Study Abroad

Every year, students from around the world are welcomed to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sydney under the Study Abroad and Student Exchange programs.

These programs allow international students to complete one semester or a year at the University of Sydney. Most courses are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Depending on your home University's grading requirements, you may also be able to have the results obtained at the University of Sydney credited towards your degree back home.

The Faculty of Arts offers a rich spectrum of study options, with the widest range of humanities and social science subjects in NSW.

• Our Faculty is internationally recognised for the quality of its teaching, staff and research. The University of Sydney was recognised in 2006 as having the 5th best humanities faculty in the world, as nominated by the UK Times Higher Education Supplement.
• With over 40 subject areas, undergraduate and postgraduate students can find an area of study to suit their ambitions and interests. View the Faculty of Arts Handbook.
• Faculty of Arts students are diverse and represent the multi-cultural society of Australia. Students enjoy the different perspectives that international students can provide in class.
• Study in the Faculty of Arts gives students lifelong communication, research and critical thinking skills employers will value.

Diversity, breadth and depth add up to great student choice and flexible programs. As long as you take care to structure your program to meet the requirements of your home university, you have the freedom to create a general program across a number of departments, or create a personal, focused, themed program.

Within the Faculty of Arts, each department offers various subjects. Aspects of each subject are offered in various units of study (international students may be more familiar with the term “classes’), which are the building blocks for a semester enrolment.

As the faculty does not have a fixed curriculum, the units available in any given semester will change regularly, so it's wise to have alternative units of study approved by your home university. Regardless, it’s possible to vary your choice of units during the first two weeks of semester.

View the Units of Study offered by the Faculty of Arts in each semester.

As an international student, you must study full time. A normal study load is 24 credit points (4 units of study) per semester. The Faculty of Arts academic year consists of two semesters. Semester One begins in early March and Semester Two starts in late July. Each semester consists of 13 weeks of classes, followed by a study week and an examination period of two to three weeks. You may apply for either a one semester basis or a full year basis.

A standard enrolment (24 senior credit points) will involve students in an average of 9 contact hours each week, most likely through a mix of lectures and small group tutorials and seminars. In addition to formal classes, the Faculty expects students to spend up to 27 hours each week in private study.

Assessments may vary in each unit of study from a 6,000 word assignment and no exam in one unit, another unit may have a 4,000 word assignment and two hours of formal exams in another. A significant proportion of the assignments in each unit will usually be devoted to a major essay of 3,000-4,000 words. Other types of assement include group work,oral presenations and take home exams. If you are unfamiliar with this style of assignment, you will adapt quickly and relish the opportunity to conduct some substantial, independent research.

To assist with assessments and exams, students are encouraged to attend courses on topics such as analytical writing and an introduction to critical reading by the University’s Learning Centre

Application Form
Download and complete the application form. All applications should be sent to the International Office.

Application Closing Dates
For commencement in March semester: 31 October
For commencement in July semester: 31 March

Eligibility
To be considered for the Study Abroad and Student Exchange programs for one semester or one year of study at the University of Sydney you must:

• be an undergraduate or postgraduate international student
• have completed at least one year of study towards a degree at a recognised institution in your home country and are continuing towards the degree of your home institution
• have achieved a 'Credit' or 'Good' average, or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale
• Student Exchange students must have a letter of nomination from their home institution

English language proficiency
Instruction at the University of Sydney is in English. If this is not your first language you must demonstrate proficiency in English before admission is confirmed. The following are acceptable minimum language qualifications for general study in the Study Abroad and Exchange Program:

• IELTS Overall band score of 6.5 or better with minimum of 6.0 in each band.
• TOEFL (Paper based) 577 or better plus TWE (Test of Written English) at 4.5 or better.
• TOEFL (Computer based) 233, Essay rating 4.5 or better; (Internet based) iBT 90+

Review the English Language requirements at www.usyd.edu.au/fstudent/studyabroad/apply/lang_reqs

Study Abroad and Student Exchange Program at the University of Sydney
Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building G02
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006
Phone: +61 2 98627 8302
Fax: +61 2 98627 8390
E-mail: or
Website: www.usyd.edu/studyabroad

Agents and Study Abroad Partners
Students can seek advice from one of the University's agents or partners worldwide. View the list online
www.usyd.edu.au/internationaloffice/partners/
www.usyd.edu.au/internationaloffice/agents