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 Sydney 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 Sydney.
The University of Sydney’s campus is on the edge of Sydney’s main business district, with the hustle and bustle of daily city life at its doorstep. It offers easy access to the incredible natural beauty of Australia’s varied landscape and a wealth of cultural and social opportunities in Sydney.
The University of Sydney By directly enrolling in the University of Sydney, you have the opportunity to study at a university that is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world. Founded in 1850, the University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest university and one of the original members of the prestigious Sandstones (similar to the United States’ Ivy League). The energetic, diverse campus enrolls more than 50,000 students including 12,500 international students.
As a large and well-established research institution, the University offers challenging coursework throughout the curriculum, and is internationally recognized for its research in Australian Studies through the Koori Centre and the AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited faculty of Business and Economics.
If you’re a music student or have a passion for music, the program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music is particularly impressive. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from talented music professors from around the world.
LocationThe historic and beautiful University of Sydney campus sits on nearly 180 acres, and is known for its architectural design, extensive sports facilities, museums and galleries, and recreation centers. You can be in downtown Sydney in less than 15 minutes or at the beach in about 30 minutes.
Courses The University of Sydney has long been internationally recognized for its academic excellence. You have access to the University’s top-ranked teaching staff and world-class facilities, including a 5.2 million-volume library. With about 12,000 international students, the University’s academic environment is characterized by diverse interests and viewpoints. In addition, the University of Sydney Business School is AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited.
The University issues Units of Credit (UOC) for courses completed. You must carry a minimum of 24 UOC per semester, which is equivalent to 16 IES Abroad credits. Most courses are worth 6 UOC or 4 IES Abroad credits, and you cannot take more than 30 UOC (20 IES Abroad credits).
The following disciplines are available to IES Abroad students. You can access descriptions for all courses at the University of Sydney on the university's Courses page. 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.
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• Agricultural Economics • Agricultural Science • Horticultural Science • Land & Water Science • Resource Economics
Architecture, Design & Planning
• Art Studio • Audio Design • Building Services • Design Computing • Design Science • Facilities Management • Heritage Conservation • Illumination Design • Sustainable Design • Urban Design & Planning
Arts
• Ancient History • Anthropology • Arabic & Islamic Studies • Archaeology • Art History & Theory • Asian Studies • Australian Aboriginal Studies • Australian Studies • Biblical & Jewish Studies • Celtic Studies • Chinese Studies • Classical Civilization • Classical & Ancient History • Digital Cultures • Economics • English • European Studies • Film Studies • French Studies • Gender Studies • Germanic Studies • Hebrew • Heritage & Museum Studies • History • Indian Studies • International & Comparative Literary Studies • International Studies • Italian Studies • Japanese & Korean Studies • Latin American Studies • Linguistics • Media & Communications • Medical Humanities • Medieval Studies • Modern Greek Studies• Museum Studies • Peace & Conflict Studies • Performance Studies • Philosophy • Religion • Spanish • Sociology & Social Policy • South East Asian Studies • U.S. Studies Centre
• Accounting • Business Information Systems • Business Law • Econometrics • Economics • Finance • Government & International Relations • Industrial Relations & Human Resource Management • International Studies • Management • Management Decision Sciences • Marketing • Political Economy
Education & Social Work
• Informational Technology in Education• Outdoor Education • Primary & Secondary Education • Social Work • Special Education • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Engineering
• Aeronautical • Chemical • Civil • Computer • E-commerce • Electrical • Mechanical • Mechatronics • Project Management • Software • Space •Telecommunications
Health Sciences
• Aboriginal Health & Community Development • Behavioral Health Science • Exercise & Sport Science • Health Information Management • Health Sciences • Hearing & Speech • Leisure & Health • Medical Radiation Sciences • Nutrition • Occupational Therapy • Orthotics • Physiotherapy • Rehabilitation Counseling • Speech Pathology
Koori Centre
• Health & Community • Indigenous Australia • Land & Culture • Policy & Power
• Administrative • Constitutional • Contracts • Corporate • Criminal • Equity • International • Legal • Research • Litigation • Real Property • Taxation • Torts
Music (Sydney Conservatorium of Music)
• Composition • Music Education • Musicology • Opera Studies • Performance (Requires additional application materials)
Pharmacy
• Clinical Pharmacy • Herbal Medicine • Rural Pharmacy
Science
• Artificial Intelligence • Biochemistry • Biological Sciences • Chemistry • Climate Change • Coastal Environments• Computer Science • Digital Media • Earth Sciences • Ecology • Environmental Science • Geography • Geology • Geophysics • History & Philosophy of Science • Information Technology • Marine Ecology • Marine Sciences • Mathematics & Statistics • Microbial Biosciences • Molecular Biology • Molecular Biotechnology • Neuroscience • Number Theory • Nutritional & Food Sciences • Physics • Plant Ecology • Psychology
*AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited
Sydney Conservatorium of Music You have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, a multimillion-dollar music facility located near the Sydney Opera House. The impressive conservatorium campus is home to two recital halls, 53 teaching studios, 63 practice rooms, choral and instrument rehearsal rooms, more than 140 pianos, and a library offering more than 300,000 materials. Classes are available to both music and non-music majors.
Classes at the Conservatorium focus on the history and analysis of music, ensemble studies, chamber music, arts music, and music technology. To apply for admission to an undergraduate course, you must apply for an audition or interview where you present the prescribed conservatorium program. All application materials should be submitted to IES Abroad. For more information about the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, visit http://music.sydney.edu.au/study/.
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:
You complete a total of 120 hours at your internship placement over a total of 15 days. As part of the internship, the University of Sydney offers an extensive professional development program, tailored to assisting you with cross-cultural understanding and skills in selling your experiences to future employers.
In addition to time at your internship placement, you maintain a reflective journal and submit a final report. You earn 6 UOC (4 IES Abroad credits) for an internship, and typically enroll in three classes in addition to the internship. For more information, visit the University of Sydney's Internships page.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, the University 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 the University of Sydney doesn't currently have connections in your field of placement, the staff will search for a placement that's right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don't see your field here? Just talk to your University advisor and the Center Director.
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.
Sydney University Village Apartments You live at the Sydney University Village apartments. Choose a single room, either within a five-bedroom apartment (with full kitchen facilities) or in a studio apartment with an en-suite bathroom and your own refrigerator. Studios are all grouped together in the same hallway and share a large kitchen. You'll have plenty of opportunities to meet other students. The apartments and studios are contained within the grounds of “The Village”—a tight-knit student community, housing primarily international students. Please note that five-bedroom apartments are typically mixed gender. Meals are not included.
The apartments are well-connected to Sydney’s safe, clean, and frequent public transport network, and only a short walk to University facilities. Here, you have the opportunity to live right in the heart of the vibrant and youthful Newtown district, known for its bustling restaurant and café culture, shopping, and nightlife. For more information, visit www.sydneyuv.com.au.
The University of Sydney is equipped with a wireless network, which you can access for free through your laptop.
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 international student orientation at the University of Sydney. This program provides official academic orientation that further introduces you to the facilities and offerings at the University of Sydney. 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, be sure to join a social or sports club-they're a great way to meet local students. The University of Sydney Union is a great resource for this large university, sponsoring more than 100 student clubs, societies, and events. On the University of Sydney Union website, you can use the Clubs and Societies directory to find descriptions of activities that match your interests.
You also have access to all the university facilities, such as galleries, museums, a theater, health center, library, and recreation center.
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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