Macquarie University

Areas of Study: Macquarie offers a wide variety of subjects including Actuarial Science, Anthropology, Biology, Business, Mandarin (Chinese), Chemistry, Computer Science, Criminology, Croatian Language, Dance, Earth Science, Economics, Education, Engineering (electrical, mechanical, computer, software), French, Game Design, Geography, Geology, Greek, History & Classics, Indigenous Studies, International Studies, Italian, Japanese, Journalism, Linguistics, Math & Statistics, Media Studies & Communication, Meteorology, Music, Neuroscience, Paleobiology, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Polish, Psychology, Russian, Sociology, Spanish, Translation Studies, Urban Studies, and more.

Note: At Macquarie, the word "course" means a degree. Courses (as in classes) are called a "unit".
Units numbered 1000, 2000, and 3000 are undergraduate level. 

The Handbook is where you can search for units by faculty and semester. The Unit Guide is where you can find detailed outlines. Make sure to cross-check your desired units with the restricted units list as some may be restricted for exchange students. 

Course requirements: Exchange students are expected to take 3-4 units (30-40 credit points) at Macquarie per semester. For how this will transfer back to your degree, 3 units at Macquarie = 3 courses at UCalgary however 4 units at Macquarie = 5 courses at UCalgary. Exact credit transfer should be discussed with your UCalgary academic advisor.

Student Experience: "I would say the biggest differences were classes were only once per week, and longer, which made it nice as it felt like we covered more in class and then had the rest of the week to study and prepare. The library also carried most of the textbooks I needed for each course."

The academic year is divided into 2 semesters.

• Session 1 runs from late February to late June
• Session 2 runs from late July to late November

Students can start in either semester, however full-year students must start in February (Session 1).

Exchange students to Macquarie are guaranteed housing, as long as they apply by the deadline. Student apartments are all located off-campus and contain up to six single or double bedrooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom. When living in university housing, students can expect rent in the range of $250-375 AUD per week.

Alternatively, students may apply for a homestay with a local family, or search for accommodation on the private market; the university makes several recommendations for both homestay & housing providers. See more information online.

Student Tips: "I lived at Robert Menzies College (RMC) on campus. It was amazing. It is fairly big with 5 different blocks (wings) each having about 20 rooms per floor (3 floors). Blocks A-D are quite old but very well kept and renovated. Block E is newer and very nice, but more expensive. The rooms are decent size containing a bed, desk, chair, window ledge, lots of wardrobe storage and cupboards. I was in shared accommodation, so I had my own private room but shared 3 bathrooms with 8 other students (same gender). There was also a shared kitchen for the whole floor (20 people). I loved my room, it was perfect for what I needed. Furniture and bedding were both provided, along with a fan, heater, desk, chair, etc. Every week we could get new clean sheets on a set day. I had a meal plan where all my meals were provided in the dining hall with a set two-week schedule. I had to buy decorations, school materials, and a light blanket, but that was all. The building had a music room with a piano, a common room with a pool table, ping pong table, foosball table, and couches, a tv/movie room, a dining hall, a sport court, a huge outdoor picnic table, outdoor human chess and about 4-5 study rooms. In addition, each floor of each block had its own little common room with couches. There isn’t a gym on site, but we had free membership at the uni gym through our residence. There was good wireless internet and a print room where we could use computers and printers (just needed to bring our own paper).
It was very close to campus, a 5 min walk to most things and max a 10 min walk. It was about 2 mins from the train station and 5 mins from a huge mall with shops, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, movie theatre, skating rink and more.
In terms of food services, there is a full, semi or self-catered plan. I was fully catered where I got all three meals, seven days a week. If I were to miss lunch, I can put in a request for a sandwich of my choice with a piece of fruit and a juice box for a packed lunch which is available for pick up the morning of.  
It is important to note RMC is a dry campus, no alcohol allowed (other residence options may not be). The whole residence was gated, and we needed cards to get both on site and then into each of the buildings and bathrooms. I loved being close to campus and having the opportunity to meet so many friends. It was nice not having to buy a bunch of things and to be close to the mall, gym, class and train station. I loved the atmosphere, the rooms, the people and the options they gave us. The meal plan was great, everyone hung out in the common rooms together, lots of optional events were hosted that most people attended, and it was a great experience. RMC is close to pretty much everything and was such a good place to live. 
Some people also liked Dunmore Lang College (DLC). The biggest difference is they are not a dry-campus, so alcohol is allowed. This however means there is a lot more noise and less of a community atmosphere from what I have seen. Macquarie University Village looks really nice, but it is far away, and you have to buy everything such as bedding, cooking tools, fans, heaters, etc. It is nice for people who are looking for more of an independent place to live, just important to look and see if it is right for what you need."

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 2.7 (B-).

What's so special about Macquarie? 

Located in one of Australia's largest cities, Macquarie's focus on professional growth and global citizenship has led to the development of unique co-curricular opportunities that exchange students can take advantage of during their semester abroad.

You will also have the option of participating in the Global Leadership Program (a program that brings together all students at Macquarie) and/or complete a Global Leadership Certificate (designed specifically for exchange students) - at no extra cost! 

Student Experience: "While I was in Sydney I joined this really cool program called the Global Leadership Program or GLP. In GLP you have the opportunity to go to seminars and workshops about global issues, go to events that focus on furthering equality and human rights on a global scale, and even have travel to other cities and universities to attend weekend programs that include panelists and globally renowned speakers."

What resources are available for new students?

Macquarie organizes an orientation O Week with a variety of informative and social events aimed at introducing incoming students to campus. 

There is also an International Student Arrival Guide, published online annually. (Download the PDF along the right-hand sidebar.)

Student Experience: "Both my uni and residence (RMC) had planned social activities. During O-week there were lots of events such as buddy nights, movie nights, BBQs, etc. with the uni. In addition, my residence had scavenger hunts, dances, etc. Particularly for exchange students, Macquarie Uni had events planned such a coast walks, blue mountains trips, AFL games, surf lessons and more that we could participate in. I also was part of the scuba diving club on campus."

"Make friends and participate in as many activities are you can, especially during O-week. Also, get involved and participate in as many activities as you can. I joined clubs, sports teams, the gym, participated in the buddy system and got a mentor. All of these things made me feel so much more connected and helped Sydney feel like home."   

What supports or services are available at Macquarie?

Macquarie's Disability Service provides comprehensive academic support for students with disabilities.

Is there a gym on campus?

Yes, and membership is free with certain accommodation options. 
Student Experience: "Macquarie has an awesome gym (and membership is free for Dunmore Lang College and Robert Menzies College residents). The gym was definitely better than at UCalgary - bigger and more equipment. "

What is the climate like? How easy is it to get around?

Student Experience: "Summer is hot, and winter can be cold. Prepare for cold weather after April in Sydney where jeans, long sleeves and jackets are needed." 
"Transit is amazing – you can get anywhere very easily. There is an app called TripView that is very useful for planning your route and the opal card (transit card) is easy to use. Make sure to apply for the concession card, you get great deals on fees. To get from Macquarie Uni to Circular Quay (Sydney opera house, bridge, harbour, ferries, etc.) it is a 30 min train ride that is very easy to do. There are so many cool places to go that are easy to get to by transit such as Bondi, Manly, The Rocks, Circular Quay, etc."

Macquarie has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking on campus is not permitted.