Fall: 19 weeks (late July to early December)
Spring: 19 weeks (February to late June)
Academic Year

Sponsored by the Department of History in the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Students participating in this program will be introduced to Australian society and the Australian education system. The University of Notre Dame Australia offers courses in eight faculties: Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and Philosophy.

The University of Notre Dame opened its Sydney campus in 2006, making it the newest university in the greater Sydney area. The university offers two campuses where students can study.

Where does it take place?

Approximately the same size as the continental United States, Australia has a population of over 21 million people - most of who live in the large coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth. 

Sydney is the country’s largest city with a population of over four million.  It is the capital of the State of New South Wales and covers an area of 700 square miles from Botany Bay to the national park in the north. It offers a pleasant environment bordered on one side by the ocean, beach, surf and a fantastic harbor. 

The city of Sydney is a modern metropolis of skyscrapers, expansive parks and world famous structures such as the Sydney Opera House. Some of the attractions include Darling Harbor, Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Sydney Tower, the Botanic Gardens, and the beaches. Sydney has world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment for every taste. Transportation is excellent and inexpensive, but central Sydney is very much a walking city with many small arcades and interesting historic buildings.

The University of Notre Dame’s Broadway campus is situated in the heart of the city in between the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney. This campus offers courses in Arts and Sciences, Commerce, Education, Law, and Nursing

The Darlinghurst campus housing the Faculty of Medicine and is located just 15 minutes walk from the Central Business District and 20 minutes from famous Bondi Beach.

What can I study?

This program is designed for students from a variety of disciplines and is open to all majors. 

Students will attend regular classes with Australian students and will be required to enroll for a minimum of twelve (12) credit points. Most units at Notre Dame are valued at either three credit points, which equate to approximately 12 and 16 hours of study per unit per week.  

Extensive listings of subjects available at Notre Dame are:

• Behavioral Science
• Communications
• Cultural Studies
• English Literature
• Economics
• English Literature
• History
• Politics
• Psychology
• Theatre Studies

For specific course listings visit The University of Notre Dame Australia.

While many of these subjects are approved areas of study, it is the student’s responsibility to consult with an adviser to determine specific course equivalencies and offerings during their intended semester of study.

Any course other than history courses will be considered transfer credit and will not be computed into your MSU GPA with the exception of history. 

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details see co-sponsored programs.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Registrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

MSU students from all academic majors are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to students majoring in the College of Social Science. 

All students must have sophomore status and be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.75 at the time of application.  Students must also submit an essay with their application indicating their interest in the program and what particular aspects of Australia appeal to them.  Essays should demonstrate the applicant’s interests, understanding and ability to manage cultural differences, as well as their maturity in being an ambassador for MSU and the college they represent. 

Please note that early application and high GPA do not guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will reside in furnished, self-catering off-campus apartments and houses with other US study-abroad students. We offer several high-quality options, including apartments in trendy inner-city neighborhoods within walking distance of campus, luxury high-rise apartments with easy access to both the city and famous Bondi Beach, and some beachside living opportunities. All options are managed by Study Australia and meet high accommodation standards.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202

Sandy Tupper
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4341

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.  It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

Australia requires a student visa.  U.S. citizens can obtain their visa by applying directly to the Australian consulate with instructions provided by the Office of Study Abroad.  During the first pre-departure orientation, students will be informed of all requirements needed to obtain this visa. 

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for spring 2009 is $14,089 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• tuition and fees (12-16 credits)
• accident and sickness insurance

Additional costs not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• airfare
• accommodations
• meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

These additional costs are estimated at $7,100 (SS09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.  Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses.  (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall and academic year programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.