OIE Program Adviser
Links
Location Information
LOCATION
This university is located in Sydney, Australia. To learn more about this city and country, please visit:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html
http://www.iiepassport.org/pages/sitecontent/country.aspx
http://www.iiepassport.org/pages/sitecontent/cities.aspx
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations
Also, click here for the Australian government web site on studying in Australia.
HOST INSTITUTION
UNSW has over 40,000 students including 9,000 international students from over 90 different countries. Founded in 1949, this fairly young university is noted for its long-standing commitment to enrolling international students and many joint programs with overseas institutions. UNSW is one of Australia's leading research universities and is home to a number of internationally recognized research developments in the fields of Quantum Computing, Photovoltaics, HIV/Aids Research, Interactive Cinema and Polymer Chemistry. UNSW has extensive science, technology and engineering based courses and flexible course structures.
The main campus of 85 acres is located within 20 minutes from the center of Sydney and within walking distance of Coogee Beach. UNSW is a modern, urban campus with extensive sporting and recreational activities to complement its great reputation for research and scholarship.
HOUSING
- on-campus dormitories
- off-campus apartments/rooms for rent
While studying at UNSW for a semester or a year, you may elect to stay on-campus in one of the residential colleges. These colleges are independent of the University and are much like the dormitory facilities located on most major university campuses. Each college has its own character so be sure to read the UNSW descriptions and choose the one that best suits your personality. Each college has its own application procedures; interviews are usually required. For information on housing options, visit their website.
UNSW's Study Abroad Office can assist students in finding housing as well. They have over fifty properties including large homes and smaller-style apartments, all of which are located within walking distance to the University and the beach. These properties are furnished, including equipped kitchens. Students are required to bring their own bed linen and towels. See here for more information.
It is suggested that you arrive in Sydney 10-14 days before the mandatory orientation in order to secure housing and settle in.
MEALS
- no meal plan
- on-campus dining
UNSW has 18 on-campus eateries plus shops. There aren't meal plans, but the cost is usually reasonable so you shouldn't have a problem finding something to eat when you can't go home to cook.
Eligibility
- Georgia Tech degree-seeking student.
- Good Academic Standing with a 3.0* (or higher) GPA at time of application
- Undergraduates complete at least two semesters of full-time, regular college-level study prior to participation*
- At least 18 years of age by the program's departure date
- Be able to stay at the host university for the duration of their semester, INCLUDING through their exam period
- Be in Good Standing with the Office of Student Affairs and Housing
- All Non-U.S. Citizens are welcome to apply to participate in an exchange outside of their home country only. This rule applies to all who do not have a U.S. passport, including U.S. Permanent Residents.
- All study abroad participants are required to have a passport prior to any visa deadline dates, and any needed visas prior to departure date (Students are responsible for securing all required travel documents per the host country’s regulations prior to departure).
Academic Info
COURSE INFORMATION
For UNSW's course catalog, click here. Click on "Courses A-Z".
For detailed course outlines for engineering disciplines: click here.
RESEARCH OPTION
Research opportunities may be available at UNSW. Exchange students would conduct research as part of their course load for a variable amount of credit. Please check with program advisor for more details.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
In addition to the fall and spring program options, UNSW offers several summer programs, one of which we believe would be most interesting to GT students. See the UNSW Summer Exchange Program website for more information on the summer option: click here
Credit Transfer
CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM
2 UNSW credit (Arts & Social Sciences) = 1 GT credit
1 UNSW credit (Science w/lab, Languages) = 1 GT credit
Engineering = # of contact hours per week
1 Industrial Design STUDIO credit = 1 GT credit
2 Industrial Design LECTURE credit = 1 GT credit
GRADING SYSTEM
UNSW Grade = US Grade
75-100% (DN, HD) = A
65-74% (CR) = B
50-64% (PS) = C
46-49% (PC, PT) = D
45% or under (FL) = F
Program Costs (Estimated)
- Semester program participants must pay tuition to the GT Bursar for each GT semester they are abroad. No other expenses associated with this program are paid to GT; instead, these expenses are paid on site.
- Keep in mind the costs of books, health insurance, food, living expenses, and travel money, as well as pre-departure costs like your passport and visa.
- Following are cost estimates for one semester at the exchange program school that may help you prepare for your term(s) abroad. All costs are in USD.
GT Mandatory Fees
* Miscellaneous
Round-trip airfare
Mandatory Insurance
In-state Total
Out-of-state Total
Additional Financial Information
The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check the newspaper or click here for the most current rates.
In general, Sydney is more expensive than most areas of the United States so you will want to devise and use a budget. The cost of living has been compared to that of large cosmopolitan cities in Europe or North America. To give you a better idea, the cost of living is more like that of San Francisco, New York or London than that of Atlanta.
Visa and Passport Information
- Complete information about how to apply for or renew a U.S. passport is available here.
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You must obtain all proper immigration documents, such as an official passport and a visa if required. Students are responsible for securing all required travel documents per the host country’s regulations. For visa information visit the U.S. State Department website here.
Participants must have a valid passport and student visa. For Australian student visa instructions and forms click here and click here. Study abroad students going to Australia are required to purchase the OSHC insurance in order to obtain an Australian visa. Details will be given to students in their acceptance packets from UNSW.