Semester on the Gold Coast
Bond University
Soak up the sun and explore Australia’s Gold Coast.
More of a collection of coastal “suburbs” than a single centralized city, the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. It’s renown for its beautiful beaches, great surf, and innovative small businesses. While the area’s skyline showcases high rises in a few suburbs like famous Surfers Paradise, most of the rest of the coast is modestly developed and maintains the chill vibe you’ll come to expect in Australia in general. Study and live on or near Bond University. Consistently earning Australia’s Good Universities Guide’s top ranking for student experience, Bond is a beautiful, modern, medium-sized campus with state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant campus life.
What to Expect:
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Language: English
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Average Courseload: 3–4 courses (12–16 U.S. credits)
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GPA Requirement: 2.5 (GPA of 2.3+ considered)
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Visa Requirements: YES - Pre-departure
Highlights:
- Convenient semesters in September, January, and May, similar to the U.S. academic calendar
- AACSB International Business School accreditation
- Official Bond University DIGITAL Transcript
- Extensive sports facilities on campus, free for students to use
- On- and off-campus living options with meal plan (on campus) or no meal plan (off campus)
Program Details
Bond University
CIS Abroad’s Semester on the Gold Coast is located at Bond University. Founded in 1989, Bond is Australia’s newest and most innovative universities. As one of only two private universities in the country, Bond sets itself apart from other Australian institutions. You’ll enjoy smaller class sizes and a more intimate campus experience. The University also follows a U.S. academic calendar with semesters beginning in September and January, making it a great fit for American study abroad students.
One of Bond’s most popular classes among study abroad students is Environmental Field Analysis of Rainforest and Coastal Regions, affectionately known by students as “Island Class.” It’s is a one-of-a-kind learning experience at Bond University. The intensive subject is undertaken on North Stradbroke Island, one of Queensland’s diverse and picturesque environmental regions.
Bond is the school for you if you want a high-quality academic experience in a beautiful setting. The University is one of Australia’s best-rated universities—and it’s just fifteen minutes from a 100-mile-long beach. In fact, Bond has won the most five-star ratings of any university in the respected 2016 Good Universities Guide, an Australian publication. Bond has a reputation for personalized education by expert teachers, innovative courses and teaching methods, and a highly internationalized student body. You’ll join over 4,000 students, 25 percent of which are international.
Students adore Bond’s campus, which has extremely modern facilities set around a stunning lake. As a study abroad student, you’ll get outstanding support, including academic advising and personal and professional counseling. Because of the size of the student body, it’s easy to get involved with campus activities. You can join social clubs, academic-focused organizations, and even sport groups.
Accredited Australian university by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
All CIS Abroad returning transcripts from institutions in Australia are completely digital – no physical copies of transcripts will be mailed for this program.
Areas of study with 8 or more classes available
- Art & Design
- Business
- Communications
- Natural & Applied Sciences
- Health
- Humanities
- World Languages
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Course search instructions:
You will find classes offered at the 100, 200, and 300 levels. The 200- and 300-level classes at Bond are often equivalent to classes you take in your junior and senior years in the US. They will likely have prerequisites.
Make sure you check the box “Display only Study Abroad subjects.”
Course search:
Click here to view the entire list of courses that Bond has to offer. This tool is easy to navigate and filter.
Why Life in Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities, known for its beautiful beaches, sporting events, and outdoor activities. With 32 miles of beaches and 300 sunny days each year, locals and tourists alike agree that the Gold Coast has some of the best surfing in the world. And, the city is located near some of Australia’s most valued treasures, including the Great Barrier Reef, inland mountains, and tropical rain forests!
While living on the Gold Coast, students will have endless opportunities to explore their surroundings. Just fifteen minutes away from Bond University, you’ll find a buzzing city filled with award-winning restaurants, cafes, festivals, shopping, and nightlife. Enjoy the beach during the day, explore farmers markets and festivals in the afternoon, and dine on international cuisine at night.
Want to escape the city life and encounter some wildlife? Plan a visit to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can pet kangaroos and take a photo with a koala! Also, with quick access to the local airport, you can easily travel to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and other major cities in Australia.
If you’re a sports fan, don’t miss the opportunity to see The Commonwealth Games in 2018, one of the largest elite multi-sport events in the world. It’s the equivalent to staging fifteen world championships simultaneously! The Commonwealth Games will be the biggest international sporting event in Australia for a decade and the largest ever hosted by the Gold Coast.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet day by the shore, a fun-filled surfing lesson, or time in the city, the Gold Coast has it all.
Live The Local Life
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Local beaches
Say “hi” to the local surf lifesavers. Just remember to stay inside the flags when you take a dip.
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Mount Tamborine
The green behind the gold. Go for walks and enjoy lookouts plus great cafes and art galleries.
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Whale Watching
June to November spend some time with the gentle giants of the sea.
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Currumbin Rockpools
Very popular when it heats up on the coast, this is a perfect place to take a dip and cool down away from the crowded beaches.
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Miami Marketta
A local hotspot for awesome street food and live local music.
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Currumbin creek
Try stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking or take on the waves (great for beginners) at Currumbin Alley.
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Farmers Markets
Australians love their fresh produce! Check out the local markets on every weekend across the coast where you can enjoy a kombucha or organic tea while you stock up on your fresh fruit and veg for the week.
Bond University Residence Halls
Location
For an immersive campus experience, choose to stay in the Bond University residence halls. You’ll have a double room on campus with a bed, desk, chair, lights, phone, and bookshelves, with bed linens and blankets provided. (You will need to bring/purchase your own towels and hangers.) Each floor has shared bathrooms for students to use.
BONUS: Enjoy free laundry facilities in the dorms!
Meals
A range of meal plans for dining on-campus is available. Price will vary accordingly.
Options:
No meal plan
Partial meal plan
Full meal plan
Inclusions and Amenities
- SharedBathroom
- Bed linens
- CommuteWalking
- Desk
- Double Room
- LaundryOn-site
- Meal PlanPartial
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:
- 4 day Aussie Orientation in Sydney
- Full-time tuition and fees
- Housing
- Medical and accident insurance
- Overseas Health Insurance (mandatory for any student studying in Australia)
- Cultural activities and excursions
- Monthly professional development opportunities
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Pre-departure orientation
- Airport pickup
- 24/7 On-site support
- Bond University transcript
- The Local Life cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Your program will kick off with the action-packed and engaging Great Barrier Reef Orientation. This 4-day/3-night orientation will provide you with an amazing introduction to Australia’s culture, wildlife, and natural environments. Get ready to be on your feet (and in the water) much of the time, visiting places like the rainforest, indigenous communities, and the Great Barrier Reef. Also do things we know you came a long way to do, like holding koalas, snorkeling, and feeding kangaroos.
Your site director will also sit down to provide insight and discussion into program and behavioral expectations, with topics such as culture, slang, food, and where to go and what to do when you settle into your new home in the Gold Coast. Once you’re settled in the Gold Coast, you’ll also get an orientation at Bond University to help you get adjusted to your new surrounds and learn your way around.
Farewell & Re-Entry Program
Though you’re not an astronaut returning from space, re-entering your home culture after being abroad can be shocking to the system. Your site director will walk you through some of the things to expect and help you reflect on your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights. Also, enjoy a group meal as part of your farewell to Australia.
Program Excursions
Aussie Orientation in Sydney - Semester
Your program will begin with a 4 day Aussie Orientation in Sydney where you’ll meet other program participants, explore cultural icons, and complete Australia bucket list items. Explore The Rocks, visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbor Bridge, and take in the views of Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, and Manly. We’ll discuss program and behavioral expectations, touching on topics such as culture, slang, food, and where to go and what to do as you settle into your new home. Once you’re settled in, get an orientation at your new campus to help you get adjusted.
Burleigh Headland Walk
Take a beautiful walk around the Burleigh Head National Park and visit the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Here you can try bush tucker (bushfood) and learn about the amazing culture of the Yugambeh people.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit one of the Gold Coast’s most popular tourist destinations in natural bushland and rainforest settings. You can feed the friendly kangaroos and say “gidday” to a koala at our local wildlife reserve.
Site Director
Travel Tip:
Once you get on that plane, let go of all expectations. Everyone will tell you how awesome and amazing your experience will be but be prepared to face challenges. This is your journey and it will be what you make it. So, make yourself a bucket list of all the things you want to achieve in the short time you are there and make sure you achieve them all!
Travel Tip:
Once you get on that plane, let go of all expectations. Everyone will tell you how awesome and amazing your experience will be but be prepared to face challenges. This is your journey and it will be what you make it. So, make yourself a bucket list of all the things you want to achieve in the short time you are there and make sure you achieve them all!
About:
My parents travelled a lot before they had kids so our house was full of colorful treasures they’d collected and stories of crazy and wonderful adventures. When I graduated school I was 100% set on two things – travel and becoming an Anthropologist. While I didn’t become an anthropologist (not in the official sense anyway!) I have been lucky enough to experience the culture and customs of a few amazing countries including Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, USA, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, Cuba, UK and Morocco. I love that every country you visit opens your eyes to new ways of being; so important for cultivating a more empathetic and connected world.
My bachelor degree was in Journalism as I love to talk to people from different walks of life and to tell their stories. I worked as an editor and freelance journalist for several years before I fell into the field of International Education, working in the Study Abroad office at Bond University on the Gold Coast from 2014 to 2019. I then took a role with the Department of Education’s International Student Program which looks after Study Abroad students studying in Australian High Schools. This role was much more involved in welfare, and as a result I became passionate about youth work and am also undertaking studies in this area.
Now I have three beautiful children that keep me busy so I don’t travel so much but it’s OK because I vicariously live through our Study Abroad students! Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to study abroad while at university but the beauty nowadays is you can EASILY volunteer, intern or study abroad, the choice is yours. What a wonderful world we live in where such opportunity abounds!
Your Support Staff
Don’t overplan. Have a place to stay, pick a few major things you want to do, and then just get lost in the beauty of it all. If you plan too many activities, you miss out on stumbling into the most wonderful things that you’ll never forget.
You’ll be supported every step of the way!
Advising
Our advising team can help match you with a program that fits your academic and personal objectives. It’s not always an easy choice, but you can’t go wrong! Once you’ve decided, we’ll guide to you submit an online application.
Enrollment
Once you’ve submitted your initial application and the fee, you’ll be assigned a Program Enrollment Coordinator. We’ll work closely together to guide you through the enrollment process and prepare you for a life-changing experience!
Dates & Prices
ADVISOR TIP: Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.
- Application Deadline: Oct 15
- Arrival: January 7
- Departure: April 23
- Price: $19,290 - $21,990
- Application Deadline: Jun 1
- Arrival: September 3
- Departure: December 18
- Price: $19,590 - $22,790
- Application Deadline: Oct 15 (Estimated)
- Arrival: January 6 (Estimated)
- Departure: April 21 (Estimated)
- Price: $19,590 - $22,790 (Estimated)
Price range:
FALL 2023
On campus double room, partial meal plan: $19,590
On campus double room, full meal plan: $20,290
Off campus double room, no meal plan: $22,790
As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.
CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.