Your Exchange Journey

Start by researching your options carefully. Think about the destinations available under your subject area, the language of instruction, and how each option fits your degree requirements.

You should only apply for exchanges listed under your subject. If you are on a two-subject programme, check with the relevant coordinator for each subject.

Applications are submitted online during a set application window each autumn. Offers are not made on a first come, first served basis - you have the full window to research your options and submit a considered application. Only complete applications submitted online will be accepted.

The application window and form for the next academic year will be published here when available.

Provisional offers are made in rounds from late January, with further rounds in February and March if needed. Offers are sent by email and carry tight deadlines for acceptance. If you do not respond within the time specified, your offer will lapse and you will be removed from the offers database.

Every offer comes with a link to a Personal Declaration form, which must be completed for your acceptance to be valid. If you accept an offer that was not your first preference, you may still be offered a higher preference in a later round.

Before accepting any offer, confirm that it meets your degree requirements. If you study more than one subject, check with all relevant coordinators.

Before you leave, you must complete and submit the Pre-Approved Module (PAM) Form. List the modules you intend to take, along with some back-up options in case your preferred modules are unavailable. The PAM must be approved by your outgoing coordinator(s) before departure.

Once your modules have been approved via your PAM, you must complete a Learning Agreement (LA). The LA has three sections: Before Mobility, During Mobility, and After Mobility. Each form is completed at a different stage of your exchange. "Mobility" refers to your time on exchange.

Before Mobility

Before you depart, complete the Before Mobility section of the LA. This covers your personal details, your sending institution (Trinity) and your host university, and the modules you plan to take. The LA should include only approved modules. This is why having back-up options on your PAM is strongly advised. Submit the LA to your outgoing coordinator(s) for signature before you depart.

Within two weeks of arriving at your host university, the Before Mobility section must be signed and approved by your TCD coordinator(s) and the host university, and submitted via the Study Abroad Form.

During Mobility

If your modules change after you arrive, you must complete the During Mobility section of the LA. This section should only be used where there are changes to your agreed programme of study. It must be signed and approved by your TCD coordinator(s) and the host university, and resubmitted via the Study Abroad Form.

If you deviate from your agreed programme of study without approval, your coordinator(s) are not obliged to accept non-approved modules. This could affect your ability to progress.

After Mobility

When you have completed your exchange, your host university will issue you with a Transcript of Records. Complete the Exchange Transcript Form and submit it together with the original transcript via the Study Abroad Form as soon as it becomes available. Trinity will then issue its own Transcript of Records recording your results.

Your exchange results will be converted to Trinity grades using a conversion table specific to your host university. Contact your exchange coordinator for details.

Results and Progression

To pass the year, you must meet all assessment requirements for your modules and fulfil your minimum pathway requirements. If you do not pass enough ECTS for your pathway requirements, you will be required to repeat the year in full. Please note that compensation does not apply for exchange results.

Students on a full-year exchange must enrol on modules equivalent to 60 ECTS. Your overall result will be based on the best relevant 45 ECTS - whole modules only, so you may need to take more than 45 ECTS in total.

For one-semester exchanges, you must take modules equivalent to 30 ECTS. Your result will be calculated on the best relevant 20 ECTS - again, whole modules only. For the semester you spend at Trinity, you must achieve 30 ECTS.

Additional rules around minimum credits per subject may apply depending on your pathway and programme. Check with your exchange coordinator to confirm what applies to you.

Results for students on full-year and Hilary Term exchanges are published in early September. Results for students on Michaelmas Term exchanges are published in May/June.