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Costs and scholarships

How much money will I need?

While you are not required to pay tuition fees or other student administration or service fees, you will be responsible for most other costs while you on exchange. We estimate that you will require at least AUD$10,000 for one semester to cover your living expenses and cost of air tickets, travel and health insurance.

Prices will vary depending on the exchange rate and cost of living in each country. More expensive destinations are the east and west coast of the USA, the United Kingdom and Japan which may cost AUD$12,000 -15,000 per semester. More affordable destinations include Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Students considering the USA as a destination should be aware that you are normally required to purchase the medical insurance offered by your host institution as part of the enrolment process. This can cost between US$500 to US$1,000 depending on duration and destination. Most universities do not permit a waiver of this insurance. You will need to factor in the cost of this insurance, in addition to travel insurance to bring you from Australia to the USA and back.

Please note that your exchange funds can be made up of:

  • Personal savings
  • Centrelink Benefits
  • Parental Support
  • International Exchange Scholarships - awards based on academic merit
  • Other scholarships from various consulates, embassies, social organisations supporting the country of destination and University of Sydney faculties.

As funding is limited, please do not rely on anticipated scholarship funding when planning your exchange.

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Cost of living

Most handbooks from our exchange partners list the average cost of living at their university. Reports from past students also include cost of living information. These reports are available in the Exchange Resource Library. It might be helpful for you to check this information and use a currency converter to get an idea of what to expect.

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Exchange Scholarships

International Office Scholarships

The University offers a range of exchange travelling scholarships. Some are awarded by the International Office, and others are offered by faculties. A list of available Exchange Scholarships and Loans can be downloaded in Adobe pdf format.

The International Office offers the following awards which are all allocated on the basis of academic merit, ranking students by their AAM (Annual Average Mark).

  • International Exchange Scholarships - up to 350 each year valued at $1,000 each.
  • International Exchange New Zealand Targeted Scholarships - up to 2 awards each year valued at $2,000 each, targeted for the University of Auckland.
  • International Exchange Asia-Pacific Targeted Scholarships - up to 25 awards each year valued at $3,000 each, targeted for Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Exchange applicants will automatically be considered for International Exchange Scholarships. However, students who receive guaranteed funding support for their overseas exchange period eg: students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Languages), and students enrolled in Masters or PhD research programs whilst on exchange are not eligible for these awards.

Selection for International Exchange Scholarships occurs during:

  • May/June for exchanges commencing in the second half of the year.
  • October/November for exchanges commencing in the first half of the following year.

Recipients of International Exchange Scholarships are expected to submit Progress Reports during their exchange semester/year and attend information sessions at the University of Sydney to promote the program.

International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) Scholarships

ISEP funding is provided by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to support student exchanges between Australian universities and their international partner universities. A different set of destination countries are selected each year. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 AUD.

In March 2013 funding is available for study in:

  • Colombia
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong

Eligibility criteria include:

  • Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residence
  • Undergraduate Enrolment
  • Credit for a full time load of study at a exchange partner
  • Having not previously receiving an ISEP/Endeavour award

All eligible students will automatically be considered for ISEP Scholarships which will be allocated on the basis of academic merit, ranking students by their AAM (Annual Average Mark).

Faculty and Department Scholarships

For more information about scholarships that may be offered by your faculty or other University departments, please contact the Faculty office or visit their websites below. Please note that separate eligibility criteria and application requirements apply for these scholarships.

Specific Exchange Partner Scholarships

Some exchange partners and foreign governments offer scholarships for visiting exchange students. Application forms for these scholarships are normally supplied once the University of Sydney has nominated you to the host university. These are subject to change. Examples of some include:

  • Denmark - København Universitet – Crown Princess Mary Scholarship (only available for July semester exchanges).
  • China - Shanghai Normal University – Free accommodation and living allowance of RMB 800 per month (approximately $120 AUD).
  • France - Universite Francois Rabelais de Tours – 500 euro per student (approximately $600 AUD) per student per semester, awarded to the students with the highest WAM. Recipients to be selected by the Sydney University International Office.
  • Germany - Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg – Baden-Württemberg Exchange Scholarship
  • Germany - Universität Konstanz – Baden-Württemberg Exchange Scholarship
  • Germany - Universität Mannheim – Baden-Württemberg Exchange Scholarship
  • Germany - Studies in Germany for Australians - DAAD German Academic Exchange Service funding and scholarships
  • Israel - Hebrew University of Jerusalem – Sir Zelman Cowen Universities Fund Student Fellowship
  • Japan - All Japanese Partners – JASSO Short-Term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound) Scholarship.
  • South Korea - Korea University – Global KU Study Abroad Scholarships. A range of scholarships are available including an Admission Scholarships for KRW300,000 (aproximately $250 AUD) per month for the first semester (4 months).
  • Switzerland - Université de Genève. 5 x scholarships for CHF 800 per month for 4 months available for March 2013. No application is required - students will automatically be considered by the International Office and awarded to the students with the highest WAM.
  • UK - University of Exeter Student Exchange Scholarships. 2 scholarships are available for March 2013 each worth £500. No application is required - students will automatically be considered by the International Office and awarded to the students with the highest WAM.
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