Quick Facts

• Macquarie University (MQ) is one of Australia's leading universities. It is ranked among the top 2% of universities in the world; top 10 in Australia.

• Macquarie University offers a unique study experience: world-class educational, recreational, and research facilities; a spacious parkland campus and all the attractions of living in the cosmopolitan city of Sydney. 

• Sydney is ranked as the 2nd most desirable student city in the world (QS Stars 2017).

• Ranked in the top 50 most international universities in the world (Times Higher Education 2016).

• Unique coursework focused on the "Australia Experience" to maximize your study abroad semester.

• To receive priority consideration for this program, submit complete fall applications by February 1st and spring applications by August 1st. Applying by the priority deadline does not guarantee a spot on the program and space may still be limited. This program may fill to capacity based on priority applications. If space allows, additional applications will be considered after the final deadline. 

Location Details

Macquarie University is located in North Ryde, 30 minutes drive, or 45 minutes by public transportation,  northwest of Sydney Harbor and the Sydney central business district. The campus is also connected to the city by underground rail; the University has its own dedicated train station. Macquarie's modern, well-equipped campus is set on 126 hectares of peaceful parkland. The campus features eateries and recreational facilities, in addition to extensive library and computer facilities, a state-of-the-art Sport and Aquatic Centre, an acclaimed sculpture park, several museums, two hotels, and a golf driving range.

Visa Information

U.S. citizens will require a visa* in order to participate in this program. Limited information about the visa application process may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office and/or your host institution, but it is your sole responsibility to research, apply, and secure a visa. Failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas. If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing. This information is subject to change without notice; students should independently confirm this requirement with the relevant consulate/embassy.

Academic Program & Courses

Access the Macquarie Course Handbook for a list of available courses and course descriptions.  To obtain syllabi, search the Macquarie Unit Guides.  For more information see Build Your Study Program on the Macquarie Exchange page.

Glossary of Terms:

• Semester 1 = US Spring Semester, mid-February to late June
• Semester 2 = US Fall Semester, early July to mid-November
• Units = US class
• Course = US major
• Faculties = US school or college  (e.g., the Faculty of Engineering is the School of Engineering)
• Tutorial = Class of 5-25 students where an academic leads group discussions and students make individual or group presentations.

• Undergraduate students are required to take between 9 and 14 credit points per semester at MQ--the recommended load is 12 credit points. Most subjects are valued at either three or four credit points per unit (class).
• Postgraduate students are required to take between 12 and 16 credit points per semester.
• The Australian undergraduate system is based on a 3-year program of study. At MQ, the level of subjects is: 100 (first year), 200 (second year), and 300 (third year) and generally equates to 200, 300, and 400-level coursework at ASU. Postgraduate courses at MQ are usually labeled as 800.

Additional Opportunities

Macquarie focuses on providing students with opportunities to develop capabilities that give you skills for your career and your life:

Macquarie Global Leadership Certificate - MQ's Global Leadership Program provides exchange students with a means to develop their leadership skills and gain a better understanding of cross-cultural concepts through their own international experience. Participants learn these global skills through studying, volunteering, and participating in professional development forums.

Global Leadership Symposium - Exchange students can participate as delegates in MQ's Global Leadership Program Symposium Series and travel with other delegates either to Australia's capital city, Canberra, or even to a different country (such as Thailand or Singapore, for example) to learn about regional trends and key international issues. 

Credit & Grade Conversion Scale

Program Housing

The Macquarie Accommodations Services Office assists exchange students in finding a place to stay. They also offer airport pick-up services for exchange students. A variety of housing options are available, including residential colleges and university-managed accommodations,  homestay with an Australian family, and independent housing.

Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your study abroad experience. Early discussions and planning can help to support you in having a positive experience abroad. We invite you to meet with the International Coordinator for this program to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Physical Considerations

Study abroad participants may find themselves walking or taking public transit abroad more frequently than they are accustomed at their home campus.

Disability Accommodations Abroad

Individuals with disabilities can and do study abroad, but may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from the United States. 

In general, the Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program. Any student who anticipates needing any kind of special accommodation due to a disability should contact the ASU Study Abroad Office early in the planning process to investigate the availability of accommodations (including accessible facilities) on this specific program. Contact the Disability Resource Center and your Disability Access Consultant to include them in the discussion; be sure to give your Disability Access Consultant permission to speak with the Study Abroad Office on your behalf. You can find additional information and resources on our Students with Disabilities page.

LGBTQIA Students Abroad

Students of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities will find that the social climate, laws, and norms of other cultures will often differ from the U.S. If you identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer student - or if you are still exploring your identity - you may face unique challenges when traveling abroad. 

We encourage students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community to visit the U.S. Department of State website for helpful information about laws and attitudes in this program’s locations, including pre-travel tips and advice on staying safe while abroad. You can find additional information and resources on our LGBTQIA Students page.

Gender Identity Abroad

When traveling abroad, you may find different gender roles and norms than you’re used to. It’s possible that you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently based on your (or their) gender identity. 

You can find additional information and resources on our Gender Identity Abroad page.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities Abroad

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life here in the United States to life as a student living abroad, including but not limited to access to personal care products and services.

You can prepare yourself for the situations you may experience by researching the ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations. We encourage students to start that research on our Racial and Ethnic Minority Students page.

Cost Information

Your budget will depend on the lifestyle you choose to lead: eating out or eating in (what is referred to at the Australian universities as "self-catering"), living on or off campus, personal Australia-wide vacation expenses, etc. For more information about the cost of living at MQ as well as money saving tips, please see Macquarie's website on living costs here.

Exchange program participants will pay ASU tuition and fees for the term of the Exchange program, according to the individual student's classification and degree level. In addition to ASU tuition and fees, participants are also responsible for paying the following fees:

• $50 Application Fee (non-refundable)
• $400 Administrative Fee (non-refundable)
• Carbon Offset Fee*
• International Travel Service Fee (Including Insurance)*

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

*The actual amount of the International Travel Service Fee charged to each student depends on the program duration and the Carbon Offset Fee will increase annually (in July) by approximately $2.
 

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. Review the Considering Costs Table for a general overview and cost comparison of popular programs.
2. Be sure to reference the Fall Semester Cost Sheet, Spring Semester Cost Sheet, Calendar Year Cost Sheet, or Academic Year Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
3. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
4. Consider your Financial Aid options.
5. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
6. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
7. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Photos

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• Study in Australia - Official Australian Government Website

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.