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$5 Million in Financial Aid
Academics
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.
Location
The 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.
| Areas of Interest | Disciplines |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources |
• Agricultural Economics |
|
Architecture, Design & Planning |
• Art Studio |
|
Arts |
• Ancient History |
| Sydney Business School* |
• Accounting |
|
Education & Social Work |
• Informational Technology in Education |
|
Engineering |
• Aeronautical |
|
Health Sciences |
• Aboriginal Health & Community Development |
|
Koori Centre |
• Health & Community |
| Law (for Law Majors only) |
• Administrative |
|
Music (Sydney Conservatorium of Music) |
• Composition |
|
Pharmacy |
• Clinical Pharmacy |
|
Science |
• Artificial Intelligence |
*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/.
Courses
Internships
Interning while you study in Sydney gives you rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-lifem everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
You complete a total of 120 hours at your internship placement. 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.
- Communications
- Design
- Electrical & Mechanical Engineering
- Event Management
- Film & TV Production
- Graphic Design
- Marketing
- Media
Advising & Support
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.
Field Trips & Events
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.
Daily Life
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.
Orientation
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.
Housing
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.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Sydney through our cultural events, such as:
- Taking surfing lessons
- Enjoying a dinner cruise in Darling Harbour
- Taking a field trip to the Royal National Park
- Attending an Aussie Rules football game
- Celebrating the semester with a farewell dinner in downtown Sydney
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.
Get to Know Your New City
Enjoy a meal by the waterfront in this unique inner-city suburb.
From lamingtons to Tim Tam slams, there's bound to be a dessert you'll love.
Capture magnificant views of the Opera House and Circular Quay.
Prepare for stunning views, beaches, parks, and cliffs on this 6 km (3.37 miles) coastal walk in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Treat yourself to one of many spectacular performances at Sydney's most iconic venue.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our 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 45-55 minutes away by public transportation.
Our Staff
Chris McKenna
Center Director (Interim)
Chris has worked in the international education sector for almost 20 years and joined our partner, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, in 2006. He held a number of positions at UNSW before being appointed as Director, International Affairs, in May 2016. In this role, he provided support, counsel and advice to the Pro Vice-Chancellor International. Prior to UNSW, Chris was a Senior Project Manager at JWT Education, one of the world's largest communications agencies that provides market research, consulting, branding and communications services to clients in the education sector. In this role, Chris worked on various research projects with a number of Australian universities, government education departments worldwide and organizations such as the British Council. Chris has an M.A. from the University of Glasgow.
IES Abroad Staff
Kate Smart (Center Director - on extended leave until May 2019)
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
Latest from Sydney
This blog was written in a coffee shop, about coffee shops, and creating my new home here in Australia.
Contact a Past Participant
From budgeting tips to housing insight, 500+ IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad experiences and advice.
