Key Facts and General Information

Campus located at:                              Sydney (at campuses in Parramatta, Bankstown, Campbelltown), Penrith and Hawkesbury
Student Numbers on Campus:            35,000+
Semester Abroad Requirements:      2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) required
Full Degree Requirements:                 Details on university web site
Australian Government Accreditation (CRICOS) code: 00917K
Accredited for US financial aid:        Yes
Overseas students can apply for:      Semester, Year Abroad, Internships,  Bachelors, Graduate Diplomas, Masters, PhDs/Doctorate
University Web Site:                             www.uws.edu.au

The AEC acknowledges that much of the information on this page is from university resources.

UWS is a major urban university spread over six campuses in Greater Western Sydney, a region of great opportunity, diversity, challenge and growth. The University shares many of the characteristics of the region, as closely identifies and works with local communities and businesses. The university is forward-looking and committed to access and equity in higher education. Knowledge is put to work in the education of students for employment, in the application of research to contemporary problems, and in mutually enriching partnerships with communities.

The University is culturally diverse, with over 2000 staff and about 35,000 students drawn from Australia and around the world. The University is designed for the knowledge economy of the 21st century where economic growth and social outcomes will depend on the skills of individuals and communities, and where education will be flexible and continually adapt to meet individual needs.

The University is closely linked to Greater Western Sydney, one of the nation’s economic powerhouses where ten per cent of all Australians live, and has a teaching and research structure designed to meet the challenges of the new economy.

UWS courses are focused on the future. From professional education in vocationally-based disciplines through to critical scholarship in higher degree programs, the University ethos emphasizes critical and questioning enquiry and innovation. Students are at the heart of everything the university sets out to do. The university is committed to providing students with both the information they need to succeed in today’s social, political and economic climate and the skills that will help them to adapt for tomorrow.

Despite its size and geographic spread, UWS is known as a friendly and welcoming place where each campus is a community in microcosm and staff will go out of their way to help.

Read more information about the university at:
http://www.uws.edu.au/about_uws/uws

Eligibility

For Semester and Year Abroad:

Required: GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
It is preferably that students have completed at least 1 year study at home school before going abroad.

For Internship Program:

Students will require the same eligibility requirements as the semester/year abroad programs. Students are also required to provide two written references supporting the internship from home school faculty or relevant staff. One subject of the semester abroad program is substituted for the internship which is hands on experience in industry.

For Full Degree Programs:

Entry requirements vary based on the qualification which the student has applied for. At the minimum students would require some college study at the time of application for entry to the university.

Additional notes:

Students undertaking or with completed community college study may apply as `transfer’ students to the university.
Students applying for certain courses e.g. creative arts, music or media studies may be required to provide supporting documentation to ensure suitability for entry to the program.

Prospective Research Masters and/or PhD/Doctoral students must begin dialogue with relevant faculty at the university to begin discussions on potential supervisors. This will make the process easier when applying as students will be able to list their `potential’ supervisors with whom they have already discussed (via email or phone) their research. Research students are also required to submit an Abstract or other summary of their research proposal with their applications to undertake research based degrees.

Please also read the section on `Planning…’ to understand the process of admission.

Any tuition fees listed on this page are listed in local currency. Therefore, use the currency converter here to convert prices into US Dollars or any other currency.

As a direct enrolled student through the AEC Program, students pay the university’s advertised tuition costs. Semester and year abroad students can check the consolidated price list for semester and year abroad programs at all universities here. Information also includes cost of medical insurance, books, international airfare and visa. In this way, you will be able to better budget for your overseas study experience. It is not possible to provide a consolidated list of full degree program costs because costs vary based on subject, degree type and other factors. Refer university web site direct for individual degree costs or check with the AEC.

Tuition Fee:

Semester Abroad      A$ 7,548*
Year Abroad              A$15,096*
Internships**              Semester or Year Abroad Cost
Full Degrees               Tuition depends on the Field of Study

* The fees assume that the student will take 3 subjects of study/internship per semester (equivalent to 30 credit points); however, students are able to take 4 subjects (equivalent to 40 credit points) with a tuition fee of A$ 8,670.
** As internship students follow a similar format of study as the semester or year abroad student with the exception that one subject (class attendance etc) is usually substituted for an internship component, students pay their normal semester or year abroad tuition fees.

List of semester/year abroad prices of all universities in consolidated list here.

Housing Fee:

The university has a comprehensive housing website here.
Allow A$ 3168-4800 per semester based on your housing preference and campus location. Students can compare the overall cost of their study by first choosing a campus and then the type of housing. Cost of housing is based on your preference.

The AEC will assist with all housing arrangements after you have completed your application for entry to this university through the AEC. Step by step guidelines are provided by the AEC as it supports students through the maze of housing.

Housing options at this university include:

• On campus residence halls
• Off campus residence halls
• Off campus shared housing

Note that there is a 6 month housing option provided so that even though the program ends with 18-19 weeks, students have housing to stay in the outer areas of Sydney for a period of 6 months. Many students use this option to travel to nearby regions for tourism purposes and use their housing as a base.

The AEC does recommend full degree students consider off campus, university or private provider housing arrangements which are far lower in cost than on campus housing. The AEC will work with students on a one on one basis to provide the best possible option based on student’s need and availability.

The university is accredited by the US Department of Education for the purpose of financial aid. This means students who would normally qualify for US financial aid to attend a US school, can take this aid to study at the overseas university. There is also information about working whilst studying for those students wanting to work part time (whilst studying) as a means of gaining paid overseas work experience and/or simply earning some money whilst studying.

Semester & Year Abroad Students:

Comprehensive information on financial aid for semester/year abroad is listed here.

Information about scholarships is listed here.

Semester and year abroad students will require their home schools to agree to their aid being disbursed for their programs abroad.  The AEC will provide advice and assistance with this process where possible. Read the information at `Comparing programs …’ and the `Direct enrollment’ service to understand what the AEC offers students in terms of affordable programs.

Internships Students:

Read information for `Semester & Year Abroad Students’ above.

Full Degree Students:

As the university is accredited by the US Department of Education for the purpose of financial aid, students wanting to undertake their full degree at the university will be able to do so, subject to completion of their SAR reports and other documentation.

Once the student has applied to the university through the AEC program, the AEC will provide relevant information to ensure that the student begins the process of financial aid. More information is also available in the `Planning….’ Section of the website. Read also information on scholarships and financial aid.

Please be aware that payment of medical health insurance is mandatory as a requirement for obtaining a student visa. Medical insurance cost is A$190 per semester or A$380 per year. The AEC will make arrangements to ensure that you are notified about your medical insurance arrangements as part of the enrollment process. The AEC does also recommend students undertake optional travel and accident insurance coverage when purchasing their airline tickets.

Semester & Year Abroad:

The AEC does accept applications on a rolling basis. It is however,  recommended that students apply 5 months ahead of time to ensure that the AEC is able to assist with all services such as subject selection/credit transfer, housing, visa, pre-departure, travel, arrival, etc.

Options for Semester Abroad:    February to June or July to November
Options for Year Abroad:            February to November or July to June
Note: The Year Abroad beginning in July is longer due to the summer holidays from Dec to Feb.

Internships:

As internship students follow a similar format of study as the semester or year abroad student with the exception that one subject (class attendance etc) is usually substituted for an internship component, students follow the same application deadlines and start dates as listed for semester/year abroad applicants.

Full Degree Applicants:

Full Degrees and Other Programs: Apply 4-6 months ahead of time except for courses that have particular deadlines or are in higher demand e.g. medicine, music etc. Refer the faculty/department information on the university’s web site. Students considering medical school and some key subject areas such as music must apply well ahead of time. Refer the faculty/department information on the university’s web site.

Arrival and Orientation

The AEC in consultation with the university arranges your pre-departure advising and arrival arrangements. The university will provide a comprehensive orientation program for all incoming international students. Program usually begins 7-10 days prior to start of semester classes.

To ensure that students are offered direct enrollment, the AEC does not include mandatory travel tours as part of the study abroad program as this increases study abroad program costs. See the information in comparing programs. The AEC therefore, offers optional tours if a student requests these prior to the on campus orientation which is already provided free of charge by universities within their tuition costs. For example, the AEC is able to offer the `Experience Australia’ program in Cairns or Sydney. Most universities also offer optional travel tours. Refer to the section on the `Experience Australia’ optional program and the section on `Internships and Travel’.

Additional information about orientation is here.

Fields of Study - Subjects

List of fields of study are listed within this section.

Instructions for Semester and Year Abroad students: 

Students must choose undergraduate subjects within the broad fields of study listed below. The AEC will provide students instructions on how to choose subjects, where to find subject listings (usually through web links) and assist with subject transfer arrangements with home school, after a student has lodged an application to the university through the AEC program.

Instructions for Internship Students: 

Internship applicants are required to choose two subjects to undertake as part of a semester abroad program. (You may choose three subjects if you are taking a 40 point credit course – refer prices above.) An internship component is added to the semester abroad.  Students are required to choose undergraduate subjects within the broad fields of study listed below. The

AEC will provide students instructions on how to choose subjects, where to find subject listings (usually through web links) and assist with subject transfer arrangements with home school, after a student has lodged an application to the university through the AEC program.

Instructions for Full Degree applicants: 

Students may choose their degrees from the various faculties and departments of the universities - see below.

Agriculture and Horticulture, Food and Natural Sciences

Arts, International Studies, Languages, Interpreting and Translation

Business

Creative and Communication Arts

Computing and Information Technology

Engineering, Construction and Industrial Design

Built Environment

Forensics, Policing and Criminology

Law

Medicine

Nursing, Health Sciences and Sports Studies

Psychology

Sciences

Social Sciences

Teaching and Education

Tourism and Hospitality

Students may navigate information about Degrees and Courses (and subjects available) by going to http://www.uws.edu.au/international/course_information

Support Service in North America

Students lodging applications for semester, year abroad and full degree programs through the AEC direct enrollment service pay no additional fees to the AEC.

The AEC offers students a direct enrollment service which include the following: advising/counseling about study options, access to online resources, application and enrollment in the overseas university, assistance with financial aid/scholarship documentation, assistance with subject selection, student visa, housing, payment arrangements, pre-departure advising and arrangements and of course on-arrival arrangements.

The AEC also ensures that health and safety information is provided to all AEC students.

In addition, full degree students lodging applications through the AEC will on request receive a free `Wheels of Diplomacy & Australian Seat of Government’ 3 night arrival and tour program to Australia’s Capital, Canberra. The free tour includes travel from Sydney to Canberra.

For a complete list of services offered by the AEC to students click here. 

Apply Now - APPLICATIONS!

Semester & Year Abroad Students

If you are applying for a semester or year abroad you must:
Complete the AEC online application here

OR

Download, the AEC application here, complete and mail to the AEC (mailing address listed below).

Separately, you must also arrange the following:

Request your home school to forward to the AEC an official transcript.
Provide your Adviser, the Faculty Recommendation Form  and request your Adviser to mail, fax or email (as an attachment) the form to the AEC.
 
Send to the AEC, 2 passport size photographs (approximately 2 x 2 inches) with your full name clearly marked.
Send a $50 program deposit to the AEC. Details of the deposit are listed here. Cheque payment must be made to: Connections Abroad LLC, the manager of the AEC Program.
Address:
            Australian Education Connection
            5722 S. Flamingo Rd #303
            Ft Lauderdale FL 33330
Fax: 1-954-680-0597
Email:  applications@mystudyaustralia.com

Note:   You may send documentation as it becomes available. For example, you may send an online application, your parent may send on your behalf the program deposit of $50 in a separate envelope as long as your name is clearly listed on the cheque, your Adviser could send your academic reference in a separate envelope and you can send your photos when available (as long as your full name is listed at the back of the photographs!). The AEC can accommodate these arrangements as long as you list your name on all documentation to the AEC.

Internship Students

Follow the same application process as listed under Semester and Year Abroad.

Full Degree Applicants

Students undertaking a full degree, whether a Bachelors, Graduate Diploma, Masters or PhD must complete:
University specific application form for admission to the university.  These forms must be downloaded from the university’s web site, completed and returned to the AEC.
If the applications are sent directly to the university and/or the applications are completed online at the university’s web site, the student will not be able to access services offered through the AEC program.

OR

If the university specific forms are not readily available on the university web site, then please complete the online AEC generic full degree application form here or download the application here and complete and return to the AEC. The AEC will then send you the relevant university specific forms via download. 

To use the free services offered by the  AEC, applications to the university must be lodged through the AEC Program.

Separately, you must also arrange the following:

Request your current and/or last school to forward your official transcripts to the AEC.
Provide any recommendation/referee reports requested on the university’s application form. If you not completing the university’s form (to send to the AEC) and instead completing the AEC generic form, you need not send these recommendations/referee reports. (The AEC will request these when required.)
Send a $100 program deposit to the AEC.  Cheque payment must be made to: Connections Abroad LLC, the manager of the AEC Program.
Address:
            Australian Education Connection
            5722 S. Flamingo Rd #303
            Ft Lauderdale FL 33330
Fax: 1-954-680-0597
Email:  applications@mystudyaustralia.com

Note:   You may send documentation as it becomes available. For example, you may complete an online application, your parent may send on your behalf the program deposit of $100 in a separate envelope as long as your name is clearly listed on the cheque, your references can arrive in a separate envelope, etc. The AEC can accommodate these arrangements as long as your full name is listed in your documentation.

Student Visa

The AEC will advise you about your student visa application process as soon as you have completed the formal process of admission and enrollment. 

Students should be aware that it is not possible to obtain a student visa without first applying for admission to the program, being offered admission and then either paying the university your first semester’s tuition fees  and/or securing agreements between your school and the overseas university about the payment of your fees through financial aid and/or student loans.

The AEC assists with these arrangements and will advise you through each step of the process.

Airfares and Tourism, City and State Information

Once you have completed your initial admission procedures to the university through the AEC program, the AEC will forward you information about booking your travel to the overseas destination and your overseas university.

As airfares fluctuate and travel agencies provide special deals to students, the AEC will provide contact details of travel agencies, airlines and online services which offer good arrangements. You have complete flexibility in using any of the travel agencies the AEC advises you of, or making your own arrangements. The AEC does enter into exclusive contractual arrangements that restrict students to a particular itinerary.

The AEC encourages students to make the most of their travel to Australia and/or New Zealand and therefore, provides much information on tours, stopovers and other itineraries. Note that Australian and New Zealand universities also offer optional tours and/or other activities for inbound students.

Tourism and City/State Information
http://www.visitnsw.com/
http://www.sydneyaustralia.com/en/

Thinking about cheap backpacker hostels in Australia, check out:
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/search/region.cfm?regionid=62
http://www.nomadsworld.com/

Other Study Options

Internship Programs:  

The internship program at the University is tailor made and becomes a part of the semester abroad program. Students can also undertake an internship within the year abroad option. Application procedures are the same as applying for the semester/year abroad program – see the sections on Applying above.

Other:

Look at Menu at left on this site if you wish to pursue:  
Working Holiday Visa Options, Internships and Travel (after your semester abroad), Summer/Winter/Short Programs and the processes for these.

DOWNLOADS - useful material

A lot of useful information in this Study Abroad handbook.

A lot of pre-departure information in this Study at UWS Guide

Click here to return to the start of this page