University of Melbourne - Australia

at-a-glance:

University of Melbourne continues to remain one of Australia’s premiere academic institutions, offering an excellent range of internships to potential abroad students. This larger university (40,000 enrollment) has excellent on campus facilities to meet the needs of its many students along with numerous highly active on campus societies.  Students will also enjoy living in Melbourne, ranked by a US committee as “the most livable city in the world.”

academics

 Melbourne is academically one of the top universities in the country and has a great selection of courses. Especially popular with study abroad students are the arts, Australian studies, business and economics, marketing/management, and science departments. In addition, Victorian College of the Arts is now fully integrated with the university, giving IFSA-Butler students the opportunity to study dance, music, drama, film, television, and more.      

A number of interdisciplinary courses may be of special interest to U.S. students, including Asian studies, Australian studies, comparative literature, cultural studies, English, environmental studies (with an arts, science, or engineering emphasis), history and philosophy of science, Jewish studies, literary theory and semiotics, marine science, and women’s studies.

Academic Links:

Online Course Catalogue

Vanderbilt Course Evaluation List

University of Melbourne

Butler Institute for Study Abroad

student life

One of the top universities in Australia, the University of Melbourne sits on a green campus in the center of the city. With a dynamic student body of 31,500 and plenty of social, cultural, and sports clubs, Melbourne has a lively and energetic atmosphere. The Student Union is incredibly active and schedules concerts, speakers, and cultural events.

The Melbourne campus is self-contained and includes banks, restaurants, shops, and other amenities. If you decide to leave campus you can walk nearly anywhere in the city. In addition, the campus is only fifteen minutes from beaches in the suburbs.

housing

University housing includes residential colleges and apartments outside of the campus. Apartments are shared with other IFSA-Butler students and usually require a commute to campus.

Some residence halls are arranged in a crescent around the sports arena at the north end of campus. International House, home to both international and Australian students, has four acres of grounds across from the university. Other halls off campus are near two large public parks. All provide study-bedrooms and facilities that usually include a library, study rooms, computer rooms, music rooms, recreational areas, and laundries. All have mandatory meal plans that can accommodate special diets. The program fee does not cover the cost of the meal plan, which is billed separately after the program begins. Alternatively, students may live with five other students and a family in a family home. Some meals are provided.

UniLodge on Swanston is privately owned student complex located downtown. The new QV marketplace, shopping, and entertainment are all nearby. Each two person apartment has a kitchenette, bathroom, living room, bedroom, and study. High-speed internet connections and phone service are available. The complex has a business center, games room with pool, ping pong and big screen TV, laundry facilities, ATM, and restaurants. The building has a secure entry for residents and twenty four hour security on site.

Meals are not provided in either of the apartment options; you prepare or purchase your own meals. You are responsible for any commuting costs, although both complexes are within walking distance of the campus.

location

The second largest city in Australia, Melbourne offers a friendly environment on the southern part of the east coast. Thanks to its relatively cool temperatures, stately buildings, beautifully landscaped gardens, and wide avenues Melbourne has a European feel. A US-based committee ranked it as “the most livable city in the world”.

Despite ultramodern development, the city retains old-world charm in its ordered streets, downtown parks, and careful preservation of its nineteenth-century architectural legacy. Classical and gothic revival buildings and terraced houses with cast-iron verandas lend modern Melbourne a historic air.

Renowned as the carts capital of Australia, this city of 3.5million has more than its share of theaters, concert venues, galleries, and arts events of all kinds. A thriving local music scene offers students even more choices for entertainment.

Melbourne’s citizens enjoy a relaxed outdoor atmosphere and a passion for good food and drink. They also take their sports seriously and are enthusiastic supporters of Aussie rules football. Most students pick a Melbourne team to root for and attend its matches. Melbourne is also home to the Melbourne Cup (horse racing), the Australian Masters (golf), and the Australian Grand Prix(motor racing).

You can explore good beaches just outside the city. The Great Ocean Road that connects Melbourne with Adelaide is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Australia. The Mornington Peninsula on the east side of the city is home to some of the city’s most popular beaches; the Morning Peninsula National Park has some beautiful walking trails with magnificent views of seascapes.

expenses

Program Costs: Semester Costs; Summer Costs

application

University of Melbourne Application