Australia Study Abroad Program at University of Melbourne
About University of Melbourne in Australia
- Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- Application deadlines: November 1 for semester 1 (Feb-June)
November 1 for calendar year (Feb-Nov)
March 15 for semester 2 (July-Nov)
March 15 for academic year (July-June)
- Program advisor: Mike Owens
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Program Snapshot
We're so excited that you're considering IFSA-Butler's program at the University of Melbourne for your semester or year abroad. Melbourne is consistently ranked in the top "Most Livable Cities" in the world, and it is the arts capital of Australia, with theatres, concert venues, galleries and arts events, and a thriving local music scene! We're sure you're going to love studying there!
There are a few specific forms for this program that you will need to complete along with your IFSA-Butler application. You can find the forms under the Forms tab.
What Melbourne has to offer
- One of Australia's leading research and higher education institutions in the heart of a cosmopolitan city
- A wide range of subject choices, especially in the arts, science, economics and commerce
- Interesting and innovative interdisciplinary programs
- An impressive main library and 15 branch libraries in faculties and departments
- On-campus health service, post office, banks, restaurant, cafe, bistro, food cooperative, pharmacy, dental service, hair salon, news agent, bookstore, computer store, travel agent, cinema, theatres, art galleries, and stalls selling fruits, vegetables, clothing and general merchandise
- An energetic atmosphere due to an active student union that sponsors concerts, speakers and cultural events
- Union House, the hub of campus social life and home to many of the 160 clubs and societies
- Great indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, including a mountain lodge
Housing
- Housing is in one of three residence halls near the campus or in UniLodge, a privately owned student complex downtown within walking distance of the campus
- Residence halls have mandatory meal plans
- Students who live in UniLodge purchase or prepare their own meals
Academics
- Most classes are organized around a core series of lectures and tutorials, while students work independently on research projects and essays
- Students take a varied number of courses, depending on course weight
We look forward to working with you!
Academics
CoursesWhere can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
- Open the University of Melbourne online course catalog.
- Click on the faculty (general area of study) in which you are looking for courses (called subjects at University of Melbourne).
- Click on the department for a list of courses. You can also search four subjects by keyword.
What courses am I eligible to take?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.
When considering departments and courses, please note that:
- Remember in Australia, U.S. fall semester = semester 2 and U.S. spring semester = semester 1. Be sure to select courses for the correct semester you are studying abroad.
- University of Melbourne course codes are listed with four letters and six digits. Make sure to write the letters and digits on your course preference form. You are not eligible to take graduate courses.
- Students wishing to take courses at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) cannot choose courses in other disciplines. All coursework must be done in the VCA. Areas of study for study abroad students at the VCA are art (drawing, painting and photography), dance (ballet and contemporary, choreography and performance), production, and music (improvisation, composition and performance). Study abroad students are not eligible for drama, film, or television courses.
- Supplemental items are required for admission to the VCA. Please contact your program advisor, Michael Owens, for specifics. You may also consult the VCA directly, but please send your application materials to IFSA-Butler.
What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.
Course Restrictions
The University of Melbourne has course restrictions in certain faculties and disciplines. Click here to view the list of restrictions.
Credits
How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The University of Melbourne requires all study abroad students, except in very special cases, to take four courses worth 12.5 points for a total of 50 points. The number of courses you will take depends on the individual credit value of the courses you select. For information on the credit weight, please consult the information below.
6.25 UME points = 2 U.S. semester credit hours
12.5 UME points = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
50 UME points = 16 U.S. semester credit hours
Registration
What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Melbourne course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.
You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.
The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Neither you nor the university is bound by your selections, and you will not officially register for courses until you arrive on campus.
Exams
What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.
Transcripts
How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the University of Melbourne. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.
Housing
Housing OptionsWhat are my housing options?The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad
- UniLodge on Lonsdale
UniLodge is a student apartment complex located in Melbourne, so it provides an urban living experience at your front door! All of the residents at UniLodge attend a university in Melbourne, but not necessarily the University of Melbourne. Many of the residents will be international students. The University of Melbourne is about a 20-minute walk or 10-minute "trolley" ride away. You will also be able to prepare your own meals in the apartment's kitchen or take advantage of the numerous cafes and restaurants that are nearby.
Most apartments will house two students on the IFSA-Butler program. Each student has his or her own bedroom with a bed, desk, closet and dresser. The kitchenette has a sufficiently-sized refrigerator, cook top, microwave and kettle, but students must provide their own crockery (cups, plates, saucepans, etc.), utensils and bedding. Living rooms are furnished with a lounge suite, dining table and chairs, TV/VCR and are heated centrally. There is one communal bathroom per flat. Network Internet and telephone service is available (fees paid by residents). A student life program, called Community Spirit, has been set up to encourage community involvement and also provide support to residents. Recent programs have included a ski trip to Mount Buller, a night tour of the gaol, barbeques, Aussie sports trips, game nights, movie nights and cross-cultural celebrations.
Meals
Students placed in residential colleges will have a mandatory meal plan. Newman and University Colleges offer 21 meals per week and Whitley College offers 19 meals per week.
Students placed at UniLodge will be responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals in shared kitchen areas.
Housing FAQs
Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for any commuting costs you may incur. Australian university housing requires students to move out during breaks between semesters. If you are studying abroad for a year and wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during these breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.
When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Australia for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.
Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.
Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.
Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.
Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.
Location Info
Living and Studying Abroad in Melbourne, Australia
About Melbourne
Population: 4 million
Location: State of Victoria, on the southeast edge of Australia
City features
- Known as the "World's Most Livable City"
- A great combination of ultramodern development and 19th-century architecture
- The arts capital of Australia, with theatres, concert venues, galleries and arts events, and a thriving local music scene
- World class sporting teams and events, including Aussie Rules football, the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), the Australian Masters (golf) and the Australian Grand Prix (Formula One racing)
Do more!
- Sun and swim at great beaches just outside the city
- Drive the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne to Adelaide, one of the most beautiful drives in all of Australia
- Walk the trails of Mornington Peninsula National Park for magnificent views of seascapes
Links
City of Melbourne
CitySearch Melbourne
Melbourne.com
Visit Victoria
VICNET-Victoria's Community Network
Melbourne and Victoria News
Dates & Fees
Program Dates
University of Melbourne dates for semester 1 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view our full Australia program calendars.
Personal Cost Estimates
Personal cost estimates for semester 1 2012 coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Australia personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator
Forms
To apply to the University of Melbourne program, use our easy online application.
Applicants to the University of Melbourne program must complete additional forms as part of the application process:
We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the University of Melbourne for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.
If you have already started an application to the University of Melbourne program, you can check the status of your application using the student portal.
Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team
IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Australia:
 Program Advisor Mike Owens assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Prior to working at IFSA-Butler, Mike gained relevant experience working for two years as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Wabash College. He also studied abroad as an undergraduate, thus is excited to bring his passion for study abroad along with his admissions experience to IFSA-Butler in order to assist students and parents through their own, unique study abroad experience. He currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in Australia, New Zealand, and England. Mike can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4257.
 Student Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.
 Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.
Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our student services coordinator Yogini Patel.
 Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.
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Internships
The University of Melbourne offers a limited number of internships to well-qualified students in several departments with the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Economics and Commerce. Each internship requires the student to participate in an industry-based placement and to complete a significant research project under the supervision of an academic staff member from the department overseeing the internship.
Depending on the department, students will do their internship in place of either one or two academic courses. Students who are interested in an internship should send a letter of introduction outlining the reasons they are interested in an internship and highlighting their qualifications. Students should also mark the internship's course number and name on the course preference form. Availability of internships varies from semester to semester and cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, students should also select at least five regular courses for pre-approval.
Internships are worth 4-8 U.S. semester credit hours.
Internship options include:
Public affairs 166-039 (Offered in semesters 1 and 2)
Offered through the Department of Political Science, this internship offers you the opportunity to work for a senior policymaker and manager in a local government, nongovernment or community-based organization. A public policy course is a corequisite for this internship. This internship is open to political science students only and is taken in place of two courses.
Parliamentary 166-044 (Offered in semesters 1 and 2)
Offered through the Department of Political Science, this internship permits you to work with a Member of Parliament in the Victorian Parliament (the state Parliament). You will complete your research report while working in Parliament, the Parliamentary Library, Parliamentary offices and the electorate offices. A public policy course is a corequisite for this internship. This internship is open to political science students only and is taken in place of two courses.
Sociology 672-382 (Offered in semester 2 only)
Offered by the Department of Sociology, this internship lets you take on a sociological research project in an organization such as a trade union, social movement, women's organization, welfare service provider, government or nongovernment organization, or business organization in the private sector. You must be a sociology major and have completed or enrolled in a class on quantitative and qualitative research strategies. A three-hour a week seminar is a corequisite for the internship, which usually consists of a day and a half of work each week. The internship takes the place of two courses.
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University of Melbourne
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