University of Adelaide
Swim with dolphins or explore historic Port Adelaide: there is something for everyone in Australia's coastal cultural capital.
Take in a match at the "prettiest cricket stadium in the world" Adelaide Oval, or explore the galleries and botanical gardens of the North Terrace, all located close to the university. Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is ranked 8th in Australia and #106 worldwide (QS 2020). It has a student population of over 21,000 students, including nearly 8,000 international students, and is one the Group of Eight - Australia's leading research-intensive universities. The university has four campuses, three of which are in Adelaide (including the main campus, North Terrace).
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Hear from UCalgary BioSci student Leah about her year abroad at the University of Adelaide!
Program details
Adelaide offers a wide variety of degree programs and courses, including Agricultural Science, Anthropology, Architecture, Asian Studies, Biochemistry, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classics, Communications, Computer Science, Food Sciences, Ecology, Economics, Engineering (aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, petroleum, software), English, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Health Sciences, History, International Studies, Law, Linguistics, Math, Music, Petroleum Geosciences, Psychology, Philosophy, Political Science, Urban Design, and more. Click here to browse for courses!
Closed Programs: Some programs/courses have restricted registration. Please see online for details. (Note: UCalgary J.D. Law students are only eligible to take undergraduate law courses at Adelaide.)
Course Requirements: Courses at Adelaide are usually worth 3 units - exchange students are expected to take a minimum of 12 Adelaide units per semester (typically 4 courses), which are equivalent to 15 units at UCalgary (5 courses).
Experiential Learning: Adelaide offers a number of internship opportunities to incoming exchange students, each worth 6 units of credit (two courses). Individual internships may have special requirements and deadlines. Please note, the availability of internships may change year to year.
- South Australian Parliamentary Internship (Fall semester only)
- Arts Internship - general research for areas within public/private sector
- International Studies Internship - work with NGOs/organisations, mostly project-based (Winter semester, International Relations students only)
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters.
- Semester 1 runs from mid-late February to early July
- Semester 2 runs from mid-July to late November
Students can start in either semester, however full-year students must start in February.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
Adelaide offers the cheapest living costs of Australia's major cities, though it is recommended that students budget a minimum of AUS$6000-8000 per semester to pay for accommodation and living expenses. Additional financial information can be found online (see the chart titled "Exchange Costs").
A typical weekly budget at Adelaide might look like this:
Expense Cost (low - high)
Accommodation (shared/single) 135 AUD - 385 AUD
Public Transit 20 AUD - 35 AUD
Food (not including restaurants) 90 AUD - 135 AUD
Utilities 40 AUD - 55 AUD
Mobile Phone & Internet 20 AUD - 40 AUD
Clothes & Entertainment 50 AUD or moreTotal estimate weekly in AUD: 355 AUD - 700 AUD
Additionally, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all students studying in Australia and will be applied for at the time of application to your host university. You will be required to provide evidence of OSHC for the duration of your Student Visa at the time of your visa application. Also, don't forget to include things like flights, visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
Adelaide cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here
NOTE: As of July 1 2024, the Australian government has increased the cost of the student visa to $1600 AUD (approx. $1500 CAD). There is advocacy happening within Australia for the fee to be reduced for semester exchange students, however, it is uncertain at this time whether the advocacy will be successful. Please ensure you budget $1600 for the visa to be safe. If the visa fee is reduced, we will provide an update as soon as possible.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Exchange students to Adelaide are given many options for housing through the university's . Students may apply for a room at one of the off-campus student residences managed by the university. These residences are mainly apartment-style and have 3-6 bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms and a shared kitchen. Some residences are laid out in halls with single bedrooms-plus-ensuites and a shared kitchen as well as a semi-catered meal plan (e.g. weekday dinners provided). Rent for a full semester may range from AUS$5000-7000. Alternatively, students wishing to arrange their own housing privately can seek assistance and advice from the Accommodation Service.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
For applicants from the UCalgary Faculty of Law, a minimum GPA of 2.7 is required, as well as an academic reference letter. Please click here to view the reference letter guidelines & submission instructions. It must be submitted at the time of your application to UCalgary.
Note: There is extremely limited space for exchange students at the University of Adelaide. When submitting your application, we strongly recommend applying for a 2nd and 3rd choice university. If you are applying for a full-year (two-semester) exchange, it may not be possible at Adelaide, so having a 2nd and 3rd choice university is especially important.
What's special about Adelaide?
Tied with Calgary for one of the top 5 most livable cities in the world, Adelaide is often informally referred to as the "Food and wine capital of Australia" for its abundant markets and wineries, and the "Amsterdam of Australia" for its flat terrain and expansive cycle culture. Bike rentals can be found throughout the city (note cycling without a helmet is illegal in Australia!) and the relatively calm traffic and plentiful bike paths make it an accessible form of transit. Adelaide is also one of the most affordable cities in Australia (14% more affordable overall compared to over major cities in Australia, or for a detailed breakdown: 21% cheaper than Melbourne, 23% cheaper than Sydney, 4% cheaper than Brisbane and Perth), saving you money for travelling across the continent.
Adelaide Central Market is South Australia's most visited landmark, is one of the country's oldest (since 1869) and largest fresh produce markets, making it a mecca for foodies and connoiseurs, with unique offerings and culinary delights you can't easily find elsewhere in Australia. Also, check out some of Adelaide's best festivals and events across South Australia!
Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, ranging from 10 degrees as a winter average up to 25-30 degrees as a summer average. However, it's still a good idea to pack a light jacket, hoodie, and jeans as insulation in Australian buildings tends to be less common than in Canada.
For information about Halal food availability in Adelaide, check out the "Muslim students' guide to Adelaide", which is published online by the organization Study Adelaide.
What resources are available for new students?
Adelaide's International Student Centre runs an Orientation Week at the start of each semester, which has many useful workshops and social events for incoming international students.
The International Student Centre provides a variety of support services like airport pick-up or advice on public transit upon arrival.
What accessibility resources are available?
Adelaide's Disability Service provides comprehensive support for students with disabilities.
What else should I know?
Like many universities in Australia, the University of Adelaide has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking on campus is not permitted.
You can also check out testimonials from past international students at the University of Adelaide - click here!
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Saniya Korhalkar
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.