Arts + Sciences (University of Sydney)
New for Spring 2025!
Unique Experiences
Explore 100+ beutiful parks and reserves
scattered throughout the city
Enjoy access to 20 major art galleries and museums
showcasing both local and international works
Sydney boasts a diverse culinary scene
with 6,000+ restaurants offering cuisines from around the globe
50+
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
200+
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
100+
BEACHES ALONG SYDNEY’S COASTLINE
Your Destination
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and Sydney is its business hub and the country's launching point for exchanging goods, services, and ideas with its Asian neighbors. Sydney is one of the Southern Hemisphere's leading centers for startups, trade, finance, tech, and media production. With a population of around five million, Sydney is a cosmopolitan city consistently ranked as one of the best places to live globally due to its strong social inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and healthy lifestyle.
Sydney is home to people from all over the world. Nearly half of its residents speak a language other than English at home and 36% were born overseas. The first inhabitants, the Aboriginals, are the world's oldest civilization, and this heritage has helped shape modern Australia. This one-of-a-kind mix of people and cultures has led to a shared spirit and attitude that is the Australian way of life. Aussies are known for their laid-back "no-worries" attitude, being open-hearted and open-minded, and believing that everyone should have equal rights and opportunities, what they call locally as having a "fair go."
Sydney is blessed with some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world; more than 80% of Australia's plants and animals are unique to our islands and are found nowhere else on the planet. There is also a bubbling art scene, with the city government supporting young and fun artistic pursuits, including Sydney's Art and About, Vivid Sydney, Sydney Movie Festival, regular food, art, crafts, and music events, and the list goes on!
The CIEE Sydney Center is strategically located in the heart of Sydney's Downtown (CBD) close to public transport, restaurants, retail shops and entertainment.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Sydney.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
We offer a variety of activities and day trips to allow you to immerse yourself in Australia's culture and historical heritage, which may include:
- Hiking the spectacular Blue Mountains with experienced and informed guides ready to share the environmental and cultural history of the spectacular landscape
- Learning about the world's oldest civilization during one of our Aboriginal cultural tours
- Enjoying a day at the famous Manly Beach and join a guided historical Q-station (Quarantine Station) tour in Sydney Harbour National Park and learn about the first Australian visitors' quarantine history and experience
- Hiking at one of Sydney's National Parks, such as Wolli Creek Park, La Perouse Park, and Sydney Harbour National Park
- Visiting one of the city’s many museums like Australian Museum, Art Gallery of NSW, and Contemporary Art Museum
- Learning about Sydney's beach lifestyle while enjoying an Aussie BBQ (Barbie) at Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, and/or Shelly Beach
- Meeting local animals, including kangaroos and koalas, during one of our zoo visits to Taronga Zoo, Wildlife Sydney Zoo, or Sydney Zoo
Program Blogs
Sounds of the Land Down Under: A Journey Through Australian Music
Australia's music scene is as diverse and vibrant as the country itself, spanning genres from rock and pop to indigenous music and electronic dance. From iconic bands and legendary artists... keep reading
Exploring Sydney's Vibrant Markets: A Feast for the Senses
Sydney's markets are bustling hubs of activity, offering a sensory delight of sights, sounds, and smells that capture the essence of the city's diverse culture and creativity. From fresh produce... keep reading
CIEE Sydney Staff Food Recommendations
Are you tired of settling for mediocre meals and uninspiring snacks during your breaks between classes? Fear not! The CIEE Team has scouted the area surrounding the office and Abbey... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
Students will reside at a student accommodation facility just a short stroll from the University of Sydney campus. Situated in the vibrant neighborhoods of Camperdown and Newtown, the student housing offers comfortable living quarters, communal study areas, recreational spaces, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. With its convenient location, students can enjoy the bustling campus atmosphere while being only a 30-minute bus ride away from the CIEE Sydney campus, ensuring seamless access to academic studies and extracurricular activities. Student housing serves as a welcoming and supportive home base for students, fostering academic success, personal growth, and cultural exchange throughout their time in Sydney.
Standard Housing: Includes a room at the student accommodation facility that features a king- or queen-sized single bed and mattress, over fridge cabinet, TV, Ethernet port, study desk, chair, lamp, wardrobe, mini fridge, fan, and electric heater. Students need to bring their own kitchen items, pillows, bed linen, personal electric items, and telephone. In common areas, students will enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi access, elevators, a computer lab, after-hours assistance by an evening duty manager, Residential Life Hire Items at reception, daily cleaning of shared spaces, kitchenettes on each floor, common laundries, a fully equipped common kitchen, and 24-hour university security.
Meals
Students will have shared kitchen facilities to prepare meals or purchase food and drinks at local grocers. Sydney has a vibrant food scene with fresh local fruits, vegetables, and meats readily available. You’ll find Australian food is influenced from all corners of the globe. Whether it’s a walk down Spice Alley, fish and chips on the beach, or a traditional Australian pub food, there is something that caters to everyone’s tastes.
Academics
Established in 1850, the University of Sydney stands as Australia’s oldest university and is known for academic excellence and research. As a proud member of the Group of Eight, akin to the Ivy League in the U.S., its history is matched by its modern, vibrant campus in downtown Sydney's Camperdown neighborhood. Here, students benefit from a seamless integration of esteemed faculty, cutting-edge research, and a diverse array of programs across nine faculties, offering opportunities for growth and innovation in every field of study. Whether exploring historic architecture or engaging in groundbreaking research, students at the University of Sydney experience an academic journey like no other, where tradition meets innovation in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
CIEE students can choose to enroll in 3-4 courses across a diverse range of fields. CIEE Sydney is located in the suburb of Ultimo, right in the heart of the Sydney Central Business District and minutes away from cafes and shops in the iconic Darling Harbour. There is a commute of about 20 minutes between CIEE Sydney and the University of Sydney campus.
Course Information
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Students can opt to take courses across a wide range of academic fields, including:
- Architecture, design, and planning
- Arts and social sciences
- Business
- Communications
- Economics
- Education and social work
- Engineering and computer science
- Law
- Medicine and health
- Music
- Science
Host Institution: The University of Sydney offers around 2,500 courses per semester. Explore the full list of courses in the Course Handbook Online.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Trailblazer Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Spring 2025 18 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $23,950 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $16,456**
Housing = $7,000***
Insurance = $194
Total Fees = $23,950Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $1,313†
International Airfare = $1,700††
Local Transportation = $800
Books & Supplies = $40
Visa Fees = $470
Personal expenses = $240†††
Total Costs = $4,563Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For groceries if you plan on making your own meals, budget more money if you plan on eating out regularly.
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Thais Oso
Center Director
Thais has over 18 years of education industry experience which include running an American study abroad program in Sydney and working in the exchange programs at one of Australia’s top universities.
Dr. Lesley Turnbull
Academic Director
Dr. Turnbull is the Academic Director of CIEE Sydney and is responsible for all aspects of academics.
Crystal Reay
Student Life Coordinator
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