Our study abroad programs in Sydney offers you the opportunity to directly enroll in the prestigious University of New South Wales (UNSW) with access to a vast array of course offerings across hundreds of disciplines.
Take Classes Like a Local
Choose from UNSW’s impressive range of programs across.
Head to the Beach
Enjoy UNSW’s proximity to the beach.
Explore the Area
Participate in program-specific excursions.
On-Site Staff
Our on-site staff work with you to answer any questions.
Fall 2025
Program Dates:
August 14 - December 12
Application Deadline:
Program Advisor
Kaylee Brezinski
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Take advantage of your chance to live and learn in one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world—Sydney! Enjoy Sydney’s comfortable climate, world-renowned beaches, and iconic spots around the city. We want you to feel at home in Sydney, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.
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 New South Wales.
UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities. Its wide range offerings makes it possible for students of almost every academic background to actively pursue a challenging and stimulating experience.
Partner Institution
University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
With about 14,000 international students from 120+ countries enrolled per year, it’s easy to see how the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is historically committed to internationalism. You have access to an impressive range of academic options across many disciplines. Close to downtown Sydney, UNSW’s proximity to the beach connects you with the famous laid-back Aussie lifestyle.
UNSW has student societies that offer extracurricular delights from music, drama, and chocolate appreciation, to career-building opportunities like entrepreneurship challenges run with fellow students from your major of choice. Also available to study abroad students are sports societies, where you can learn a new sport on a social level or compete for UNSW in local- and Australia-wide competitions.
UNSW is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities, with students enrolled in more than 900 academic programs across nine faculties. Its impressive range of strong programs across the disciplines makes it possible for IES Abroad students of almost every academic background to actively pursue a challenging and stimulating experience at UNSW. The UNSW Business School has both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation. Most IES Abroad students take Level Two courses, which may require certain prerequisites. Most courses are worth 6 UOC or 4 IES Abroad credits.
Students entering for the US spring semester complete one course for 4 IES Abroad credits in the month of January before beginning the regular term in February. Then, between February and May, students complete three additional courses at 4 IES Abroad credits each. Students entering for the US fall semester complete one course for 4 IES Abroad credits between August and September before beginning the regular term in September. Then, between September and December, students complete three additional courses at 4 IES Abroad credits each. The calendar works well for students who are hoping to return home for summer internship opportunities or undertaking another international opportunity in addition to your IES Abroad-UNSW semester.
A wide range of disciplines are available to IES Abroad students in the following subject areas. You can use the UNSW Online Handbook to view and search for potential courses.
3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs between 2.99 and 2.75 on a 4.0 scale will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA below 2.75 are ineligible)
Sophomore, junior, or senior class standing when the program begins
Final admission decision rests with the University of New South Wales
Application Requirements
Submit Your Online Application
Applications may be considered after the published deadline on a space available basis. Please note that late applicants may be required to submit a non-refundable confirmation deposit upon acceptance in order to secure a place in the program. Please contact us with questions about applying after the deadline.
After your Online Application is processed, submit the following in your MyIESabroad account:
Home School Authorization – Your on-campus study abroad advisor can either complete the Home School Authorization electronically through IES Abroad’s PartnerPortal system, or by filling out the PDF form. Consult your study abroad advisor to determine how they would prefer to complete your Home School Authorization.
Official Transcript(s) – Submit Official transcripts from each college/university you have attended since high school. If you have multiple transcripts, IES Abroad will average the GPAs for all colleges/universities you have attended and use that cumulative GPA when reviewing your application. (Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. must obtain a professional course-by-course transcript equivalency report. You may choose any organization that provides professional international transcript equivalencies.)
Color Copy of Your Passport — Submit a copy of the signature page and photo page only showing that your passport is valid at least 6 months beyond the program end date. Must have a valid passport at the time of application.
Student Photo Please upload a passport-style headshot in JPEG format. This photo must be clear and recent, with a full front view of your face and shoulders with a white background. Your photo will be used by University of New South Wales for official documents in preparation for your arrival.
Course Preference Form
(If Applicable) English Language Proficiency Exam – Students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. may need to submit English language proficiency exam results. Contact your IES Abroad Representative for more information.
The Center staff are highly trained local professionals provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad Sydney staff are located in Chatswood, a business and residential neighborhood in the Lower North Shore of Sydney. IES Abroad Sydney staff are readily available to connect with you on your academic, housing, and life experiences.
IES Abroad Sydney Staff
Kate Smart
IES Abroad Auckland, Christchurch & Sydney Center Director
University of New South Wales Village (UNSWV) – The University of New South Wales Village (UNSWV) is located on High Street, on the main campus, about a five-minute walk to the main courtyard and a two-minute walk to the sports center. Each apartment includes a full kitchen, shared bathrooms, and a living and dining area. All apartments are fully furnished, and you can cook in your apartment or go to a variety of restaurants and markets in the surrounding area. No meals are included.
Field Trips
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. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Blue Mountains & Featherdale Wildlife Park
1 Day
Fall, Spring, & Summer
Hike in the Blue Mountains and enjoy a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park.
Royal National Park
1 Day
Fall, Spring & Summer
Explore the second-oldest national park in the world, full of fascinating plants, birds, and animals.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.
Additional Fees for Special Options Associated with Tuition & Housing (invoiced by IES Abroad)
School of Record transcript (if required)
$375
Total Additional Fees
+
Additional Estimated Expenses for Student Budgeting Purposes (select those that apply)
Required Study visa processing fee -
$1,080
Round-Trip Airfare (varies with point of departure and carrier)
$1,700-2,700
Textbooks, Copyright Permission Fees, Course Packets & Other Course-Related Materials
$450
Average Cost of Meals by Housing Option (not included in housing fee)
Apartment (with kitchen access)
$5,600
Rental or Purchase of Required Cell Phone (does not include usage fees)
$30-150
Local Transportation
$1,240
Personal Expenses (does not include personal student travel)
$2,400
Total Other Estimated Expenses
=
Total Estimated Budget
The amounts expressed above are in U.S. dollars. Estimated expenses are based on August 2024 exchange rates. These expenses may vary due to individual needs, spending habits, and exchange rates, and are not included in the IES Abroad program fee. Personal expenses may include but are not limited to the following: meals/beverages (outside selected housing/meals option), social activities and entertainment, toiletries, laundry, and communications facilities (e.g. Internet café, phone centers.) Some items such as textbooks may be billed separately by IES Abroad. The IES Abroad program fee does not reflect scholarships, financial aid, or grants such as the IES Abroad Public University Grant.
Visa / Consular / Residency Fees
Depending on visa requirements related to certain program locations, length of term, and consular jurisdictions, students may also incur costs for expedited processing, predeparture travel to the consulate or for IES Abroad ACCeSS™ ($150) to obtain their visa.
These estimated fees apply to U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens may have different requirements and costs.
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage fees are additional and on a per call basis, depending upon location.
We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs
CISI International Health Insurance
In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.
24/7 Emergency Support
Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.
Mandatory Cell Phone Policy
Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.
Location-Specific Information
Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.
TripTracker System
Allowing you to share independent travel plans.
Crisis Drills
So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
Students who wish to participate in an IES Abroad program will typically apply to both their college/university, as well as to IES Abroad. Start by visiting your school’s study abroad office website to learn more about their application process and deadlines. Note that some university’s deadlines can be as early as one year before your desired term abroad. After you have reviewed the process at your home school, start your online application on the IES Abroad website—there's no application fee! Once we create an account for you, we’ll then ask you to submit the required admissions forms in your MyIESabroad account. After we have received all of your materials, we will review your application and send you an admission decision via email.
As soon as you know you are interested in going abroad, begin applying for your passport. In order to go abroad, you’ll need to have a passport that is valid until at least six months after your program’s end date. For most of our programs, you will need your passport in-hand in order to apply for the required student visa. Rest assured, our IES Abroad Program Advisors will be available to help you every step of the way, but it’s in your best interest to start this process as soon as possible!
You can find a list of the potential courses and/or internship opportunities available for students to pursue under the Academics tab of your program page. Syllabi for each course can typically be found by clicking on the hyperlinked course title, which you can review with your on-campus advisors to ensure that you can earn credit and stay on track for graduation. If a part-time internship opportunity is available on your program and something you want to pursue, discuss the possibility of earning credit for this with your study abroad office on-campus.
You can apply for our IES Abroad Scholarships at any point before the deadline—even if you haven’t yet been admitted into one of our programs! Our scholarship opportunities are competitive, so it’s in your best interest to apply for our scholarships as early as possible. If you’d like to use your existing scholarships/aid towards your program fees, this will depend on your school’s policies and how you’re billed for the program. Talk to your school’s study abroad and financial aid office to learn their policies.
IES Abroad works as a partner to campus study abroad offices around the world to provide high quality academic programs for undergraduate students. In order to participate in one of our programs, we require that you gain approval from your home school’s study abroad office. While IES Abroad is here to help with your predeparture needs, you’ll also want to stay connected with your study abroad advisor on-campus to ensure you’re staying on track with their deadlines and aware of their policies for your program abroad.
The location of your courses will depend on the type of IES Abroad program that you select. Most IES Abroad programs are based at the IES Abroad Center in the host city. Our Centers are physical spaces within the city where we have staff offices and classrooms and they serve as the student hub for many of our programs. On these programs, your classmates will be other IES Abroad students from U.S. campuses and are taught by local or international professors. In some cases, it may also be possible to take one or two courses at a local university and the rest at the IES Abroad Center. Alternatively, some IES Abroad programs are direct enrollment programs, which means that you will take all of your classes at the local university alongside other students enrolled at that university.
IES Abroad places student health & safety at the forefront of all that we do. All IES Abroad students are required to be insured under our mandatory CISI health insurance policy, and this cost is factored into your program fees. Students will be expected to complete a physical within the six months prior to your departure so that our student affairs staff on-site have up-to-date information and can offer support for any health or medical needs you may have while abroad. Mental health services may be available for students upon request. Please discuss any specific health and safety needs with our Dean of Students’ office as early as possible. You can also read more information about our Health & Safety protocols (including COVID-19).
Our experienced housing coordinators work hard to screen and place students in IES Abroad housing, so you won’t need to find your housing on your own. Options can include homestays (highly rated!), residence halls, or apartments depending on your location. You will be given an opportunity to indicate any preferences you may have for housing once you are admitted into the program, which our staff will take into consideration to the best of their ability as they are making arrangements for students. While it’s not recommended, it is possible for you to arrange your own housing abroad if your home school approves you to do so.
Students who wish to participate in an IES Abroad program will typically apply to both their college/university, as well as to IES Abroad. Start by visiting your school’s study abroad office website to learn more about their application process and deadlines. Note that some university’s deadlines can be as early as one year before your desired term abroad. After you have reviewed the process at your home school, start your online application on the IES Abroad website—there's no application fee! Once we create an account for you, we’ll then ask you to submit the required admissions forms in your MyIESabroad account. After we have received all of your materials, we will review your application and send you an admission decision via email.
IES Abroad works as a partner to campus study abroad offices around the world to provide high quality academic programs for undergraduate students. In order to participate in one of our programs, we require that you gain approval from your home school’s study abroad office. While IES Abroad is here to help with your predeparture needs, you’ll also want to stay connected with your study abroad advisor on-campus to ensure you’re staying on track with their deadlines and aware of their policies for your program abroad.
As soon as you know you are interested in going abroad, begin applying for your passport. In order to go abroad, you’ll need to have a passport that is valid until at least six months after your program’s end date. For most of our programs, you will need your passport in-hand in order to apply for the required student visa. Rest assured, our IES Abroad Program Advisors will be available to help you every step of the way, but it’s in your best interest to start this process as soon as possible!
The location of your courses will depend on the type of IES Abroad program that you select. Most IES Abroad programs are based at the IES Abroad Center in the host city. Our Centers are physical spaces within the city where we have staff offices and classrooms and they serve as the student hub for many of our programs. On these programs, your classmates will be other IES Abroad students from U.S. campuses and are taught by local or international professors. In some cases, it may also be possible to take one or two courses at a local university and the rest at the IES Abroad Center. Alternatively, some IES Abroad programs are direct enrollment programs, which means that you will take all of your classes at the local university alongside other students enrolled at that university.
You can find a list of the potential courses and/or internship opportunities available for students to pursue under the Academics tab of your program page. Syllabi for each course can typically be found by clicking on the hyperlinked course title, which you can review with your on-campus advisors to ensure that you can earn credit and stay on track for graduation. If a part-time internship opportunity is available on your program and something you want to pursue, discuss the possibility of earning credit for this with your study abroad office on-campus.
IES Abroad places student health & safety at the forefront of all that we do. All IES Abroad students are required to be insured under our mandatory CISI health insurance policy, and this cost is factored into your program fees. Students will be expected to complete a physical within the six months prior to your departure so that our student affairs staff on-site have up-to-date information and can offer support for any health or medical needs you may have while abroad. Mental health services may be available for students upon request. Please discuss any specific health and safety needs with our Dean of Students’ office as early as possible. You can also read more information about our Health & Safety protocols (including COVID-19).
You can apply for our IES Abroad Scholarships at any point before the deadline—even if you haven’t yet been admitted into one of our programs! Our scholarship opportunities are competitive, so it’s in your best interest to apply for our scholarships as early as possible. If you’d like to use your existing scholarships/aid towards your program fees, this will depend on your school’s policies and how you’re billed for the program. Talk to your school’s study abroad and financial aid office to learn their policies.
Our experienced housing coordinators work hard to screen and place students in IES Abroad housing, so you won’t need to find your housing on your own. Options can include homestays (highly rated!), residence halls, or apartments depending on your location. You will be given an opportunity to indicate any preferences you may have for housing once you are admitted into the program, which our staff will take into consideration to the best of their ability as they are making arrangements for students. While it’s not recommended, it is possible for you to arrange your own housing abroad if your home school approves you to do so.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
Are your loved ones coming to visit your study abroad destination? Here are my tips to help them connect with your experience and keep "tutto a posto."
