Sydney
Sydney, Australia

Arts + Sciences (University of New South Wales)

AACSB and EQUIS ✓

Study Program

Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

Credit

14 - 18 semester hours

21 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

21 weeks

Costs

Credit

16-19 semester hours

24-28.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Tentative Dates

-

18 weeks

Credit

14 - 18 semester hours

21 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Your Arts + Sciences program in Sydney lasts a full semester and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds. You will enroll in a combination of CIEE courses, host institution courses, and courses taught online through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Australian culture. Live and learn in Sydney!

Unique Experiences

Live in One of the Best Cosmopolitan Cities in the World

to enjoy everything a big city has to offer and learn about the Australian way of life

Immerse Yourself in Nature

choosing from endless options of beaches, national parks and natural attractions

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Explore Art and Culture

getting involved in Sydney's bustling art scene with live music, markets, food, art and much more

Experience
  • students by ocean sydney australia spring

Your Destination

Sydney is Australia’s dynamic global city, celebrated for its rich cultural diversity, thriving arts scene, and world-class education and research. The city blends natural beauty with urban innovation – offering everything from iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge to cutting-edge museums, creative industries, and coastal parks. Whether you're studying the arts or sciences, Sydney provides top-tier academics and a vibrant lifestyle. With its buzzing food scene, outdoor adventures, and laid-back charm, Sydney is the perfect place to study abroad.

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Program Highlights

  • Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses, host institution courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
  • Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
  • Cultural Projects: Volunteer with members of the local community, join university clubs to socialize with your peers, and attend local workshops and events to get to know your host city.
Sydney

Excursions & Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Sydney will open doors for you to explore Australia's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.  

Samples of past excursions and activities: 

  • • Enjoy a day at the famous Manly beach and join a guided historical Q-station (Quarantine Station) tour
  • • Hike the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the spectacular landscape  
  • • Learn about Sydney's beach lifestyle while enjoying an Aussie BBQ (Barbie) 

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.    

Program Blogs

From CIEE

The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Australia

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Known as the Land Down Under, studying abroad in Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the country’s stunning coastline and its indigenous history to its modern, multicultural vibe, Australia has... keep reading

From CIEE

Exploring Sydney's Vibrant Markets: A Feast for the Senses

By CIEE Sydney at CIEE

Sydney's markets are bustling hubs of activity, offering a sensory delight of sights, sounds, and smells that capture the essence of the city's diverse culture and creativity. From fresh produce... keep reading

From CIEE

Sydney vs. Melbourne Study Abroad: Which is Better for You?

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

You’ve decided to study abroad in Australia. Exciting! This incredible country is the perfect place to take your studies. With its rich biodiversity, fascinating history, 200,000+ diverse species, and unique... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

CIEE Sydney: Study in a bustling urban area with easy access to the city’s most iconic landmarks and cultural attractions. CIEE Sydney boasts five classrooms, a study, a library, and a cozy lounge with kitchen amenities.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW): Established in 1949, UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities. Its main campus is located in the Kensington suburb of Sydney, which places it between world famous beaches and the multicultural bustling international city center. The university is comprised of nine faculties through which it offers bachelor, masters, and doctoral degrees across a diverse range of study fields. UNSW prides itself on combining world leading academics with modern facilities, quality education standards and a diverse community.

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.

GPA

2.7

Language Requirements

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Immigration/Entry Requirements

Visa Required: Yes

Additional Requirements

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All students will enroll in the UNSW Tailored Term, which requires exactly four total UNSW courses (6 units of credit/4 U.S. credits each), for 16 U.S. semester credits.  Students can opt to add on the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership course for an additional 3 U.S. credits. 

Online Course Options: substitute up to one ASU online course

Program Credit

Total credit: 16-19 U.S. semester/24–28.5 quarter credits 

Course Credit

  • UNSW courses: 4 U.S. semester credits; notional hours vary
  • CIEE course: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Australian universities typically require students to take responsibility for learning and encourage self-motivation and self-discipline. Contact hours may seem low, but students are expected to do significant directed reading on their own. UNSW expects that a student will dedicate 25 hours of self-directed learning across the term for each UNSW unit of credit they take (each UNSW course is 6 units of credit). The CIEE course is designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation.

Arizona State University: Most ASU online courses are asynchronous. You may find yourself in classes with students from ASU, other American universities, and students from around the world. You’ll receive direct and individualized support from faculty, 100% online.

Class Format

Students are eligible to enroll in any UNSW course for which they are qualified, except for courses held at the UNSW Canberra campus, and some medicine and MBA courses. A typical course consists of two hours of lectures and one to two hours of tutorials per week, with additional lab work in the sciences. Many science classes also involve fieldwork. Students also have the option of adding a CIEE elective course, where instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

ASU online courses meet in “sessions” that are 7.5-weeks long in the semester, and all work must be completed within the session dates regardless of when your other CIEE courses begin or end.

Grading

Assessment at UNSW is typically based on essays, project reports, a midterm, tutorial/seminar participation and performance, and practical and final exams. UNSW uses a five-point grading system: High Distinction (HD); Distinction (DN); Credit (CR); Pass (PS); and Fail (FL) which CIEE converts to recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents. The CIEE course is graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. The U.S. grading scale of A – F is used.

ASU grading follows the same format and standards as ASU courses taught in-person. “Pass/fail” or “Audit” is not allowed for CIEE students.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

The UNSW Tailored Term is designed as follows: students take one intensive university course over the first four weeks, followed by three university courses over the next 13 weeks. Students also have the option to take the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership elective course during this time, but it cannot substitute a UNSW course.

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Students can apply to all academic fields at UNSW Sydney excluding the AGSM Masters of Business Administration, the UNSW Canberra courses, and certain courses in the Faculty of Medicine as advised by UNSW Sydney.

The UNSW options available to CIEE students are across the following fields:

  • Art and Design
  • Arts and Social Sciences
  • Built Environment 
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Law 
  • Medicine* 

Explore the full list of courses in the UNSW Handbook online. You can browse the suggested academic pathways to assist your selection.

*study abroad students cannot enroll in clinical medicine courses

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO

 

Program Options
Program Options

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Fall 2025 18 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $22,450
Program Spring 2026 21 weeks Start Date * End Date * Fees & Housing $23,950
Program Fall 2026 18 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $14,956 **
Housing $7,000 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $22,450

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.

Select Housing Fee $3,600

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee $1,688
International Airfare $1,700 ††
Local Transportation $800
Books & Supplies $10
Visa Fees $1,120
Personal expenses $310 †††
Other $450 ††††
Total Costs $6,078

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

††††OSHC - Extra Health Insurance for Student Visa

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation $300 *
Educational Costs $15,456 **
Housing $8,000 ***
Insurance $194
Total Fees $23,950

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee $832
International Airfare $1,700 ††
Local Transportation $650 †††
Books & Supplies $10
Visa Fees $1,120
Personal expenses $320 ††††
Other $450 †††††
Total Costs $5,082

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day during the week. For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $390 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Transport costs are $50AUD per week.

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

†††††OSHC - Extra Health Insurance for Student Visa

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Thais Oso

Regional Director of Operations for South Pacific Rim, Interim Center Directy, CIEE Sydney

Thais started her career as a psychologist working in the Brazilian favelas. She travelled to Australia 19 years ago as a Study Abroad student and fell in love with the...

Jane Hanley

Academic Director

Dr. Jane Hanley has a PhD in International Studies from Macquarie University, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Latin American Literature from University of New South Wales, and a Bachelor of...

Crystal Reay

Program Manager

Crystal is a born and raised Sydney Sider with a Bachelor of Theology and a background that blends over 15 years in Arts, Library Information, and Museum Services. After completing...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info