Overview

The University of Newcastle offers study abroad students the perfect combination of lifestyle and learning. Set in superb bushland and close to waterways, forests, and spectacular surf beaches, the University is internationally renowned and among the top ten research universities in Australia. The University's setting and relaxed atmosphere combine to offer an excellent environment for academic pursuits and personal development.

North American students are fully integrated into the life of the University both in the classroom and the halls of residence. The challenge of adjusting to the new academic and social environment is assisted by the friendly and open welcome given to students by the International Student Support staff, by the Australian students, and by the academics.

The University of Newcastle at Callaghan (the main campus) has one of the best campuses in Australia. Its 350 acres of natural bushland - complete with Australian wildlife - at the city edge affords you the peace and quiet necessary for successful study.

Location

Newcastle offers you a coastal landscape, surf beaches, working harbor, historic sites, the arts, and a vibrant nightlife. The Civic Cultural Precinct is where you'll find the Newcastle Regional Museum, Art Gallery, Civic Theatre, Civic Playhouse, and the University's Music and Business schools. The Newcastle East conservation zone covers an entire urban neighborhood preserving some of the best of the city's architectural heritage.

Newcastle's harbor waterfront and adjacent beaches are a popular leisure area for locals and visitors alike. Newcastle City hosts the This is Not Art Festival, Surfest, and the Maritime Festival, which annually attract tens of thousands of visitors from Sydney and the Central and Northern Coast.

The population of Newcastle is approximately 500,000 and supports a thriving business and commercial sector and an excellent network of health care and educational facilities. It is also a two-hour train ride from Sydney, the capital of New South Wales.

Less than an hour to the north of Newcastle is the magnificent harbor of Port Stephens, a popular center for big game fishing, sailing, scuba diving, surfing, and sail boarding. Less than a few miles south of the city is Australia's largest seaboard lake, Lake Macquarie – the scene of many national and international sailing events. To the west are the internationally famous wineries of the Hunter Valley.

Newcastle enjoys a pleasant climate year round - similar to the central Californian coast. Summer is warm to hot (68F - 83F) and winter is mild (49F - 64F).

Extracurricular Activities

Central to student life is the University Union with over 25,000 members, which organizes many of the University's important cultural and social events such as the Orientation Ball, the Beach Party, Big Wednesday, and the Cultural Awakenings Festival. It also regularly hosts national and international bands at the Bar-On-The-Hill. Free bands, movies, and comedy acts are available every week.

The University boasts exceptional sporting facilities including the Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre. The Forum features an eight-lane, heated indoor Olympic swimming pool, Australia's second highest rock climbing wall (60 feet), a dedicated circuit room, 22-station electronic cardio theatre, aerobic studio, martial arts/dance studio with fully-sprung floors, and a large fully equipped gymnasium.

The Sports Union offers a variety of recreational and sporting activities from belly dancing, mountaineering and snow skiing to archery, fencing, and the martial arts. Squash, badminton, tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer and football facilities are available, as well as off-campus access to golf, surfing, water skiing, and other sports.

Academic Highlights

University of Newcastle has been at the forefront in the development of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), both in Australia and internationally. PBL enables students to learn while solving problems that they are likely to come across in their professional lives. Used mainly in the disciplines of Architecture, Building, Health Sciences, and Medicine, PBL has been a marked success with students and with employers, who find that graduates tend to operate in the "real world" much more quickly and more efficiently than graduates who have experienced more traditional approaches to learning.

Ranked as one of the top ten research universities of Australia, the University of Newcastle currently employs three of the world’s top scientists as ranked by ISI (Institute for Scientific Information), as well as over 800 research academics and 150 research support staff. There are 1,000 research higher degree students studying across a wide range of disciplines.

Australian Flora and Fauna and Introduction to Aboriginal Studies are particularly popular courses for study abroad students, as they include excursions such as field trips to local Aboriginal spiritual sites, visits to National Parks, and Aboriginal archaeological digs.

View Available Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

University Services

The University of Newcastle boasts a campus-wide, fiber-optic information network. Students have access to the Internet in the University's libraries as well as the Computer and Information Sciences building and the halls of residence.

The University’s libraries also offer wireless access to all students, and a project is currently underway to provide campus-wide wireless coverage over the next two years. All study abroad students are provided with a free email account and on-campus Internet access.

Housing

The University of Newcastle offers accommodation in residential colleges and a “motel-type” residence located on the Callaghan campus. These co-ed residences are self- or partially-catered, single bedroom options. Students also have the option to live in pre-arranged self-catered, single or share bedroom apartments or share houses located near the central business district of Newcastle or adjacent to the university.

Orientation

International Student Support staff arranges initial reception for students who arrive in Newcastle by plane, train, or bus. An enrollment and orientation program for international students is held before the commencement of each semester or trimester.

The general University Orientation Week begins on the Monday before the beginning of each semester. The orientation program includes an official welcome by the Vice Chancellor (President) of the University, a party hosted by returned University of Newcastle exchange students, and day excursions such as a dolphin watch cruise, reptile park excursion, tours of the wineries, and late night shopping trips. Students are introduced to the University’s facilities via campus tours and receive briefings on the Australian academic system, cultural issues, recreational activities, sports clubs, and local travel destinations. Students are also assisted through enrollment and subject registration.

International Student Support provides on-going service in a range of educational and welfare matters, ensuring that students have access to all the services that will make their stay in Newcastle a rich and academically rewarding experience.

Special Programs/Excursions

Low-cost excursions are organized for study abroad students (and their friends) during each semester. Excursions include day-trips to Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Barrington Tops, Nelson Bay, Taronga Park Zoo, and social events such as the U.N.D.I.E.S. winery tour, ice-skating night, and the International Students’ Film Festival. Check with the International Student Support Service for more information about the above trips and programs.

View Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

Fees

Program Fees	$8,420.00
Housing
With Meals	Approximately $3,620 - $4,880
Without Meals	Approximately $2,780 - $5,510
Housing Deposit
With Meals	Refundable housing deposits range from approximately $200 - $1,200 and are billed in addition to the housing fees.
Without Meals	Refundable housing deposits range from approximately $200 - $1,200 and are billed in addition to the housing fees.

Fee Includes

Program fees are in U.S. dollars. Program Fees include tuition for 3 to 4 subjects, university administrative fees, membership in the student union (where applicable), overseas health coverage, ISIC Premium (International Student Identity Card), 25% Lonely Planet Book discount, also included is our renowned 4-day Program Introduction in Tropical Cairns, Australia. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa-processing service (excluding the visa fee), housing placements, personal advising, subject selections, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services. As a study abroad student, you will be required to enroll as a full time student. Your semester is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. credits. Additional tuition and/or fees may apply in some subject areas not limited to the following: science, engineering, fine arts, and journalism. Students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed by the host university. Several universities have included the Sports and Rec. membership. Activities are usually extra. The Housing Fee is in addition to the Program Fees and may be an average for universities with multiple housing options. Students who select “apartment living arranged upon arrival” will only be charged the Program Fees, and housing costs will be paid on arrival by the student.

Fee Semester

The above fees are for the July 2009 term. Fees are subject to change for future terms.

Facts

Location: Newcastle, New South Wales
Overseas Students: 2800
Staff: 3000
Total Enrolment: 23000

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the required GPA and have completed at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at the university/college level. Students with a lower GPA than the requirement may be considered on a case by case basis. Please contact our office for more information.

Required GPA: 2.50

Study-Internship Program

University of Newcastle offers a Study Internship Combo Program in nearly all fields of study, with the exception of health and medical. Students will take 2 classes in addition to a part-time internship. Places are limited and not guaranteed. Credit will be issued by University of Newcastle.

University Specific Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships offered by AustraLearn, University of Newcastle supports one AustraLearn student with a $500AUD award each semester.