Western Sydney University
With 6 campus spread across Greater Western Sydney that encompass many of the region's historical, architectural, and cultural sites, WSU is seen as an example of living heritage and one of the "great universities" of Australia.
WSU has a total of about 36,000 students over its six campuses. It is ranked in the top 70 out of universities under 50 years of age (QS 2020). WSU is also ranked #1 in Australia in Times Higher Education's University Impact Rankings (THE 2019).
Key information
Application information
Student experience
Get an snapshot of WSU's world rankings and its diverse campuses!
Useful links
Program details
WSU offers a wide variety of programs, including Biology, Biomedical Science, Business, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Criminology, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Food Science, Forensics, Health Science, International Studies, Law, Math, Music, Natural Science, Nutrition, Psychology, Social Work, Sport Studies, Translation, Visual Communication and more.
Courses at WSU are called "units" or "subjects". Click here for more information on how to search for units.
Course requirements: Exchange students are expected to take 3-4 units (typically 30-40 credit points) per semester. Generally, 3 units at WSU equates to 3 courses at UCalgary, and 4 units at WSU equates to 5 courses at UCalgary.
WSU has multiple campuses in the Sydney region. Exchange students are advised to take courses from one campus only. Click here to view a map & short text description about each of the 6 campuses available for you to choose from. (Please note that the campuses open to exchange students do not include Sydney City Campus, or Blacktown/Nirimba Campus.)
The academic year is divided into 2 sessions.
- Autumn session runs from mid-February to late June.
- Spring session runs from mid-July to late November.
Students can start in either session, 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.
It is recommended that students budget around AUS$500 per week 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. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
Sydney 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 the International Study Travel Grant for students travelling on approved UCalgary study programs that are credit bearing. The amount changes year to year as the money is split evenly between qualified applicants. Students may only receive the study travel grant once. Please see the funding page for more information.
Exchange students to WSU who wish to live on-campus are guaranteed housing through WSU Village. Village sites are located at each campus and offer a range of multi-resident apartments (3-6 students each) with private bedrooms, private or shared bathrooms, and a shared kitchen. The Villages also have studios available, which are self-contained apartments with bed, kitchen, and ensuite bath.
Students can also seek off-campus accommodation, either in the form of private housing or by renting a room in a shared house, though WSU recommends that students wait until they attend an accommodation information session (held before the semester starts) before making any financial committments. There is also the option for students to apply for a homestay with a local Australian family. Because of this range in housing types, rental fees can vary drastically. Students are encouraged to look into the detailed information provided.
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-).
Note: There is extremely limited space for exchange students at Western Sydney University. 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 WSU, so having a 2nd and 3rd choice university is especially important.
What's special about Sydney and WSU?
Sydney Opera House aside, there's plenty of intriguing angles to the largest Australian city. Check out some online resources to learn what makes Sydney unique!
WSU has multiple campuses in the Sydney region. Exchange students are advised to take courses from one campus only. Click here to view a map & short text description about each of the 6 campuses available for you to choose from. (Please note that the campuses open to exchange students do not include Sydney City Campus, or Blacktown/Nirimba Campus.)
WSU also has a smoke-free campus policy. Smoking is not permitted on any WSU campus.
What resources are available for students?
WSU runs a mandatory Orientation Program for incoming international students with a variety of informative and social events. They also offer a complimentary airport pick-up for international students.
What supports or services are available at WSU?
WSU's Disability Services provides comprehensive academic support to students with disabilities.
WSU also has many services available for LGBTQ+ people and a strong Ally Network through the university.
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.