Information for term Arts + Sciences
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenStudy at one of Sydney's top-ranked universities, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), and immerse yourself in Australia's bustling university life. UNSW is known for its academic excellence and offers students a vibrant community with various activities and student clubs. From arts and humanities to social and historical sciences, you'll find challenging coursework across academic disciplines to advance your degree.
In addition to studying at one of the most prestigious universities in Australia, you will have the opportunity to enjoy everything Sydney offers. With hundreds of beaches and national parks nearby, Sydney offers the perfect blend of city life, beach vibes, and natural beauty. There is always something exciting and interesting to do, learn, and experience.
All courses will be complemented with activities and excursions organized by CIEE beyond the city to enhance your classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Live in one of the best cosmopolitan cities in the world
Enjoy everything a big city has to offer and learn about the Australian way of life
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Immerse yourself in nature
Choose from endless options of beaches, national parks and natural attractions
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Explore our art and culture
Get involved in Sydney's bustling art scene with live music, markets, food, art and much more!
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Beaches and national parks to choose from
100+ -
of our plants and animals are unique to our Island(s) and are found nowhere else in the world
80% -
Population of Sydney
5 M
Location & Culture
Click to Open
Your Destination
Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world and Sydney is its business hub and the country's launching point for exchanging goods, services, and ideas with its Asian neighbors. Sydney is one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading centers for startups, trade, finance, tech, and media production. With a population of around five million, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city consistently ranked as one of the best cities to live in globally because of its social inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and healthy lifestyle.
Sydney is an incredibly diverse city, and home to people from all over the world. Nearly half of its residents speak a language other than English at home and 36% were born overseas. The first inhabitants, the Aboriginals, are the world's oldest civilization, and this heritage has helped shape modern Australia. This one-of-a-kind mix of people and cultures led to a shared spirit and attitude that is the Australian way of life. Aussies are known for laid-back "no-worries" attitudes, being open-hearted and open-minded, and believing that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities, what they call locally as having a "fair go".
Sydney is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world; more than 80% of Australia's plants and animals are unique to our Islands and are found nowhere else in the world. There is also a bubbling art scene, the city government supports young and fun artistic pursuits, including Sydney's Art and About, Vivid Sydney, Sydney Movie Festival, regular food, art, crafts, and music events, and the list goes on!
The CIEE Sydney Center is strategically located in the heart of Sydney's Downtown (CBD) and minutes away from Central Station, with local, intercity, and interstate transport at your doorstep.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Sydney.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
We will offer a variety of activities and day trips to allow you to immerse yourself in Australia's culture and historical heritage.
- Hike the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the spectacular landscape.
- Learn about the world's oldest civilization during one of our Aboriginal cultural tours.
- Enjoy a day at the famous Manly beach and join a guided historical Q-station (Quarantine Station) tour in Sydney Harbour National Park and learn about the first Australian visitors' quarantine history and experience.
- Visit Australia's capital - Canberra. Learn about Australia's parliamentary government while seeing world-class attractions and amazing architecture.
- Go on a hike at one of Sydney's National Parks - Previous visits included: Wolli Creek Park, La Perouse Park, and Sydney Harbour National Park.
- Visit one of our many museums. Previous visits included: Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, and Contemporary Art Museum.
- Learn about Sydney's beach lifestyle while enjoying an Aussie BBQ (Barbie). Previous visits included: Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and Shelly Beach.
- Meet our local animals, including kangaroos and koalas, during one of our zoo visits. Previous visits included: Taronga Zoo, Wild Life Sydney Zoo, and Sydney Zoo.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our volunteer opportunities are divided into two areas: Social Impact and Environmental Impact.
- Social Impact - You can join the team at BREED Australia. This local non-for-profit organization supports young people in the underprivileged communities in Sydney to build their emotional intelligence and resilience, helping them break the barriers of generational poverty. At BREED, you can also choose to work with their incubator program for local businesses, helping the local community grow and thrive by empowering entrepreneurs to succeed.
- Environmental Impact - The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment offers various volunteer opportunities based on your area of interest. We can help you select and apply for the one that best suits your passion and purpose. To see a full list of options, click here.
Academic Projects
Students interested in one of the following Academic Projects must submit additional materials as part of their course selection:
- Internships: Internships are available as part of the study program in various startups, businesses and NGOs in private and public organizations.
- Research: Pursue a research project of your own design incorporating independent and local fieldwork.
- Service-Learning: Combine course-based learning with practical, relevant project experience to meet a community-defined need.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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Housing
Students in Sydney will live across a variety of housing locations. Housing options are mostly twin rooms with some single and triple rooms. Students will share a kitchen and other facilities with others. Housing locations are all in convenient locations to shops, cafes, and public transport within the city area and are within a 30-minute commute to the center.
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Meals
Meals are not provided. Housing options will have shared kitchen facilities. Sydney has a vibrant fusion food scene with fresh local fruits, vegetables, and meats readily available. You will find Australian food is influenced from all corners of the globe.
Sydney, Australia Where You'll Study
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A
University of New South Wales campus
Multidisciplinary higher education institution with 8 faculties, set on a modern 90-acre campus.
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B
Sydney Opera House
Landmark, skyline-dominating arts centre for opera, theatre, music and dance, plus guided tours.
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C
CIEE Global Institute - Sydney
616 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
The University of New South Wales (UNSW), established in 1949, 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.
CIEE students enroll in UNSW undergraduate courses offered during its tailored term: one course over the first four weeks, followed by three courses over the next 13 weeks. Students also have the opportunity to add the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership elective course.
The CIEE Global Institute - Sydney is located in the suburb of Ultimo, right in the heart of the Sydney Central Business District and minutes away from cafes and shops in the iconic Darling Harbour.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at a college/university with at least one completed, full-time semester on their official transcript at the time of application.
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.
Program Requirements
All students will enroll in the UNSW Tailored Term, which requires exactly four total UNSW courses (6 units of credit/3.5 U.S. credits each), for 14 U.S. semester credits. Students can opt to add on the CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership course for an additional 3 U.S. credits.
Program Credit
Total credit: 14-18 U.S. semester/21–27 quarter credits
Course Credit
- UNSW courses: 3.5 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse 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.
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenStudents 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
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
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 17 weeks | Deadline Passed | Aug 10, 2023 | Dec 9, 2023 |
$19,950
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Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 Educational Costs = $15,753 Housing = $3,700 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $19,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,550 International Airfare = $1,500 † Local Transportation = $600 Books & Supplies = $10 Personal expenses = $425 †† Total Estimated Costs = $5,085Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† for laundry, local calls, entertainment, etc. Personal travel(s) not included. |
| Spring 2024 20 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Jan 8, 2024* | May 25, 2024* |
$20,850
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,856 ** Housing = $5,500 Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $20,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $4,826 International Airfare = $1,700 † Local Transportation = $800 Books & Supplies = $10 Personal expenses = $270 Total Estimated Costs = $7,606Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure |
*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.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Thais Oso
Center Director
Thais has over 18 years of education industry experience which include running an American study abroad program in Sydney and working in the exchange programs at one of Australia’s top universities.
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Christina Kim
Student Life Coordinator
Christina has over 10 years’ experience working in education, in the US, South Korea, Cambodia and Australia
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