Student exchange programs

• Applications open for 2024: Wednesday 27th March 2024
• Applications close for 2024: Wednesday 10th April 2024
• Applications open for 2025 : TBC
• Applications close for 2025: TBC

To be eligible to apply for the Drexel University exchange program, students must:

• At the time of application, be 18 years of age or over.
• At the time of application, have successfully completed subjects to the equivalent of one full-time trimester at Collarts.
• At the time of application, be enrolled in either Stage 2, Stage 3 or Stage 4 of their degree at Collarts.
• At the time of application and throughout the exchange, be fully enrolled in a Bachelor degree (Entertainment Management or Audio Production) at Collarts.
• At the time of application and prior to departure, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (i.e. 70% or above) from their study results so far at Collarts.
• Prior to departure, provide evidence to support being financially prepared for the exchange (bank statement).
• At the time of departure, hold a valid Australian passport with a minimum of 7 months until expiry date.
• Successfully complete all aspects of the application process.

Please note, Drexel has further requirements for inbound exchange students including compulsory health insurance and immunisations. Drexel’s full list of requirements can be viewed in the Drexel’s International Student Pre-Arrival Handbook.

To take part in the Drexel Exchange Program, applicants must first apply online through the Collarts website. Shortlisted applicants will then be interviewed, and if successful, asked to complete a Drexel University Exchange application form.

Part A: online application

After checking your eligibility, you can apply to be considered for the Drexel University Exchange Program here.
As part of your application, you’ll need to write a 500-word essay explaining the reasons you want to take part in this exchange. Your essay should include the following:

• What do you believe you will learn from this experience?
• How will this experience benefit you academically and personally?
• How will you be a good ambassador for Collarts?

Part B: shortlisting, interview and nomination

Once applications have been assessed, shortlisted students will be notified of their shortlisting by the Dean of Collarts once applications close. Shortlisted students will then be required to attend an interview with the Collarts Exchange Program Board.

Following the interviews with shortlisted students, a maximum of four students will be offered scholarship exchange (includes financial assistance from Collarts).

Once students have accepted their exchange offer, Collarts will nominate the selected students to Drexel University. Finally, the nominated students will be required to complete the Drexel University Exchange application (with Collarts’ endorsement).

Applicants are required to nominate four subjects that they’d most like to take whilst studying at Drexel University. This nomination of subjects is not binding. If you are successful in selection for the exchange program, the Collarts Dean will work with you on finalising subject selection. The full list of subjects for students to select their nominations will be available shortly.

Successful applicants will consult with the Collarts Dean to finalise and gain approval for the subjects they will undertake whilst on exchange. All approved subjects undertaken whilst studying at Drexel University will be transferred as academic credit toward your studies at Collarts.

What is the accommodation arrangement on-campus?

Exchange students are not obligated to live in Drexel residence halls, but many students have found this option very convenient. On-campus accommodation is prioritised for full-year students and therefore cannot be guaranteed for short term students.

All Drexel dormitories are double rooms so students must share a bedroom with another student. Some of the dormitory rooms are suites in which several students share the same living area including the bathroom and kitchen. While some housekeeping is provided, it is primarily the responsibility of students to clean up after themselves.

If you choose to live in Drexel housing you will be billed directly by Drexel for the cost of your room. For information about housing options, including how to apply for university housing and the cost of housing, review the Drexel Housing webpage or contact housing@drexel.edu.

What is the accommodation arrangement off-campus?

Off-campus accommodation must be arranged independently by the student. Students may choose to look into joining a sharehouse, taking a short term lease or staying in a vacation rental property.

How much will this exchange cost?

Scholarship exchange students will receive $3,000 in grant money from Collarts, and will be required to finance all costs beyond this amount themselves. 

What are the course fees?

Taking part in the International Exchange Program doesn’t affect course fees or how they are paid. Students currently using FEE-HELP will continue to have their course fees added to their FEE-HELP debt with no action required in conjunction with the exchange program.

What does the Collarts Exchange Scholarship cover?

Collarts will provide Scholarship Exchange offers to up to four students per year. For students offered a scholarship exchange, Collarts will cover the cost of flights and student visas to the value of $3,000.

How should I budget?

Living in Philadelphia is considered affordable in comparison to other big cities in the United States. The following is an estimated average budget of exchange student expenses per quarter at Drexel University. Miscellaneous personal expenses are at the discretion of the student.

• Housing:  ~ USD$2,000
• Meals:  ~ USD$1,000
• Books:  ~ USD$500 per quarter
• Health insurance:  ~ USD$600-900 per quarter
• Immunisations: USD$35 (one-time fee)
• SEVIS and visa fee: USD$450 (one-time fee)

Successful applicants in the exchange program will be assisted by a Drexel University representative in applying for the J1 student visa (required). More information on the J1 visa and process can be found on Drexel’s new international students webpage.

It’s the responsibility of the student to research and acquire adequate travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

For 2024: 

• Applications open: Monday 29 February 2024
• Applications close: Sunday 24 March 2024
• Successful applicants notified: Thursday 28 March 2024

Exchange timeline:

• Friday 3 May: Depart Melbourne
• Saturday 4 May: Arrive in Frankfurt, train to Mannheim
• Sunday 5 May: Free day and sightseeing
• Monday 6 May: Tour of Popakadamie, meet the students and Round 1
• Tuesday 7 May: Songwriting and Production Round 1
• Wednesday 8 May: Songwriting and Production Round 2
• Thursday 9 May: Songwriting and Production Round 2
• Friday 10 May: Final song presentations with industry figures
• Saturday 11 May: Return to Melbourne TBC (exact date negotiable)

For 2025 :TBC

To be eligible, applicants must:

• At the time of departure, hold a valid Australian passport with a minimum of 7 months until the expiry date.
• At the time of application and at departure, be fully enrolled or graduated in the Bachelor of Music Performance or Bachelor of Music Production degrees at Collarts.
• At the time of application, be 18 years of age or over.
• Prior to departure, provide evidence to support being financially prepared for the exchange (bank statement).
• Successfully complete all aspects of the application process.
• Have a track record of positive contribution to Collarts’ culture and their own academic progression.

After checking your eligibility, you can apply for the Popakademie Exchange Program below. Your application must include:

• A 300-word ‘statement of purpose’. This will need to include:
• What do you believe you will learn from this experience?
• How does this experience benefit you academically and personally?
• How will you be a good ambassador for Collarts?
• What is the song you have submitted, and why?

Please upload your 'statement of purpose' as an PDF file with the following naming convention: "ISW-StatementOfPurpose-YourName.pdf" 

You will also need to submit a 3-4 minute original song audio file.
This should be an original song you’ve written, co-written or produced with accurate credits and lyrics. Your recording/mix can be a demo or a final release. However, we recommend selecting a commercially competitive mix. Please upload the audio file as an MP3 stereo track with the following naming convention: "ISW-YourName-SongName.mp3"

Please ensure you are using your Collarts student email to complete the application. Contact your program coordinator for information on how to submit your application. 

Collarts will arrange the students’ accommodation in Mannheim, with Collarts covering all student accommodation expenses during International Songwriter Week. 

Selected students will receive financial assistance from Collarts by covering the cost of flights from Melbourne to Germany (return), accommodation and travel insurance during the experience. Students will be required to finance all other costs such as food and other living expenses.

Students should budget for the exchange to cost at a minimum AU$80 per day in food and other day-to-day living expenses. Around AU$560 should be budgeted for the week.

You are not required to hold a student visa, however students will need to hold a valid Australian passport, with a minimum of 7 months until the expiry date (at the time of departure).

Popakademie Germany Scholarship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtbvb3fNLiA

Popakademie Songwriting Week In Germany 2018 by Damielou Shavelle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTb49TdxKZU

The Fashion Business undergraduate degree specialises in Marketing & Communication applied to the fashion and lifestyle industries.

This program focuses on creating a link between business and creativity within the context of a dynamic academic curriculum. The industry partners and workshops based on real-life examples and brands, provide students first-hand experience that enables them to flourish upon entering the workforce.

Each subject is taught with a fashion, luxury and lifestyle approach in mind. The ESMOD professors are all still actively working within these industries.

Content includes:

• Analysis of trends for the ready-to-wear market and ability to anticipate the evolution within this market.
• Definition of marketing strategies adapted to the necessary distribution and commercialisation processes of products and accessories of certain brands in the fashion and ready-to-wear industries.
• Conception and implementation of communications strategies adapted to markets, distribution processes, and points of sale.
• Spearheading and overseeing marketing operations, agencies, service providers, and team training while managing staff.

For 2025:

• Applications open: TBC
• Applications close: TBC
• Interviews take place: TBC
• Successful applicants notified: TBC
• ESMOD Program begins: TBC

To participate in the ESMOD Fashion Business Program 2025, you need to be studying units in Stage 3, 4, 5 by Trimester 3, 2024 ( In Stage 2,3,4 in Trimester 1, 2024).

Before applying, please ensure you have reviewed the course content for ESMOD Bachelor of Fashion Business available here.

Steps

• Step 1: Provide an 800-word written statement explaining why and how the ESMOD exchange experience will help you to achieve your study and/or career goals.
• Step 2: Compile a list of all the units you have passed to date (with your grades).
• Step 3: Submit both of these documents as your expression of interest, to Debbie Pratt.

All applications will be reviewed and a shortlist will be confirmed. If you are shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview where you’ll need to set out the goals you hope to achieve by participating in this program.

Through the application and interview process, we will select two students to join the ESMOD exchange program for upcoming Trimester.

Collarts students completing a semester at ESMOD, will be required to study full time and will receive subject credits for the equivalent Collarts subjects successfully completed during the exchange.

Students will be required to provide a transcript of results from ESMOD on completion of the exchange to apply for the subject credits.

The Collarts Fashion Marketing program manager will confirm subject credits.

Note, it may also be necessary for students to complete Collarts subjects online during the period of the exchange program.

Students will not be required to pay any additional course fees for the ESMOD subjects completed during the exchange.

However, students may be required to purchase materials for specific subjects.

You will be enrolled as a Collarts full-time student and can still access FEE-HELP. 

The number of course hours at ESMOD Fashion Business is approximately 25 hours per week for full-time study. Courses are spread throughout the day. In addition, there are various educational projects and fashion workshops devoted to networking.

Please note, you are required to confirm your housing arrangement prior to commencement of your studies.

 ESMOD has partnerships with multiple housing platforms below:

Ensemble2génération:
Intergenerational housing with three economical options available according to your needs and availability.
Catherine Garnier: c.garnier@ensemble2generations.fr / +33 7 84 44 27 41

ImmoJeune:
Student accommodation website for all types of housing options (including dormitories, rentals, apartment share, short and long term rentals, coliving, etc.). The platform is multilingual.

Paris Hospitality:
Real estate agency also offering concierge services (train station and airport transfers, prepaid SIM cards, insurance packages etc).
Pascal Bronstein: esmod@paris-hospitality.com / +33 6 83 83 60 25

Séjours France Famille:
Accommodation within a host family with different options available (single room, half board, bed and breakfast, short or long stay).

YouFirst Campus:
Student residence hall options located in Paris and the surrounding region (studio, one-room apartment, apartment sharing, furnished and equipped options).

Spotahome:
Online booking platform for mid or long term rentals. The team is available to help you in any step of the renting process (communication support, house hunting, etc.). The Spotahome team is available in several languages to facilitate communication with the owner but also to assist you in finding an accommodation.
Private contact for ESMOD students: housing@spotahome.com 
Please specify the following information in your email: First name / last name / type of property / preferred district / budget / entry date / exit date.

Atome:
Accommodation within a host family offering an affordable option (890€/month). The families are all located in the heart of Paris. Additional fees only include contribution to home insurance.

Other alternatives
Lodgis.com
Paristay.com
ParisHousing.com
ParisAttitude.com
MyApartmentInParis.com
RentalsParis.com
Netspick.com
Pap.fr

Flatsharing options
Appartager.com
Appartoo.com
Whoomies.com

Students will be required to pay for all personal expenses incurred at the host institution, including:

• Accommodation
• Meals
• Travel
• Health
• Course materials
• Insurance
• Study visa

You will need to consider a minimum of $15,000 AUD to cover the costs listed above.

Visas

In order to study in France, you must apply for a Long Stay Student Visa valid as a residence permit (VLS-TS).
ESMOD is a member of the public agency Campus France. This agency reviews the files of visa applicants for higher education studies in France and helps with each step of the process. Therefore, as soon as you enrol, you should contact the Campus France office(s) in your country directly.

http://www.campusfrance.org

Insurance

Students are responsible for obtaining insurance during the period of the exchange.
The insurance cover must include the following:

• Personal health insurance ( including hospitalisation)
• Civil liability insurance
• International accident and medical insurance

EMS – Electronic Music School is a music production studio based in Berlin providing electronic music enthusiasts with high-quality education in the theory and practice of electronic music production from a scene-orientated network of DJs, producers & musicians.

Successful exchange applicants will study in the MASTERCLASS Producer Crash Course, designed to teach you how to create a professional-sounding track for whatever genre or DAW you use.

In the producer's course, students will learn more than the functions of Ableton Live. They will get far-reaching insight into the diverse possibilities of modern electronic music production. They’ll be shown how to learn sound technology in an understandable way with a variety of sound technology topics, as well as arrangement, harmony, and rhythm theory. They will learn to develop a feeling for the right selection of sounds and to discover the right workflow.

The course lasts 5 days a week, 4 hours a day. You will need to provide a laptop and headphones. Bring your own tracks that you want to be analysed and fixed. You must have experience with your DAW and know how to create a track from start to finish. You must have a beginner to intermediate grasp of audio effects. The course is taught in Ableton but is not DAW-specific.

Covered topics include:

• In-depth equalising, compression and saturation
• Balancing out a mix
• Dealing with muddiness and bass problems
• Mixing low, mid and high end
• Grouping and correct chain placement
• Multiband mixing tools
• How to use all synthesisers from the ground up
• Creative use of distortion and effects to make unique sounds
• How to create impactful kicks, basses, pads, leads and FX from scratch
• Using unusual and creative sound design techniques to create unique sounds
• Mastering to a professional level
  And much more…

For 2025: TBC

Applications open: TBC
Applications close: TBC
Successful applicants notified: TBC

Exchange timeline: TBC

• Depart Melbourne
• Arrive in Frankfurt, train to Berlin
• Sightseeing day in Berlin
• Arrive at EMS - 5-day bootcamp
• Return to Melbourne TBC (exact date negotiable)

To be eligible, applicants must:

• At the time of departure, hold a valid Australian passport with a minimum of 7 months until the expiry date.
• At the time of application and at departure, be fully enrolled in the Bachelor of Music Production degree at Collarts or an alumni student who was enrolled in the course on or after January 1st 2020.
• At the time of application, be 18 years of age or over.
• Prior to departure, provide evidence to support being financially prepared for the exchange (bank statement).
• Successfully complete all aspects of the application process.
• Must be competent with Ableton or another DAW and know how to create a track from start to finish.

After checking your eligibility, you can apply to be considered for the EMS International Exchange Program. 

• You’ll need to write a 500-word statement covering:
• What do you hope to achieve from this experience?
• Why do you believe you deserve this experience?
• How will the experience benefit you academically, personally, and with your vocational goals?
• How will you be a good ambassador for Collarts?
• You will also need to submit an original electronic composition (this must be composed and produced by you).
• The composition must be delivered as an mp3 file. Please attach a brief report outlining your creative process and concept with appropriate screenshots of your session
• Please clearly label all submission files with your full name and compress them into a Zip file and contact your program coordinator for further application submission details.

The selected students will receive financial assistance from Collarts who will cover the cost of flights from Melbourne to Germany (return), accommodation and travel insurance during the experience.

Students will be required to finance all costs beyond those aforementioned themselves, such as food and other living expenses.

Students should budget for the exchange to cost at a minimum of AU$80 per day in food and other day-to-day living expenses, so around AU$560 should be budgeted for the week.