So you're interested in studying in Australia? Great choice! Besides amazing coastlines, unique wildlife, and a laid back vibe, Australia has some of the best universities in the world. On this page you'll find information relevant to programs in this fascinating country that's also a continent!
One of the first things you might think about when considering Australia is geography. A country of 24 million, Australia is very diverse. In 2011, 24.6% of Australians were born elsewhere and 43.1% of people had at least one overseas-born parent. English is the official language, so no worries, mate! You may even pick up some Aussie slang during your time there. The capital of Australia is Canberra (not Sydney!), though the largest cities are Sydney and Melbourne. There are six states in Australia, and we have programs in all but Tasmania. Like laid back surfer culture? Try a program outside of the major cities. Love arts and culture? Maybe Melbourne is for you. Looking for an internship with a foreign embassy or consulate? Canberra is the place! Want to get up close and personal with Australia's Great Barrier Reef? Try Queensland! Whatever you're looking for, Australia has it.
You may not have considered it, but Australia's seasons are opposite to ours. This means if you go for our Fall semester, you'll be arriving to Australia in their winter and leaving in their summer. After you think about what academic program is right for you, consider what kind of climate you'll be experiencing. This can also help you when you go to pack your bags! The Australian academic year follows the calendar year - meaning their semester 1 is our Spring semester, and their semester 2 is our Fall semester. This is good to keep in mind when searching their course catalogs!
Australia's currency is the dollar - the Australian dollar! So consider the exchange rate when thinking about your cost of living. Housing is Australia is often rented by the week instead of by month, so don't forget that in your calculations either. With its high cost of living, Australia can be expensive, so you'll want to consider that when choosing your host city! But remember, you can work part-time on an Australian student visa. To find out more about that, check out the section for visas.
Students often comment that the academics in Australia are more independent than at the UofA. There are fewer assignments (which count for more), no one takes attendance, and you are expected to always come to class prepared. Of course you'll want to spend time exploring Australia during your time abroad, but don't forget that you are there to first and foremost, study. Your visa will have extra time on the end so if you are planning any more involved travel, save it for the end or for breaks. Once you start getting behind it can be hard to catch up - you don't want to finish a semester and have no courses that are eligible for transfer! Different universities have different credit systems, and classes may be called something like 'courses' or 'units of study', but at another school they may call a major 'course', so be sure to ask your coordinator if you are having trouble navigating the course selection. Also make sure you keep in mind if the courses you have chosen have any prerequisites - you can sometimes get approval by the host university if you have taken similar prerequisites at the UofA!
University of Arizona students are spoilt for choice when it comes to Australia - we have almost 20 options! Don't let this overwhelm you! Use the program search feature to narrow down the Australia options by term, field of study, etc. Most of our programs are exchanges, meaning you will pay the same tuition that you pay normally, but pay your living expenses to the host university. We also have direct enroll (where you pay tuition to the host university and not to the UofA) - this can save you heaps if you are an out of state student. Make sure to compare budgets on the program pages - each page has them! We also have a brand new faculty led program! Interested to learn about Environmental Conservation in Australia with some of our great UofA faculty? Check out that program! Lastly, we have a couple internship specific programs through our partnership with the Education Abroad Network. But don't forget, you can often do an internship as part of an exchange - don't feel limited and if you have questions - make sure to reach out to your coordinator.
Visas and Health Insurance
You may think that you need to start applying for a visa as soon as you lodge your application to study abroad - but not for Australia! Most of you will end up applying for a Student Visa (subclass 500). The application is done entirely online! The cost of the visa may change, so check the Australian immigration website for up to date prices (also depends on current exchange rate). Keep in mind that you CANNOT apply for an Australian student visa until you have 1. been accepted by your host university and 2. purchased OSHC (Overseas Student Health Coverage)! OSHC is required by the Australian government. Oftentimes, your host university will recommend a provider to you. All this information will be sent to you by your host university so don't neglect your email!
Traveling across the international date line, you will likely lose an entire day (for example, leaving on a Monday and arriving on a Wednesday). The good news is it's a direct flight from LAX to a couple major cities in Australia, just make sure you keep in mind the date of your host university's orientation when you book your flight - you'll definitely want to attend! Booking at least 6-8 weeks in advance of departure is recommended. Keep an eye on specials for specific carriers, like Qantas, Australia's flagship carrier.