University of Sydney Partnership

CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.

Check out the University of Sydney online class list to view available class offerings.

The number of classes you take abroad depends on the credit value of the classes you select. At the University of Sydney, a full course load consists of 24 Sydney credits per semester for a total of 15 U.S. semester credit hours per semester.

Credit Conversion
3 USY points = 2 U.S. semester credit hours
6 USY points = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
12 USY points = 8 U.S. semester credit hours

Early Start / Early Depart Program
Application Deadline: October 15

IFSA students studying at University of Sydney for the spring term can opt to arrive early and leave early (also called the “Spring Friendly Semester”) in order to align their study abroad dates with a U.S. calendar. Many students find this helpful in order to participate in summer internship opportunities in the U.S. that require them to be back for the month of June. Students arrive early and begin their semester with a single, intensively taught course in Sydney’s summer term  (January-February), then take three courses during semester 1. These are chosen from a curated list of courses that either do not have exams, or from a special list of business units where arrangements have been made for students to take their exams early (available here).

Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.

Australian Government | Department of Education | CRICOS: 00233E
Australian Government | Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency | TEQSA: PRV12076

Please read below for more information regarding a number of restrictions or additional requirements at the University of Sydney:

Architecture
You must submit a portfolio with the following information:

•  Photographs representative of your previous study
• Resume
• Short piece in a cultural area of academic writing
• Short piece in a technical area of academic writing. You will meet with architecture staff upon arrival at University of Sydney to discuss the courses for which you are best suited. It’s easier to take architecture courses if you study abroad during semester 1.

Art Workshops/Art Studio
These subjects are introductory art units (including ceramics, photography, sculpture) that do not require previous experience. The units are listed under the AWSS or DESA codes. These subjects have limited space due to quotas, and you will have to wait until you arrive to try to enroll in these units. Be prepared to choose other courses.

Computer Science
These courses are available under a number of different faculties. The Faculty of Science and department of computer science will have courses in computer science listed under COMP, SOFT and NETS.

Information Systems
These courses are listed under INFO and ISYS, and the Faculty of Economics and Business offers them in the information systems department as INFS.

Economics and Business
Please make sure you have met all the prerequisites if you choose a 3000-level unit. About 15 percent of IFSA students regularly fail economics and business courses because they have chosen a unit that is too much of a stretch for them, given their experience in that discipline. Choose carefully!

Education
All education units of study require special approval, which means you should be prepared to wait a few extra weeks for a decision.

Fine or Visual Arts
If you are a fine or visual arts major, you will probably want to take courses at the Sydney College of the Arts, located at the Rozelle Campus. This campus is a 40-minute bus ride from the main campus where you will be living. The cost of commuting is your responsibility. If you are admitted, you will be allowed to work in a studio in your chosen field while also studying studio theory and techniques. You must include a portfolio with your Class Interest Form. The portfolio may be presented in one of the following formats: VHF video, photographic, CD or DVD ROM. Should consist of 10 pieces maximum. Items should be relevant and representative of your abilities and interest. Items do not need to be directly relevant to the area which you would like to study at Sydney.

Health Sciences, Nursing, Occupational Therapy
These courses have limited space and require students to provide descriptions of previous courses with their Class Interest Form. The courses in this faculty are on the Cumberland campus, which is about an hour by public transportation from the main campus. If you are going to take courses at Cumberland, we suggest that you try to take all of your courses on this campus rather than trying to commute between the City and Cumberland campuses. The cost of commuting is your responsibility.

Law and Criminology
It is difficult for most U.S. undergraduates to qualify to take law and criminology courses at Sydney. While the courses are technically available, they will require special approval, which means you should be prepared to wait a few extra weeks for a decision. Please check to make sure you meet any prerequisites.

Medicine and Dentistry
Study abroad students may not take courses in either of these two faculties. There are courses available to study abroad students in anatomy and histology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology as long as prerequisites are met and previous course work is included along with the Class Interest Form. The above mentioned courses are found in the Faculty of Science.

Music
Students may take courses in music in two different ways at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The Conservatorium is located about 20 minutes from the main campus by public transport. The cost of commuting is your responsibility. Non-performance courses Coursework in music history, theory and composition is offered under the course code MUSC. Students who are music majors may also take courses under MCGY.

Performance Classes
Because you will be in the United States at the time of application, you will not be able to participate in a live audition. You will need to submit an audition either via videotape (in PAL format) or DVD, which includes a statement signed by both you and your teacher certifying that it is a true recording. To find out more details on the audition requirements and submission requirements for composition and musicology applicants, see the University of Sydney website. Additional fees will be charged to your bill once you have officially signed up for courses in instrument, voice, composition or musicology. Students may not study more than one instrument or area of principal study during a semester, and it may not be possible to take one-on-one instruction. The additional fees may be as high as US$500, but we will not know exactly how much this extra fee will be until you have arrived in Sydney and started your courses. This fee will be sent to your billing address approximately two months after your arrival in Sydney.

Sciences
Students taking science courses (especially those that have a lab component) may be charged a supplemental fee, as IFSA’s education fees are based on the arts and social science education fee.

Veterinary Science
There are numerous restrictions on study abroad students in this faculty. If you wish to take courses in this faculty, you must submit descriptions of previously completed work when you return the Class Interest Form.

Internships
The University of Sydney offers a highly competitive internship program. Interns must have a strong academic background and achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. Prospective interns must also successfully complete an interview process upon arrival in Sydney. Interns will spend at least 15 days working on a specialized project with one of the University of Sydney’s host organizations. Students will be awarded a letter grade for participating in the internship program. The internship is worth 4 U.S. semester credit hours.

Internships are available in the following areas:

• Accounting
• Architecture
• Banking and finance
• Communications and Media
• Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Film and Television Production
• Graphic Design
• Human Resource Management
• Information Technology
• Marketing
• Not for Profits
• Operations
• Special Events and Public Relations
• Sports Management
• Visual Arts

When completing your IFSA application add ARTS2600 to your Class Interest Form. This will alert your IFSA Enrollment Counselor that you are interested in pursing an internship. Please contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for assistance with any additional questions.

Research Placement
In addition to our internship programs, there are research placements available. These opportunities are for juniors and seniors only. Research placements are available in the following areas:

• Marine Biology
• Biotechnology
• Medical Research
• Government and Policy

Please contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for assistance with any additional questions.

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at the University of Sydney:

• Registration takes place online in the U.S. four to six weeks prior to the program start date and are finalized after the first week of classes.
• Common to have a large lecture class complemented by a smaller tutorial/lab. Tutorials make up two thirds of class work, and participation and attendance are required.
• More emphasis on independent learning. More self-directed learning outside of class. Classes usually require 90 minutes to two hours of student effort per credit point per week.
• The university follows strict policies and deadlines.
• Grades are often based on a single final exam or final paper, or on just a few assignments. Final exams are typically 30–70 percent of total grade.
• Grade inflation and curving is uncommon; fewer students get exceptional grades.
• Strong focus on critical analysis with supporting resources documented.
• Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with junior faculty members.
• Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.
• Students cannot audit courses or enroll in more than four classes.
• More information can be found in the IFSA Student Portal under Resources – Helpful Documents and Links and Academics.
• All classes will be submitted to the host institution for review and approval based on the provided transcript. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the classes they enroll in are approved to transfer back to their home institution once completed.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
• You must have completed at least one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
• Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

GPA
The University of Sydney will consider applicants with a GPA from 2.6 to 2.79 with additional application materials.

Recommendation Letter
Not required. A research or internship site may request a reference letter before placement is finalized.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.