Skyline of Sydney, Australia on a partly cloudy day

University Study in Australia: University of Sydney —

  1. Program Details

    As one of Australia's leading research universities, you'll find that whether you are studying in the arts and humanities or natural sciences, your professors are world-renowned academics. Modern laboratories, a brand new economics and business building, and internship opportunities are just a few of the highlights.

    Location Sydney, Australia
    Term Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer Session
    Housing Apartment
    Credit Type Resident Credit
    Sponsor Learning Abroad Center

    Program Eligibility

    GPA 3.0
    Student Type UofM Students
    Student Year Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
    Language No Language Prerequisite
  2. A bridge arches across a harbor toward skyscrapers in Sydney, Australia
    A large, traditional brick building on the campus of the University of Sydney, Australia
    Students pose on a boat docked in Australia
    A group of friends poses in front of an illuminated bridge at night in Sydney, Australia

  3. About University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

    Australia's varied landscape, cultural diversity, and rich history offer something for everyone. If you are looking for beach or desert, bustling cities or quaint towns, Australia has it. Sydney is a fast-paced cosmopolitan city set around one of the world's most beautiful harbors. Close to countless stunning beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach, Sydney is bursting with exciting attractions and opportunities.

    University of Sydney is Australia's oldest and most prestigious university, consistently ranking among the top 100 universities in the world. While it teaches all subjects, the University of Sydney has particular strengths in health and life sciences (including pre-med), humanities, and engineering.

    Visit the At a Glance Comparison page to learn some quick facts about the Learning Abroad Center's other University Study in Australia programs.

    Housing & Meals

    Housing options include off-campus apartments, on-campus dorms, and Residential Colleges. Housing is guaranteed for students who apply by the deadline, though you may not necessarily get your top choice.

    Excursions

    The International Student Centre staff organize excursions during orientation week.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Augment cross-cultural understanding through interaction with Australian and international students and community members
    • Experience Australian and international perspectives on academic disciplines through direct enrollment at the Australian host university
    • Enhance intentionality through independent, though supported, living and learning opportunities. 

    Faculty & Staff

    The University of Sydney has staff available to provide orientation, on-site support, and advising to help you adjust to a new educational system and integrate into campus life.

    About the Learning Abroad Center

    Learning Abroad Center programs are:

    • Affordable: our programs are cost effective.
    • Academically strong: many programs have strong University of Minnesota departmental support and offer pre-approved courses for many majors.
    • Culturally rich: regardless of the program you choose, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
    • Expertly managed: our staff in Minnesota and abroad are trained professionals and are always available to answer your questions from extensive pre-departure advising and online orientations to reentry programming. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and we work hard to ensure you have a rewarding and safe experience abroad.

  4. Program Structure

    Program Type Host University Study
    Program Level Lower- and upper-division classes available.
    Courseload

    Full-time enrollment on this program is 16–17 UofM credits.

    Coursework

    Classes

    Handbook

    Grade & Credit Conversion Scale

    You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.

    Units of Study Guidebook

    Other academic information—as well as program dates, housing options, and special classes—can be found at Sydney's main study abroad page.

    Summer Session

    The University of Sydney offers two summer tracks: Term A, which runs late May to early July, and Term B, which runs early July to early August. Participate in one or both terms, taking 1 or 2 classes (4 or 8 UofM credits) per term. Credit-bearing internship placements in all fields available both terms. See a class list and other details here.

    Research & Internship

    Semester students can participate in a credit-bearing research project or internship placement, matched with local faculty who are experts in their fields and professional organizations around Sydney.  Interested students should contact the Learning Abroad Center as soon as possible to ensure a well-matched placement.  Research placements at Sydney are eligible for the UofM I-UROP research scholarship.  

    Finding Course Information

    Learn about country-specific academic terminology and how to find host university course information

    Major Advising Pages

    The University of Sydney offers coursework, and has been identified as a strong curricular match, for the following UofM degree programs,

    Global Identity

    Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return.  Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.

    This course is offered at no additional cost on programs six weeks or longer. The Learning Abroad Center will email out registration instructions, or you may contact a program team member.

    Syllabus for Global Identity (PDF)

  5. ARTS 2600: Internship 

    This is a four-credit, six-week internship with one of several organizations in Sydney. Previous placements include engineering, business, and design, although other fields are available. Must be taken in conjunction with another class; cannot be taken as a stand-alone class.

    EDUF 3034: Australian Theatre, Film and Learning

    Study Australian identity through an exploration of Australian film, theatre and television; traditional formats as well as new digital content and delivery platforms.

    This class has been approved for UofM's Arts and Humanities core.

    EDUH 4052: Learning in Outdoor Education

    Focused on the theory and practice of experiential education, lectures and experiences focus on two major field trips throughout the summer term. Field trips include a day-long hiking visit to Royal National Park, and a weekend visit to the Blue Mountains.

    EDUH 4058: Sport and Learning in Australian Culture

    Through lectures and attendance at various sporting events in Sydney, this class provides a socially critical perspective on the place, meaning and practice of sports in Australian culture. Includes attendance to rugby matches, Australian Rules football games, netball, lawn bowling, greyhound racing, and beach sports.

    HPSC 1000: Bioethics

    Discuss the major issues in the ethics of biology and medicine, from gene modification to Dolly the sheep.

    This class has been approved for UofM's Civic Life and Ethics theme. 

    HSTY 1089: Australia: Conflict and Transformation

    Examines Australia's beginnings of the violence of a convict society, frontier conflict, and early battles for self-government, through its political and cultural transformation after 1945 into today's post-industrial, post-colonial society.

    This class has been approved for UofM's Historical Perspectives core.

    INDG 1001: Introduction to Indigenous Cultures

    An in-depth study of traditional and contemporary forms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural expression.

    This class has been approved for Uof M's Writing Intensive requirement and Social Science core.

    SCLG 2623: Sociology of Terror

    Examines the relationship between terrorism and globalisation, including exploration of the themes of massacre, ethnic cleansing and terrorism in the context of social uncertainty and crises in nation states.

    This class has been approved for UofM's Writing Intensive requirement, Civic Life and Ethics theme, and Social Science core.

    USSC 1602: US Politics: Elections, President and Laws

    Introduces students to American politics, taught from an Australian point of view. Focuses on some of the principal politicans who have shaped American politics, and examines the roles of race, welfare, taxation, and criminal justice to see what can be learned (both good and bad) from American approaches.

    This class has been approved for UofM's Diversity & Social Justice in the United States theme, and Social Science core.  

  6. Dates & Deadlines


    Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

    Term Program Dates Application Deadline
    Spring Semester Early Feb–late June Nov. 15
    Calendar Year Early Feb–late Nov Nov. 15
    Summer Terms A & B Late May - early August Mar. 20
    Fall Semester Early July–late Nov Apr. 15
    Academic Year Early July–late June Apr. 15

    *Program dates are subject to change. Contact the LAC for verification of dates before purchasing your airfare.
    **If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

    Orientation Dates & Locations

    Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.

    See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.

    Term Abroad Date/Time Location
    Fall 2021 TBD TBD

  7. Fees for University Study in Australia: University of Sydney

    University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

    Summer 2020 - 1 course

    Summer 2020 - 2 courses

    Fall 2020

    The Total Program Fee reflects the host university’s international tuition rate converted into US dollars, plus the Learning Abroad Center’s APAAC ($1000 summer / $2050 one semester) and required UofM international health insurance.

    The Australian government also requires all students to carry the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The policy costs approximately US$300 per semester. Details and instructions will be sent to students upon admission.

    If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

    Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.

    Billing & Payments

    Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

    Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

    Bridging Loan

    Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.

    Cancellation Policy

    Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

  8. Prepare

    Complete pre-application advising.

    Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.

    To complete the online application for this program, you will need to select or provide the following information on the online application:

    Center Name TC Learning Abroad Ctr
    Education Abroad Term See Program Dates for term options
    Program Name University Study in Australia
    Track Name University of Sydney
    Country Australia

    Submit

    University of Minnesota Student—apply

    Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee.

    Complete

    Once you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

    Submit to the Learning Abroad Center:

    • University of Sydney personal essay

    In addition to completing the Learning Abroad Center's Online application checklist, you must also submit an application and supporting materials directly to the University of Sydney. Once your application has been reviewed and endorsed by the Learning Abroad Center, instructions for how to follow up with Sydney will be sent to you. 

    Next Steps

    1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
    2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
    3. You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and the University of Sydney—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you. 
    4. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.

    Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. Students must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.

  9. Program Contact

    For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

    Ryan McCarthy or call at 612.626.9373.

  10. Contact Program Alum

    Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.

    Sylvia Liu: Fall 2018; Economics major and Management minor

    Brian Burke: Fall 2019; Computer Sciencs and Statistical Science majors

COVID-19 Update

This program was canceled for spring semester 2021 due to COVID-19.

I-UROP Scholarship

University of Minnesota students participating in a research project on this program may be eligible for the International Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (I-UROP) Scholarship