Australia Study Abroad Program at the University of Tasmania
About the University of Tasmania in Hobart & Launceston, Australia
- Required GPA: 2.5 (4.0 scale)
- Application deadlines: November 15 for semester 1 (Feb-June)
November 15 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 preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the University of Tasmania (UTAS) as your destination. Tasmania is a beautiful and unique location to live in and learn about Australia. 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 UTAS has to offer
- Small classes and comprehensive student support services
- Two close-knit campuses, both with spectacular views and nearby unspoiled wilderness parklands
- Highly regarded natural environment and wilderness studies
- Two of the best art schools in Australia: the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart and Launceston's School of Visual and Performing Arts
- On-campus health services, banks, dining areas, post office, hair stylist, bookstore, computer labs and more
- An active student union whose services include free student advice and advocacy, social events, and sports teams and clubs
- Student clubs for sports, politics and the green movement
- Opportunities to take advantage of Tasmania's wilderness and coastal environments: bushwalking, caving, climbing, rafting and diving
Housing
- All housing is integrated with Australian students
- Housing at Hobart is in one of three residential colleges, two near the campus at Sandy Bay and the other within a 20-minute walk of the campus and city
- Christ College and John Fisher residential colleges are self catered but also offer pay-as-you-go meal cards
- Students at Hobart also may live in flats close to campus and purchase or prepare their own meals
- Housing at Launceston is on-campus in suites in which students purchase or prepare their meals; or in dorm-type accommodation with pay-as-you-go meals
Academics
- Most subjects in the arts, sciences and professions area available
- Students may enroll in courses across disciplines but select courses at only one campus
- Students take three or four courses per semester
We look forward to working with you!
Academics
CampusesAt which campus should I study?Students can choose to study at one of two campuses of the University of Tasmania. The main campus of approximately 8,000 students is in Hobart, the capital city. The other campus of approximately 4,000 students is in the state's second largest city, Launceston. While you must indicate the campus you wish to attend, the paperwork you must complete is the same for both campuses. You must select one campus or the other; you are not able to take classes at both campuses.
CoursesWhere can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
- Open the University of Tasmania online course catalog.
- Select "I am commencing my course"
- Search for courses at either the Hobart or Launceston campus, but not both. It is often easiest to search for your courses using the "Unit title contains" to search 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.
For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:
- When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the Australian academic system is an intensive, three-year program.
- First-year (100-level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
- Second-year (200-level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
- Third-year (300-level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
- Fourth-year (400-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.
- 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.
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
Are there any restrictions or additional requirements for courses I can take?
Yes, there are some restrictions and/or additional requirements you should be aware of when selecting courses:
- All fine arts courses require a portfolio of your work. A portfolio should have eight to 10 samples of your work on slides, disk or CD. If taking a 100-level fine arts course you may not need a portfolio. Check with your program advisor.
- Courses in the medical school are not open to study abroad students.
- Full-year courses are not open to students studying for just one semester.
- The School of Art is located in downtown Hobart, a 30 minute walk from the main campus.
- Students are not allowed to audit courses. Additionally, no online or distance education courses can be taken for academic credit.
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 number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. A full course load at the University of Tasmania is 50 percent credit for the semester (equivalent to 15-16 U.S. semester credit hours) and 100 percent credit for the year (equivalent to 30-32 U.S. semester credit hours). For information on the credit weight, please consult the information below.
12.5% UTAS points = 4 U.S. semester credit hours
15% UTAS points = 4.5 U.S. semester credit hours
16.7% UTAS points = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
20% UTAS points = 6 U.S. semester credit hours
Registration
What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full University of Tasmania 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 Tasmania. 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 in Hobart?The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad in Hobart.
- Residential Colleges
- Christ College, established in 1846, offers a creative and vital collegiate community for 154 students. All students have single-study bedrooms with a telephone and Internet connection and shared unisex bathrooms. Christ College and John Fisher share dining facilities, common rooms, a computer lab, postal facilities, barbeque, and laundry facilities. Students will have access to communal kitchens and will also have the option to purchase a pay-as-you-go meal plan upon arrival.
- John Fisher was established in 1963 and built by the local Catholic community, although students of all backgrounds are welcome here. It too offers a stimulating and supportive collegiate lifestyle. John Fisher was extensively renovated in 2005. It houses 100 students in single study bedrooms with shared single sex bathrooms. All bedrooms have a telephone and Internet connection. Students will have access to communal kitchens and will also have the option to purchase a pay-as-you-go meal plan upon arrival.
- Off-campus Tasmania University Union Housing
Students choosing the off-campus option will live in housing in Sandy Bay, which is in the same suburb as the university. The self-catered houses are shared with other Australian and international students. Each student has a room of his or her own in fully furnished large communal houses which have living rooms, bathrooms, heaters, equipped kitchens and gardens. Students may want to rent stereos and/or TVs from recommended hire companies. Phone and Internet connections and fees are the responsibility of the student and must be arranged through the local provider by the student.
Most student houses are within a 10 to15-minute walk to the campus and its classes and facilities. In addition, there are many shops and restaurants, and public transportation runs regularly into the city center of Hobart from Sandy Bay village.
What are my housing options in Launceston?
The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad in Launceston.
- Students who attend the Launceston campus have a choice between Kerslake Hall, Leprena or Investigator Hall. Basic kitchenettes (fridge, microwave and toaster) are available on most floors. All halls are within a few minutes walking distance of campus and within 10 minutes by bus to a local grocery store.
- Kerslake has 107 single-study bedrooms spread over two buildings with shared bathrooms and kitchens. All bedrooms have a telephone, Internet connection and sink.
- Leprena has a mixture of single-study bedrooms with communal kitchens and bathrooms. It also has single-study bedrooms in an apartment style setting.
- Investigator Hall has 160 single-study bedrooms.
- If on-campus housing is full, IFSA-Butler students will live in off-campus flats.
Meals
Students in Hobart placed in on-campus accommodation will have access to communal kitchens and will also have the option to purchase a pay-as-you-go meal plan upon arrival. Students in Hobart placed in off-campus accommodation will have to purchase and prepare their own meals in shared kitchen facilities.
Students in Launceston can purchase and prepare their own meals in shared kitchen facilities or buy meals on a pay-as-you-go basis from the campus cafe.
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
HobartLiving and Studying Abroad in Hobart, AustraliaAbout HobartPopulation: 190,000 Location: State of Tasmania, south of mainland City features
- A picturesque harbor and a lively waterfront
- Access to outdoor recreation, with beaches, rivers and wilderness all within easy driving distance
- A thriving art and theatre scene, as well as nightclubs and pubs
- The weekly Salamanca open-air market with arts and crafts, food, clothes and performers
Do more!
- Visit nearby Port Arthur to learn about the convict history of Australia
- Visit Bruny Island for gorgeous seascapes, great bushwalking and the chance to see fairy penguins
- Take advantage of Tasmania's spectacular scenery and some of the world's greatest rock climbing, whitewater rafting and fly fishing
Links
City Search Hobart
Bruny Island
Discover Tasmania
Tasmania Travel Guide
Tasmania Online
Tasmania News
LauncestonLiving and Studying Abroad in Launceston, AustraliaAbout LancestonPopulation: 95,000 Location: State of Tasmania, south of the mainland City features
- At the head of the picturesque Tamar River, one of Australia's oldest cities with many historical buildings and sights
- Access to outdoor recreation, with beaches, rivers and wilderness all within easy driving distance
- Pubs, clubs, restaurants and sporting venues
- The Silverdome indoor sporting and entertainment venue and a new professional Australian Rules Football stadium
Do more!
- Visit Bruny Island for gorgeous seascapes, great bushwalking and the chance to see fairy penguins
- Walk just 15 minutes to Cataract Gorge for breathtaking views, the longest single-span chairlift in the world and concerts at the Cataract Gorge Reserve's outdoor amphitheater
- Take advantage of Tasmania's spectacular scener and some of the world's greatest rock climbing, whitewater rafting and fly fishing
Links
Discover Launceston
Bruny Island
Discover Tasmania
Tasmania Online
Tasmania News
Dates & Fees
Program DatesUniversity of Tasmania dates for semester 1 2012 coming soon!Click here to view our full Australia program calendars.
Personal Cost EstimatesPersonal 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 Tasmania program, use our easy online application.
Applicants to the University of Tasmania 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 Tasmania 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 Tasmania program, you can check the status of your application using the student portal.
Meet Your 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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InternshipsInternship opportunities are available at the Hobart Campus of the University of Tasmania. Internships last one semester and are worth 4 U.S. semester credit hours. The minimum GPA requirement is a 3.0 (4.0 scale). If you are interested in applying for an internship, please contact your program advisor at the time of application. Tasmanian Parliament internships (HAS 361) The University of Tasmania School of Government offers an internship that places students with a Member of the Tasmania Parliament. Your Member of Parliament (MP) will work with you to help you develop a research topic that interests and benefits you both. An academic advisor from the university and a parliamentary research coordinator will offer guidance on your research project. Although the Tasmanian Parliament internship program is technically a political science program, research topics may include nearly any discipline, including environmental issues, education, economics, nutrition, health and gender issues. In conjunction with the internship, you will enroll in a political science class. Your academic supervisor will assess your internship research report, in consultation with the parliamentary research coordinator and the MP with whom you work. The success of your research report carries most of the weight in determining your final letter grade for the internship. Journalism/media internships The University of Tasmania also offers several internships in journalism and media. You might work at one of Tasmania's three statewide daily newspapers, three local television stations, five local radio stations or one of a number of print outlets. You must have completed two years of study in some form of communication and media studies, which might include public relations, professional writing or advanced print media studies. Students undertaking an internship must study at the Hobart campus.
ScholarshipsThe University of Tasmania offers five AUD$1,000 scholarships to study abroad students each year. Eligibility is based on academic record and interest in the University of Tasmania as a study abroad destination. Applicants interested are required to submit a 500-word essay on why they would like to study in Tasmania. For more information, click here. If you would like to apply for this scholarship, please send in your essay with the rest of your application.
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University of Tasmania
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