Academics

The University of Sydney offers a wide range of coursework to accommodate your academic plans. USYD is particularly strong in sport studies, law, English and literature, pharmacy, marketing, philosophy, education, civil engineering, architecture, and anthropology.  

Unique study opportunities

  • Access popular courses that offer guided field-based experiences related to the Australian outdoors, sports, and arts.
  • Collaborate on a real-world project through the Industry and Community project course, or take an internship for credit at a a leading business, government, or community organization.
  • Learn about how engagement with natural environments in Australia, whether in formal educational settings, organized leisure activities or through informal recreational experiences, play a role in society by taking the Learning in Outdoor Education course. 

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Language Study: Optional

Foreign language study is available. Check the university course catalog.

Courses and credit

REQUIREMENTS WHILE ABROAD

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study: 24 quarter/16 semester UC units each semester, which is equal to 24 USYD points
    • A 6 point USYD course= 6 quarter/4 semester UC units
    • Since most USYD courses are worth 6 USYD points, most UCEAP students will take 4 courses
  • You may take one course per semester for pass/no pass credit

COURSE NUMBERS AND DIVISION 

Courses that begin with a 1 will earn lower division UC credit. Courses that begin with a 2 or 3 will earn upper division UC credit. 

RESTRICTIONS

UCEAP does not allow students to take courses that begin with a 4 or higher at USYD- except for EDUH 4052 and EDUH 4058, as UCEAP students can take these two courses. 

INTERNSHIPS

USYD offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Australian business culture and shape your future career. The ARTS2600 course includes a 120 hour industry or research work placement, in which USYD finds the placement. 

Interns have the chance to develop familiarity with the Australian workplace culture while applying their academic learning in real workplace situations. They also enhance their communication, cross-cultural and interpersonal skills and gain a competitive advantage in the graduate employment market by developing global connections.

Catalogs and resources

  • University of Sydney Course Catalog: Browse the full list of undergraduate offerings.
    • Semester 1 is the spring term; semester 2 is the fall term.
    • USYD refers to classes as "units".  
  • University of Sydney Internship Program: Learn how to apply for an internship.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of some courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings.
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location. If the course you want to take is not listed here, that does not mean you can't earn major, minor, general education or elective credit for it, as the database is not fully updated and does not list all courses, even if a UCEAP student has taken it before and has earned major credit for it. Let this database help you if it's able to, but don't let it detour you. It's ultimately up to your major advisor to determine the type of UC credit you'll earn for your classes abroad. 

Academic Culture

To help you acclimate to Australian campus life and culture, there are a few key differences and similarities with UC to be aware of:

  • The Australian semester is longer and has a slower pace than the UC semester or quarter.
  • Students address Australian lecturers and tutors informally by their first name.
  • Similar to UC, the main forms of teaching are lectures (50-500+ students), tutorials (10-25 students), seminars (30+ students; half lecture, half tutorial), and labs/practicals.
  • All lectures are recorded—beware of waiting until the last minute to watch them.
  • In Australia, students are expected to be independent and show initiative. Instructors won't chase you up if you miss classes or assignments.
  • Assignments tend to require heavy research and critical analysis.
  • You’ll need to use Australian English for assignments.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Australian university grades are criterion-referenced rather than norm-referenced (i.e., curved). This means that your performance on an assignment will be compared to a predefined standard, not to the performance of your classmates. Your lecturer will advise you of this standard via a grading rubric.

Most assessment is due toward the end of the semester. In a semester, it is not uncommon to have your first assignment due in the sixth week and not receive any grades back until the eighth week. Finals may be very heavily weighted (40-80% of your final grade). There is usually a study week (called swot vac) between the last week of the semester and the start of the exam period.

UCEAP converts your Australian grades to UC grades. Fall grades are usually available in December. Spring grades are usually available in July.