Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as AustraLearn, offers semester and year abroad programs at Murdoch University. Located in Perth, Western Australia, Murdoch University is a multi-award winning institution that has an international reputation for research and teaching and is committed to the pursuit of excellence. This reputation is supported by:

• Australia’s premier veterinary science program is at Murdoch University. The School houses a veterinary farm, hospital, and emergency clinic on campus and is the only one of its kind in Australia. It was also the first Australian veterinary school to achieve accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

• The 35 million dollar Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IIID) at Murdoch University is partially funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and provides state-of-the-art facilities to continue research into preventing and reducing the impact of diseases worldwide, and to advance medical and scientific knowledge.

•  Murdoch is home to a state-of-the-art Media Arts Centre, which boasts facilities such as two digital TV studios, a News Room, a Print Journalism Space, Radio Studios, video edit suites, recording studios, surround sound suites and much more.

• Murdoch's Chiropractic Clinic is a teaching clinic open to the general public. It features state-of-the-art digital radiology and a large, fully-equipped rehabilitation facility. Student interns are able to work in the Clinic under the supervision of qualified chiropractors. Murdoch's Chiropractic program is fully accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA), meaning our graduates can practice in a number of other countries besides Australia.

• The United Nations has made Murdoch one of only three regional Environmental Technology Centres in the world. 

• Program Chair of Media Studies at Murdoch, Dr Martin Mhando, is the first Australian university academic to have a film nominated for an Academy Award. 

Established in 1973 as a research university, Murdoch is a modern, progressive institution, committed to flexible, multi-disciplinary study. With a student population of 19,000, Murdoch supports excellent staff-student relations and provides state-of-the-art facilities, excellent student services, and an extensive range of academic programs. Murdoch University has developed important links with universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. With approximately 3,000 international students from over 90 different countries, the University is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution that is benefiting from its strong commitment to international education.

Location

About Perth

Western Australia is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets! The State is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate, and white sandy beaches.

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is home to 1.6 million people and enjoys more hours of sunshine than any capital city in Australia. Perth is a safe, friendly, and inexpensive city that is large enough to be exciting and cosmopolitan, yet small enough to offer a friendly and relaxed lifestyle. Perth was recently voted the 8^th most liveable city in the world according to the Economist magazine’s global liveability survey.

Murdoch University is set on a beautifully landscaped campus, which is located approximately 11 minutes by train or 20 minutes by bus (nine miles) from Perth’s city center and 10 minutes by bus (five miles) from the popular cafe district of Fremantle, which is Western Australia’s first port city

Around the University

Murdoch University’s main campus is well located amongst the leafy green suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. With a bus station on campus and an approximate 7 minute walk to the closest train station, getting around the city and surrounding areas is easy. Within an easy 10 minute bus ride (five miles) of campus is the port city of Fremantle. Fremantle is a popular day/night spot for both locals and tourists, with it’s abundance of shopping, café’s, restaurants, nightclubs and bars. It is also the main departure point for the fantastic Rottnest Island, a favourite holiday destination adored by locals and tourists alike. Also surrounding the campus and within easy access you will find hospitals, shopping malls, beaches, parks and gardens and recreation centres. Many students enjoy living near campus amongst the suburbs or closer to Fremantle. However given the close proximity to the train line, it is not uncommon for students to live in other areas of Perth and commute to campus. 
 

Academic Highlights

• Commerce/Business
• Economics
• Information Technology
• Law
• Politics and International Studies
• Arts
• Aboriginal and Islander Studies
• Animal Science
• Asian Studies
• Education
• Communication and Cultural Studies
• Media (Radio, Film and Television)
• Multimedia Mass Communication (Public Relations and Journalism)
• Psychology
• History
• Sociology
• Tourism
• Community Development
• Sustainable Development
• Biological Science
• Biotechnology
• Forensic Biology and Toxicology
• Conservation Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Software Engineering
• Renewable Energy Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Marine Science
• Mathematical and Physical Science
• Biomedical Science
• Sports Science
 

University Services

Murdoch University is particularly proud of the quality of its student support services and the level of personal contact with students and has a dedicated International student support team. 

There are food outlets, banking outlets, a fully equipped gymnasium, a student union, travel center, hairdresser, bookshop, gift store, health and counseling service, career service, worship center, extensive library and much more on campus.
 

Housing

As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad student you are guaranteed pre-arranged accommodation to fit your lifestyle. There are a variety of housing options available which you will apply for after acceptance. Read below for more specific options offered at this university:

Murdoch University Village is home to over 800 students and accommodation is provided in self-catering units on campus. Standard undergrad units contain five-, six-, or eight-bedrooms; two baths; and a communal kitchen and lounge room. The Village also has a swimming pool, recreation rooms and a study center for residents’ use.

Orientation

In addition to the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program which is included in your program fees, each semester at Murdoch begins with “O Week” (Orientation Week). This includes a full week of orientation activities to help students get off to a great start before their first lecture the following week! The highlight of O Week is Festival Day, which gives students the opportunity to enjoy campus entertainment, join clubs and societies, go on organized campus tours, and soak up the atmosphere of university life!

Scholarships Available

In addition to the scholarships offered by GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, Murdoch University supports GlobaLinks Learning Abroad study abroad students with two $750 AUD awards each year.

Special Programs/Excursions

Northwest Outback Excursion

Murdoch University organizes a 10-day camping expedition in remote Western Australia for all study abroad students. This fun-filled bus trip, to the rugged northwest of Western Australia, covers close to 2,500 miles across plains of wild flowers and the vast outcrop that is outback Australia.

On this trip students will meet the dolphins at Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area; visit Ningaloo Reef, home to some 500 species of fish; and hike the spectacular gorges of Karijini National Park

Total cost of the trip is approximately $860AUD.

Murdoch also offers an extensive social program, with activities running from “O week” right through to the end of semester. Activities include, surfing lessons, a sand-boarding trip, movie nights, “aussie’ rules football game, river cruises to name but a few activities.

Get Involved Abroad

Extracurricular Activities

Murdoch University provides a wonderful opportunity to experience an Australia little known to international students and travellers. Students can enjoy the café strip in Fremantle or explore the natural environment – from the sparkling, pristine beaches of the south to the rugged and remote ‘outback’ of the Kimberley’s in the far north.

Students can also access a wide range of volunteer opportunities through the Murdoch University Student Guild’s ‘Students Without Borders’ program. Partnering with a wide variety of not-for-profit organizations opportunities range from environmental projects through social justice activities and can range from one-off events to semester long commitments recognized by the University. The programs are a great way to gain professional experience, enhance your learning and make friends from Australia and around the world.

Community Involvement

While abroad, we recommend getting involved in your local community. It's an awesome way to meet locals, experience the true Australian culture, and create long lasting memories. From volunteering to festival-going, we challenge you to make the most of your international experience... See a sample of community involvement opportunities available in Perth or discover your own upon arrival!

You'll get a taste of how enriching community involvement can be during your first few days in Australia on the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program. The program includes pre-arranged volunteering with the local community. You'll interact directly with locals while giving back to and sharing your own culture with the community that first welcomes you to Australia. Plus, you can continue your volunteer efforts later in the semester by signing up for the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Conservation Volunteer Weekend.

Enhance Your Experience

Global Identity Course

While studying at Murdoch, you can maximize your study abroad experience by enrolling in the Global Identity course (EdPA 3103 Connecting Your International Experience to Your Future). The course will help you articulate the value of your experience to future employers, demonstrate your intercultural development and skills, and understand intercultural interactions.

This one-credit, online course is offered by the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities exclusively for students studying with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad. LEARN MORE>

Global Citizens Development Modules

The Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory, however we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication. 

Course Catalog

To determine if the classes you need are available at this university, select Courses/Subjects to view the specific course options.

Tips: For advice on navigating the university’s course catalog, use the Selecting Courses link. You may also view the suggested grade and credit transfer information through the Grade Conversion.

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org.  

Photo Slideshow

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees: As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad study abroad participant, you will be required to enroll as a full-time student; typically this is 3-4 classes, which is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. semester credit hours. Your program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the host university semester tuition for 4 subjects, university administrative fees, overseas health insurance, the Basic ISIC card, our renowned Bridging Cultures Program on-site orientation and the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Personalized Support and Service.

With GlobaLinks Learning Abroad you will receive Personalized Support and Service through our four point philosophy to manage your program:

1.) Personal Program Selection & Planning: Personal service & advising, academic planning and credit transfer assistance, program location, housing advice, financial assistance.

2.) Pre and Post Orientation and Preparation: Our MyLearn on-line enrollment information and process, comprehensive program information and departure webinar, immigration visa support and advice, airline ticket and group flight assistance, global citizen development modules.

3.) Cultural Integration: On-site Bridging Cultures Program, on-site resident director services and advising, academic support, guaranteed housing and placement, volunteer and community involvement opportunities.

4.) Reflection and Application of the Experience: Beyond Study Abroad Program, The EnCompass Alumni Program, program evaluation opportunity, resume building and review, alumni handbook and transcript services. 

Housing Fees: The Housing Fees are approximates and are in addition to the Program Fees. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad offers you “Housing to Fit Your Lifestyle” and you are guaranteed a placement in a wide variety of quality housing options to accommodate your academic, personal and budgetary needs during your experience abroad. The housing fees listed indicate an approximate cost for the options available on that program which may represent apartments/flats, houses and/or dormitories/residential halls, living within the local community or on-campus with locals and other international students. Private single rooms are standard (although double rooms are available) and are fully furnished, including comfort amenities with access to internet and telephone. Students who choose to arrange their own accommodation upon arrival will be charged the Program Fee only, as they will be responsible for making payment directly to the housing provider once accommodation has been arranged.

Additional Subject & Gym Membership Fees: Additional charges may apply for science, media, fine arts, or journalism subjects at some universities and students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed directly by the home university upon final enrolment. Gym and student union memberships are optional to students. If you wish to join, you may do so on arrival by contacting the international office at your host university.

Fee Advice

Facts

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Andrea Lipkin Title: Senior Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Department: Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Semester/Year Abroad Team BIO: Andrea manages study abroad admission and participant pre-trip services to Central Queensland University, James Cook University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia in Australia and AUT University in New Zealand. Andrea has been fortunate to visit Australia several times and has loved her experiences down under. She spent a semester as an undergraduate student at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia and had the opportunity to travel extensively on the east coast. She completed her B.A. in Psychology from Gettysburg College and played varsity soccer. Andrea's first position in the field of international education was at Brown University, where she spent five years as a Study Abroad Advisor. Professionally, she traveled to Australia to participate in a site visit to seven Australian universities. In addition she traveled to the North Island of New Zealand for pleasure. Andrea earned a M.S. in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island. During her graduate program, she interned in the University of New South Wales Study Abroad Office in Sydney, Australia. Andrea has been involved with NAFSA where she has presented on the use of technology in study abroad and presented her graduate research about how to increase the particpation of varsity student athletes in study abroad programs. Andrea's additional international travels have included trips to Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, South America and Europe. Andrea looks forward to helping AustraLearn students plan their adventure abroad! Advice From The Coordinator: Students really love hanging out in Fremantle, or “Freo” as the locals call it. It is full of great restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Also, do not forget to sign up for the Northwest Outback Excursion. This 10-day camping trip through Western Australia is amazing and available at a subsidized cost -- it should not be passed up!