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Murdoch University - Semester or Year Abroad

Overview

Located in Perth, Western Australia, Murdoch University is a multi-award winning institution that has an international reputation for research and teaching and is committed to the pursuit of excellence. This reputation is supported by:
  • Murdoch lecturer Professor Duane Varan was the winner of the prestigious 2001 Prime Minister’s Award for “Australian University Teacher of the Year”.
  • Australia’s premier veterinary science program is at Murdoch University. The School houses a veterinary farm, hospital, and emergency clinic on campus and is the only one of its kind in Australia.
  • The world-class facilities and education at Murdoch University’s Veterinary School were recently recognized through accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Murdoch University is the first Australian veterinary school to achieve this accreditation.
  • Murdoch University is one of only four institutions in the world to have a state-of-the-art engineering pilot plant on campus (Rockingham campus).
  • The United Nations has made Murdoch one of only three regional Environmental Technology Centres in the world.
  • Murdoch University is home to a AUD$3.7 million Media Arts Centre, which is the most up-to-date media production facility of any Australian university.
  • Program Chair of Media Studies at Murdoch, Dr Martin Mhando, is the first Australian university academic to have a film nominated for an Academy Award. 
  • Murdoch has some of the most highly qualified academic staff in Australia with over 70 percent of its teaching staff holding a doctorate (compared to the Australian average of 50 percent).
Established in 1973 as a research university, Murdoch is a modern, progressive institution, committed to flexible, multi-disciplinary study. With a student population of 15,000, Murdoch supports excellent staff-student relations and provides state-of-the-art facilities, excellent student services, and an extensive range of academic programs.

Murdoch University has developed important links with universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. With approximately 3,000 international students from over 100 different countries, the University is a vibrant and cosmopolitan institution that is benefiting from its strong commitment to international education.

Location

Western Australia is one of Australia’s best-kept secrets! The State is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate, and white sandy beaches.

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is home to 1.4 million people and enjoys more hours of sunshine than any capital city in Australia. Perth is a safe, friendly, and inexpensive city that is large enough to be exciting and cosmopolitan, yet small enough to offer a friendly and relaxed lifestyle.

Murdoch University is set on a beautifully landscaped campus, which is located approximately 11 minutes by train or 20 minutes by bus (nine miles) from Perth’s city center and 10 minutes by bus (five miles) from the popular cafe district of Fremantle, which is Western Australia’s first port city.

Extracurricular Activities

Murdoch University provides a wonderful opportunity to experience an Australia little known to international students and travelers. Students can enjoy the café strip in Fremantle or explore the natural environment – from the sparkling, pristine beaches of the south to the rugged and remote ‘outback’ of the Kimberleys in the far north.

CISWA (Council for International Students of WA) also arranges activities and excursions for international students throughout the semester. Students will need to come to the International Office to book these trips.

Academic Highlights

The study abroad program at Murdoch University is designed to give international students the opportunity to spend one or two semesters of their undergraduate degree in Perth, transferring their credit to their home institution. As a study abroad student you will have a wide choice of subjects across over 90 disciplines offered on campus, enabling you not only to meet the subject requirements of your home institution but also to deepen or broaden your educational experience by study subjects not available to you at home.

Subject choices are available in the following areas:
  • Commerce/Business
  • Economics
  • Information Technology
  • Law
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Arts
  • Aboriginal and Islander Studies
  • Animal Science
  • Asian Studies
  • Education
  • Communication and Cultural Studies
  •  Media (Radio, Film and Television)
  • Multimedia Mass Communication (Public Relations and Journalism)
  • Psychology
  • History
  • Sociology
  • Tourism
  • Community Development
  • Sustainable Development
  • Biological Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Forensic Biology and Toxicology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Software Engineering
  • Renewable Energy Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Science
  • Mathematical and Physical Science
  • Biomedical Science
  • Chiropractic
  • Sports Science

View Available Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

University Services

Murdoch University is particularly proud of the quality of its student support services and the level of personal contact with students. Murdoch University is the only university in Australia to receive a five-star Graduate Satisfaction rating from the Good Guides University Guide for 12 out of 13 years.

Murdoch University provides a comprehensive one-week orientation program, international student liaison officers, accommodation assistance (on campus or off campus), email and computing facilities, and assistance with the organization of excursions around Western Australia.

There are several food outlets, two banking outlets, a fully equipped gymnasium, a student union, travel center, hairdresser, bookshop, gift store, health and counseling service, career service, worship center, extensive library, and an optometrist on campus.

Housing

Student Villages pre-arranged accommodation is provided in self-catering units on campus. Standard undergrad units contain five-, six-, or eight-bedrooms; two baths; and a communal kitchen and lounge room.

Orientation

Each semester at Murdoch begins with Week O (Orientation Week), a full week of orientation activities to help students get off to a great start before their first lecture the following week! The highlight of Week O is Festival Day, which gives students the opportunity to enjoy campus entertainment, join clubs and societies, go on organized campus tours, and soak up the atmosphere of university life!

Special Programs/Excursions

Northwest Outback Excursion

Murdoch University organizes a 10-day camping expedition in remote Western Australia for all study abroad students. This fun-filled bus trip, to the rugged northwest of Western Australia, covers close to 2,500 miles across plains of wild flowers and the vast outcrop that is outback Australia.

On this trip students will meet the dolphins at Monkey Mia in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area; visit Ningaloo Reef, home to some 500 species of fish; and hike the spectacular gorges of Karijini National Park. The trip will also introduce students to the Aboriginal people, their history and traditions, as well as the major issues they face today.

Total cost of the trip is only $720 AUD (approximately $525 USD).

View Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

Fees

Program Fees$9,835.00
Housing
With MealsNot available at this university
Without MealsApproximately $1,915 - $2,860
Housing Deposit
With MealsNot applicable
Without MealsRefundable housing deposits range from approximately $200 - $1,200 and are billed in addition to the housing fees.


Fee Includes

Program fees are in U.S. dollars. Program Fees include tuition for 3 to 4 subjects, university administrative fees, membership in the student union (where applicable), overseas health coverage, ISIC Premium (International Student Identity Card), 25% Lonely Planet Book discount, also included is our renowned 4-day Program Introduction in Tropical Cairns, Australia. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa-processing service (excluding the visa fee), housing placements, personal advising, subject selections, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services. As a study abroad student, you will be required to enroll as a full time student. Your semester is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. credits. Additional tuition and/or fees may apply in some subject areas not limited to the following: science, engineering, fine arts, and journalism. Students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed by the host university. Several universities have included the Sports and Rec. membership. Activities are usually extra. The Housing Fee is in addition to the Program Fees and may be an average for universities with multiple housing options. Students who select “apartment living arranged upon arrival” will only be charged the Program Fees, and housing costs will be paid on arrival by the student.

Fee Semester

The above fees are for the July 2009 term. Fees are subject to change for future terms.

Facts

Location: Perth, Western Australia
Overseas Students: 2000
Staff: 1200
Total Enrolment: 14000

Dates

All dates are provided by each university and are subject to change. AustraLearn will attempt to provide you with the most up-to-date information as we receive it. Be sure to confirm dates before finalizing any travel plans. 
July 2009 Semester - FallApplication Deadline: April 30, 2009
Anticipated DepartureJuly 15, 2009
Start DateJuly 17, 2009
End DateNovember 27, 2009
Mid Semester Break #1August 28, 2009 - September 2, 2009
Mid Semester Break #2 -
July 2009 Year - FallApplication Deadline: April 30, 2009
Anticipated DepartureJuly 21, 2009
Start DateJuly 17, 2009
End DateJune 11, 2010
Mid Semester Break #1August 28, 2009 - September 4, 2009
Mid Semester Break #2March 22, 2010 - March 26, 2010
February 2010 Semester - SpringApplication Deadline: November 15, 2009
Anticipated DepartureFebruary 3, 2010
Start DateFebruary 11, 2010
End DateJune 13, 2010
Mid Semester Break #1March 24, 2010 - March 28, 2010
Mid Semester Break #2April 21, 2010 - April 25, 2010
February 2010 Year - SpringApplication Deadline: November 15, 2009
Anticipated DepartureFebruary 3, 2010
Start DateFebruary 11, 2010
End DateNovember 28, 2010
Mid Semester Break #1March 24, 2010 - March 28, 2010
Mid Semester Break #2April 21, 2010 - April 25, 2010
July 2010 Semester - FallApplication Deadline: April 15, 2010
Anticipated DepartureJuly 22, 2010
Start DateJuly 28, 2010
End DateNovember 28, 2010
Mid Semester Break #1September 1, 2010 - September 5, 2010
Mid Semester Break #2September 29, 2010 - October 3, 2010
July 2010 Year - FallApplication Deadline: April 15, 2010
Anticipated DepartureJuly 22, 2010
Start DateJuly 28, 2010
End DateJune 13, 2011
Mid Semester Break #1September 1, 2010 - September 5, 2010
Mid Semester Break #2March 24, 2011 - March 28, 2011
February 2011 Semester - SpringApplication Deadline: April 15, 2011
Anticipated DepartureFebruary 1, 2011
Start DateFebruary 3, 2011
End DateJune 3, 2011
Mid Semester Break #1April 9, 2011 - April 17, 2011
Mid Semester Break #2 -
February 2011 Year - SpringApplication Deadline: April 15, 2011
Anticipated DepartureFebruary 1, 2011
Start DateFebruary 3, 2011
End DateNovember 27, 2011
Mid Semester Break #1April 9, 2011 - April 17, 2011
Mid Semester Break #2September 26, 2011 - October 2, 2011
July 2011 Semester - FallApplication Deadline: April 15, 2011
Anticipated DepartureJuly 13, 2011
Start DateJuly 15, 2011
End DateNovember 25, 2011
Mid Semester Break #1September 24, 2011 - October 2, 2011
Mid Semester Break #2 -
July 2011 Year - FallApplication Deadline: April 15, 2011
Anticipated DepartureJuly 13, 2011
Start DateJuly 15, 2011
End DateNovember 25, 2011
Mid Semester Break #1September 24, 2011 - October 2, 2011
Mid Semester Break #2April 7, 2012 - April 15, 2012

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the required GPA and have completed at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at the university/college level. Students with a lower GPA than the requirement may be considered on a case by case basis. Please contact our office for more information.

Required GPA: 2.75

University Specific Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships offered by AustraLearn, Murdoch University supports AustraLearn study abroad students with two $750 AUD awards each year.

AustraLearn Coordinator


Name:Rebecca Oihus
Title:Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services
Department:Semester or Year Abroad in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji
BIO:
Rebecca manages study abroad admissions and participant pre-trip services to the University of Tasmania, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, the University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, and Massey University.

Rebecca graduated with a BA in International Relations and Spanish from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota in 2006. She studied abroad for a semester at La Universidad de Concepcion in Chile and was a participant in a short-term study abroad program to China. She has also traveled to Belgium and the Canary Islands.

Advice From The Coordinator:
Students really love hanging out in Fremantle, or “Freo” as the locals call it. It is full of great restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Also, do not forget to sign up for the Northwest Outback Excursion. This 10-day camping trip through Western Australia is amazing and available at a subsidized cost -- it should not be passed up!
A word from our alumni
"At Murdoch, I'd say my favorite thing was Student Village, and my experiences there. It seemed as if the full degree residents couldn't wait for the arrival of the new Americans, and they were very welcoming and eager to hang out and show us around. I made some friends there that I will never forget. They helped me and taught me so much, and I know that some of my memories with them will never be topped. I would recommend Murdoch to a student who doesn't want a huge university, and one that doesn't want to get lost in the crowd. At Murdoch, I felt like I was an integral part of my friends' lives, and an important part of the community, even if only there for four months. It is the type of school where you can make an impact if you want to. Also, because Murdoch is located between Perth and Fremantle, there are so many different things you can do at night. I had so much fun at Murdoch, especially in Student Village, and I wouldn't trade my experience or memories for the world, and I think choosing Murdoch was a big factor in that."
K.Elliott
Murdoch University

 



 
AustraLearn: 12050 N. Pecos St, Suite 320 | Westminster, CO 80234 | 800-980-0033 | www.australearn.org | studyabroad@australearn.org
In Canada: 1-888-637-4412 | www.australearncanada.org | Canada@australearn.org