Take advantage of your chance to live and learn in one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world—Sydney! Enjoy Sydney’s comfortable climate (warm summers and mild winters), world-renowned beaches (think: Bondi, Manly, and Coogee), and iconic spots around the city (the Rocks, Harbour Bridge, and the Royal Botanical Gardens).
Our study abroad programs in Sydney offers you the opportunity to directly enroll in the prestigious University of New South Wales with access to a vast array of course offerings across hundreds of 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 Harbour Bridge. Field trips to iconic destinations like the Blue Mountains, Royal National Park, and the Great Barrier Reef round our your study abroad experience. You can also enroll in an internship, which includes time spent working at your placement in addition to an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you're learning.
We want you to feel at home in Sydney, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
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.
The campus of UNSW is close to Coogee beach with easy access to the city center via public transportation. It offers easy access to the incredible natural beauty of Australia’s varied landscape and a wealth of cultural and social opportunities in Sydney.
University of New South Wales With about 14,000 international students from 120+ countries 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. 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 53,000), 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.
LocationLocated on an attractive, self-contained campus near downtown Sydney, UNSW is an ideal destination if you want access to big-city culture while also being connected to Sydney’s beach lifestyle.
Courses UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, with students enrolled in more than 900 academic programs across nine faculties. Its impressive range of strong programs across the disciplines makes it possible for IES Abroad students of almost every academic background to actively pursue a challenging and stimulating experience at UNSW. The UNSW Business School has both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.
You carry a minimum of 24 Units of Credit (UOC) per semester, which is equivalent to 16 IES Abroad credits. Most courses are worth 6 UOC or 4 IES Abroad credits. You may not take more than 30 UOC (20 IES Abroad credits).
Most IES Abroad students take Level Two courses, which may require certain prerequisites.
The disciplines listed below are open to IES Abroad students. You can access descriptions for all courses on UNSW's Study Abroad page. Click the "What You Can Study" tab and follow the links to UNSW's Online Handbook. Keep in mind that “courses” may refer to a course of study (ie. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology), and “units of study” may refer to specific classes.
Arts & Social Sciences
• African Studies• Americas Studies • Arts • Asian Studies • Australian Studies • Chinese Studies• Communication & Journalism • Creative Writing • Criminology • Dance • Development Studies • English & Literature • Environmental Humanities • European Studies • Film Studies • French Studies • Greek Studies • Hispanic Studies • History • Indonesian Studies • International Relations • International Studies • Italian Studies • Japanese Studies • Korean Studies • Linguistics• Media Culture & Technology • Media Production • Music • Philosophy • Politics• Public Relations & Advertising• Screen & Sound • Social Research & Policy • Sociology & Anthropology • Theatre & Performance Studies • Women & Gender Studies
Commerce & Economics*
• Accounting • Actuarial Sciences • Banking & Finance • Business Law & Taxation • Economics • Information Systems • Management • Marketing • Tourism & Hospitality
• Aerospace • Bioinformatics • Biomedical • Chemical • Civil • Computer Science • Electrical • Environmental • Industrial Chemistry • Manufacturing • Manufacturing Management • Mechatronics • Mining • Naval Architecture • Petroleum • Photonic • Photovoltaics & Solar Energy • Renewable Energy • Science • Software Surveying & Spatial Information Systems • Telecommunications
• Applied Arts • Art Education • Art History & Theory Design • Digital Media • Fine Arts
• Anatomy • Medicine • Microbiology
• Aviation • Biological Science • Biotechnology • Chemistry • Food Science & Technology • Genetics • Geology • Geography • Geoscience • Marine Science • Materials Science • Mathematics • Nanotechnology • Physics • Psychology • Safety Science
*EQUIS- and AACSB-accredited
Even though you’re directly enrolling in one of our partner universities, we’re here for you whenever 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.
Interning while you study in Sydney gives you rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
The University of New South Wales offers academic internship placements to study abroad students majoring in Business or Media. Only students who are majoring in these fields and have already completed a number of relevant courses are considered for placement.
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 UNSW's Study Abroad Internship Program page.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, UNSW staff will work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. Students have been placed in a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If UNSW doesn't currently have the connections in your field of plcement, UNSW staff will search for a placement that's right for you.
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which 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 reflect the local student culture and meet our safety and security standards.
Residential Colleges – IES Abroad works with residential dorms associated with UNSW. The colleges offer a unique residential, academic, and social community, with staff who oversee student life. You are encouraged to be a part of the college community, and participate in college traditions, social events, and activities. A full meal plan is included and for this reason Residential Colleges carry an additional fee. Please see the pricing sheet under Costs for more information.
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.
IES Abroad Orientation Our orientation program is a dynamic, hands-on introduction to Australian culture and living in Sydney. Orientation includes sessions on academic transition, safety and security, and cultural adjustment.
Past highlights have included a boat cruise in Sydney Harbour. This is followed by a day-long hiking trip to the Blue Mountains, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are well-known for their canyons, rock formations, and rainforests, and for being home to 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 UNSW international student orientation. This program provides official academic orientation that further introduces you to the facilities 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 & EventsWhile you’re in Sydney, be sure to join a social or sports club-they're 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, the 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. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the many clubs and organizations as a way to meet Australian students.
IES Abroad suggests getting involved in university life through CASOC (Clubs and Societies on Campus) and the Sports Association.
Even though your adventure starts in Sydney, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. Here are a few possible destinations:Kakadu and Top End Tour 5 Days Take a mid-semester trip to Kakadu and the Top End, to see one of the world's best kept national parks. Spend time in Darwin, Australia's most Northern City before heading out to Kakadu National Park where we will discover magnificent landscapes, waterfalls, and rich Aboriginal culture. With everything from Jumping Crocodiles to discovering the beautiful Mindil Beach Markets, this subsidized trip (this trip is partially subsidized by IES Abroad; you are responsible for a portion of the costs) will show you a bit of Australia that is so unique and special, you will never forget.
Featherdale Wildlife & Blue Mountains 1 Day Hike in the Blue Mountains and enjoy a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Royal National Park 1 Day Explore the second-oldest national park in the world, full of fascinating plants, birds, and animals.
About the Center
The IES Abroad office is located in Surry Hills, an inner suburb of Sydney. It is immediately adjacent to the city center, known as the Central Business District, or CBD. At just a few blocks from Sydney’s central rail station, it is well connected to the rest of the city and surrounding areas. Commuting time, by bus, to the University of Sydney campus is 15 minutes and to the UNSW campus 20 minutes. The Macquarie campus is 45 minutes away by train.
Kate Smart has been the Director of the Sydney programs since 2016. Kate has over 15 years of experience in International Education, including senior Study Abroad roles at Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, and University of New South Wales.
Kate has lived and worked in the United States and studied abroad in Thailand and Jamaica. She has a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Master of Education in International Education from Monash University. Kate loves sharing her knowledge of the city (and the rest of Australia) with new students, from her favorite beaches to swim at to the best place to grab a great flat white.
Internship and Student Services Coordinator
Sian Viney
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