UC Global Exchange for Business Students
See the world and gain credit towards your UC degree by studying at a UC partner university overseas.
Ever wondered what it would be like to study at a university in another country? UC Global Exchange programme may be just what you're looking for! It allows you to study for one or two semesters at one of our over 70 partner universities overseas, and earn credit towards your UC degree. Some of the advantages of an overseas exchange include:
- It's an unparalleled opportunity to meet like-minded people and make life-long friends.
- It's the perfect way to experience a different culture and improve your foreign language skills.
- Being exposed to different teaching styles will enhance your learning.
- An international exchange will look great on your CV.
- It's a life-changing experience that will benefit your personal and professional development.
While overseas on the exchange, you will:
- stay enrolled at UC
- receive credit for your overseas study towards your UC degree
- continue paying your UC fees
To be eligible for the UC Global Exchange programme, you must normally have a B average or higher, although students with marginally lower grades may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Depending on the partner institution/s you wish to go to, there may be a limit to the number of students who can go there each semester or additional requirements that students must meet.
A detailed table of eligibility can be found here.
The earliest time you can go on an exchange is in the second semester of your second year at UC.
Here are some suggestions on the best semester(s) you can go overseas for an exchange study for different BCom majors:
- Accounting: S2 Year 2 or Year 3
- Economics: Year 3
- Finance: S2 Year 2 or S1 Year 3
- Human Resource Management: S2 Year 2
- Information Systems: Year 3
- International Business: S2 Year 2
- Management: S2 Year 2
- Marketing: Year 3
- Operations and Supply Chain Management: Year 3
- Strategy and Entrepreneurship: S2 Year 2
- Taxation and Accounting: S2 Year 2
- Tourism Marketing and Management: S2 Year 2
Please note that other than the suggested semester listed above, you could also consider going on exchange in other semesters of your UC study. As those might contains more required courses for your UC degree, it is important to choose a partner institution that offers equivalent courses to the required courses for your major.
If you are a double degree/double major student, you will have required second-year courses in both semesters. You will need these courses to be able to continue to the third year. Therefore, Year 3 would be ideal timing.
UC has student exchange agreements with over 70 partner institutions across the world. Around 20 of the partners are hand-picked for business students as all of them offer a sufficient number of English teaching courses to choose from, and allow our students to take unlimited business courses.
Please note some of the university-wide partners restrict the business points that our students can enrol for.
Your tuition fees, levy and other non-tuition fees applicable are paid directly to UC and you do not incur any international tuition fees while you are on exchange.
If you are eligible for a student loan or allowance at UC, you will continue to be eligible while you are on exchange, provided that you meet the requirements of Studylink. You will be responsible for all of your own travel and living expenses.
UC Outbound Exchange Award 2023
Up to 100 Exchange Awards of NZD $2000 may be available for students applying for a 2023 exchange.
In order to be considered for the award, you will need to have achieved an overall GPA of 5.0 or above from the time you first enrolled in degree level study at UC and have been making satisfactory academic progress with your study, have met the requirements of the UC Global Exchange programme and have been approved to participate in an exchange.
You do not need to apply for this separately. Further terms and conditions may apply.
Please note that students who have been granted any outbound exchange travel or exchange award previously will not be eligible for another UC exchange award, regardless of the degree you will be undertaking on exchange.
Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia (PMSA) and Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America (PMSLA)
The Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and the Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Latin America (PMSLA) are funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao to support New Zealanders on learning experiences in Asia and Latin America. Check out the website above to find out more about the scholarships, destination countries, how to apply, application deadlines, funding period etc.
Note: If you are applying or have applied for other scholarships, it is your responsibility to check whether the regulations of the scholarships allow you to apply for the scholarships. Please refer to the websites of Education New Zealand above for up-to-date information about the regulations of these scholarships.
Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School Global Experience Award - Māori and Pacific students
A Global Experience Award of NZD $1,000 may be available for UC Business School Māori and Pacific students participating in any learning abroad experience that is offered or promoted by UC Business School.
The award applies to students that whakapapa to iwi Māori or are of Pacific/Pasifika descent. To be eligible, students must also be enrolled in a UC Business School programme and have completed at least one semester or study towards this, in addition to meeting any requirements specific to the experience that the award is attached to.
Please refer to UC Business School Global Experience Award - Māori and Pacific students for the full terms and conditions.
Getting started
Are you interested in studying overseas but not sure where to start? Attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn about what and where you can study overseas.
Course planning and advice
Learn more about the academic side of the exchange study. Discuss the course plan for your exchange study with the Internationalisation Team at UC Business School.
Destination Research
Research the host partner universities and their course offerings. Pick three partner universities you are most interested in and prepare a tentative course list for the chosen universities.
Apply
Submit your exchange study application online.
- Applications for exchanges in Semester 1 2024 – close on 31 May 2023
- Applications for exchanges in Semester 2 2024 - close on 1 September 2023
Please note: some of the partner universities require an early application deadline.

UC Business School CQ Certificate
This is an approved experience under the UC Business School CQ Certificate. Students who complete the experience, as well as meet all other requirements, will receive a UC Business School CQ Certificate.
Contact us to start developing your exchange study plan
For general questions about any global opportunities, please feel free to email us at businessinternational@canterbury.ac.nz.
![TracyZhai [staff image]](https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/business/contact-us/people/1532396066960_TracyZhai--staff-image--low.jpg)
Tracy Zhai
Internationalisation Manager

Siti Karina
Internationalisation Officer
Ready to go on exchange?
Before you apply, please make sure you've sought advice and are eligible to participate