic referees (ie: a lecturer) to complete the relevant sections in the application form.
• Write a personal motivation essay about why you are a good candidate for an exchange.
• Get an academic transcript from Student Bureau.
• Put together a curricullum vitae.
• NO ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
• Submit all this to the International Office, Rhodes University by 2 August 2010.

What happens next?

The Selection Committee then meets to shortlist students. Students on the shortlist are invited to be interviewed by the Selection Committee, whereafter final selection is made by Rhodes. The successful students' applications are then forwarded to the various host institutions for their consideration. 

Please note that academic acceptance by the host institution is not automatic. Before embarking on an exchange, Rhodes students must have obtained approval from the appropriate Head of Department and the Dean of the Faculty at Rhodes for the inclusion of the proposed transfer credit from the host institution in their Rhodes University degree structure. This approval must be facilitated through the International Office. Rhodes students are required to spend one semester at the host institution. 

Application Deadline:

2 August 2010

Wait, I want to come on exchange to Rhodes...

International students who want to come to Rhodes either as exchange students or as study abroad students can find the relevant information on the International Exchange/Study Abroad Students page.