La Trobe University
Study in the trendy city of Melbourne at one of Australia's top universities for Kinesiology, Archaeology, Classics, and Philosophy.
Founded in 1967, La Trobe has 7 campuses, with a total student population of more than 37,000 students, including nearly than 8000 international students. The main campus is located in the suburb of Bundoora, about 30-40 minutes by bus/train to Melbourne city centre. La Trobe is ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide, and in the top 25 Australian universities.
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Hear from a variety of international exchange students about their perspective on studying at La Trobe!
Program details
La Trobe offers numerous academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including Anthropology, Archaeology, Art History, Asian Studies, Australian Indigenous Studies, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science/Cybersecurity, Communications and Media, Development Studies and Human Geography, Drama (including acting for Film & Theatre, Screenwriting), Economics, Civil Engineering, English, Environmental Science, Film Studies, Gender Sexuality and Diversity Studies, Graphic Design, Greek and Roman Studies, Health Sciences, History, Human Physiology and Anatomy, International Relations, Journalism and Creative Writing, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, Languages (Ancient or Modern Greek, Australian Sign Language, Chinese, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish), Law & Society, Math, Occupational Therapy, Outdoor Education and Environment, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, Social Work, Sociology,Sport and Exercise Science/Nutrition (Kines), Sustainability and Development, Visual Arts, Zoology and more.
*Bolded areas are offered at the main campus, Bundoora (Melbourne).
To find courses, use the handbook with previous/current year courses to make a tentative wish-list, or you can search by faculty (school). Courses codes that contain 1, 2, or 3 are open to undergrad students (4 or 5 numbered courses are post-grad courses), and the course must indicate that it is open to Exchange students.
In Australia, a course is typically called a "unit" or a "subject". Exchange students are expected to take 60 La Trobe credit points per semester (generally 4 courses as each course is worth 15 credit points). 60 credit points = 5 courses at UCalgary (15 units).
It's recommend that students list at least 8 subjects (courses) on their application as syllabi (course outlines) are not typically available until students arrive, so a degree of flexibility in courses will be essential.
The academic year is divided into 2 semesters.
- Semester 1 runs from late February to late June
- Semester 2 runs from late July to late November
Students can start in either semester, however full-year students must start in February (Feb-Nov).
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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.
It is recommended that students budget a minimum of AUS$9000 per semester to pay for accommodation and living expenses. Cost of living estimates can be found online.
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. More info here.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
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 (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). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Exchange students to La Trobe are given a wide range of options. Several campuses have student residences available, which come predominantly in the format of private rooms with shared kitchens and bathrooms. Students are encouraged to look into the detailed information provided for their desired campus.
You may also apply for a homestay, where you can live at the home of a local family and be provided lodging and meals.
The university also gives a listing of recommended housing services which students can use to find accommodation on the private market. Because of the range in housing types, rental fees can vary drastically.
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.
What resources are available for new students?
La Trobe offers orientation programming every semester, including a pre-orientation trip to explore Victoria and an orientation week full of informative & social events. There is also the opportunity to sign up for a mentor/buddy, a local student who will support you in the transition to Australian life over the first six weeks of the semester.
The La Trobe International office also offers many activities throughout the term, which can help your integration with both the international and local student community. These may include weekend trips, language/cultural diversity programming, and opportunities to do volunteer work.
La Trobe also has a wide range of support, health & wellbeing services on campus to support Indigenous students, LGBT+ students, students seeking multifaith resources, etc. Learn more here.
What accessibility resources are available?
La Trobe's AccessAbility Hub provides comprehensive academic support for students with physical, neurodiverse, or other accessibility needs.
What's special about La Trobe?
Many La Trobe buildings and spaces are inspired by those of ancient Greece: Agora ("meeting place"), Peribolos ("enclosed court around a temple"), Plaka ("neighbourhood of Athens"). And so, of course, there are the columns, albeit made from brick, a feature of many buildings. La Trobe also offers a wide variety of Greek and Roman courses including courses on Ancient Greek and Latin, Classics, and even modern Greek courses for context!
La Trobe has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking on campus is not permitted.
La Trobe was also the first university in Australia to pioneer Asian Studies. They are still one of the small handful of universities in Australia that offer courses in all the major Asian languages - Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, and Hindi.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
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.