Short-Term Study Overseas: The Best Way for Australian University Students to Go Abroad

Your next university break can be an opportunity to experience another country and culture while continuing your academic study and building skills you can present to prospective employers.

IFSA offers three-week programs in January and four-week programs in June and July, curated to align with Australian summer (January) and winter (June through July) university breaks.

These short-term global learning opportunities give students studying at Australian universities the chance to explore new cultures, build career-ready skills, choose academically aligned courses, attend world-class universities, and gain a global perspective—with IFSA making it easier through thoughtful planning, funding opportunities, and personalized support from start to finish.

What is a short-term global learning experience?

A short-term global learning experience combines academic study with exploration of another country and culture.

Most of our programs provide at least 45 academic contact hours (3-4 U.S. credits), the equivalent of one Australian university subject. Each program page sets out the available subjects, contact hours, dates, application deadlines, program fees, and minimum GPA (listed using the U.S. GPA scale; please refer to our Australia Outbound page for the conversion) requirements where applicable.

This January, you could explore:

• Social media marketing in Barcelona, Spain
• Ecology and sustainable development in Costa Rica
• Mayan culture and civilization in Mexico
• Italian art, power, and influence in Rome, Italy

Why choose a short-term overseas program?

Earn academic credit during a university break

A short-term program gives you a way to combine overseas experience with academic study during a university break. This accelerated opportunity to earn academic credit can also help you stay on track—or even get ahead—in your studies.

Most of our programs offer at least 45 academic contact hours (3–4 U.S. credits), equivalent to one Australian university subject. The IFSA Shanghai program, for example, provides 45 contact hours per subject and/or the equivalent of two Australian university subjects. However, students should always confirm credit transfer requirements with their home university.

January programs align with the Australian summer break, while June and July programs align with the Australian winter break. Because IFSA is U.S.-based, our website uses Northern Hemisphere terminology. For Australian students, be sure to select Summer programs for Australia’s winter break and January programs for Australia’s summer break.

Explore a subject in a different cultural context

Studying overseas also gives you the opportunity to explore a subject while spending time in an entirely new setting, where people live differently than you.

You can study topics including sustainable development, mental health, history, art, business, language, and international relations in destinations around the world.

IFSA’s Australia Outbound options include opportunities to study ecology and sustainable development in Costa Rica, Mayan history and culture in Mexico, Italian art in Rome, or choose between course options with the University of Oxford’s Lady Margaret Hall partnership program.

The Oxford teaching method—which involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, and much reading— really invigorated me to think deeply and critically, especially since I’d chosen a course outside of my major.

—Cindy L., University of Melbourne, University of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall Summer, 2026

Go deeper than tourists

Your experience is not limited to academic study. IFSA programs also include curated cultural activities and excursions that help you understand what makes the place you’re visiting unique.

Depending on the program, these may include cooking events, theater performances, guided museum tours, language meetups, and one-, two-, or three-day excursions that show you different parts of the country.

Excursions include accommodation, transportation, and meals in many cases.

Build skills you can present to employers

Your time overseas can also give you specific experiences to draw on when talking to prospective employers. IFSA helps students not only build key skills like the following, but understand how to them to set you apart with specific examples from your time abroad:

• Adaptability
• Communication
• Global awareness
• Independence
• Leadership
• Problem-solving
• Research and analytical skills
• Teamwork

Curious to learn more about how your time learning overseas is really an investment in your career? Check out our guide, where we break down the traditional benefits of studying overseas and how they impact your growth, development, and ultimately your career.

I deeply encourage everyone who has the opportunity to go on exchange to partake in it. China has definitely educated me and provided huge growth for my journey.

—Gurpreet S.D., University of Melbourne, IFSA Summer in Shanghai, 2025

How does IFSA support you?

IFSA is an international education partner that helps students navigate the required administrative processes before departure and provides support overseas. This includes guidance with practical preparation such as visas and passports, alongside academic advising and predeparture orientation.

That support begins before you leave. IFSA also helps students find programs that suit their goals, learn how to present new skills to prospective employers, and access financial support.

Predeparture support includes:

• Personal program and academic advising
• Class matching services
• Visa and passport guidance
• Predeparture orientation

In-country support includes:

• An on-site IFSA team
• Orientation
• Airport pickup in most locations
• A re-entry workshop to help you maximize learning and return home smoothly
• Optional one-on-one meetings to support academic, personal, and professional goals

What health, safety, and wellbeing support is available?

Outstanding health, safety, and wellness support is an important part of what you get as an IFSA student. In fact, IFSA received a silver Go Overseas 2025 Community Choice Award for our work in championing student safety.

Support includes local information during on-site orientation, individual advising, on-site staff, and 24/7 emergency assistance.

As an IFSA student, you can count on:

• Health insurance
• A dedicated Health, Safety and Wellness team
• Regional managers with local expertise
• On-site staff trained in emergency response and wellbeing support
• 24-hour crisis support
• Trip disruption and cancellation coverage
• AlertMedia, a two-way emergency communications app

Our resident staff is also ready to help students navigate medical systems, emergency services, insurance, and support resources. They are trained in emergency response and student affairs and can provide referrals or assist during an emergency.

To learn more, please visit our Health, Safety, and Wellbeing page.

What does the program fee include?

Before comparing programs, it helps to understand what your program fee covers.

The amount shown for each Australia Outbound option is identified as the Program Fee. Current program listings state the Program Fee including an education fee, housing, and insurance.

Program fees vary by program, and some future fees are listed as estimates. All fees, expenses, and funds for Australia Outbound programs are shown in U.S. dollars due to fluctuating exchange rates with AUD.

IFSA has no application fee, or hidden extras, so you won’t be surprised with additional costs. Learn more about everything included in your program fee.

For the complete breakdown, individual program pages provide information about academics, housing, activities, excursions, dates, and fees.

Sometimes, instead of going out after class, I’d rather come home to spend time with my host family—chatting, helping in the kitchen, or simply enjoying the everyday routines that make a house feel like a home.

—Shiyi C., University of Queensland, IFSA January in Costa Rica, 2025

Are scholarships and financial support available?

Depending on your eligibility, there may be financial support available. Options may include:

Financial Aid

OS-HELP government loans provide funds to help students cover the cost of overseas study, including travel and living costs. Funding is awarded directly from your University to you upon approval of your eligibility. Learn more about this study assistance program on their website.

To apply, submit an OS-HELP application through your Australian university’s overseas study department. Each university manages its own application and selection procedures; deadlines vary.

To learn more, talk to your university’s global experience, mobility, or study abroad team, or review this information provided by the government.

IFSA General Scholarships

The IFSA General Scholarship provides need-based financial support for January Term and Winter Term programs.

The published award is AUD $740, equivalent to USD $500.

The published deadlines are:

• October 1 for January term
• March 1 for Winter term

IFSA First-in-Family University Student Scholarships

First-in-family university students are students for whom neither a parent nor custodial guardian has completed a three- or four-year undergraduate degree.

The IFSA First-in-Family University Student Scholarship provides awards of up to AUD $1,333, equivalent to USD $1,000, for January and Winter programs.

Apply by:

• October 1 for January
• March 1 for Winter

Bring a Friend Grants

For eligible January 2027 programs, IFSA Bring a Friend Grants provide USD $500 in savings for each member of a qualifying pair who applies to the same program.

Eligibility requirements and conditions apply for this opportunity. To learn more, visit the IFSA “Bring a Friend” Grant Promotion—Terms and Conditions page.

What should you review before applying?

Once you have a program in mind, considering total cost is a smart next step.

Review the program fee and the complete fee information on the program page, along with information on scholarships and financial support that may be available to you. It is also worth considering everyday costs, such as food, local transport, and other personal expenses while you are overseas.

When you are ready to apply, visit the Australia Outbound page or the page for your selected program. Be sure to select your home university from the drop-down list.

Make the most of your time overseas

Once you are there, take advantage of the academic, cultural, and support opportunities included with your program.

Depending on the program, these may include cultural activities, excursions, academic support, language training, induction, and access to the local IFSA team.

And when you return, the experience can continue to be useful professionally. When preparing your resume, job applications, or interviews, IFSA recommends identifying specific examples that show the skills you developed, the actions you took, and the results you achieved.

Start your journey

Explore available destinations, subjects, dates, Program Fees, scholarships, and financial support through our Australia Outbound opportunities.

Explore short-term overseas programs for students at Australian universities.