Summer in Sydney
Jump into Australian life for three or six weeks.
Summer at the University of Sydney has it all: world-class academics at a prestigious university, life in a vibrant, historical city, and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Australian culture. Sprawling across central Sydney, the university has its own zipcode, but the mix of Hogwartsy buildings, high-tech modern buildings, and graffiti tunnel maintain its campus feel. Take advantage of the University of Sydney’s numerous social events, from surf camp to breakfast with koalas to a harbour cruise.
What to Expect:
-
Language: English
-
Average Courseload: 1-2 Courses (3-6 US credits)
-
GPA Requirement: 2.8-3.0+
Highlights:
- University ranked in top 3% of universities worldwide
- AACSB-accredited business school
- Official University of Sydney DIGITAL Transcript
- Big city living, but with easy access to Sydney's world famous beaches
- Broad course offerings in business, international studies, and communications
Program Details
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is continuously rated in the top 0.3 percent of universities in the world and in the top 50 of many worldwide rankings. The university boasts top-notch academics, dedicated faculty and staff, and research facilities that are globally recognized. Plus, you’ll connect with Aussies and students from around the world; the University draws 15,000 international students from over 145 countries.
The University of Sydney is the oldest member of the prestigious “Group of Eight,” Australia’s Ivy League. Your course options will seem endless. You can study business, communications, political science, or more than one hundred other academic areas. Enjoy world-class facilities, inspirational academics, and expert faculty and professors. To add depth to your interactions abroad, you can get to know local Australians through the MATES Social Mentoring Program. Or, you can join over 200 campus clubs and societies.
When at the University of Sydney, you’ll study in the heart of one of the world’s great cities. You can choose from multiple campuses where you might take classes, and all are close to one another and within two miles to downtown Sydney. The University’s main campus, Camperdown/Darlington, covers over 170 acres. You’ll find state-of-the-art teaching and learning technology, including six libraries, art galleries, historical museums, and perfectly manicured lawns.
Accredited by The Department of Education and Training of Australia. Also accredited by AACSB and EQUIS.
Beginning effective January 1, 2020, all CIS Abroad returning transcripts from institutions in Australia will be completely digital. This will mean no physical copies of transcripts will be mailed for this program.
Areas of study with fewer than 3 classes available
- Art & Design
- Education
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Areas of study with 3 to 7 classes available
- Communications
- Business
- Humanities
Don't see your major listed here? There may still be courses available. Browse our programs by major.
Beginning effective January 1, 2020, all CIS Abroad returning transcripts from institutions in Australia will be completely digital. This will mean no physical copies of transcripts will be mailed for this program.
Summer in Sydney takes place in an intensive three or six week session. You can choose one or two subjects (equivalent to 3 or 6 US credits) or you can substitute one of those subjects for an internship.
How to choose your courses: This is the fun part! Part of the application process requires you to fill out a CIS Abroad Course Selection Worksheet that can be found in the CIS Abroad Application Page. The instructions for choosing your courses can be found below.
Course load: You will choose 1 or 2 courses. If you choose an internship credit-bearing option you must also choose a 1 non-internship course.
Course approval: It is best if you are able to get 4-5 classes approved before heading overseas. This will give you some flexibility when setting up your class schedule. Make sure to consider the courses that are required for your major, but also think about classes that fulfill any elective requirements that you may have.
Course descriptions and catalog:
You can use the courses from previous terms as a good indication of what to expect for your semester, as they don’t typically vary too much from year to year. Once the new courses have been finalized they will be updated here.
*Please note that you are more than welcome to combine courses from the first 3 weeks and second 3 weeks for a full six weeks and up to 6 US credits.
Optional: ARTS2600 Internship 1
Summer in Sydney offers a unique Study Abroad Internship Program (ARTS2600) that provides the opportunity to gain work experience within the Australian marketplace or research in the Australian University setting. Sydney Abroad interns have the chance to develop familiarity with the Australian workplace culture while applying their academic learning in real workplace situations. They also enhance their communication, cross-cultural and interpersonal skills and gain a competitive advantage in the graduate employment market by developing global connections.
Interns complete a minimum 120 hours in a placement with one of our many and varied partners. In addition to your work placement are eight hours of professional development workshops, academic readings and a range of assessments, including a final project report.
Internships are from a variety of fields including start-ups, technology firms, financial service providers, and non-profits. Applicants are placed on a best-fit basis. Placement is competitive and based on eligibility criteria such as GPA (3.0 minimum), applicability of academic studies to the placement, and the outcome of a Skype interview.
Why Life in Sydney
The gateway to Australia, Sydney is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city that combines culture, history, and beautiful scenery! Sydney is Australia’s largest and oldest city, with a multicultural population of nearly four million. Located along the southeast coast of the Tasman Sea, Sydney has one of the world’s most stunning harbors, with easy-to-reach sandy beaches in every direction. As a student studying in Sydney, you can enjoy some of Australia’s most famous sites, such as the Sydney Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Bondi Beach, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Are you a sports fan? Don’t miss out on one of the many fan-driven sporting events within the city. Food enthusiast? Dine on dishes from all over the world thanks to Sydney’s international food scene. Want to take a break from the city and enjoy nature? There are five major national parks around Sydney with 8,000 square kilometers of open space, easily accessible by train.
Visitors to Sydney will agree that the city has a reputation as an international center for commerce, arts, fashion, culture, entertainment, music, education, and tourism. Best of all, Sydney has an enjoyable temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. It’s the perfect place to explore the city or hit the beach! With its wide range of cultural, historical, culinary, and sports opportunities, Sydney, Australia, is the perfect location for your study abroad experience.
Live La Vida Local
-
Cockatoo Island
Take the ferry to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the middle of beautiful Sydney Harbour.
-
Fish Markets
The largest working fish market in the southern hemisphere - open from 7am every day. Book a behind the scenes tour to see the real wholesale auction that kicks off at 5.30am.
-
Chinatown and Powerhouse Museum
Find your favorite flavour of dumpling when you visit Chinatown. Then pop to the nearby Powerhouse Museum – this is an interactive museum dedicated to science, technology and design. If you want to grab some bargains you can also stop by Paddys Market!
-
Hyde Park
Visit the Australian Museum (Australia’s first museum), the ANZAC memorial, St Mary’s Cathedral and Hyde Park Barracks – a good dose of Aussie culture and history.
Housing in Sydney
Location
You’ll share a room in a modern youth accommodation centrally located in the city with easy access to the University of Sydney and all the main attractions of Sydney. All locations are less than a 20-minute walk to campus or a 10 minute train ride.
Students will share bedrooms with other CIS Abroad students and each floor has a gender-segregated bathroom.
BONUS: All CIS Abroad students will get an Opal Card for public transportation and a SIM card.
This housing option also includes a travel agency onsite to help you book all of your Australian travels and they usually include a discount. This youth accommodation also offers organized events (outside of CIS Abroad excursions), examples include: Yoga Class, Trivia Tuesday, Day out at the Glebe Markets and more!
Meals
You’ll have access to a shared kitchen area complete with refrigerator and oven so you can cook dinner with your friends. For times you don’t want to cook, there’s also a cafe 700 meters from the front door!
Inclusions and Amenities
- BathroomShared
- Bed linens
- CommuteWalkingPublic Transportation
- Double Room
- Kitchen Equipment
- Study Areas
- Triple Room
- Wi-Fi
What's Included
Inclusions
Program fees are in US dollars and include the following:
- CIS Abroad Orientation
- Student union and club fees
- Local Australian mentor
- University of Sydney official transcript
- CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
- Academic advising
- Financial aid counseling
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Full-time tuition & fees
- Housing (shared bedroom in apartment, single supplement fee)
- Pre-departure and on-site orientation
- Airport pickup
- Medical & Accident Insurance
- La Vida Local cultural program
Welcome & Orientation
Your program will kick off with a comprehensive orientation. You will learn more about the culture and vivacious city around you. We’ll explore some of Sydney’s countless attractions, from beaches to business districts. We’ll also sit down to discuss program and behavioral expectations, with topics such as culture, slang, and where to go and what to do when you settle into your new home in Sydney.
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. We’ll walk you through some of the things to expect, rehash your time abroad so that you can remember the highlights and, yep, we’ll feed you again as part of our farewell to Australia.
Program Excursions
Manly Beach
Taking the ferry over the harbor to Manly is an experience in itself. At the beach, you can sunbathe, try paddle boarding, dine on fish and chips, or take a leisurely bush hike that will lead you to unobstructed views of glimmering water.
Sydney Tower Eye
Visit Sydney’s tallest structure and the second tallest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Save this one until you know your way around the city—then head up to the observation deck to see it from above. On a clear day, you’ll be surprised what you can spot!
Milson's Point and Kirribilli
Start with a walk over the Harbour Bridge, then visit Luna Park for a bit of theme-park fun. From there, explore the Kirribilli markets for local music, fashion, and Australian trinkets.
Site Director
Travel Tip:
Looking for a change of pace in Sydney? While you could certainly travel up or down the coast, consider heading into the “hinterland” by taking the train up to the Blue Mountains area. You’ll see spectacular scenery and pass through tiny, welcoming villages.
Travel Tip:
Looking for a change of pace in Sydney? While you could certainly travel up or down the coast, consider heading into the “hinterland” by taking the train up to the Blue Mountains area. You’ll see spectacular scenery and pass through tiny, welcoming villages.
About:
Paloma, originally hailing from Spain, has a background in event production, fashion, as well as a law degree from Seville University and volunteered on the biggest Tattoo Festival in Sydney. She is passionate about animals, sports and vegan food. She lives in Sydney and has over 3 years experience with American study abroad and exchange programming. She is excited to welcome our students and interns to Sydney.
Your Support Staff
We love what we do and want to talk to you! The Global Advising Center is here to help you decide on a program, and complete the Online Application. From the moment you first hear from us—be it through a text, phone call, email or personal visit—you will find that our passion for international education is contagious. We’re ready to launch you abroad.
Be open to meeting new people! Some of my favorite memories while traveling include meeting people in hostels, or by getting involved at my school abroad. You never know who will be a lifelong friend! Try all of the local foods, even if you don’t think you will like it. Write everything down in a journal- you will appreciate those stories later!
Expect the unexpected! Sometimes culture shock is stronger in countries where you expect things to be more similar to your home country and environment. Traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn more about your own culture, habits, style, and adaptability.
COVID-19 Plan
COVID-19 Plan
We believe that study abroad is still possible during the COVID-19 pandemic, but certain policies and procedures will need to be in place to ensure every student can be safe and healthy during their semester abroad.
We monitor international indicators and health standards in the country and our risk management team makes decisions based on those and our own policy. We will make a decision no less than 45 days before a program starts what options are available to you and what the contingency plan is for your program. We will do all that we can to support you during this time.
Learn more about CIS Abroad’s Risk Management Team’s three step process for operating our programs around the world and important program refund policies.
Program Suspended
This program is currently not available for the Academic Year 2020/21. Please consider other options by exploring our Open Summer and Fall 2021 Programs or consider a Virtual Internship.
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: Mar 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: May 31 (Estimated)
- Departure: June 24 (Estimated)
- Price: $5,990 (Estimated)
- Application Deadline: Mar 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: May 31 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 16 (Estimated)
- Price: $6,590 - $8,990 (Estimated)
- Application Deadline: Mar 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: May 31 (Estimated)
- Departure: June 24 (Estimated)
- Price: $5,990 (Estimated)
- Application Deadline: Mar 1 (Estimated)
- Arrival: May 31 (Estimated)
- Departure: July 16 (Estimated)
- Price: $6,590 - $8,990 (Estimated)
6 Week Session Notes: $6,590 – 1 Unit, $8,990 – 2 Units
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.