Take advantage of your chance to live and learn in one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world—Sydney! You’ll enjoy Sydney’s comfortable climate (warm summers and mild winters), world-renowned beaches (think: Bondi, Manly, and Coogee beaches), and iconic spots around the city (Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanical Gardens).
Our direct enrollment program in Sydney allows you to fully immerse yourself in the academic and student culture of the University of New South Wales—with access to a vast array of course offerings across many disciplines.
Sydney will also be your classroom. Enjoy the city’s robust music scene with a performance at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. Visit one of the many museums, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Art Gallery of New South Wales, to see some of the country’s great works of art. Soak in the beauty of Sydney’s landscape by walking the path from Coogee to Bondi Beach—or better yet, climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Welcome to study abroad!
We want you to feel at home in Sydney, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in Sydney. Gain valuable work experience and immerse yourself in the culture during your time in Sydney. Field trips to iconic Aussie destinations like the Blue Mountains and the Great Barrier Reef will round out your study abroad experience.
These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.
IES Abroad’s mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with the University of New South Wales.
University of New South Waleswww.unsw.edu.au With about 7,500 full-degree international students enrolled per year, it’s easy to see how the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is historically committed to internationalism. You have access to an impressive range of academic options across many disciplines, as well as internship opportunities. A self-contained campus close to downtown Sydney, UNSW’s proximity to the beach connects you with the famous laid-back Aussie lifestyle.
Because UNSW has a large student community (its total student population is more than 45,000), the university works hard to provide many opportunities for you to get involved. UNSW is home to a thriving theatre and arts community. The student entertainment center, The Roundhouse, is the site of frequent concerts, movie screenings, and lawn entertainment.
Courses UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, with students enrolled in more than 450 departments in 10 faculties.
You carry a minimum of 24 Units of Credit (UOC) per semester, which is equivalent to 16 IES Abroad semester credits. Most courses are worth 6 UOC, or 4 IES Abroad credits. You may not take more than 28.5 UOC (19 IES Abroad credits). Most IES Abroad students take Level Two courses, which may require certain prerequisites.
The following disciplines are open to IES Abroad students. You can access descriptions for all courses at on the University's What You Can Study page.
Arts & Social Sciences
Built Environment
Commerce & Economics
Engineering
Fine Arts
Law
Medicine
Science
Location Located on an attractive, self-contained campus near downtown Sydney, UNSW is an ideal destination if you who want access to big-city culture while also being connected to Sydney’s beach lifestyle experience.
While adding study abroad to your resume is impressive enough, adding an international internship experience is even more powerful, and can help you distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive job market.
An internship provides an invaluable cultural experience, and helps you develop professional and personal skills.
You earn 6 UOC (4 IES Abroad credits) for serving in a workplace for two full days each week. An internship also includes additional academic contact hours with your supervisor and assessment is based on workplace performance, a journal, a final research project, and an exit report. For more information, visit www.studyabroad.UNSW.edu.au/index.cfm?page=209.
Placement Examples
Even though you’re directly enrolling in one of our partner universities, there’s something IES Abroad wants you to know: we’re here for you if you need us. Advising Choosing and directly enrolling in courses abroad can be confusing and overwhelming. This is why we offer you predeparture advising that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to provide support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process. But our advising services don’t stop there. While you’re in Sydney, our staff is available to help you transition into your new home. Support The support services we offer IES Abroad direct enrollment students are specifically designed to help you achieve your study abroad goals as effectively and smoothly as possible. We know studying abroad is an adventure, and, at times, you may need help or just someone to talk to—that’s why our staff will be there for you. On-Site Staff Whether you have questions about academic requirements, housing, or well-being and safety, our Sydney-based IES Abroad staff is available to fully support you. Because of our close relationship with the universities in Sydney, IES Abroad is also able to offer you unique academic, social, and cultural opportunities. Our staff in Sydney will accompany you throughout orientation, as well as at the IES Abroad field trips and cultural events.
Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Sydney, it will feel like home.
As part of IES Abroad’s direct enrollment services, we offer well-located, comfortable housing for all students because securing housing independently can be challenging. IES Abroad’s housing options meet our safety and security standards.
Apartments – We work closely with the University of New South Wales’ Study Abroad Office to offer apartments on-campus at the new University Terraces apartments. Housing is located in or near the bustling, youthful beach suburbs, offering a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and nightlife. You can walk or catch a bus to campus, and downtown Sydney is just 25 minutes by public transportation. You will share an apartment with other study abroad students from the United States and Europe. These accommodations are furnished with equipped kitchens and require minimal upkeep. You will bring your own bed linen and towels, and are responsible for your own meals, phone, and laptop computer access, if desired.
Residential Colleges –This is a group of three residential dorms associated with UNSW—Phillip Baxter, Basser, Goldstein. The colleges offer a unique residential, academic, and social community, with senior staff who oversee student life. You should want to be a part of the college community, and participate in college traditions, social events, and activities.
Many students bring their laptops (provided they are insured). The UNSW campus is equipped with a wireless network, which you can access for free through your personal laptop. The University also has large research libraries and extensive resources online.
Although IES Abroad has a strong relationship with the residential colleges that strengthens students’ applications, IES Abroad cannot guarantee placement because space is limited and competitive.
Part of making you feel at home in Sydney is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to exciting destinations—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
IES Abroad Orientation Our orientation program is a dynamic, hands-on introduction to living in Sydney and Australian culture. Orientation includes sessions on academic transition, safety and security, and cultural adjustment.
Past highlights have also included a Bondi-to-Coogee Beach walk and a boat cruise in Sydney Bay, all while discovering how to make the most of your time in Sydney. This is followed by a day-long hiking trip to the Blue Mountains, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Blue Mountains are well-known for their canyons, rock formations, rainforests, and aboriginal communities.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
University Orientation In addition to the IES Abroad orientation, you take part in the international student orientation at the University of New South Wales. This program provides official academic orientation that further introduces you to the facilities and offerings at UNSW. You finalize your enrollments and also have the opportunity to discuss course offerings one-on-one with a university advisor.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Sydney through our cultural events, such as:
University Clubs & Events While you’re in Sydney, joining a social or sports club is a great way to meet local students. The University of New South Wales encourages active student involvement in university life through the Student Guild, the Student Union, Sports Association, residential colleges, and independent academic faculties. With more than 250 university clubs and societies covering cultural, social, and sporting activities, you are sure to find a community at UNSW.
IES Abroad encourages you to become involved in university life through CASOC (Clubs and Societies on Campus) and the Sports Association.
Although your adventure begins in Sydney, our field trip to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Sydney. The cost of this trip is subsidized by IES Abroad, and you are responsible for a portion of the cost.
CAIRNS AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF 5-6 Days In addition to the orientation trip to the Blue Mountains, we organize a mid-semester trip to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. One day of the field trip will be spent at sea on a privately chartered motor cruiser. Onboard instructors explain the spectacular ecosystem of the reef, which you explore while snorkeling. Hike through the ancient Daintree rainforest with an aboriginal tracker and zip line through the oldest rainforest in the world.
Ready to choose the Sydney study abroad program that’s right for you? Browse our partner universities and their many offerings to make sure you get the most out of your study abroad experience with IES Abroad.
Thais OsoIES Abroad Program Manager Thais Oso, the IES Abroad Sydney Program Coordinator, has been a part of the IES Abroad team since January 2010. She was born in Brazil and spent four years of her childhood in the US. She graduated from ULBRA (Brazil) with a Bachelor of Psychology. During her undergraduate studies she worked with the poor community within the Brazilian favelas (slums) and also as a group therapist at a rehabilitation centre focused on teenagers and young adults.
Thais has been working in international education since 2005, when she arrived in Australia. She started her career in education as the manager of an international students agency called Information Planet. Most recently, she was responsible for the international exchange program at UNSW’s AGSM MBA, working as their Exchange Coordinator. In addition to her work experience, within the past five years she has also completed a Diploma in Business, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessing, and is currently pursuing an MBA at AGSM/UNSW.
Faculty IES Abroad students are taught by the faculty of Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, or the University of Sydney.
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